The Long Island Alzheimer's & Dementia Center (LIAD) hosted a heartwarming holiday concert today, featuring its “Sharp Notes” chorus, comprised of Long Islanders who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or Dementia and receive services at LIAD. The concert was held at the Bethpage Senior Center in Bethpage.

The hour-long performance featured 26 chorus members, ages 70 to 96, who sang Christmas and Hanukkah songs, accompanied by piano. Performers wore festive red, green, and blue elf caps and incorporated jingle bells and other holiday props into select numbers. More than 100 friends and family members were in the audience as the chorus sang holiday favorites including “White Christmas,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” and an original song, “The Eight Nights of Hannukah,” based on “The 12 Days of Christmas.”

“Just because someone has this disease doesn’t mean life isn’t worth living anymore,” said Tori Cohen, Executive Director of the Long Island Alzheimer’s & Dementia Center. “Music is a huge part of everyone’s life. Specifically for people with Alzheimer’s and Dementia, they hold on to songs and words for a very long time. Seeing the families here engaged and happy feels great. It’s proof that this can be a happy environment. It doesn't have to be sad.”

The “Sharp Notes” chorus rehearses weekly as part of LIAD’s music therapy program, which has expanded dramatically since its 2019 inception. The program highlights how performance is not only enjoyable but also therapeutic, demonstrating how music supports memory, mood, communication, and community for those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

“You don’t get a chance to sing like this in front of this many people. It’s just amazing,” said Jean Brophy, 72, of Floral Park, a former singer and guitar player, and the Music Director for her church. “Singing can be so expressive and emotional. You can laugh when you sing, you can cry when you sing. That’s why I think music is so special.”

About Long Island Alzheimer’s and Dementia Center

At the Long Island Alzheimer’s and Dementia Center our mission is to improve the quality of life for those living with Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia, and their caregivers. We actively work to achieve this mission through programs for all stages of Alzheimer’s, Caregiver Support Groups, in-home respite solutions, transportation options, counseling services and resource and referral information.