Photo Details

December

For nearly three decades, the Young@Heart Chorus has broken through just about every stereotype society places on older individuals. The group's renditions of popular rock 'n' roll and punk classics bring their vitality and enthusiasm for life to college campuses and clubs throughout the U.S., Europe, and Japan. Some of the members, who range in age from 70-something to 100, have prior professional experience, some once performed at the amateur level, and others never stepped on stage before. The group has produced a CD and is also the subject of a widely acclaimed documentary film.

Never too old to rock!
Photographed by Jeff Derose

The origins of the Young@Heart Chorus go back to 1982, when Bob Cilman, the group's long-time director, and Judith Sharpe organized residents of an elderly housing project, the Walter Salvo House, in Northampton, Massachusetts. The first group included elders who had lived through both World Wars. After just one year together, the group created their first stage production, "Stompin' at the Salvo." The show sold out four times, and buzz about Young@Heart was underway.

Fast forward to 2011, and you can see the group up close in the documentary Young@Heart by Walker George. The film, first screened at festivals, where it won two Rose d'Or awards, has since been aired on the PBS series "Independent Lens" and in theaters around the world. The film's soundtrack as well as a collection of the group's songs ("Mostly Live") are available on CD.

Female impersonators, guest Latino break dancers, community collaborations with gay men's choruses—these are just a few of the ingredients in past performances. The group continues to add new members and experiment with new songs and styles in front of live audiences the world over. You can learn more about the group's history and check out the upcoming performance schedule at www.youngatheartchorus.com.

< back