Loves,
I LOVE singing!
Singing in choirs really opens up my creative self. It is full of inspiration. I’ve been singing in my queer choir – SingOut – for over three years now. I LOVE my choir. And I’ve been singing in the Mission Folk Festival choir every year as well.
I remember the first practice. I felt so awkward and insecure and I didn’t read music. I had no clue if I was a soprano or an alto or a baritone (okay, I knew I wasn’t a baritone. Ha!) I wondered where I even fit in. SingOut greeted me with open arms and hearts, let me try out different sections, encouraged me to sing high and low. They were flexible. No auditions needed. I just slid into where I felt vocally comfortable and went for it.
What a gift!
We started learning folk songs, and world music, and pop songs. It was so fun! And everyone made suggestions of music they wanted to sing – some from their favorite movies like Dear Evan Hansen, or favorite childhood groups like ABBA, or a new pop song they’d just heard on the radio like Golden. This choir was wide open. Beginners and experienced. All sorts of music. All types of people. New members were always welcomed.
After a short time, I became so relaxed with singing. It was always a joy. If I had a bad day, I’d just sing. If I had a problem I was trying to work out, I’d just sing. If I felt sad or mad or confused, I’d just sing. Singing became my therapy, my self-care practice, my community engagement, my love. If I was stuck in my writing, singing would free space in my creative mind. A many layered, soft musical wind blew away the fog of confusion. Singing took musty ideas or writing practices from stale to fresh.
And the lyrics! Oh. My. The lyrics alone were so connecting and heartfelt. Lyrics like – We don’t need to be related to relate. We don’t need to share genes or a surname. You are, you are, my chosen, chosen family. Or – I’m done hidin’, now I’m shinin’ like I’m born to be. Or – listen to the people who see you, they will help you hold your soul. Listen to the ones who oppose you, they can even play a role.
Being in a choir is music and lyrics and people singing with the purest intentions and feelings and energy. It is mind-clearing, soul cleansing, bliss.
