On March 13, UCI MIND and the UCI Claire Trevor School of the Arts Department of Music collaborated to present “Finding Light: Alzheimer’s Stories” by Robert S. Cohen. The evening featured a pre-concert panel that included the composer, the conductor of the UC Irvine Chamber Singers & Concert Choir, the Director of UCI MIND, and two research participants who represented the lived experience of individuals living with cognitive impairment.
The panel was followed by an incredible two-act performance by the UCI Chamber Singers & Concert Choir. First, the Chamber Singers performed a collection of related and inspiring pieces. After an intermission, a small orchestra and more than 200 voices gave a powerful and emotional performance of Cohen’s “Finding Light.”
Here’s a taste of what the evening included. This clip includes the song, Resilience and Renewal – Light of a Clear Blue Morning by the UCI Chamber Singers, Isabelle Knowles, soprano and Michael Balerite, student conductor. We’ll soon share more video footage from this remarkable event.
Events like this one are exemplary of the cross-disciplinary mission of UCI MIND. Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases that cause dementia are transformational challenges, anticipated to dramatically increase in impact and cost. Biomedical research will be key to discovering ways to address the tremendous public health challenge represented by these diseases. Research must also address the societal and the personal impact, and highlight the humanity, of disease. Programs like this, with truly inspiring performances by our talented partners from the School of the Arts, do just that.
