Choir Sing-Along – Spring 2021 Retreat

Led by Marcie McGaughey and Jill Khaleghi

To begin the Sing-Along, Marcie had chosen seven hymns, including both familiar UU hymns and unfamiliar new ones from the British Unitarian hymnbook. With all of our microphones muted, we sang these hymns to recorded accompaniment, some on piano and some with organ.

Jill then led us in several interesting exercises to warm up our voices, and she shared with us references to several articles so that we could pursue this sort of work on our own (the references are still available to everyone on the EUU Spring Retreat 2021 (Schedule) – After-the-Retreat Version, which retreat attendees can access throughout the summer ).  Jill also talked about Vocal Yoga and recommended a book on the subject by Heather Lyle.

Jill is hoping to get technical assistance between now and the fall retreat so that we can create a virtual choir for the retreat worship service.   With this hopeful possibility in mind, we practiced two songs in parts: the spiritual “Deep River” and a recently written song for choirs: “Draw the Circle Wide.”

After so many months without being able to sing in a group, it was very moving to be able to sing again,  even though we could not hear one another.  Our thanks to Marcie and Jill for preparing this special musical gathering.

Dorcy Erlandson, UUFP (Paris)