“Resilience” Community Choir Newsletter - Fall '22

A note from the Director:

Welcome!

The nights are cooler and the air bright and golden. We are on a familiar choir autumnal journey. It’s one that we have traveled for over 35 years, gathering to sing, build community and create a program for the Winter Solstice Concert. It is so great to be able to be together and to follow that familiar path again, even though we are somewhat rusty and out of shape, even though we are not so sure how many and who we are. And yet we can celebrate that we came through the Pandemic and we are singing!

Our theme this season is Resilience and marks both a celebration and a concern. That we are still here is a reason to celebrate. But worry, fear and grief run deeply as I think about the future of this land, the nations and the earth. The future of the choir, of course, is also an unknown. In so many ways and on so many levels we are in a transition and a turning.

Resilience is the capacity to recover quickly from adversity/hard conditions. What exactly does this mean to you? What skills will we need to be resilient, to keep moving on for justice and peace? What do we want to put in place for the next generations? What lessons of survival do you have from those who came before you? As we sang last week with Lydia Violet:

“I did not come here alone. I carry my people in my bones; I did not come here alone.

If you listen you can hear them in my soul.”

(The Peace Poets)

As we sing and connect our way through the season, let’s explore the idea of resilience as it connects to resistance, revolution, change, privilege, courage and song. In this time of the great turning, as we so precariously move forward towards an unknown global future, how do we build resilience into our legacy? How do we build hope? I am glad you are here. Let’s do it together!

Karen Mihalyi

Good News: We are pleased to receive a $26,000 grant from the City of Syracuse Arts and Culture Recovery Fund, to be used for two positions: Part-Time Manager and PR/Outreach person. We also received $2500 from NYSCA (New York State Council on the Arts) for the Winter Concert. We are pleased to note that we were able to raise $500 at our Summer Concert for the Red Cross in Ukraine. Gratitude to the Ukrainian Chorus for joining us on that lovely evening.

The Season:

Oct.19-Dec.14 (except Nov. 23) 7-9 PM Rehearsals at Grace Episcopal Church

Saturday, Dec. 3 (Sat) 1 pm: Community “Sing” at the Peace Council’s Plowshare Peace Festival; Nottingham High School

Saturday, Dec. 10: 10 AM-1 PM: Special Rehearsal at Grace Church.

Saturday, Dec. 17: 7 PM: Winter Solstice Concert: “Resilience” St. Paul’s Cathedral Downtown.

Children’s’ Choir: At Women’s Information Center on 601 Allen Street on Mondays, after school (3 PM or whenever you can get there) until 5; also a collaboration with the Syracuse Arts and Citizenship School. First meeting is at the office and then perhaps, in a bigger space, if needed. Contact Pam McGrath: pamelasmcgrath@gmail.com / 315.481.0240.

Teen/Young Adult Choir: First meeting on Saturday, Oct. 22. 3PM at Women’s Information Center (601 Allen St. Syracuse 13210). Think about songs; plan a regular meeting time, etc. For more info, contact Jy’keise Thomas (315.828.9894 / jykeisethomas57@gmail.com) or Jennifer Moloff (jswifty2@yahoo.com/ 315.254.1606).

Singer Expectations: Forms, Money and Energy

Singers are the heart of our organization.

Your energy, good thinking and generosity keep us going.

Each singer is asked to make a financial contribution and to give time. A simple donation of energy might be putting chairs back or helping someone learn their music—all of it matters! And money, of course, is the river that holds us all here. Even if you can’t attend every rehearsal, we ask that you still make a pledge for the season, remembering that the staff and creative team have been preparing and working way before we start and continue even if you are not here. If you can’t make a pledge, it’s ok! Just note it on the pledge card.

What about THE PINK BASKETS? Your pledge envelope and pencils will be in the basket. It will be passed around each week. This is how the system works: everyone fills out a pledge card and everyone has an envelope. All cards are in the pink boxes in each section. When you have completed your pledge, your envelope disappears. (It is magic). So put your donation in the envelopes! Then we can keep track.

Fundraisers, Projects and More: There are three main fundraisers this season. The beautiful quilt designed/organized by Mara Sapon-Shevin with lots of help from Carol Simson (Alto 2). They may still need people to sew squares; we all sell raffle tickets. This year we will also sell Syracuse Cultural Workers Calendars at every rehearsal as well as forms to order from the catalogues. We make 50% of all sales! Also we will again ask you to help get sponsorships and greetings for the concert program.

Other things to remember: The meditation starts at 7. Be in your seats and ready!

Sign the attendance sheet, get your name tag and check for new music. Every Week!!

Late? Wait quietly outside the door until after the meditation.

You must be at 6 rehearsals to sing in the concert (or have permission from the directors)

Make sure you have filled out Pledge Cards, Information, Volunteer and Media Release forms.

Please, no perfumes or scented deodorants. Some of us are really allergic.

It is very hard to hear in the rehearsal hall; don’t talk, even in the back! Walking around is loud also!

Get a black binder. Put music in binders RIGHT AWAY. Have a pencil. Breathe.

AHHHH. Listen. Wear a mask. Consider yourself a leader and take charge of making it ok for yourself and others. Say your name each time you speak to the group. If you want, share your pronouns once when you speak.

Make sure no one is sitting by themselves. Notice and appreciate each other. Keep aisles wide for people who need space to move freely. Choir Announcements right before the break. Community Announcements right before appreciations, at the end. Brevity appreciated! Practice the music at home!

Include accessibility information with all community announcements. Support the leaders.

Accessibility:

Our definition of accessibility includes any barrier that may make it hard for you to fully participate. Yahoo!

Please let us know what you need. Contact your section leader, Shanah, or Willie (contact info below). We provide transportation, brailing, large print materials, rehearsal CDs, interpreters for the deaf at main concerts, and accessible meeting/concert space. We also provide childcare: let us know ahead of time.

Choir Leaders/Staff/Contractors:

Karen Mihalyi: (Executive Director) Office: 315.428.8151 kmihalyi@a-znet.com

Alison Mullan-Stout: (Assistant to the Director) 680.666.8514 syrcommunitychoir@gmail.com

Shanah Williams: (Rehearsals/Transportation) 315.863.0588 shanahwllms@yahoo.com

Willie Kern (Transportation / Accessibility) 315.403.4958 / Specialk2753@yahoo.com

Darlene Yamrose: (Bookkeeping/Admin)

Matthew DeBellas and Alison: Social Media and Marketing

Creative Team:

Adult Choir: Kath Fathers, Marcia Hagan, Colleen Kattau

Teen/Young Adult: Nina Pelligra

Children: Pam McGrath

Choir Board:

President: Diane Ogno (Sop 1)

Secretary: Pam Walker (Tenor)

Treasurer: John Noviasky

Defonda Bell -Dancil, Mary Anne Barrington (Alto 2), Araba Black, Anne Childress (Sop 1), Matthew DeBellas, Karen Gillette (Sop 2), Tim Farfaglia (Tenor), Cliff Forstadt (Tenor), Jeremy French-Lawyer

Consultants and Support: Kathleen Crinnin, Bob Herz