May is Older Americans Month. Throughout May, NNV will feature members and volunteers who embody this year's Older Americans' Month theme: Flip the Script on Aging. Each of them are breaking the stereotypes of aging by demonstrating their contributions to their communities, staying active and engaged, and embracing opportunities for purpose, exploration, and connection that come with getting older.

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Singing Again
by Gretchen Jennings

On a February morning in 2024, I was staring at my computer screen, motivated by the dull grey weather to think of something, anything --that I really loved, an activity that brought me joy. Singing, I thought to myself. I have always loved it, especially the challenge of harmonizing with others. When I was about 9 or 10 my piano teacher told me that I should join the church choir as an alto. As I sang along with a piece I was learning, she informed me that I was not singing the melody but a third below, in harmony. I followed her advice and have been involved ever since in choral singing -- show tunes, Gregorian chant, madrigals, Christmas carols, and doo wop. I was never interested in being a soloist; my fondest dream was to be a Raelette.

But in the last 10 years or so I've not been singing, and I realized how much I missed it. In a moment of true synchronicity, an email from a jazz listserv I subscribe to appeared a few days after mu musings: Participants wanted for the Jazz Chorus at Levine School of Music. No auditions necessary. Beginners to experts welcome. My voice had become brittle and my range diminished from disuse, but I decided to give it a try. I was so sure I was unfit that I arranged with the registrar to allow me a refund if the first class did not work out. Instead, I was welcomed from the first, and invited to sing tenor (we have very few men) which is perfect for my current range. Directed by talented musician and jazz singer Alison Crockett, the Capital City Voices class is my new favorite place to rehearse every Tuesday night during the semester. We sing many of the standards by Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Mercer, and Hoagy Carmichael as well as gospel and Brazilian jazz.

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During our Spring 2024 semester we performed at Mr. Henry's on Capitol Hill. In the Fall we had a gig at storied musical venue Blues Alley. We will perform again at Mr. Henry's on Thursday, May 15, 2025. For tickets go to Mr. Henry's website I hope to see some NNV friends there. We don't meet during the summer, but there will be a new class at Levine in Fall, 2025. All are welcome, but especially if you are a tenor or baritone, we would love for you to join.

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