The Mennonite Children’s Choir of Lancaster (MCCL) has received a $32,000 grant through the Lancaster Legacy Foundation to be used over three years, supporting a new intergenerational initiative with Landis Homes.
Through shared singing experiences, MCCL singers in grades 2–12 will connect with residents—particularly those living with dementia or brain changes—fostering well-being, empathy, and belonging. Guided by MCCL staff member Elisa Chodan, a music therapist and vocal performance expert, and Landis Homes’ Director of Dementia Friendly Experience, Teffie Landmann, children and youth will participate in workshops and practice assignments to learn how singing with others positively impacts mental health and brain development for all ages, particularly for persons living with dementia. They will also join Landis Homes residents in seasonal events like caroling, hymn singing, and small performances. These opportunities allow young MCCL singers to experience singing in a choir not only as performance but also as a powerful tool of service and healing.
High school singers will have the option to participate in a music therapy intensive, observing and engaging in therapeutic music sessions while also processing their own mental health in youth-only spaces. They will also join Landis Homes Residents in “Sing for the Moment” rehearsals, reinforcing identity, connection, and joy. “Sing for the Moment” is a choir hosted by Landis Homes specifically created for persons living with dementia and their care partners.
This intergenerational singing project affirms the healing power of music while equipping young singers with a deeper understanding of mental health—both their own and others’. By building lasting relationships through singing together, MCCL and Landis Homes aim to create shared joy, belonging, and community across generations.
There’s something sacred that happens when generations sing together. It creates connection beyond words affirming identity, sparking joy, and offering healing, especially for those living with dementia. This partnership reminds us that music is not just a performance it’s a shared human experience.” – Teffie Landmann, Landis Homes
On Tuesday, November 18, MCCL hosted four introductory workshops led by Elisa Chodan, Teffie Landmann, and Audrey Kanagy (Landis Homes Chaplain) for parents and MCCL singers to learn about the details of the grant and the impact of singing on the brain. MCCL and Landis Homes are thrilled to engage in this new partnership—Singing Across Generations: Cultivating Understanding and Connection.
