Encore singers after Hinsdale rehearsal
by Sandy Siegel Miller, Encore Illinois Board President
This isn’t an unusual scene at Encore rehearsals -what’s unusual is that I took a photo. The Hinsdale rehearsal ended about 15 minutes before this photo was taken and around half of the choir had already headed out into the rest of their day. The ones that remained have put on their coats in preparation for the drizzly, cold early-November weather, but they’re standing in little groups, talking. There’s a similar scene at the end of rehearsal in our six other Encore choirs as well.
The formation of community was not the primary goal when Jonathan and I started Encore Illinois; we focused on creating a quality musical experience and giving older adults a way to continue singing – daytime rehearsals, fun but challenging repertoire. So for us to realize that for many of our singers, Encore has helped them make new friendships and in some cases, reconnect with old friends is an unexpected joy.
I recently read about a paper that was presented at the 125th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association summarizing some research on the negative effects of social isolation. The author, Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad of Brigham Young University, did two reviews of existing research on the health effects of isolation. The first reviewed 218 studies and found that higher social connectedness is linked to a 50 percent decrease in risk of early death. The second summarized studies that included over 3.4 million people in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia, and found that loneliness and living alone, can be as bad for a person’s health as other health risks. An AARP study suggested that profound social isolation is as detrimental to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. The same study revealed that over one third of people age 45 and up reported feeling lonely.
Social isolation and poor health go hand in hand. And the negative effects may be greater than previously thought. Being connected to others is a basic human need. Our friendships and family are not just pleasures; they are essential to our survival and well-being. We need each other.
As the Hinsdale singers headed for the door, I could hear them talking about plans for lunch, or asking about the doctor’s appointment from last week, or offering a word of encouragement or sympathy. Singing together connects us; we stand next to each other and create sound. We laugh about our mistakes, rejoice in our mastery, conquer a score that we thought was way too challenging, and in the process make new friends. And who knew that it may very well allow us extra years to enjoy our lives.
“We Need Each Other” indeed, Sandy! Walt Whitman spoke of it in his champion work “Leaves of Grass”; I found it eminently true in my own life (though, being one of nine children, I first had to go my own way so I might find out what life is and who I was). I also found it through my 40 years of professional social work practice. Then, as my career approached its close in 2017, I realized I was to enter into retirement both by myself AND with others, at the same time. Encore Illinois is one very important place where this happens. Interestingly, I am pictured among others on the cover of a book by colleague Bill Kauth (one of the originators of The ManKind Project). What is the title of the book? Yup, “We Need Each Other”!