by Elizabeth Connolly
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Anyone wishing to get into the holiday spirit needn’t have looked any further than the Walpole Public Library (WPL) on Saturday, December 13, when the Senior Moments Chorus (SMC) held its annual holiday concert. The performance was free and open to the public, courtesy of the Friends of the WPL, and provided a welcoming opportunity for residents to gather and celebrate the season together.
The community room was packed for the performance. This talented and unique chorus group is comprised of 31 members ranging in age from their 60s to 90s, and they have been singing joyfully throughout Walpole and the surrounding communities since 2008. Every seat was taken by excited and festively dressed attendees who seemed eager to share in the joy of the holiday season. Savvy audience members may have recognized several chorus members as former Walpole Public School educators, adding an extra layer of hometown pride to the performance.
The hour-long program included both chorus-performed selections and sing-along songs, encouraging audience participation throughout the concert. Anyone who forgot the words during the interactive portions was helped along by a prompter positioned behind the makeshift stage area. The thoughtfully chosen set list featured a wide variety of tunes highlighting themes of winter, Christmas, Hanukkah, and peace, reflecting both the diversity of the season and the inclusive spirit of the group.
It was clear that the members of the chorus truly love what they do and enjoy performing together. Their enthusiasm was met with warm support from the audience, which included many family members, friends, and longtime supporters. Many attendees tapped their toes along to the music, others smiled and waved between songs, and a few performers couldn’t stop grinning, even while singing.
“Oh, this was fun. I’ve been looking forward to it. It’s become our new holiday tradition,” one audience member said following the show.
SMC is directed by Linda Saripalli and managed by Geri Russo, with accompaniment provided by Mary Ann Baker. The group meets weekly to rehearse at the Walpole Senior Center and performs regularly at community events throughout the year.
For information on upcoming library programs like this one, visit www.WalpoleLibrary.org
