A fusion of musical festivities with a grand finale featuring The Buderim Male Choir has brought the hills alive with the sound of music during this years Seniors Week.

The outdoor concert, held on Sunday August 28 at Immanuel Gardens Retirement Village, was one of many musical performances including the Ten Tenors, Morning Melodies and The Sunshine Coast Sing Australia Choir.

The crescendo was orchestrated by The Buderim Male Choir, the longest running community choir on the Sunshine Coast with around 30 members. The group has been singing since 1974 in the tradition of the classic Welsh male voice choirs.

Choir member Ed Scott said the choir brought senior males together to promote their mental health and well-being.

“We can reach the male residents in the same way and encourage them to come and sing with us. It has been proven singing in choirs is good for overall health.”

Queensland’s Seniors Week 2011 was celebrated from 20–28 August. The theme, Positively Ageless, reinforced the countless benefits of having a positive attitude to life at any age.

One hundred and two-year-old resident Jessie Frost was among 242 others at Immanuel Gardens Retirement Village coming together to celebrate a love of music.

“I love watching and listening to music,” she said.

“In my life I have learnt it’s important to celebrate people’s talents and if you have a dream follow it.”  

Immanuel Gardens General Manager Steve Stacey said music was this year’s instrument to bring people together to celebrate their achievements.

“It’s the language of celebration,” he said.

“This was an important finale to a successful Seniors Week at Immanuel Gardens.”

Immanuel Garden’s Independent Living Unit resident Noreen Weeks said music made people feel happy and comfortable and was a great way to bring people together.

“The older we get the more important music is to link to our past, keep the brain active and unite people, giving them a sense of belonging to a community,” she said.

In 2011, community groups held more than 50 Seniors Week events across the state.