Our Audience: Who We Sing For

Over the years, the SSA Chorus has sung for award ceremonies, patriotic activities on Veterans Day and Memorial Day, Christmas concerts, Savings Bonds campaign, and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). About twice a month, the SSA Chorus goes offsite to sing at senior citizens centers, assisted-living residences, nursing homes, and other places (such as the Maryland School for the Blind) that house our senior and disabled beneficiaries.

The Commissioner's Office occasionally requests the SSA Chorus to sing for special ceremonies and offsite public relations events. Because of the Chorus' popularity within the Baltimore area, we are regularly asked to sing at annual events such as the Flower Mart, the 4th of July Parade in Towson, the Apple Festival in Baltimore City, and SSA Night Orioles Game at Camden Yards.

SSA Chorus concert performances are very interactive. The audience is invited to dance or sing along. The Chorus provides a songbook to help audiences sing along with familiar "oldies but goodies", newer country and rock 'n rock songs, and holiday songs.

Although our listeners may be confined to a wheelchair or a walker, their eyes sparkle when they hear a familiar tune and they voice the words or smile and clap as the song takes them back to a happier time. Once in a while, a couple will get up and dance to the music or take their walkers for a spin around the room! Everyone has a great time and looks forward to the chorus coming back.

Putting a smile on someone's face is the most gratifying reason to be in the choir. It is our chance to give back to the community and brighten someone's day! Our singers participate because they love to sing and feel they are performing a community service above and beyond their daily jobs.

The Chorus is so popular with our beneficiaries that our performance schedule is filled one year in advance! Many are repeat customers who schedule a new date soon after a performance. Sometimes people from the audience approach the chorus for their own groups.

Refer to the SSA Chorus Cumulative List of Performances for a list of places where we have performed both inside and outside of the agency.