Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Why I love the One Heart Choir

Members of the One Heart Choir express their gratitude for being part of the music ministry at the Center and tell the story of why they love to sing. Look for a different story every few weeks.


Every now and then I'm reminded that the songs we sing do count for something.  After having a "bad" day mentally and physically, I stopped in my tracts while listening to our downloaded music CD and took notice of the words of "Count Your Blessings".  Needless to say I took those words to heart, really listened...and all was well after that!  What a miracle!  No, really it was me slowing down and noticing my life and all the experiences that I am so blessed to have. Claire, great song you and Randal wrote. 
Thanks...Olivia
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I just wanted to express to you how wonderful it felt last week to become a New Heart!  Thank YOU Claire for all of your hard work and all of those that are your right-hand persons!  I have to admit that I felt over-whelmed, but it was a very good over-whelm!It was so abundantly clear to me how much each person there loves and cares about their part in the choir and the role that it plays in the center community.  The first night was amazing, awesome, heart-felt.....I could go on and on.  Thank you over and over again. 


Blessings to you, Dinna
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Thank goodness we are stuck with you Claire! I have learned more about singing, music, behaving, integrity, respect, showing up, being responsive, happiness, choosing, loving, boundaries, feeling included, listening to my own guides, working, paying attention, supporting, being available, opening up, breathing, and did I mention singing! That is in these four short months! I am letting my imagination wander to where I could be in 1 year, 2 years, and so on. With you as a leader, just your presence demands these things; your hard work, your diligence, your caring, your beautiful voice, are such examples. I feel blessed to be a part of such a great group with your leadership! YAHOOOOOOOO! Happy to be stuck with you! You Rock!
In Happiness, Stacy
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I also didn't take the time to express my appreciation for Claire.  She has been a light in my life over the past decade.  She has been an inspiration to me in how she led us consistently to improve and be our best;  how she helped me get to the edge of feelings where I could experience a presence not available during the rest of my life;  and how all she had to do was smile to brighten my days.  I was fortunate to spend an evening every week with her and all of you.  



Harvey
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Singing with the One Heart Choir last Sunday takes me in and out of happiness and tears for each service we sing at. I've found I am opening my heart chakra in so many other areas of my life because of it. It extends into my work, my creativity, my relationships, love.....The heart combined with singing does amazing things to ones spirit.
Sun 
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Why I Love to Sing in The One Heart Choir – Jo Lauer, Soprano
When I was a child, I remember holidays or Sunday gatherings of our multi-generational extended family after a huge meal of meat and potatoes, overcooked vegetables, and cherry or apple pie or whatever had been salvaged from the trees out back that year. We crowded into my Aunt’s family room, around the piano, on arms of couches, filling floor space. The kids, my cousins and I, always got to go first. We’d sing songs, create one-act plays, maybe do a tap dance routine while twirling batons. Whatever we did, it was to a rapturous audience.  
 They loved us, we loved them, and we loved them loving us. Then the big folks would sing the “old time songs” that still linger somewhere in the back of my memory, and we’d all join in. This is where I learned harmony.  My Dad’s brother Bob and sister Charlotte would play the piano by ear, the various aunts, uncles, grandparents, and a few town elders thrown into the mix would pick out their parts and sing, if not always on tune, with more heart and soul than anyone on the radio.
When I was a teen, my cousin Ian died of a brain tumor. The family gathered a year later for vacation and to celebrate his life. We sat around one evening and sang, “I Come to the Garden Alone,” and “Swing Low Sweet Chariot,” in three-part harmony. Not a dry eye in the house. We lightened up a little with “Sentimental Journey,” “Doodle de Do,” and “Go Tell Aunt Rhode.”
My parents are gone now; all the grandparents, aunts, and uncles preceded them. A few of my cousins have died, and the rest of us are spread all over the map. Singing in The One Heart Choir is a way of honoring my family, my connection to music and Spirit, to the beauty of energy vibrating through harmony. I am as much in service to my church family when I get to sing to you as I was singing to my Great Grammy Godlove. It’s a personal expression of love, from me to you, joined by all my choir “cousins,” in fabulous harmony. And so it is; and so it has always been. 
In deep gratitude,  
Jo Lauer

Saturday, September 7, 2019

More Fun Photos of the One Heart Choir


Photos by Will Bakx








Our Magic Soundman, Paul Sarran











Photos from our performance on October 20, 2013.Patrick Hardman and Calvin Johnson were soloists.Thanks to Will Bakx for taking photos.


 






The One Heart Choir will perform on October 20 at 8:30, 10:00 and 11:30 AM Services Beautiful and Inspiring music Please Join us!  ...