Aging Voices Come to Life For Pavilion Choir Concert

STAMFORD – A special concert at 2 p.m. this Saturday, Dec. 14,  at The Pavilion, the assisted living facility on Buntline Drive in the village of Stamford, will bring aging voices to life for the community to enjoy.

Fred Schreiner, an octogenarian who resides at the facility, started the group to give them something to look forward to and to engage them.

Schreiner has been a resident there for just about one year and soon after becoming a resident, he noticed many of the residents sat around and "zombied out". "It's typical of a senior living facility," he said. "This is what I was doing. There is nothing to engage them."

He said there was a niche here for him to bring some joy into their lives, so he decided to start a choir. "The people have been singing and it is bringing smiles to their faces. Many are lonely, depressed and in pain. They have lost loved ones and family."

Schreiner taught voice for 50 years at the college level. He was trained in classical singing and opera and was involved in the classical arts and songs. He also knows the history, saying the voice was the first musical instrument. He enjoyed a brief career singing around the country in various states, and in Germany. He enjoyed it, however, "I was married at the time and unless you are in the very top of  the performers, you really can't make a living that would support a family."

So, when the babies started arriving, he went back to college to earn his doctorate and began teaching at the college level. He was involved in all kids of productions, directed many choirs and taught the history and the development of music. Upon his retirement, he was in the Jefferson area to be near relatives and last year they convinced him to make the move to assisted living.

His newest choir varies from 20 to 30 residents. "We get sick from time to time because we are older, and we go missing for  a time" he said, but they do have a consistent group who rehearses once per week.

"We've worked hard and are doing a good job," he said. He explained that just like the other parts of the body, the voice also ages and it becomes more and more  difficult and sometimes almost impossible to sing. "Most of them say they can't sing anymore, but they are taking the risk. Most of them are in their 80's."

If you are tone-deaf, which some of us are, he says he can't give us much hope, but he still encourages people to enjoy singing. Sometimes it is those least able to carry a tune that enjoy singing the most. He agrees with that, with a chuckle. 

Schreiner has a solo in the concert, a Christmas folk song "I Wonder as I Wander". His voice too, is aging, he said. It is not what it once was, but he can still sing and enjoys it.

There are two parts  of the concert for those "With a Song in Our Hearts", which is the theme of The Pavilion Singers. The concert will open with their theme song, "All is Well with My Soul", a Norwegian song that has comforting words.

The first part of the concert will be songs of Thanksgiving and Christmas, such Come Ye Thankful People Come; Deck the Halls; Sleigh Bells; Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire; I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas; Fred's solo; Silent Night, Holy Night and We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

The second part of the concert deals with song of The American Spirit, such as Take Me Out to the Ball Game; Yankee Doodle;  I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy; Clang, Clang, Clang Went the Trolley; Give My Regards to Broadway; America, America and Reprise; We Wish You a Merry Christmas. "Our guest and residents are invited to speak with the singers and share light refreshments after the concert.

And don't think it is just singing. There are skits, such as the one with Abbott and Costello referring to a baseball game and some other action involved.

Last Saturday they were rehearsing a complete run through of the program and on Friday morning they plan a dress rehearsal. Evie handed out a sheet listing the dress rehearsal and the program, so they would know which songs they are singing.

As they gathered for rehearsal on Saturday, there was light bantering, like wouldn't it be nice if they had some animation, like Santa and his reindeer flying over the choir.  "That's not likely," said Schreiner.

Mike plays the keyboard, there will be some bell ringing and some front door greeters this Saturday and the community is cordially invited to come and listen in.

Special thanks are in order for Laurie Wehmeyer, activities director for her help and support, housekeeping staff Lisa and Brian for their setup assistance and Andrea and Allison for their front desk assistance.

When I snuck out of their rehearsal on Saturday, they were definitely smiling and engaged. Mr. Schreiner may not realize it, but one of his singers is actually a centenarian. The choir is very much looking forward to their concert and are hoping to have an appreciative audience.

Members of the choir include: Fred, Mike, Evie, Anne, Catherine, Judy, Peg, Marian, Candace, Lucy, Dan, John, Jim, Fay, Carol, Barb, Marilyn, Rita, Muriel, Annie, Mabel, Joyce and Mary. 

Once again, the performance is this Saturday, Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. at The Pavilion, located at  Buntline Drive and South Delaware St. in the village of Stamford.