The Civic Chorale needs YOU!

Tuesday nights are my therapy, thanks to the Civic Chorale of Greater Miami.  I drive to the rehearsal space, greet all my fellow singers, sit down and proceed to forget my worries and pour my soul into the music for two hours.  The Civic Chorale of Greater Miami has been my home now for close to 2 years and I have loved every minute of it.   The picture I chose to use for this page is one from our last concert and these are my girls in the soprano section. 

The Civic Chorale is a chorus that doesn’t require you to audition to join.  This is purposeful; designed to allow people of all ages, from all walks of life, and all musical experience levels to be a part of the chorus.  Whether you have been singing in choirs all your life like me, or whether you haven’t sung in a choir since high school, you are welcome.  I’ve had the privilege of sharing the stage with many wonderful people in this group, many of whom have become my friends.  As an adult, it hasn’t always been easy to find my tribe, so to speak.  We live in a world where we are all “connected” via technology but where real human connection is hard to find.  The Civic Chorale of Greater Miami is definitely combating that, and honestly, just by existing.  

There are countless studies showing the many emotional and physical benefits of singing in a choir, aside from creating a feeling of belonging and community.  It is known for helping improve people’s mental health, improve lung function, help keep people cognitively sharp, and even regulate people’s heartbeat.  Yes, believe it or not, there was a study published in 2013 that showed that singers in a choir not only regulated their heartbeat, but that they actually begin to beat in sync since the singers were breathing together in the same places.  It is an amazing experience to be in the middle of a song with the chorus and suddenly have that feeling of euphoria, of really losing yourself in the moment.  It is cathartic and healing in ways I can’t even begin to explain. 

Having said all of this, I have to turn the conversation to something a bit less positive.  This year saw a devasting blow dealt to the many arts organizations in the state of Florida.  This year, the grants that are usually awarded to non-profit arts organizations in Florida was completely cut – to the tune of $34 million dollars.  This means that many arts organizations will be struggling to cover operating costs and may have to cut back on events and activities that benefit our community.  Because of this, I ask for your help.  The Civic Chorale is an important part of our community and deserves to continue but we can only continue with help from the community at large.  Donations go to help plan concerts, pay for music, pay for guest musicians, and pay venues.  Please help us keep making music and keep enriching lives.