The Cranberry Men’s Chorus performed for the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center residents in Butler on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle.
Rob McGraw
BUTLER TWP — An a cappella chorus reached patients at nursing homes Saturday through a musical memories tour.
The Cranberry Men’s Chorus put on free performances at Penn-Mar Plaza in Mars, Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in the township, Newhaven Court at Clearview in Center Township, and then returned to Mars for their last show at St. John Specialty Care.
“We’re singing recognizable stuff. Songs they grew up with,” said Ron Brooks, the singing director of the barbershop group. “The idea is to reach them in the heart with memories. It’s fun for us too.”
The Cranberry Men’s Chorus performed for the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center residents in Butler on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle.
Rob McGraw
Seventeen members of the 40-man barbershop chorus smiled as the harmonized their way down memory lane with popular sing-a-longs such as the Beatles’ “Can’t Buy Me Love,” the Platters’ “Only You,” Jackie DeShannon’s “What the World Needs Now is Love,” The Monkees’ “Day Dreamer,” Barry Manilow’s “I Write the Songs,” the Rays’ “Two Silhouettes on the Shade,” and Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline.”
The chorus enjoys having free shows for people who can’t get out or afford to see one, especially now that winter giving way to spring, Brooks said.
“This is something I wanted to do. A giveback to the community,” he said.
The chorus sings a cappella versions of songs people know from the 1960s through the 1990s, he said.
Brooks said he believes performing at nursing homes helps older people remember their past, and that can be a kind of music therapy.
The chorus is planning a big, 90-minute show Oct. 11 at North Catholic High School in Cranberry Township.
The Cranberry Men’s Chorus performed for the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center residents in Butler on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle.
Rob McGraw
Conductor Ron Brooks leads the Cranberry Men’s Chorus as the perform for the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center residents in Butler on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle.
Rob McGraw
Don Tomlinson performs sign language during the performance of “What The World Needs Now Is Love “ during a concert at Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center by the Cranberry Men’s Chorus in Butler on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle.
Rob McGraw
The Cranberry Men’s Chorus performed for the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center residents in Butler on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle.
Rob McGraw
The Cranberry Men’s Chorus performed for the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center residents in Butler on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle.
Rob McGraw
The Cranberry Men’s Chorus performed for the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center residents in Butler on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle.
Rob McGraw
The Cranberry Men’s Chorus performed for the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center residents in Butler on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle.
Rob McGraw
Jim McKee sings a solo during a concert at Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center by the Cranberry Men’s Chorus in Butler on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle.
Rob McGraw
Conductor Ron Brooks leads the Cranberry Men’s Chorus as the perform for the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center residents in Butler on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle.
Rob McGraw
Conductor Ron Brooks leads the Cranberry Men’s Chorus as the perform for the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center residents in Butler on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle.
Rob McGraw
Conductor Ron Brooks leads the Cranberry Men’s Chorus as the perform for the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center residents in Butler on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle.
Rob McGraw
Conductor Ron Brooks leads the Cranberry Men’s Chorus as the perform for the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center residents in Butler on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle.
Rob McGraw
