Senior Spotlight: Wheelchair Choir Sings To American Pride
By: Brendaliss Gonzalez
Updated: July 19, 2012
Sounds of pride echo through the room.
"It's the greatest joy in the world to be able to sing," said Edna Welch, director of the Wisteria Place Wheelchair Choir.
Every voice comes together in perfect harmony, immediately triggering all sorts of memories.
"The Caisson song," said Veteran Alan Gilbert as he pointed to his favorite song on the program, singing, "Over hill, over dale, we will hit the dusty trail."
It's the sound of a unique group of men and women who together hold centuries worth of experiences
They call themselves the wheelchair chorus.
"The members of the choir gave it a nickname because some of the folks were coming to our choir in wheelchairs," said David Hare, marketing director at Wisteria Place Retirement Living who also sings in the choir.
Although it doesn't appy to everyone.
"It became a nickname that everybody just played with and it stuck," said Hare.
They sing to audiences around Abilene- each event with a new theme from Christmas to celebrating American pride.
It's something members like Edna Welch dont take lightly.
"We practice six weeks once a week before we give the concert," she said.
The 88 year-old chorus director has volunteered as a singer for more than nine years-
"As long as the lord gives me breath I'll keep singing yes I will," she said.
She even still takes voice lessons to make sure shes always in tune.
"It gives the residents an incentive for you know, thinking they can accomplish something really wonderful," said the director.
Because in this choir, every note is just as special.
"It's the greatest joy in the world to be able to sing," said Edna Welch, director of the Wisteria Place Wheelchair Choir.
Every voice comes together in perfect harmony, immediately triggering all sorts of memories.
"The Caisson song," said Veteran Alan Gilbert as he pointed to his favorite song on the program, singing, "Over hill, over dale, we will hit the dusty trail."
It's the sound of a unique group of men and women who together hold centuries worth of experiences
They call themselves the wheelchair chorus.
"The members of the choir gave it a nickname because some of the folks were coming to our choir in wheelchairs," said David Hare, marketing director at Wisteria Place Retirement Living who also sings in the choir.
Although it doesn't appy to everyone.
"It became a nickname that everybody just played with and it stuck," said Hare.
They sing to audiences around Abilene- each event with a new theme from Christmas to celebrating American pride.
It's something members like Edna Welch dont take lightly.
"We practice six weeks once a week before we give the concert," she said.
The 88 year-old chorus director has volunteered as a singer for more than nine years-
"As long as the lord gives me breath I'll keep singing yes I will," she said.
She even still takes voice lessons to make sure shes always in tune.
"It gives the residents an incentive for you know, thinking they can accomplish something really wonderful," said the director.
Because in this choir, every note is just as special.
