Together in Song Chorus to Perform at Mercy Medical Center on Nov. 15

Cedar Rapids mayor Brad Hart will serve as guest narrator

The Family Caregivers Center of Mercy is pleased to announce a special presentation of the Together in Song chorus at 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15. The concert takes place in the Hallagan Education Center at Mercy Medical Center, 701 10^th St. SE, Cedar Rapids. 

The concert will feature American folk music. One featured song will be narrated by Cedar Rapids mayor Brad Hart, and chorus member Rachel Mills will accompany the chorus on her recorder while God Bless America is sung.

The Together in Song chorus consists of people living with dementia and other chronic conditions; their care partners or spouses; and volunteers. The goal of this musical initiative is to create meaningful connections and spark memories through song.

The chorus was first formed in the fall of 2018 and has since almost doubled in size.

The Family Caregivers Center of Mercy sponsors the chorus, which is directed by Steve Nurre with piano accompaniment by Mary Nurre.

Steve Nurre points to a growing body of research that demonstrates the positive effects of singing for people who are living with dementia. He says people who struggle with remembering names or dates can often recall song lyrics from their past.

The concert is free and open to all. A reception will follow with special recognition to all family caregivers as November is National Family Caregivers Month. 

To find out more about Together in Song, please contact the Family Caregivers Center of Mercy at (319) 550-2664 or email fcgc@mercycare.org.