After retiring as Trinity High School’s choral director, Linda Crabtree Powell is moving on to work with what she considers “big kids.”
Powell is the conductor of the newly established Oak Park/River Forest Encore Chorale, for those 55 and older. It’s part of the Chicago-area affiliate of Encore Creativity, which is based in the Washington, D.C. area and is the largest chorale organization for older adults in the country.
“This is that opportunity for people to still be engaged as a participant, not just an audience,” Powell said.
The chorale will rehearse at Trinity High School in River Forest, and the 15-week session starts Sept. 6. Open to women and men 55 and older, there are no auditions for the chorale. Experienced vocalists and those with no experience singing in a choir are all welcome to register.
But, Powell added, “it’s not going to be watered-down versions of anything.”
Powell and Jonathan Miller, artistic director and conductor of other Encore Chorale groups in the Chicago area, both mentioned the importance of senior citizens staying mentally and socially engaged, and a choral organization like Encore Chorale provides opportunities for both.
“People get to reconnect to their voice, and have an experience they maybe haven’t had in a long time,” Miller said. “Choirs always create community.”
A unique aspect to the choral program: daytime rehearsals. The Oak Park/River Forest group will meet at 9 a.m. Tuesdays. Powell hopes the daytime rehearsals encourage participants to grab lunch or coffee together afterward.
Miller, a longtime choral conductor, founder of Chicago a Capella and colleague of Powell’s for years, conducts Encore Chorale groups in Hinsdale, Evanston, two in Chicago and one that’s taking shape in Arlington Heights.
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“Early on, it was obvious that Oak Park/River Forest was a perfect location for this,” Miller said, adding that they expect at least 40 people to sign up.
He pointed out that all of the Chicago area Encore Chorale groups are learning and singing the same music this fall, making it easy for participants to make up a rehearsal elsewhere during the week if one is missed.
Powell, a River Forest resident, founded the BRAVO! program at Brooks Middle School, prior to directing Trinity’s choral program for nine years. She said she feels she’s graduated to working with senior citizens.
“Now I feel comfortable working with voices that are changing,” she said.
Registration for the 15-week session costs $150. Carla Sloan, River Forest township supervisor, said Encore Chorale is in line with the township’s mission of facilitating lifelong learning, and the township is pleased to offer partial scholarships for those in need.
“We wouldn’t want anyone to not sign up because of the cost,” she said, adding that she expects the program to be popular with local seniors.
For more information, visit www.encorecreativity.org/locations/affiliates/Chicago or call 312-342-7227.
Caitlin Mullen is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.