RAISING VOICES – Stillwater’s Dementia-friendly Choir
Spring Season 2026 Start-Up Press Release
SUMMARY
• Raising Voices dementia-friendly choir begins new session for Spring 2026
• First rehearsal on Saturday, February 7
• Rehearsals held every Saturday from 1:00-3:00pm at Modella Art Gallery (721 S Main Street in Stillwater).
• Concert on Saturday, April 25
• The choir welcomes persons with dementia and their care partners, along with singing volunteers. Persons from surrounding communities are welcome
• Participation is free of charge
• Contact: info@raisingvoicesok.com
• Visit Raising Voices Chorus on Facebook; @RaisingVoicesOK_ on Instagram
• If desired, we can connect you with one or more participants for interviews/quotes
Raising Voices, Stillwater’s dementia-friendly choir, will ‘sing on’ this spring! The inaugural November concert of the chorus, led by conductor/founder Sarah DeYong, was a joyful success, featuring 21 singers and an enthusiastic audience. Favorite song choices were ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame’ and the Beach Boys’ ‘Fun Fun Fun,’ along with several audience sing-along selections.
Rehearsals for the spring session will begin on Saturday, February 7, 1:00-3:00pm at Modella Art Gallery (721 S Main Street, Stillwater) and continue every Saturday until the Spring Concert on Saturday, April 25. The choir welcomes persons with dementia and their care partners, along with singing volunteers. Persons from surrounding communities are encouraged to join, as well. Participation is free of charge.
More and more research confirms that singing, and singing in a choir specifically, provides tremendous benefit to persons with dementia. Singing can spark a positive mindset, and release ‘happy hormones.’ These outcomes can help with pain relief, well-being, and blood pressure levels. Singing increases neuroplasticity, helps form new memories, and encourages deeper breathing. Singing in a choir provides essential community and human connection. It is important to note that singing in a choir differs from a ‘singalong’ in the sense of both communal effort and of personal accomplishment.
The spring concert will feature Music from the Movies, including “Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz and “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from Toy Story. Spring events will also include the ‘Raising Voices Tailgate’ fundraiser on February 1 at Modella Art Gallery which will feature a chili cookoff. More information will be available soon.
January 2026 marks the one-year anniversary of singing with Raising Voices. During year one, the choir presented an open rehearsal in June, performed at the Stillwater Walk to End Alzheimer’s, sang for Stillwater Medical Center’s Dementia Community Outreach event, and presented the inaugural public concert in November.
Visit Raising Voices on Facebook and Instagram to learn more. Join us in singing for joy and health!
