The Heaven Can Wait Choir” impresses in the St. Pauli Theater: a premiere full of energy!

The Heaven Can Wait Choir” impresses in the St. Pauli Theater: a premiere full of energy!

In the St. Pauli Theater in Hamburg, the members of the “Heaven Can Wait Choir” celebrate with their new show “Now especially!” a great success. The choir, which was founded 13 years ago by Jan-Christoph Scheibe, now consists of around 45 singers between the ages of 70 and 93. With Wolfgang Merkens as the newest member, who at 70 is the youngest in the ensemble, the choir brings a breath of fresh air to the stage. He was skeptical at first, but the group's rousing energy and enthusiasm quickly captivated him. RND reports that the premiere was sold out and the audience applauded frenetically.

The choir has gained popularity in recent years, not least through a successful film. The selection of songs does not include classic hits, but rather uses personal hits from the rap, pop and rock genres. “We sing songs by Taylor Swift, Fettes Brot and Mark Forster,” explains Merkens. Also new to her show are self-written songs that deal with topics such as the meaning of life and dealing with death with humor and wisdom. These songs focus on life's experiences and have also been released on CD. City park open air already announces the choir's next concert.

A creative space for older singers

The idea behind the “Heaven Can Wait Choir” is to offer older people a stage on which they can express themselves and be part of a community. This social component is very important for Merkens and the other members. “We feel needed and experience a kind of solidarity here that strengthens our self-esteem,” says Merkens.

The choir rehearsals before the premiere were intense and exciting. Time for practice was short, and new choreographies and song lyrics had to be learned hastily. But for Scheibe the focus is less on perfect singing and more on expression and the fun of singing. This philosophy was well received by the audience, which was reflected in the standing ovation after the performance.

Social projects and music promotion

In Germany, interest in music projects for older people is increasing, as the Federal Music Association shows in its program “Fit longer through music!” shows. From January 2025, 22 vocal and instrumental ensembles will receive financial support for innovative music projects to promote the quality of life of people with dementia. The Federal Music Association is committed to ensuring that the “Heaven Can Wait Choir” also receives broader attention through its work.

The positive response to the choir's performances shows that the combination of music and community is very important for older people. The numerous concerts in Schleswig-Holstein, Bremen and Hanover have captured the hearts of the audience and give hope for a continued successful future. The next opportunity to experience the “Heaven Can Wait Choir” live will be next year at the Stadtpark Open Air 2025.