The Silver Chords: Sharing Our Joy Of Music
Rehearsals are OPEN to all. You are welcome to come and check it out.
ALL LONG ISLAND RESIDENTS WHO WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR PERFORMANCES ARE WELCOME TO DO SO, REGARDLESS OF THEIR RACE, RELIGION, MENTAL OR PHYSICAL CHALLENGES, GENDER, OR SEXUAL IDENTITY.
We welcome new members during the first month of rehearsal for each season. That's September for the Winter Season, and January for the Spring.
New members are welcome to "sit in" on rehearsal for that day. During rehearsal we will do some activities that should help them determine their singing range, and therefore the part they should sing. If they wish to audition, sing "Star Spangled Banner" (To The Best Of One's Ability).and you're IN!
Although the Silver Chords began as a Senior Citizen's Choir, we have grown into a multi-generational group, open to singers of ALL ages 13-99!
There is a membership fee of $35 per season. (Most would agree that that's a BARGAIN as far as community choral groups go.) This includes sheet music, which must be returned at the end of the season. This fee is non-refundable.
Members are encouraged to attend rehearsals regularly. One should not miss more than 3 rehearsals per season, and none during the month leading up to the concert. That being said, those with legitimate conflicts are expected to learn the music on their own, and come back from an absence prepared to perform.
Membership for the Troubadours is by special audition only. (It is a select group.) To be a member of the Troubadours, you MUST also be a member of the Silver Chords. (Membership Fee in good standing.)
You are welcome to do so. Participation in the concert depends on your ability to learn the music in the time allotted. Members who join late in the season and perform with us are also responsible for the membership fee.
YES WE DO!!!!
We believe that there is no such thing as a person who "Can't Sing." Only people who haven't learned how to sing properly.
Time in rehearsal is devoted to teaching proper vocal technique in a group setting, along with sight reading skills, and other musical, physical and mental training. If necessary, private instruction is available and included with your membership fee. (Think of it as music lessons for as little as $35 per season!)
Several of our members were identified as having vocal problems when they first joined, they are now fully fledged assets to our choir.
Studies have shown that choral singing leads to many health benefits both physical and emotional. Singing is known to improve heart rate and breathing, boost the immune system, and improve stamina and energy. Singing with the Silver Chords also provides camaraderie, emotional wellness, and helps strengthen mental focus.
Most importantly, participation in the arts is beneficial to our cultural health. It helps us to remember our history, explore other cultures and traditions, and become more empathetic in our worldview. Participation in arts organizations contributes to the building of communities and establishment of our cultural history.
Breathing and posture techniques used in training for singing have been shown to be beneficial to those recovering from Covid-19. The relaxation and social aspects of choral singing also help anxiety and stress.
Click on the links below for more information.
https://www.barbershop.org/singing-helps-long-covid-recovery
https://takelessons.com/live/singing/health-benefits-of-singing
https://www.barbershop.org/the-health-benefits-of-singing
https://www.riseupandsing.org/singing/health-benefits
The Covid-19 pandemic is very much over. That said, we understand that covid-19 is still a concern for many of us. The Silver Chords are going to do all that we can to keep the Smithtown Senior Center a safe place for us to sing together.
The best safety precaution is that most of us are fully vaccinated AND Boosted, which will minimize the spread of the virus, and the severity of symptoms should we catch the virus. We recommend in the strongest possible terms that you get vaccinated and boosted according to your doctor's recommendations.
Early in 2020, it was speculated that choral singing was a "Super-spreader" behavior. However, we are proud to say that, as of this date, no member of the Silver Chords has caught the Covid-19 virus from attending our rehearsals and/or performances. More current studies have shown that singing does NOT spread particles and aerosols any farther than speaking does. Therefore, normal social distancing and masking; along with vaccination; should protect us from the virus.
Be mindful of your own health and behavior. If you feel like you are showing symptoms related to Covid infection, or any illness, or think that you may have been exposed; feel free to skip rehearsal that week or wear a mask and distance. If you feel sick, please get a negative Covid test before returning to rehearsal. Singers who appear to be ill will be asked to go home and get well.
Rehearsals will be recorded for future review. We will also consider livestreaming an option. If you feel like you cannot attend rehearsal, please join us virtually, and review the videos to catch up.
Please be courteous to those around you with differing opinions of how to keep themselves safe. Participants who create conflict over this issue will be asked to leave.
If you have any other concerns, please e-mail silverchordschorus@gmail.com. We will do whatever we can to address your concerns. Our goal is to make you feel as safe as we can.