Good Memories Choir
Come sing with us!
Good Memories is a community-based choral program designed to harness the proven power of music to support brain health, strengthen memory, and build meaningful connections.
The program is open to older adults with memory concerns, and older adults with memory loss and their singing buddies (e.g. care partners, friends, etc.). No prior singing experience is required. Each Good Memories choir is proudly community-centered and is free to all participants.
Are you in the right place?
Do you have memory loss, or are you worried you might be experiencing it? You might be a great fit for a Good Memories choir if you or someone you love fits any of these descriptions:
You’re concerned about your memory and…
- You’ve seen a health professional about your memory—or you haven’t
- You have a formal dementia diagnosis—or you don’t
- You have a care partner—or you don’t
or
You’re caring in some way for someone on the dementia journey
… And then let’s talk before you join
Every singer’s situation is a little different, and we want to make sure Good Memories is a good fit before you come to your first rehearsal. Click the button below and we’ll give you a friendly call to answer your questions and learn a little bit about you or your family member. No pressure—just a conversation to help you get started.
REGISTER for our Fall Session:
There is no fee for participating in the Good Memories choral program; when registering, participants can make a donation to support the program.
This Fall, Join A Good Memories Choir!
Good Memories – 2026 Fall Choral Session: “Voices of the Holidays”
Questions? Call 630.395.9542 or email Info@SoundsGoodChoir.org
South Side
Days, time and location will be announced soon!
Gold Coast
Tuesdays, from 10:30 AM–12 PM
Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St., Room 4G (Gratz Center), Chicago, IL
Hinsdale
Wednesdays, from10:30 AM–12 PM
Church of the Holy Nativity, 275 S. Richmond, Ford Room, Clarendon Hills, IL
(enter from 55th Street on Richmond Avenue)
A Singing Community — Chicago’s Good Memories Choir
A new case study documents the components behind the successful Good Memories choir, a program of nonprofit Sounds Good Choir, which has achieved an extraordinarily high level of satisfaction among its members and great respect from financial supporters and dementia-serving professionals. Read the Case Study
2026 Fall Choral Session: “Voices of the Holidays”
Lift your voice and fill your autumn days with music—register now for our upcoming fall choir session, filled with plenty of singing, laughter and fun!
The session concludes as your choir shares the magic of the music with friends, family and the public in a public concert.
Registration
The choir is free for all participants; donations are accepted to help offset program expenses.
Sessions
Good Memories choirs are offered three times a year.
- Spring Session: 15 weeks
- Summer Rocks Session: 8 weeks
- Fall Session: 15 weeks
Choir Locations:
Click on the location to learn more
Fall Repertoire
Every rehearsal—even our concerts—start with “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning” and end with “Happy Trails.” This fall’s program combines familiar holiday favorites with a few lovely additions. From “We Need a Little Christmas” and “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire,” from “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” to “Let It Snow,” you’ll enjoy singing tunes that you love, either the melody or one of the harmony parts. We’ll learn and perform a spiritual, “What You Gonna Call Your Pretty Little Baby,” and even a new Chanukah piece. You’ll have sheet music, printed lyrics, and online practice tracks to make it fun. Our conductors keep everything upbeat, and our volunteers (and snacks!) help make the weekly rehearsals a time of welcome and support.
South Side
For older adults with memory concerns; no prior singing experience required.
Good Memories South Side is a community choir program rooted in the rich musical traditions of Chicago’s South Side, designed to harness the proven power of music to support brain health, strengthen memory, and build meaningful connections.
Research consistently shows that singing in a group does more than lift spirits. It actively engages the brain, supports cognitive function, reduces isolation, and promotes overall wellness. Good Memories Southside brings this evidence-based approach to our community, framed not as a clinical intervention but as a joyful, culturally responsive experience that honors who we are and where we come from.
Drawing on the gospel, blues, jazz, R&B, and soul traditions that are woven into the fabric of South Side life, Good Memories Southside is a place to sing, connect, and thrive.
The program is open to older adults with memory concerns and their singing buddies (e.g. care partners, friends etc.) with no prior singing experience required. Good Memories Southside is proudly community-centered, free to participate, and built from the ground up with input from South Side residents through our Community Advisory Board.
Let’s talk before you join!
Every singer’s situation is a little different, and we want to make sure Good Memories is a good fit before you come to your first rehearsal. Click the button below and we’ll give you a friendly call to answer your questions and learn a little bit about you or your family member. No pressure—just a conversation to help you get started.
South Side
Days, time and location will be announced soon!
Questions? Call 630.395.9542 or email Info@SoundsGoodChoir.org
Gold Coast and Hinsdale
For older adults with memory concerns or those with memory loss & their care partners; no prior singing experience required.
A fun, upbeat choir for people with memory loss and their care partners to enjoy singing music together. We don’t label anyone, and no formal diagnosis is required. Our professional conductors and pianists, along with friendly, trained volunteer singers who assist as needed, make the 90-minute sessions fun and engaging. We welcome anyone living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia who can attend the structured weekly rehearsals and wants to make music and new friends
Let’s talk before you join!
Every singer’s situation is a little different, and we want to make sure Good Memories is a good fit before you come to your first rehearsal. Click the button below and we’ll give you a friendly call to answer your questions and learn a little bit about you or your family member. No pressure—just a conversation to help you get started.
Gold Coast
Tuesdays, from 10:30 AM–12 PM
Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St., Room 4G (Gratz Center), Chicago, IL
Hinsdale
Wednesdays, from10:30 AM–12 PM
Church of the Holy Nativity, 275 S. Richmond, Ford Room, Clarendon Hills, IL
(enter from 55th Street on Richmond Avenue)
Questions? Call 630.395.9542 or email Info@SoundsGoodChoir.org
REGISTER for our Fall Session:
There is no fee for participating in the Good Memories choral program; when registering, participants can make a donation to support the program.