When times get tough SING and PLAY

As the world dipped into dark economic times this past fall, I decided one great thing I could do for the planet, my family and myself was to get up and SING. One gorgeous fall evening my daughter Valentina and I went down to the River Sing concert on the Charles River where met up with our dear friend, musical inspiration and Windsor Mountain founder, Richard Herman and his wife Paula who were singing along with hundreds of others. Knowing my love of singing, they encouraged me to join the Mystic Chorale, a wonderful group of singers of all ages and backgrounds that meets and practices weekly in Arlington Center. Since this is my year to indulge myself making and learning music ( I have teaching myself guitar since the New Year), I sign up pedal up to my first practice session at the First Parish Church. The room is filled with smiling, relaxed people all taking their seat according to their voice type. Unknowingly I sit down in the Baritone section and am soon guided to my proper place with the Altos!

In walks Nick Paige, the group’s beloved founder and director Nick Page. A Boston-based song leader, composer, and author I learn that Nick is dedicated to teaching people of all ages that they are capable of great miracles through the simple yet powerful, act of singing that he outlines on his website, Nick Music. In addition to being the founder and Artistic Director of The Mystic Chorale, he also works extensively with children and with educators, both classroom teachers and music specialists.

For the first 15 minutes, Nick vigorously guides us through voice exercises and body stretches to get us ready for the rigorous but wonderfully fun two-hour practice. This fall’s concert theme: “We the People” was scheduled three week after the National election which would prove a driving inspiration for the chorus. The concert, a celebration of democracy, our voices, and how we shape the world we live in, caused a great stir of emotion particularly on the election night and the weeks following.

Ever Choral member gets a practice CD and over the 11 weeks of practice I would have my IPOD dialed to a delightful collection of beloved folk anthems that I would sing to in the car, on my bike and while cleaning the house. My kids got used to hearing me sing classics like “Bread and Roses”, Holly Near’s “Singing for Our Lives”, and the jazzy, “Woke Up This Morning”. I learn to sing a unique harmony for “The Star Spangled Banner” and struggled to memorize the lines and notes for “Lift Every Voice and Sing”. Not only were my voice and mind stretched but I discovered what Nick Paige teaches every day, that singing is a great healer. No matter how difficult the headlines became, I would sing and listen to these tunes and feel great hope and inspiration.

This past weekend our efforts culminated in a glorious concert in Cary Hall in Lexington. After having attended so many of my kid productions, it was nice to see them smiling in the audience. Dressed in blue and purple, our eyes were on Nick as he passionately guided us through every song. Regularly wiping his brow, telling stories, smiling and encouraging audience participation I found myself completely inspired by his love of sharing the joy of singing with others.

He pleasantly suprised us on several occassions by introducing and teaching the choir and the audience new songs such as Let the Life I lead Speak for Me or by leading us on jazzy vocal and sound games. The audience was totally game for his teaching conducting style. In response to our singing, Nick would get the audience to sing, sway and stand to the music. At the end of Life Every Voice and Sing we all belted out a powerful AMEN and it sounded like Heaven on Earth. I looked out into the audience to see people of all ages smiling and nodding their head to the music. The collective spirit of song renewed every sould in the room. Thanks Nick, thanks Mystic Chorale!