Encore Announces Fall 2008 Schedule Introducing Two New Locations and New Band and Dance Programs

With the addition of Potomac Academy of George Mason University, the combined Encore Chorales will be over 225 singers strong, singing at seven locations in the DC/VA/MD area.  Discussions are ongoing with at least two other locations – standby for further news on those. If you have sung sometime in your life, want to return to singing, or have never sung outside the shower, join our other music enthusiasts for a weekly rehearsal of seasonal and holiday music with professional conductor Jeanne Kelly. The Chorale classes, designed for adults 55 years and above, are instructive as well as enjoyable. Participants learn proper breathing techniques and how to improve their voice through correct tone production as Kelly guides them through weekly rehearsals in three- and four-part singing. The season will conclude with a combined performance of all the Encore Chorales at the Kennedy Center, Washington, DC, as well as local concerts at most Chorale locations. Be a part of a true harmonic convergence—if you can talk, you can sing! Jeanne Kelly’s career of over thirty-five years has produced a unique blend of experience as a vocal performer, teacher, conductor and music administrator. Ms. Kelly had a successful operatic career; taught voice privately and at Hood College and the U.S. Naval Academy; conducted choral groups at the U.S. Naval Academy and Georgetown University, and was Executive Director of the Houston Conservatory of Music and the Levine School of Music, Northern Virginia Campus. She founded Encore Creativity for Older Adults in June 2007. Jeanne earned an undergraduate degree in voice performance and piano from the University of Findlay and a master's degree in voice performance from the Peabody Conservatory.  Chorale locations and meeting times as follows.  Click on Encore Program Registration here or above left to sign up.   Langston Brown Senior Center 2121 Culpeper Street Arlington, VA 22207 Rehearsals Tuesdays 2:00-3:30 Beginning September 9th   Workhouse Arts Center at Lorton 9601 Ox Road Lorton, VA 22079 Rehearsals Wednesdays 2:00-3:30 Beginning September 10th   Smithsonian Resident Associates Ripley Center 1100 Jefferson Drive, SW Washington, DC Rehearsals Wednesdays 10:30-Noon Beginning September 3rd   Goodwin House Alexandria 4800 Fillmore Avenue Alexandria, VA 22311 Rehearsals Fridays 10:30-Noon (For Residents Only)   Goodwin House Baileys Crossroads 3440 South Jefferson Street Falls Church, VA 22041 Rehearsals Fridays 1:00-2:30 (For Residents Only)   Potomac Academy of George Mason University Woodlands Retirement Community 4320 Forest Hill Drive Fairfax, VA 22030 FoRehearsals Tuesdays 11:00-12:30 Beginning September 9   Myerberg Senior Center 3101 Fallstaff Road Baltimore, MD 21209 Rehearsals Thursdays 10:45-12:15 Beginning September 4th

Retired?  When’s the last time you played that musical instrument stuffed in the back of your closet?  Well, dust it off and join in on the fun at either the Workhouse Arts Center at Lorton or the Potomac Academy of George Mason University for Encore’s new Band program. Starting this fall, the Workhouse and Potomac Academy are partnering with Encore Creativity for Older Adults to form bands for adults over the age of 55. Whether you are a beginner or gave up your instrument years ago, or you’re still “tooting your horn,” this band offers something for you. The band program, under the direction of professional percussionist and conductor John Kilkenny, will consist of a beginning or intermediate brass, wind, or percussion group lesson, followed by a full band rehearsal. At the end of the fourteen weeks, you’ll be prepared to entertain friends and family (won’t the children and grandchildren be proud!).   John Kilkenny appears regularly with such prestigious ensembles as the National Symphony, Washington National Opera, Washington Ballet, Washington Concert Opera, and National Philharmonic.  He has worked with some of the most eminent conductors of our time, including James Levine, Leonard Slatkin, Sir Colin Davis, David Zinman, Robert Spano, David Robertson, Gerald Schwarz, Jai Jai Ling, Marin Alsop, Alan Gilbert, and Lawrence Foster.  He currently serves on the Music Department faculty at George Mason University. John received his Bachelors degree from the Juilliard School and his Masters from Temple University.   Band locations and meeting times as follows.  Click on Encore Program Registration here or above left to sign up.     Workhouse Arts Center at Lorton 9601 Ox Road Lorton, VA 22079 Rehearsals Wednesdays 11:00-1:30 Beginning September 10th   Potomac Academy of George Mason University Church of the Good Shepherd 2551 Hunter Mill Road Vienna, VA 22181 Rehearsals Tuesdays 11:00-1:30 Beginning September 9th

