Songbirds hold their first Easter event

ALBANY — The Songbirds, a group of about 30 individuals who sing for Pruitt Health-Palmyra residents, held their first Easter event Friday. The members’ ages range from 60 to 80 years old, and they have been singing together for three years, starting with a Christmas program.

Mary Philmon, one of five Songbird officers, wore a cross from her daughter while explaining the group’s mission.

“We get together like this around the holidays, and we go around and sing because people in bed cannot come out,” Philmon said. “So we want to spread a little cheer [because] God is still alive and He is risen, and we enjoy our Songbirds.”

Christine Willcox, the Songbirds’ director, and Philmon started the group after learning about music therapy.

“Before volunteering here, I read and did research on Alzheimer’s, the benefits of music, and the retention [of memory], and just the joy [of it],” Willcox said. “So we thought about ways that we could enhance [residents’] abilities to recall and to spread love as well.”