Tulsa Opera Receives Grant To Continue Live Performances At Tulsa Memory Care Facilities

OPERA America has awarded the Tulsa Opera a Civic Practice Grant for its Songs By Heart program. It is one of only seven recipients.

Professional singers with the opera visit a dozen memory care facilities in Tulsa, like Legends at Mingo Road. Songs by Heart singer, Sam Briggs, said the 45-minute sessions are a combination of a sing-along and dance party.

"It is a lot of fun and it is great to see that music connects us, no matter where we are in our lives," he said. "There is a special connection between me and the residents and between Tulsa Opera and our community and it is really wonderful to see."

Benefits for the residents and their caregivers include reducing stress, improving self-confidence, and social interaction.

Tulsa Opera said the $18,400 grant will help the program continue to grow and reach a larger audience. "Voice, opera, presentation in show, is so much more than going to a theatre and watching a production," said Tulsa Opera's Chief Development Officer, Amanda Viles. "We love that, but we also want to show how powerful the arts can be in a health and human services type capacity in our communities."

Tulsa Opera is the first opera company to officially partner with the Songs By Heart Foundation based in Chicago. To learn more about the program or to donate Click Here.