Don’t be a couch potato! This fall, spend your Wednesday afternoons dancing! Encore Creativity for Older Adults is bringing this new dance program to the Workhouse Arts Center at Lorton and the Arlington Center for Dance. In fourteen weeks, instructor Tiffany Haughn will introduce you to Ballet, Modern, Jazz, and Social Dance forms such as Swing and Mambo (just to name a few). You’ll have the time of your life! The class, designed for adults (men and women) 55 years and above, is instructive as well as enjoyable. Class will include a series of warm up exercises to develop proper alignment, build cardiovascular stamina, improve coordination and balance, and increase range of motion, flexibility, and strength. The class will also include experiences in guided meditation, Yoga, and Pilates. Tiffany Haughn is a teacher, choreographer, and performer in the Washington, D.C. dance community.  She currently teaches dance at George Mason University, The University of Mary Washington and Arlington Center for Dance. Ms. Haughn has also been on the faculty of George Washington University, Northern Virginia Community College, The Dance Institute of Washington, Flint Hill School, and The Virginia Ballet Company.  Her choreography has been presented in the DC area at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Atlas Performing Arts Center, Dance Place and The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, among others.  She has performed with The Lindt International Ballet, Saltare Dance Company, Jennifer Walker & Company, Threshold Dance Company, and as a guest performer with CrossCurrents Dance Company. Ms. Haughn graduated magna cum laude from Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, Florida, with a B.F.A. in dance and a B.A. in psychology.  She earned her Masters of Fine Arts degree in dance at George Mason University.  Band locations and meeting times as follows.  Click on Encore Program Registration here or above left to sign up.   Workhouse Arts Center at Lorton 601 Ox Road Lorton, VA 22079 Classes Mondays 3:00-4:00 Beginning September 8th    Arlington Center for Dance 3443 Carlin Springs Road Falls Church, VA 22041 Classes Wednesdays 2:00-3:00 Beginning Sept. 10th

Chautauqua Camp Next Week!

Encore is counting down the days to our upcoming four-day Chorale Camp at the famed Chautauqua Institution, to be held August 26th - 30th, 2008. "The Chautauqua campus offers a perfect setting for a truly exciting program," Encore's Executive Director, Jeanne  Kelly, said. "We're looking forward to our second camp of the summer. Participants in our June camp at St. Mary's College of Maryland, were effusive in their praise of the experience. Chautauqua will be even better."

Joining Jeanne will be Dr. Barry Talley, recently retired Director of Musical Activities at the United States Naval Academy, and Director of the Men's Glee Club.  Together, Jeanne and Barry will offer fun and challenging repertoire, including political songs written by Barry, spirituals, Gilbert and Sullivan choruses, and opera choruses.

Musical repertoire will include:  

Opera Choruses

 Songs of the Sea - Selections from Below

 American Folk Songs by Aaron Copland

 Spirituals 

 And...

Singers will begin their day with movement/dance class to get warmed up for a day of exciting singing. The day will include classes in vocal technique, sight reading, sectionals, and women's and men's ensembles.

Encore is bringing in professional artists, including the West Shore Piano Trio, for excellent evening entertainment.   

Camp participants will perform a community  concert on the final day of the camp, August 30th, at 2:00pm in Elizabeth S. Lenna Hall.

Happy Campers!

Encore conducted our First Annual (by acclamation) Choral Camp at St. Mary's College of Maryland , June 17-21, 2008.  It was a busy five days for the campers!  They were barely checked in to their rooms before it was time for the first of eight scheduled choral rehearsals.

Campers were treated to a Southern Barbecue reception and dinner on Tuesday evening, followed by an excellent concert by the West Shore Piano Trio.

After breakfast Wednesday morning, the campers got the "juices flowing" with a lively movement class, conducted by Tiffany Haughn. Campers called the movement class, held each morning at 9:00, one of the highlights of the week.  In four sessions, they were introduced to a variety of dance forms, including ballet, modern, jazz, mambo and rumba (with a special demonstration by rumba-dancer extraordinaire, camper Pat Baker).

Despite the intense daytime schedule, campers still had energy for evening events that included Movie Night, a two-piano recital by Hyeweon Lee and Lina Morita, and a Polynesian Buffet followed by a River Concert Series performance by the Chesapeake Orchestra, featuring Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto #3, performed by Jon Nakamatsu.

All the week's hard work paid off with a rousing concert before on appreciative audience on Saturday afternoon.  At the end of the camp, there were lots of smiles and eager anticipation of next year!

