Milwaukee chorus looks to reduce stigma about memory loss through music

On a Saturday morning in Milwaukee, 87-year-old Grace Pearson walked through the doors of Marshall High School’s music room.

Inside she found a tight-knit group of people with memory loss and dementia, plus their caregivers, all unified as members of the Amazing Grace Chorus. Pearson has been coming to rehearsals like this since 2015 — not just to sing, but for “whatever else there is to be done."

“I wouldn’t want to miss it for the world,” Pearson said.

The free, volunteer-supported chorus is operated through Milwaukee's location of the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute and primarily supported through donations. Although it's been in place since 2014, the chorus is an example of a type of public space gaining traction in Wisconsin and nationally: ones where people with memory loss and their caregivers can enjoy spending time, together.

"It really is so important that people understand the importance of quality of life for people living with dementia and their caregivers," said Stephanie Houston, who oversees the program for the Alzheimer's Institute. "And, that people have equitable access to resources for support, (and) to healthcare, that will only enhance their quality of life."

Other "memory choirs" in Wisconsin include the Coulee Region Giving Hearts Choir in La Crosse, the Stand in the Light Memory Choir in Eau Claire and the On a Positive Note Chorus in Neenah. There are also more than 100 "memory cafes" in Wisconsin, or similar free and public meetups for people with memory loss and their loved ones.

Statewide, there are an estimated 120,000 people 65 and older with Alzheimer's and 191,000 unpaid caregivers. Research from 2020 found nearly 40% of Alzheimer's and dementia-related illnesses can be prevented or delayed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There's often fear associated with sharing that a person is living with dementia, Houston said. People might fear losing a position within their family, losing respect, or being taken advantage of. She sees the Milwaukee chorus — and its public performances — as a way to give a "face" to memory loss, helping reduce stigma and misconceptions about dementia.

"We know that stigma can be a barrier to people accessing necessary resources for health care, or treatment, and to programming that could actually help support them and their families," Houston said.

Local musicians bring Milwaukee's memory chorus to life

On Saturday, about 15 people came together at Marshall High School with a job to do: prepare for the upcoming Dec. 9 holiday concert. They sang in person alongside four local musicians on piano, drums and vocals.

The chorus warmed up with “It’s All Right” by Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions, a soul song from 1963, before covering holiday standards like "Jingle Bells" and "White Christmas."

"This is the most fulfilling work that I do, of anything that I do as a musician," said Maurice Cotton, 44, who played piano during Saturday's rehearsal. A local musician, Cotton has co-directed the chorus for 16 seasons.

Co-director and vocalist Vanta Jones, 45, has been involved with the chorus since it began in 2014. He sees the effect that music has on chorus members' confidence levels.

"This is their choir; they know that. They come here, and they’re safe here,” Jones said. “When they start looking nervous, we try to throw in a couple of jokes, help them loosen up.”

All musicians and volunteers with the Milwaukee chorus take annual training related to interacting with people who have dementia. Houston refers to the musicians who co-lead the chorus as the "phenomenal conductors."

"I say this: 'Individually, they are amazing. Together, they are phenomenal,'" Houston said.

Dan Johnson, 75, rehearsed a vocal solo over "The Christmas Song" by Mel Tormé on Saturday in preparation for the upcoming concert. Johnson first came to the chorus with his wife, Barbara, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s 12 years ago. Although she’s no longer able to attend the rehearsals, Dan still comes.

“Everybody here has been touched by dementia, whether they are living through it themselves or they’re a caregiver,” Johnson said. “So you have a sense of family, and we don’t have to explain anything to each other."

Details about the chorus and upcoming concert

Amazing Grace Chorus rehearsals are live-streamed and held in person. The program is organized into fall and spring seasons.

This season's holiday concert is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9 at the New Perspective Senior Living Center-North Shore. The address is 8875 N. 60th St., Brown Deer.

The Amazing Grace Chorus is primarily funded through Bader Philanthropies, Inc. and other private donations.

Cleo Krejci covers higher education, vocational training and retraining as a Report For America corps member based at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Contact her at CKrejci@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @_CleoKrejci. This article was written with the support of a journalism fellowship from The Gerontological Society of America, The Journalists Network on Generations and The Commonwealth Fund.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: This Milwaukee choir is open to anyone, no matter their memory