“Peace 4 the Ages” Forges Intergenerational Bonds During COVID-19

Earlier this year Michael Matthew Ferrell, founder of Alive & Kickin’, a touring vocal ensemble of older adults “who rock,” collaborated with Sandy Boren-Barett, the CEO and Artistic Director of Stages Theatre Company, an educational theatre program for children and youth, to create the intergenerational music program, “Peace 4 the Ages.” 

The program paired older adults and teens as pen pals to explore how ideas about peace differ due to variation in background, age, and experience. Members of the company also took part in collaborative exercises including one where they selected a photo that best represented their idea of peace, and shared their thoughts with the class. They also researched peaceful protests across history and discussed the impact. 

“Coming together as a full company after doing this research was super powerful because the youth performers got to hear firsthand from the elders about their experiences throughout history, and many had participated in some of the events that were researched and discussed,” said Michael.

COVID-19 forced the team to reconsider how to culminate this series when a live, in-person event no longer made sense. They determined that it would be best to produce a performance video to retain the connection between students, and give them a sense of collective accomplishment. 

“A Whole New Way of Creating Art”

Participants and staff alike were completely new to producing a virtual singing ensemble. Alive & Kickin’ staff equipped the older participants with laptops, cameras, headphones, recording devices, and ensured that their computers were updated with Zoom. Krysti Phillips, Alive & Kickin’s Program and Events Manager/Development Associate, volunteered as IT to further assist participants and even visited them in their homes to make sure they were successful with the recordings, while taking the necessary health and safety precautions. After all of the participants were recorded, the music director overlaid their audio files and orchestrated the music. The edited audio files were then sent to a video editor who synchronized the audio and video.

“Everyone from the staff to the students had to learn a whole new way of creating art,” said Michael.

Students Reunite for a Performance That’s “More Powerful and Relevant Now”

As Michael and Sandy moved the program forward remotely, they also planned a socially-distanced, outdoor live performance this past October. In the weeks leading up to the live event, Michael and Sandy facilitated virtual rehearsals and in-person rehearsals at a park. 

“I think the message of the show being about peace was also extremely moving to everyone given our current state of affairs and everything that’s going on in the world today,” said Michael. “I believe the show was even more powerful and relevant now than it would have been back in March. It also spoke highly of the determination and tenacity of both our organizations and that we were able to overcome great odds to present this beautiful show live.”