View Camp Photo Albums - Three Parts

Click Here to View Part 1

Click Here to View Part 2

 Click Here to View Part 3 

 Join Encore Creativity for Older Adults as We Embark on a

"Singing at Sea Cruise" 

onboard the

Queen Mary 2 

Departing July 6, 2009

 JULY 6, 2009 DEPART NEW YORK   -   JULY 12 ARRIVE SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND

BALCONY CABINS                    $2050.00 TO $2115.00           PER PERSON BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY

INSIDE CABINS                         $1545.00                              PER PERSON BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY

PRICE INCLUDES  FIVE DAYS  SINGING AT SEA  WITH JEANNE; TRANSATLANTIC CROSSING;       GOVERNMENT FEES, PORT CHARGES AND FUEL SURCHARGES (WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

PAYMENT GUIDELINES:

$550.00 PER PERSON DEPOSIT DUE BY DEC 1, 2008              BALANCE DUE BY MARCH 1, 2009

CANCELLATION FEES APPLY

PRE AND POST CRUISE PACKAGES AND CANCELLATION INSURANCE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

CHRISTINE MOORE AT PREFERRED TRAVEL

TOLL FREE 1-877-784-7841 OR 703-644-6844

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Chorales Come Together for Memorable Concert 

Encore Chorales from Goodwin Houses of Alexandria and Baileys Crossroads, Langston Brown Senior Center of Arlington,  Workhouse at Lorton Arts Center , Myerberg Senior Center of Baltimore and Smithsonian Resident Associates Program all combined on Tuesday May 20 to present a wonderful spring concert.  The 160 singers, ages 57 to 96,  dressed in concert black, were  in excellent voice and thrilled their large and enthusiastic audience.  Jeanne Kelly , founder and director of Encore Creativity for Older Adults, conducted the chorale.

The evening began with an uplifting Sing and Rejoice by Russell Robinson .  It was obvious the singers were enjoying themselves from the first note.  And the Night Shall Be Filled With Music, a hushed, stunning piece, was sung so sensitively and with professional nuance.  It was one of the highlights.  

The Encore Brass added to the concert with a lovely Simple Gifts ,  a traditional Shaker hymn.  Following, the choir gave spectacular performances of Leonard Bernstein’s Somewhere and Tonight from West Side Story .   They sang with passion and focus and it brought the house down, only to be followed by Impossible Dream . The chorale was truly in top form. 

Encore Brass delighted the audience with the Theme from Masterpiece Theater , Rondeau from Sinfonies de Fanfares by Jean-Joseph Mouret .   Then it was time for the chorale to strut their stuff with fabulous renditions of Irving Berlin’s Alexander’s Ragtime Band and a great performance of Let’s Dance! including the jazzy tune Puttin’ on the Ritz ,  the very sultry and romantic singing of Let’s Dance and the rhythmically precise Steppin’ Out with My Baby . The audience loved the repertoire and applause showed it.  The chorale members were having the time of their lives up on stage.  The audience felt uplifted and they were certainly enjoying the evening.

The performance came to a close with  three patriotic pieces performed with humble sincerity.  The Encore Brass joined the chorale for the beautiful America followed by a heartfelt performance of American Hymn which the chorale performed for the 9/11 "Arlington Remembers" Service.  The chorus ended the program with a rousing and stirring rendition of the Armed Forces Salute and the audience members clapped to the beat and stood when their military service branch's tune was being sung.  It was a terrific way to end a wonderful and memorable evening.

Jeanne Kelly Interviewed on Baltimore's WYPR

In a broadcast that aired on WYPR Maryland Public Radio's Maryland Morning show, on Tuesday, June 25, host Tom Hall interviewed Executive Director, Jeanne Kelly, about Encore Creativity for Older Adults.  The interview can he heard on WYPR's Web site.  Click here to listen.  

Chorale Highlighted in U.S. News Web Report

The Goodwin House Encore Chorales are featured in a video report accompanying an article entitled Keeping Your Brain Fit  posted January 31st at U.S. News & World Report's web site. The article discusses the Aging and Creativity Study conducted by Dr. Gene Cohen of George Washington University, in which the Goodwin House Chorales were participants. The video report includes discussion with Encore Creativity Founder and Executive Director, Jeanne Kelly, and Goodwin House Encore Chorale members Bill Harves and Venette Planting. A similar article appeared in the U.S. News & World Report print edition, dated February 11th as part of the cover story. The article included a photo of Bill Harves.

About Encore... 

Encore is dedicated to providing an excellent and accessible artistic environment for older adults, 55 and over, regardless of experience or ability, who seek arts education and performance opportunities under a professional artist. Encore is an IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax exempt organization

The focus of Encore’s debut season has been growing and developing chorales. Next year will bring instrumental and dance programs. But the most important concept is that all Encore programs will be conducted by professional artists who will know how to get the most from their members. So come join the excitement, either as a beginner or at an advanced level.

This is an excellent way to learn how to develop or improve your musical abilities,, meet new friends, and look forward to an exciting performance schedule.

You’re never too old to try something new—and have the time of your life!