Elva Roy, Lead Ambassador for Ambassadors for Aging, discovered the Giving Voices Chorus in Minneapolis. She thought that Arlington and the Metroplex deserved to have one too. In July of 2017, a small group of impassioned individuals  gathered to organize a “singing opportunity” for those with early to mid-stage Alzheimer’s/Dementia, their Care Partners, Community Volunteers and UTA Volunteers.  Elva enlisted Velma Bogart to organize the group so, Velma became the Chair of the planning committee.  The first meeting of the planning committee was on July 17th in the home of Velma Bogart. Those present at the first meeting were: Marcia Rober, Joan and Homer Reynolds, Shannon Layman Miller, Elva Roy and Velma Bogart. Gradually the group established a Board of Directors, gained 501(c) 3 status, attracted Co-Directors and a Pianist.

The Co-Directors were Dana Lobaugh and Kathy Draves.
The pianist was Jim Maas.

The officers for the inaugural year were:

Kay Reynolds - President
Joan Reynolds - Vice President
Marcia Rober - Secretary
Willa Jo Mills - Treasurer
Shannon Layman Miller - Parliamentarian
Dana Lobaugh & Kathy Draves - Ex-Officio Members
Elva Roy - Ex-Officio Member

Members-At-Large
Joan Carol, Barbara Keaton, Judith Pickering, Homer Reynolds and Joan Reynolds

The first meeting of Musical Memory Singers was October 5, 2017. In the beginning we weren’t sure if anyone would even show up, but fortunately they did and we have been a growing family ever since.