Art of Aging: Seniors perform the Sounds of the Season

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Thursday, December 15, 2016
Art of Aging: Seniors perform the Sounds of the Season
A group of seniors perform the Sounds of the Season in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.

NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. (WPVI) -- A group of seniors perform the Sounds of the Season in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.

The White Horse Village singers is a group of 80 retirees who put on a show for their fellow retirement home residents.

Kay Stretton, the conductor, who spent her life doing choral work in churches and schools, co-founded the choir 15-years-ago.

She said, "We are the luckiest people in town that we can do it at this age. And that we can be supported by everybody else is just a total delight."

The chorus presents two programs a year - the holiday concert and a spring show full of show tunes, designed by Kay's husband, Tom Stretton, the Assistant of White Horse Village Singers.

"The people in the choir get a tremendous sense of community out of it," said Tom.

The theme of this year's concert was A Celebration of Light.

And Kay makes sure her audiences are actively engaged.

Dottie Mallon, VP of Marketing and Public Relations - White Horse Village said, "They sing along, they get so much out of it. They get a physical workout with their lungs and breathing. It's spiritual."

The choir is known as The Village Singers.

Charles Helmetag, Choir member, White Horse Village Singers said, "I love to sing, I love to be on stage, and the singers really fulfills that need."

The average age of these late-in-life performers is 83.

June Graeff, Choir member, White Horse Village Singers said, "It's just a delight to find this group here at this point in my life."

"Our doctor here says you guys do more good with a choir than I do with my medicine. I'm convinced people need to sing." said Kay.

For more information on seniors, visit our Art of Aging section.