March 15: Mountainside Master Chorale, Chamber Singers explore aging, memory, music
Mountainside Master Chorale, with Mt. San Antonio Chamber Singers and La Verne University Chamber Singers, will present Robert Cohen’s “Alzheimer’s Stories” and “Requiem for the Living” by Dan Forest, 3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 15 at Claremont United Church of Christ.
The performance, directed by Dr. Irene Messoloras, brings awareness to Alzheimer’s – a degenerative brain disease and the most common form of dementia – and to the power of music.
At 2:30 p.m., a special pre-concert presentation about the work and Alzheimer’s will be offered by Cohen.
As a member of the University of La Verne Music faculty, Dr. Messoloras is Director of Choral Activities and head of Vocal Studies. She conducts the University Chamber Singers, University Chorale and teaches choral conducting.
The Mt. San Antonio College Chamber Singers are led by Dr. Bruce Rogers, Founder of Mountainside Master Chorale and Director of Mt. SAC Chamber Singers.
The Chorale partners with the Southland Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association of California to present this relevant and musically stunning offering.
Volunteers from the Association and from Claremont’s “AgingNext” will host a reception after the concert in the Louise Roberts Hall at the church. Aportion of concert tickets and reception donations benefits the Alzheimer’s Association.
Tickets for the concert and reception are available at mountainsidemasterchorale.org. and at the door. For information, call (714) 536-2541. Claremont United Church of Christ is located at 233 Harrison Ave, Claremont.
The “Alzheimer’s Stories” libretto, by Herschel Garfein, is based on actual stories of people touched by this disease, their families and friends. Studies and observations show that music is “the last memory” to which many Alzheimer patients respond.
“Alzheimer’s disease has touched the lives of so many people,” noted Dr. Messoloras. “As we watch our loved ones struggle, we feel their pain and sadness. At the pre-concert lecture we will share how this incredible work was created and how it has touched the lives of audiences and musicians around the world.”
