Singing in Community

Dear Students,

It’s hard to believe that it is September already – the summer flew by! I hope you have all had a fun and restful summer, with plenty of opportunities for time spent outside and with family and friends.

I just returned from an event that put me both in nature and with community: camping with old and new friends at this years’ Gardenfest, a weekend long, family-friendly music festival held every fall. Over the course of the weekend, I had the opportunity to play on the mainstage on my own set of originals, supported by musician friends; with a band so large and full of energy we pushed the limits of the power grid; and in an impromptu fashion as a guest on other people’s sets (sometimes hearing the song for the first time on stage!). I jammed with many talented musicians around the campfire late into the night and recorded piano and vocals on tracks for an upcoming album in the on-site recording studio (temporarily set up in a yurt on location!). While there were many magical moments from the weekend, my biggest takeaway as a musician was the power of collaboration.

In music, collaboration means the sum is greater than its parts. We are by nature social creatures, drawn to work, create, and play together. In group singing, our voices naturally match in tone and frequency, amplifying the sound through constructive interference, also known as resonance. Numerous studies show the benefits of singing as a group. Choral singing improves cognition, vital signs, mental health, and is associated with improved outcomes in a variety of illnesses https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C20&q=benefits+of+group+singing&btnG= . When we co-create, we form strong emotional bonds that increase empathy and solidify community. And the music just sounds better.

I’ve been pondering how to bring more group music-making to my studio and the little community we’ve been building at the Chocolate Church. I am happy to announce two new projects that will go up in October! Freddy Larrosa is starting a free monthly Sunday drum circle (bring your own drum!). Stay tuned for dates! And, I am most excited to announce a project that has been a long time in the making, but I am launching the Chocolate Church Community Choir!!

Experience the joy of singing in community! This choir is open to adults (14+) who love to sing in a welcoming and supportive environment. Learn vocal warmups, vocal health, basic singing technique, harmonizing, and fun choral arrangements. Please email me at jclukeymusic@gmail.com to sign up!

Tuesdays 7-8:30pm in the Annex, Oct 7- Dec 16. Cost: $150 for 10 weeks. Enrollment will be accepted on a rolling basis for as long as we have space! If you join after the first session, your fee will be prorated accordingly. 

Have you had a meaningful group music-making experience? How are you hoping to cultivate more musical collaboration and co-creation in your life? Let me know your thoughts, I’d love to hear from you!

Warmly,

Dr. Jane