Connecting Generations Through Music
For more than a decade, VMRC has joined hands with James Madison University’s choral music education program to create something truly special, the Intergenerational Choir. What started 11 years ago as a small collaboration between VMRC and JMU’s music department has grown into a cherished tradition that brings people together through the shared joy of song.
Learning Through Shared Experience
Each year, JMU students have the unique opportunity to conduct their first choral pieces alongside VMRC residents before entering their student teaching experiences. For the students, it’s a chance to apply their learning in a real-world setting, gaining confidence as conductors and leaders. For VMRC residents, it’s a joyful way to share their experience, support the next generation of educators, and continue growing through artistic expression.
The partnership doesn’t stop at rehearsals or performances. Residents and their families often attend JMU concerts, cheering for the students they’ve mentored, while students learn about community, service, and the wisdom that comes from collaboration and patience. This ongoing connection is what makes the program so meaningful, turning music into a shared legacy of learning and love.
Empowering the Next Generation
Each year, JMU students are given the opportunity to conduct their first choral pieces in a live concert setting before beginning student teaching. This is a meaningful step in their professional journey, allowing them to build confidence and leadership skills in a real-world environment.
VMRC residents play a vital role in that growth. Many are lifelong singers, former educators or passionate supporters of the arts who understand the learning process and enjoy encouraging the next generation. In early rehearsals, residents watch students find their footing. As weeks pass, those tentative beginnings turn into confident, expressive music. The shared progress builds trust, connection and mutual respect.
A Celebration of Harmony
The Intergenerational Choir reflects the heart of VMRC through connection, lifelong learning, and meaningful engagement at every stage of life. Residents gain the physical and emotional benefits of singing, while students gain insight into collaboration, service, and the wisdom that comes from shared experience.
Together, they create moments that stay with everyone involved long after the final note fades. These moments remind us that community is strongest when we lift our voices together and celebrate harmony across generations.
Learn more about VMRC’s Arts and Enrichment opportunities and discover how our vibrant, community-focused culture connects generations through creativity, learning, and service. From music to lifelong education, VMRC continues to enrich lives daily, both within our campus and throughout the surrounding community.
