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Although Encore Creativity for Older Adults won’t hold its highly anticipated annual holiday concert at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. this season, the uplifting music will not be forgotten. Encore Chorale’s joyous performance of the Hallelujah Chorus last year will be featured on two WETA Arts specials this December for all to enjoy.
Encore Chorale is one of 14 Washington, D.C.-area choral ensembles to be featured and one of nine groups chosen for both a 60-minute show, Washington Voices: Songs of the Season, and a 30-minute show, Washington Voices: Choir Celebration. As part of both programs, WETA television channels will broadcast Encore Chorale’s December 26th, 2019 performance of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah, one of the most beloved choruses in all the oratorio repertoire. As many as 450 singers from Encore’s choral programs in Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and New York City took the stage at Concert Hall at Encore’s 13th annual holiday concert at the Kennedy Center.
“We are honored to be included in these very exciting holiday arts specials on WETA television channels,” said Jeanne Kelly, Founder and Artistic Director of Encore Creativity for Older Adults, the nation’s largest choral organization for adults over 55. “While we can’t be on stage live this year, this broadcast will bring back wonderful memories for our singers and joy to those watching.”
There will be nine broadcasts of Encore’s performance. Songs of the Season will air on WETA PBS in December on the 15th at 9 pm, 23rd at 4 pm and 25th at 4 pm and on WETA Metro on the 17th at 10 pm, 20th at 1pm, 22nd at 3pm and 25th at 2 pm. Choir Celebration will air December 24th on WETA PBS at 4:30 pm and WETA Metro at 8 pm. The shows will also be available to stream online. Visit www.weta.org/arts for more information.
About Encore Creativity for Older Adults. Founded in 2007 and based in Annapolis, Md., Encore Creativity for Older Adults, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, offers 22 ensembles in Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia and New York City, in addition to summer programs and international travel opportunities. Encore features three programs: Encore Chorale, traditional choral singing, Encore ROCKS, a rock & roll chorus, and Sentimental Journey Singers, a choir for those with early to moderate Alzheimer’s and other memory impairments and their care partners. Encore remains committed to its mission during this pandemic to provide an excellent and accessible arts education program for older adults regardless of ability or experience. Its virtual Encore University, which launched this past summer, includes an array of enriching classes in vocal technique, music theory and music history in addition to singing, rehearsing and performing. For more information, visit www.encorecreativity.org or call 301-261-5747.
