As part of an intergenerational series St. Andrews Village is holding, 40 students from the Wiscasset Elementary School Chorus gave a performance for Village residents, staff, and guests last Friday, April 3. 

Students provided a fun program of songs from the 50s, 60s and 70s. Some favorite selections included “California Dreamin”, “Here Comes the Sun”,“Listen to the Music”, “Yakety-Yak”, “Do You Believe in Magic”, “Witch Doctor”, “The Candy Man”, “If I Had a Hammer”, and “What the World Needs Now is Love.” The program ended with a rousing rendition of “Jailhouse Rock!”Students also performed movements to most of thesongs, making the show especially lively. 

Resident Bob Crink said “It was so great to hear songs from back in my day; they not only sang well, but the choreography added a lot—you could tell they were really having fun.” 

At the concert's end, residents and students mingled, shared stories, and enjoyed jumbo chocolate chip M&M cookies homemade by Village dietary staff.  

Resident Carole Cochran stated“I had a delightful chat with one of the student performers named Jasmyn. She was genuinely curious about what it was like to grow up as a child in the 50s and 60s, asking me what games and activities we played. She was amazed at how much we did by ourselves and how safe/free it was.” 

This activity is one of several intergenerational opportunities St. Andrews Village is organizing in the community, with the goal of encouraging students of all ages to have positive, early experiences with older adults. In turn, seniors develop meaningful relationships with younger generations, feel more connected, and gain a greater sense of purpose and belonging.