A 97-Year-Old’s Wish Sparked One of Alexandria’s Most Heartwarming Concerts

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The auditorium at Bishop Ireton High School was filled to capacity on May 30 as members of The Alexandria Singers welcomed a special group of guest performers to the stage: residents of The Landing Alexandria.

The concert marked the culmination of a two-month partnership uniting high-level community vocalists with elderly residents across various care levels, including memory care and assisted living. What started as an informal lunchtime chat blossomed into a poignant display of how music can forge bonds, revive long-lost memories, and foster a sense of belonging.

The initiative traces its roots to a lunch gathering several months ago when Alexandria Singers board member and immediate past president Lee Platt met Stanley Kolker, a 97-year-old resident of The Landing who has lived there since it opened more than six years ago.

The encounter took place at Vaso’s restaurant, where Kolker was presiding over a table for residents of The Landing, and Platt was leading a monthly luncheon for Alexandria Women For Good.

“Stan was very interested in Alexandria Women For Good, and we began talking,” Platt recalled. “He told me about several initiatives he had started at The Landing, including a book club and a speaker series he calls ‘Tea Time and Talk.’ Then he told me the one thing he really wanted to do was start a glee club.”

What Kolker did not realize was that Platt was uniquely positioned to help make that dream a reality.

At the time, Platt was serving on the board of The Alexandria Singers and remained an active member of the chorus.

“I told him I thought I might be able to help,” she said.

Platt shared the idea with Alexandria Singers Music Director Joe Cerutti, who immediately embraced the concept. Together with Kaichi Ho, Community Life and Memory Care Program Director at The Landing, plans quickly took shape.

“Our hope was that we would have enough participation from residents so they could somehow be included in our spring concert,” Platt said. “The ultimate goal was to bring them on stage with us.”

The response exceeded expectations.

Ho, who has worked at The Landing for a year and a half, initially asked the chorus to limit participation to 15 singers during the first visit. Interest among Alexandria Singers members was so strong that some volunteers had to be turned away.

“The opportunity to sing with The Landing residents was met with incredible enthusiasm by the Singers,” Platt said.

Over the next eight weeks, approximately 15 members of the chorus, accompanied by Cerutti, visited The Landing every Wednesday afternoon. Residents gathered in anticipation as familiar songs filled the community’s piano lounge.

From the very first sessions, organizers saw the impact music was having.

“It became apparent that music was reaching residents in meaningful ways,” Platt said. “Familiar songs often prompted participation, conversation, and emotional responses.”

Many residents, including those living in memory care, readily recalled lyrics and melodies they had not sung in decades.

For Ho, whose professional background is in music therapy, the experience reinforced what she has witnessed throughout her career.

A native of Taiwan, Ho came to the United States 11 years ago to pursue a master’s degree in music therapy at Ohio University. She later worked in hospice care in Florida before relocating to Northern Virginia.

“The best part of my job is getting to plan fun activities for my residents,” Ho said. “I like sitting down with them, learning about their interests, and finding opportunities that bring them joy.”

As the concert approached, organizers worried they might not have enough residents willing to perform publicly. Cerutti hoped for at least 10 participants. Ho reached out to all levels of care and encouraged residents to participate.

In the end, approximately a dozen residents joined members of The Alexandria Singers on stage.

“Memory care residents, assisted living residents, and independent living residents were all on stage together,” Ho said proudly.

For many audience members, one of the evening’s most memorable moments came when residents from memory care confidently sang songs they knew by heart, demonstrating music’s unique ability to unlock memories and preserve connections.

The performance was about far more than entertainment. Family members, caregivers, chorus members, and audience members witnessed firsthand how music can transcend age-related challenges and foster meaningful engagement.

The project also reflected The Landing’s broader commitment to creating opportunities for residents to remain socially active and connected.

“We’re like a little village here,” Ho said. “We’re a family.”

Likewise, the collaboration reflected The Alexandria Singers’ commitment to using music not only as a performance art but also as a tool for community engagement and human connection.

For Kolker, whose dream of starting a glee club helped spark the entire initiative, the evening represented the fulfillment of a simple but powerful idea: bringing people together through song.

Judging by the packed house, enthusiastic applause, and smiling faces on stage, that vision resonated with everyone in attendance.