About Singing Hills Chorus

Mankato & North Mankato ACT on Alzheimer’s offers a meaningful engagement program for people in the community to join together for a unique choral experience. The chorus, especially created for persons living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, and their care partners, started in September 2017.

Singers of all abilities create and learn in weekly rehearsals at a warm and accessible music venue with a specially trained professional choral director who ensures artistic excellence. The rehearsals culminate in a concert showcasing the accomplishments of the singers. Singing Hills Chorus was inspired by the Twin-cities based Giving Voice Chorus!

The Singing Hills Chorus Experience

  • No singing experience required
  • Music director understands singers’ potential
  • Comfortable rehearsal space with good acoustics
  • Variety of music, familiar and challenging, adapted as needed
  • Personalized music books and practice CDs
  • Weekly rehearsals and a public performance
  • Social time for singers and volunteers
  • Dementia-aware volunteers available to assist

We celebrate the full potential of people living with Alzheimer’s.

Our number one goal for chorus members is that they experience JOY!

Chorus Information and Registration

Chorus members include people living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias, their care partners and volunteers. We welcome any person who is living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia who can attend the structured weekly rehearsals and, most importantly, wants to make good music and good friends! There are no auditions, and no musical training or experience is necessary.

During the fall and spring sessions, chorus members rehearse for a 90-minute rehearsal under the direction of Kristin Ziemke. There is a half-hour of socialization time, along with refreshments, before the rehearsal. The chorus rehearses for 12-14 weeks and performs a concert at the end of each session. The session wraps up with a celebration breakfast.

Music in Motion Fall Session
Rehearsals: Thursday, September 5-December 12, January 2 & 9.
Social time: 9:30-10am. Rehearsal: 10-11:30am.
Cost: $25 per person, includes music binder and practice CD. Payment may be made at the first rehearsal.

Music in Motion Concert
Saturday, January 11, 1pm

Rehearsals and the concert are held at Hosanna Lutheran Church, 105 Hosanna Drive, Mankato.

REGISTRATION FORM

This chorus is created for a person living with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia to share with a family member or friend. Singers are asked to register in pairs.

Fill out form below to register or print and complete the Registration Form.

Monday Morning Music

Watch and sing along to some well-loved songs with Kristin, our music director!

View the Monday Morning Music Playlist

What a Wonderful World Concert

May 11, 2019

Performance of Sakatah: Singing Hills

FAQs

No, a formal medical diagnosis is not required. The chorus is open to anybody who is experiencing memory loss that affects daily living. People with Alzheimer’s or other dementias, such as Dementia with Lewy Bodies, Frontotemporal disease or Vascular dementia may join.

Absolutely not! Choir participants will receive binders with lyrics and other adaptations as needed and will use them in rehearsals and public performances.

Yes, if you need to use a walker or wheelchair, we can accommodate you. We selected our current space after thoroughly reviewing the parking lot, lighting, restrooms, elevators, etc. If additional accommodations are needed, please let us know.

No. However, we want the chorus to look similar for the public performance and will ask members to wear white shirts and black pants. A coordinating piece will be provided to all members.

Volunteer singers will be paired with the chorus member living with dementia. Care partners are welcome to sing in their own section.

“Those who wish to sing always find a song.” 

― Swedish Proverb

About the Mankato & North Mankato ACT on Alzheimer’s Action Team

Mankato and North Mankato are one of 40+ ACT on Alzheimer’s dementia-friendly communities in Minnesota. We are committed to creating a dementia friendly community that is respectful, safe, informed and engaging.

katoactonalz.org

Affiliate Member of Giving Voice Initiative

Singing Hills Chorus is a member of the Giving Voice Initiative (GVI). We were the first GVI chorus in outstate Minnesota! As a GVI member, it is our priority is to meet the needs of people living with Alzheimer’s who live in community because they generally have fewer opportunities to socialize and be creative. Similarly, their care partners often feel isolated and alone. In serving these community members, GVI choruses create unique opportunities for people to connect, grow, challenge stereotypes, and significantly improve quality of life.

Watch the original Giving Voice Chorus in a Twin Cities Public Television video

Singing Hills Chorus thanks

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
Twin Rivers Council for the Arts is the fiscal agent for Mankato & North Mankato ACT on Alzheimer’s
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.