Whatshot
The Inter Home Choir Festival has grown
The Inter Home Choir Festival has grown
This year saw 11 choirs from government Old Age Homes in the greater Durban area competing for the coveted title which The Issy Geshen Lamont Home for Aged won last year.
According to Felicity, singing is something that is so good for elderly folk. "Singing improves breathing and provides good exercise when movement is included,'' explains Felicity. "It is a time to reminisce, a time to socialise and bond with others into a tight group, it is a way of expressing oneself and it lifts the mood. Singing can be done from a standing or sitting position so people in wheelchairs are not excluded."
The Issy Geshen Lamont Home, the competition organisers and hosts, secured funding from the National Arts Council and then promoted the competition by visiting 17 Old Age Homes.
"The Issy Geshen Choir travelled to Old Age Homes in Pietermaritzburg, Dundee, on the North and South coasts and in Durban central. They so enjoyed singing at the different Homes and telling the residents about the choir festival,'' continues Felicity.
The 11 participating Homes, six up from the precious two years, were:Issy Geshen Home, John Dunn House, John Conradie House, Amaoti, Abalindi Old Age Home, St Antonine Home from Dundee, Emuseni Old Age Home from Edendale, KwaMashu Christain Care Society, Zibambeleni Old Age Home and Ekhanana and Verulam Day and Frail Care Centre.
The morning ended off beautifully with the massed choirs singing the South African National Anthem.
Should you wish to find out more about the 2017 competition, please contact Felicity Crouch by emailing dacabs@telkomsa.net. For more information about The Issy Geshen Lamont Home for the Aged please visit https://www.issygeshen.co.za.