About Asheville Senior Chorus

The Asheville Senior Chorus is Western North Carolina’s premier no-audition community choir for adults 50+. For over 25 years, we’ve welcomed singers of all skill levels – from complete beginners to lifelong musicians – to experience the scientifically-proven cognitive, emotional, and physical benefits of group singing. Led by Chuck Taft, we bring people together through music, creating lasting friendships and meaningful performances that enrich the entire Asheville community.

Our Story

The Asheville Senior Chorus was founded in 1998 with a simple but powerful mission: to bring together adults 50+ who love music and community. What started as a small group of passionate singers has grown into a thriving ensemble of 67 members who perform for thousands of Asheville residents each year.

We’re part of Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UNC- Asheville, which shares our commitment to lifelong learning and community engagement. Today, the Asheville Senior Chorus is one of the most vibrant senior musical groups in Western North Carolina, known for our diverse repertoire, welcoming spirit, and meaningful performances throughout the region.

What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to accessibility. We’ve never required auditions, and we never will. We believe that the health benefits of choral singing – improved memory, reduced anxiety, stronger social connections – should be available to everyone, regardless of musical background. This philosophy isn’t just idealistic; it’s backed by 2024-2025 research showing that choral singing literally slows brain aging and improves quality of life for singers of all skill levels.

Learn the full history of our chorus on our History page.

Our Mission

To foster joy, friendship, and musical expression for adults 50+ in Asheville and beyond.

Every word in our mission matters:

Joy: Music is one of life’s greatest sources of happiness. We believe singing together creates joy not just for our members, but for everyone who hears us perform.
Friendship: The connections we build in the chorus last a lifetime. We’re not just singing together – we’re building a community where people feel seen, valued, and connected.
Musical Expression: Every voice has value. We celebrate the diversity of our singers and believe that music is a powerful form of self-expression for adults at every stage of life.

Our Values

Everything we do is guided by these core values:

Inclusivity – No Auditions, Ever. We’re one of the few senior choirs in Western North Carolina that genuinely welcomes everyone without auditions or experience requirements. This isn’t just policy – it’s our core belief that music-making should be accessible to all. Research shows that the cognitive and emotional benefits of choral singing are available to beginners and experts alike, so why create barriers? Whether you’ve never sung a note or performed professionally, your voice has value here.
Collaboration – We believe in the power of ensemble singing. When we sing together, we create something beautiful that none of us could create alone.
Growth – Whether you’re discovering your voice for the first time or you’re a lifelong singer, we’re committed to helping you grow as a musician and as a person.
Community – We’re part of Asheville. We perform for our neighbors, we support local causes, and we believe music can bring people together across all boundaries.
Diversity – Our repertoire spans centuries and styles. Our members come from different backgrounds and bring different experiences. This diversity makes us stronger.

Meet Our Leadership

Chuck Taft is a multi-talented musician, pastor, and author living, working, and learning in Western North Carolina. Chuck’s wide-ranging work includes music directing for theater and opera, conducting orchestral and choral groups, teaching university students, and performing as a singer and pianist. His Master’s research focused on exploring the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical benefits of choral participation in an aging population, with the aim of using scholarship to improve practice and, ultimately, the lives of the singers. Guiding his work across all these disciplines is Chuck’s core belief in “people over process,” a commitment to valuing the needs of the individual above those of organizations. Led by this belief, Chuck moves daily between the classroom, sanctuary, and rehearsal hall, cheerfully helping the people around him find joy and express their truth through music.

Eric Fricke

Assistant Director and Accompanist

Eric is from Scottsdale, AZ, and came to Asheville after living in Santa Fe, NM, for many years. He came to North Carolina in June 2020 to study in a graduate program for Injury-Preventive Keyboard Pedagogy at Salem College.

From 2017 to 2019, Eric was the Principal Organist of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe, NM. During his time there, Eric helped prepare and performed with a 120-voice combined choir from the Santa Fe Diocese in a performance of John Rutter’s Mass of the Children at Carnegie Hall, among many other musical and liturgical adventures. While in Santa Fe, Eric performed as a Santa Fe Opera pianist and was the Santa Fe Symphony organist. Eric was the Associate Director of the St. Michael’s High School’s Choral Arts Society, which won AAA New Mexico State Champion Choir during two of his three years with them. He has appeared nationally as an organist since 2007, with notable appearances at Entertainment Gathering 2008 (later broadcast on TEDTalks) on NPR’s From The Top.

