Rearview Mirror is the perfect platform to look at decades gone by…specifically the ones in which Sage Singers were born: the ’40s, ’50s, and ’60s.
Paying homage to the soundtracks of those early years and taking the audience from Tuxedo Junction to Jailhouse Rock. Fun music, such as “The Peppermint Twist” and “Hair,” kept things lively even amid the country’s unrest. This was reflected in powerful protest songs that are still front and center today, from Woodie Guthrie to Pete Seeger.
“We’re not just singing for our lives. We’re singing for the rest of our lives.” That’s the motto of the new Q+ Elders and Allies chorus formed in February 2025. The Portland Sage Singers are gearing up for the third concert, Rearview Mirror. “In a world that moves at a crazy pace, we often rush forward, barely pausing to reflect on what has brought us to this moment,” said Dr. Tim Seelig, Artistic Director of the Portland Sage Singers. “Collectively, we’ve traversed many miles in our lives. We love singing about them.” “We’re living proof that singing and music are an integral part of society, no matter your age. Through music we find belonging, social connection and fun, making light of the many challenges that come with aging,” said Nori La Rue, a tenor singer in the choir.
Sprinkled in will be songs that the Portland Sage Singers would share with their younger selves, as well as something to tell the next generation about what has been learned. You’ll want to sing along, no doubt. While some memories may feel distant, the musical rearview mirror reveals that “objects are closer than they appear.”