Interactive Music Toolkits for Senior Enrichment
To meet the growing demand for accessible, meaningful, and easy-to-implement music programming for older adults, Key Chorale has developed the Come Together Choir initiative—an all-in-one choral enrichment toolkit designed to bring the joy of group singing to a wide range of senior-serving settings, from retirement communities and memory care units to civic choirs and community centers.
Each Come Together Choir toolkit contains everything needed to deliver seven 60-minute weekly rehearsals culminating in a themed performance in week eight. Designed around familiar, uplifting music that is both approachable and engaging, the curriculum is accessible to all participants—regardless of musical background, cognitive ability, or physical limitations.
What are the benefits of a Come Together Choir Toolkit?
Inspire. Engage. Uplift.
The Come Together Choir initiative is a ready-to-go solution that delivers musical joy, cognitive engagement, and a strong sense of community—all through the power of song.
The CTC Toolkits are a turn-key choral experience designed to bring seniors together through the joy of singing—no matter their musical background.
CTC Toolkits Include:
- 8–10 well-known songs thoughtfully selected for senior voices and centered around a unique theme (e.g., “Celebrate America”, “The Golden Age of Broadway”)
- Musical arrangements in senior-friendly keys, written in unison and up to four-part harmony to accommodate a variety of group types and skill levels
- 25 singer books of all licensed, customized sheet music and lyric sheets
- Two copies of the music leader/keyboard binder, fully annotated for ease of use
- Eight detailed weekly lesson plans outlining vocal warm-ups, breathing exercises, physical movement, and musical goals
- A companion warm-up book that explains all exercises in plain, practical terms
- Practice/playback tracks for both singers and rehearsal leaders
- A sample concert program and performance script to help stage the final event
In addition, since this program is designed for maximum success by having a Leader facilitate it, Key Chorale offers online training modules for program leaders and expert consultation support.
Help us reach our $118,200 startup goal! Thanks to a generous 1:1 match from The Patterson Foundation, every dollar raised up to $50,000 will be doubled — helping us bring the joy of music to even more hearts and voices.
This initiative is made possible in part thanks to monies and grants from Charlie Ann & Jim Syprett and ACM Lifting Lives.
Sing. Connect. Come Together.
Participants themselves have voiced how empowering it is to rehearse and perform familiar songs in a supportive, structured environment. The progression toward a culminating performance creates a sense of purpose and accomplishment—elements often missing in traditional senior programming. Even residents with limited memory or verbal communication skills have shown improved engagement and recognition when singing familiar melodies in a group setting.
With regard to the social connection component, singing together creates a sense of belonging and connection that goes beyond music. Shared rehearsals encourage conversation, laughter, and friendship, helping participants build supportive relationships within their communities. For many seniors, these connections reduce loneliness, strengthen emotional well-being, and improve overall quality of life, including decreased pain, anxiety and agitation, and fewer doctor visits—benefits as powerful as the music itself.
While designed for general senior enrichment, this program has shown meaningful impact with individuals managing:
· Parkinson’s disease
· Alzheimer’s, dementia & memory loss
· Cognitive and physical challenges
Research confirms that structured music engagement yields significant physical, emotional, and cognitive benefits for older adults, improving memory, enhancing mood, and reducing isolation.
Whether in community centers, assisted living, adult daycare, or memory care settings—this program promotes social connection, cognitive stimulation, engagement, and greater physical and emotional well-being.
“People with Parkinson Disease (PD) have difficulty with just about every aspect of life, including mobility, balance, motor control, emotional expression, vocal control, and communication. Working with Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson’s, Joseph Caulkins put together a fantastic program called Off-Key Chorale. People with PD absolutely love this opportunity to engage in singing and performance, which not only brings joy to them and their community, but also allows them to exercise their voice, their lungs, and their bodies at the same time. I often hear my patients say things like “I don’t even think about my PD while doing Off-Key Chorale!” Now with the Come Together Choir Interactive Toolkits for Senior Enrichment these types of experiences are available to seniors everywhere. Thank you, Joseph Caulkins!”
Dr. Dean P. Sutherland MD, Neurology Specialist
CTC has done all the hard work so your group can just sing and have fun!
CTC has more than a decade’s experience designing and delivering purposeful singing experiences with a unique system that replaces frustration and confusion with structure and repetition.
For More Information:
Call Ellen Schaller, Community Outreach Specialist, at 941.921.4845 or email Ellen by clicking here
CTC was developed by Key Chorale and Artistic Director, Joseph Caulkins. Key Chorale, a symphonic chorus in Sarasota, Florida, has been partnering with nonprofit organizations for more than ten years to provide specialty choirs for those with health challenges in addition to its signature chorus and ensembles.
“My wife struggled when she began at Senior Friendship Centers. She was unsure of staff and hesitate to join in group activities. She tends to be stuck in her ways, and can become agitated when things don’t go as she’d like them. With the patience and love from the staff, and partnerships such as Key Chorale, she has grown tremendously. She now participates so much more, even taking other women under her wing and encouraging participation. The music has moved her.”
