This April, more than 120 singers from the Mennonite Children’s Choir of Lancaster participated in two Local Tour Days at Landis Homes as part of Building Connection Through Music, an intergenerational dementia‑care and music initiative made possible through a grant from the Lancaster Legacy Foundation. The partnership is designed to strengthen connection across generations while helping children and youth develop skills in communication, empathy, and well‑being.
Learning Before Singing
Carol (elementary), Concert (middle), and Chamber (high school) Choir singers began each local tour day with training from Landis Homes staff, Audrey Kanagy and Teffie Landmann, exploring topics such as brain changes, the impact of stress on the brain, and meaningful ways to support aging adults. This foundation prepared students to engage with residents in ways that were respectful, informed, and relationship‑centered.
Meaningful Encounters With Residents
During both visits, students spent time singing, conversing, and sharing stories with residents. Throughout the day, many students referred to “my resident,” a phrase that reflected a growing sense of belonging and personal connection. These interactions quickly became the highlight of the experience.
Students reported feeling deeply moved by the conversations they had. One high school singer described the day as “making her entire day,” while another shared that she felt genuinely heard by the resident she sat beside. Several middle school students expressed a desire to return to learn more about the residents’ family histories and life experiences.
Music as a Bridge
MCCL staff member Elisa Choda also prepared singers to join residents in familiar songs. Pieces like “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” and “In the Garden” were selected because many residents know them from their childhood or teenage years, making the shared singing especially meaningful. Following each song, Elisa Choda guided singers and residents through conversation prompts connected to the music, helping deepen engagement and spark dialogue.
Singing with residents—rather than for them—created a relaxed and joyful atmosphere. Students observed how music sparked memories, encouraged conversation, and fostered a sense of shared purpose. The experience demonstrated how music can serve as a powerful bridge between generations, offering comfort, connection, and mutual understanding.
Growing Skills and Strengthening Community
The work of this partnership is having a significant impact on MCCL singers. In addition to forming meaningful relationships, students are gaining valuable insights into how the brain works, how to communicate with empathy, and how to care well for themselves and others. These lessons extend far beyond rehearsals and are shaping how they interact with others, manage stress, and respond when they feel overwhelmed.
MCCL looks forward to continuing this collaboration and to sharing the full collection of student reflections with the Lancaster Legacy Foundation. The Local Tour Days at Landis Homes highlight the transformative power of music and the importance of intergenerational connection in building strong, compassionate communities.
