ProMusica Arizona’s vocal ensemble, Women in Song, which regularly performs throughout the Sun City area, has received funding from the city of Peoria’s arts grants program for a second year.
Peoria’s arts program is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the city by fostering and supporting cultural opportunities for both local artists and the general public. The $4,910 grant will be used for Women in Song outreach events to bring musical entertainment to senior living communities, memory care facilities and the Peoria Community Center.
The Women in Song ensemble consists of auditioned singers, an accompanist and ProMusica Arizona’s artistic director and principal conductor, Patti Graetz, who has more than 30 years of professional singing and directing experience. Their repertoire includes Broadway tunes, jazz, sacred songs, and other popular music as well as a special holiday program.
“Performances feature familiar and popular music that can be appreciated by people of every age,” said Ms. Graetz. “Much of the repertoire conjures up fond memories for people residing in senior and memory care facilities who may not be able to attend concerts outside their homes. Songs from the 1920s through the 1970s included in the program are especially appreciated by this audience. It is not unusual to see residents singing along, tapping their toes, or clapping to the beat during Women in Song performances. For dementia patients, recognizable music is energizing, engaging, and therapeutic.”
Women in Song performances will be scheduled once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Senior living communities or memory care facilities interested in scheduling a performance covered by the grant can contact Ms. Graetz at pgraetz@pmaz.org. Requests will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis during the grant period or until all funds are utilized.
With almost 100 multigenerational singers and instrumentalists, ProMusica Arizona has performed more than 250 times for more than 125,000 people. ProMusica Arizona is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization and is supported by the Arizona Commission on the Arts, which receives support from the State of Arizona and the National Endowment for the Arts. Visit pmaz.org for more information.