On October 25th, 2023, tragedy landed at home in Maine with the event of the Lewiston mass shooting. Eighteen of our neighbors were lost, and more injured. On this page are the resources that were shared in a letter to Maine choral directors. If your choir is grieving any kind of tragedy or loss, we hope these resources help your singers find comfort and community as they did for us. We continue to sing in an effort to add light and healing in our communities, and we know that strengthening community through our school choirs can help prevent the darkness that leads to such acts.
Repertoire
- “Goodness Still” by Michael Hayashida of Auburn, ME
From Julia – “My friend Michael had written and recorded this simple hymn-like song with his daughter, Tessa, during the turmoil of 2020. It has been playing in my head and I have asked him to share it with you all. It is a quick read if you do not do the bridge, but all of it is worth a look. I plan to bring it to my choir when Poland schools are back in session.”
From Ashley – “This piece is one that I first heard at the Nafme All National Festival last
year. My students who participated were immediately moved by the text, and were really able to connect with the music. Because of how much they loved this piece, I programmed it this fall for us to perform at the ACDA Fall Festival. In light of the events of the past few days, I shared a recording of it with our staff, students, and music families, hoping that it could provide hope and light during this dark time. This piece is accessible with some divisi, and a beautiful piano accompaniment. There are also some wonderful recordings available on youtube. Whether or not you end up singing this piece, it would certainly be worth sharing.”
From Julia – “I’ve been listening to this song after it popped up one day on Spotify. It’s simple, resonates with the confused youth inside all of us, and seems to speak to this moment in some ways. I reached out to the composer and he responded with a link to the sheet music. The first link didn’t work, but I will add it to our resources when he sends a new one. It is worth a listen.”
- “There Is More Love Somewhere” – traditional
From Julia – “This is an easy sing-along that gradually builds in an almost meditative way as intention gets stronger throughout the song. I use Nick Page’s version, from his book Sing With Us. Super easy to teach at all levels, and easy to sub in words when needed. Sometimes the students come up with the most lovely lines for this, and I love hearing their harmonies blossom. It can be truly healing and empowering, despite (or perhaps because of?) its simplicity.”
- Moira Smiley’s transcription/arrangement
- Nick Page’s Sing With Us book
- “Rain Come Down” by Shawn Kirchner
From Becca: “For some, this song might be too ‘on-the nose’ and for others it might be exactly what you or your singers need. Kirchner wrote this simple verse/chorus song the day after the Columbine shooting.”
From Becca: “So many of these simple songs are easily learned, cathartic to sing, and speak to a variety of emotions and circumstances. Check out: Another World is Possible, Be the Change, I Lift My Voice, Love is Love is Love is Love, Resilience, and so many others in this great collection.”
From Camille: “My ‘go-to’ piece [from the Justice Choir Songbook] is ‘Love, Love, Love’ by Abbey Betinis. It is so simple and can be put together very quickly with four 4-measure phrases. I have always included audiences around the world on our tours. The feeling of being bathed in love is healing and develops a wonderful sense of community.”
Activities
- Create a playlist with songs that bring you hope, or peace, or calm, or inspiration.
- Here are some examples from Julia:
- Songs of Hope and Resilience
- Comfort Classical
- Calming Music for Anxiety/Stress/HSP (instrumental playlist by Meditation Station)
- Here are some examples from Julia:
- Set time aside for students/singers to create art, thank you cards, and gestures for first responders and medical/mental health professionals in the area.
- Incorporate mindfulness into your warm-up or throughout your rehearsal.
- Check out Breathe Like a Bear geared toward younger children.
- Check out these Mindfulness Warm-Up Resources from Julia.
Quotations
- “My heart, which is so full to overflowing, has often been solaced and refreshed by music when sick and weary.” ― Martin Luther
- “Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life bringing peace, abolishing strife.” ― Kahlil Gibran
- “Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.” – Maya Angelou
- “I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity.” – Billy Joel
- “Music is the balm that heals the forlorn ache of a distant star.” – Don Williams
- “This will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before.” – Leonard Bernstein
Helpful Reading/Watching
- Article: Developing a group voice through the grief journey: the Grief Choir
- Article: Group singing in bereavement: effects on mental health, self-efficacy, self-esteem and well-being
- Article: Choir Gives Grievers a Voice and Path for Grief Journeys
- Video: “Rite to Grieve” (2:43)
- Video: “How to sing through grief” from Vocal Splendor Studios (3:16)