Something Extra, Yale’s A Capella Group at Bedford Center
March 25, 2019
The residents of the Bedford Center were treated on March 14 to a concert by Something Extra, Yale University’s premier all-female a capella group.
Their show may be considered part of The Allure Group’s continuing commitment to not only entertain its residents, but also to provide the utmost in holistic care, as the benefits of music have been well-documented:
- Overall well-being: Music has been associated with improved sleep and pain management, and has also been found to help stroke patients recover their verbal skills.
- Mood: It leads to greater contentment and a more upbeat outlook.
- Memory: This is particularly marked for those afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Playing music from patients’ younger years triggers memories of those times, and stimulates the brain.
- Stress Reduction: It leads one to become more relaxed, and improves self-esteem.
- Encouraging exercise: Moving to the music impacts such things as strength, flexibility and balance, which in turn can lead to greater independence for seniors.
- Decreased isolation: Taking part in music-related activities can not only connect seniors with each other, but with family members.
As for the Yale group Something Extra, it dates back to 1977, according to the group’s website, when a group of women, all dressed in tuxedos, appeared at the end of an on-campus show. The emcee, apparently flummoxed, introduced them as follows: “And to conclude the night, here’s a little … something extra!”
The name remained, though the tuxedos did not. They were scrapped in favor of black evening gowns and red opera gloves. And the group has gone on to perform various styles of music while singing at various corporate and private events. Its tours have taken it throughout North America, Europe and the Caribbean; Something Extra also once appeared on the set of the popular game show “Jeopardy!”
The group’s appearance at the Bedford Center was part of a tour of New York that included stops at Columbia University and Session 73, a popular establishment on the city’s Upper East Side.