Eric is a chocolatier, botanical perfumer, and African and Haitian dance student, and he enjoys hosting his neighborhood outdoor yoga group. He holds undergraduate degrees in Philosophy and History of Mathematics and Sciences from St. John’s College, the notorious Great Books school of Annapolis, MD.

Our Community Impact

The Asheville Senior Chorus isn’t just about our members – we’re committed to enriching the entire Asheville community through music. We perform at:

OLLI Concerts – Our main concert series showcasing the full repertoire of the chorus
Community Events – Local parades, festivals, and celebrations where we share music with Asheville residents
Holiday Performances – Special concerts and performances during the holiday season
Collaborations – Partnerships with local organizations, schools, and cultural institutions
Special Performances – Nursing homes, senior centers, and community gatherings

Health Benefits of Singing

Science-Backed Health Benefits: Why Singing Makes Your Brain Younger
New research from 2024-2025 shows that choral singing literally slows brain aging. Studies tracking older adults over two years found that regular choir singers exhibit brain characteristics appearing biologically younger than their chronological age, with improved white matter integrity and enhanced memory function. When you join the Asheville Senior Chorus, you’re not just having fun – you’re investing in your long-term health and cognitive vitality.
Cognitive Benefits – A Younger Brain

Improved Memory – 18% increase in episodic memory (recalling personal experiences) after 12 months of regular participation
Enhanced Working Memory – 15% boost in the mental workspace you use for problem-solving and learning
Faster Processing Speed – Measurable improvements in how quickly your brain takes in and responds to information
Stronger Brain Structure – Increased white matter integrity (your brain’s communication highways) and improved connectivity in memory-related regions
Reduced Anxiety and Depression – 28-32% reduction in anxiety and depression symptoms after regular participation
Combats Loneliness – 35% decrease in loneliness scores after just 3 months of weekly singing
Mood Enhancement – Immediate and lasting improvements in emotional well-being, with members reporting ‘renewed vitality’
Increased Confidence – Many of our members report that singing with the chorus has boosted their confidence not just as singers, but in all areas of their lives
Improved Respiratory Health – 12% improvement in lung capacity after 12 weeks of regular singing
Better Sleep Quality – Members consistently report improved sleep patterns and rest quality
Reduced Stress – Lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels and increased endorphins (feel-good chemicals)
Overall Health – Choir participants report higher physical quality-of-life scores and fewer medical visits Blog page.”

Why Choral Singing Is Uniquely Powerful

Unlike solo singing or other activities, group choral singing engages multiple brain systems simultaneously – auditory processing, motor control, language, emotion, and social awareness all at once. Research shows that group singers experience 2x the cognitive benefits of solo singers, making it the gold standard for healthy aging.

Read articles about the health benefits of singing on our Blog page.

No Auditions Required - And We Mean It

Many choirs say ‘no auditions’ but still expect you to sight-read or match pitch perfectly. Not us. At Asheville Senior Chorus, we genuinely welcome singers at every level:

Never sung before? Perfect – you’ll learn everything you need in a supportive environment.
Can’t read music? No problem – many of our members learn by ear, and we provide guidance for everyone.
Worried about your voice? Our director Chuck creates an inclusive environment where everyone grows at their own pace.
Haven’t sung in decades? Welcome back – your voice is still there, and we’ll help you rediscover it.
Concerned about fitting in? Our members range from recent retirees to active performers in their 80s – everyone finds their place.

We’re one of the few truly inclusive senior choirs in Western North Carolina. Our OLLI partnership reflects our commitment to lifelong learning for everyone, not just experienced musicians. The research is clear: the health benefits of choral singing are available to all skill levels, so we’ve built our community to match that science.

Our Repertoire Across Genres

One of the things that makes the Asheville Senior Chorus special is the incredible range of music we perform. We believe that great music spans centuries and styles. Here’s what you might hear:

Classical – Bach, Handel, Brahms, Mozart, and other timeless composers
Show Tunes – Rogers & Hammerstein, modern musicals, and Broadway favorites
Pop & Rock – Beatles, Elton John, and contemporary artists
Folk & Spirituals – American folk traditions, spirituals, and folk song arrangements
Seasonal – Holiday classics and special arrangements for our holiday concert

Every season brings new music to learn and new ways to grow as a singer.

Join Our Community

Whether you’re a lifelong singer rediscovering your voice, a beginner taking the first step, or someone seeking meaningful community connection, the Asheville Senior Chorus welcomes you. Music has the power to transform lives, and we’d love for you to experience that transformation with us.

Ready to start your singing journey?

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