A Minnesota choir bridges memory loss with music and community

In Granite Falls, a special choir brings together people touched by memory loss—and their loved ones. The Building Bridges Choir, led by director Jan Lerohl, offers more than just music. For members like Danny and Rosalene Mooney, who have sung side by side for 62 years, it provides connection and joy. Danny Mooney lives with Parkinson’s and early dementia. Yet every Thursday morning, he and his wife Rosalene join the choir at St. Paul Lutheran Church. The group was created for those experiencing memory loss or caring for someone who is.

The choir has grown steadily over the past ten years, more than doubling in size. Members rehearse weekly, preparing church hymns and patriotic songs for performances at senior centres and veterans homes. These concerts often earn standing ovations.

Lerohl believes singing helps stir old memories and keeps them vivid. For the Mooneys, the choir is a chance to share their lifelong love of music. Others describe the group as a family, offering support beyond the rehearsal room. The Building Bridges Choir continues to expand, giving members a sense of purpose and community. Performances at local facilities bring comfort to audiences, while weekly practices strengthen bonds among singers. For many, the choir is more than music—it’s a place to belong.