A packed Adelaide Entertainment Centre audience rose to their feet on Saturday 9 May as 130 older Australians delivered the musical performance of a lifetime.
ACH Group’s Sing for Joy choir took audiences on a two-hour journey, Passport to Song, a program shaped by life, love, and shared stories, performed on one of the state’s largest stages.
Bringing together six community and six residential choirs across Adelaide, the concert marked the culmination of years of participation and months of rehearsal for choir members.
The performance moved across generations and genres, from Meghan Trainor’s modern pop hit Made You Look, to Boy George’s 80s rock classic Karma Chameleon, and Puff, the Magic Dragon by Peter, Paul and Mary.
ACH Group CEO Linda Feldt said the performance captured what makes Sing for Joy unique.
“This wasn’t just about the music, it was about connection, confidence and people coming together, an experience that everyone in attendance will remember for years to come,” she said.
“You could see the strength of the relationships on stage and the pride each person had in what they were part of.”
Each of the 20 songs was paired with personal reflections, highlighting the connection between music and lived experience. Choir member Trish Stocker said Enya’s Orinoco Flow reminds her of a friendship she formed through Sing for Joy, a connection that has since extended beyond the choir travelling together on a cruise.
Vivienne Tucker, from Glenelg, shared that The Beatles’ Here Comes the Sun reminded her of her daughter, who travelled from Sydney to attend the concert.
The concert also included participation from Sing for Joy’s residential care home choirs, with 10 members performing in person and others joining via video link, ensuring people could take part regardless of where they live.
Choir director Paul Sinkinson said the audience’s response would stay with him and every performer for a very long time.
“Every person on that stage should feel proud of what they achieved, and it was encouraging to see the audience respond with a standing ovation.”
“This concert represented months of preparation, with the choir coming together to perform with confidence and pride.”
He said the program continues to highlight the role music can play in supporting connection and wellbeing over time.
“Passport to Song is the culmination of hundreds of hours of rehearsals since the last Sing for Joy concert in 2023,” he said.
“A life filled with music does not fade with time; it expands and deepens. This is what we saw on Saturday.”
Findon choir member Nadia Addeyman said the experience has stayed with her in the days following the performance.
“I’d love the opportunity to perform again,” she said.
“It was my first time performing in a concert, and it’s something I’ll always remember. The experience on stage and the response from the audience made it very special.
“Sing for Joy choir is more than a single performance; it’s an opportunity for people to stay connected and involved. We get to see our choir again tomorrow, and we’ve organised a little afterparty.”