A Message from New Jersey Youth Chorus Director Trish Joyce
If you go back to the beginning of time, singing has always been universal; practiced by all civilizations. Groups and tribes sang and danced together to build cohesion, transmit important information, and ward off enemies. As Jeremy Haneman wrote in his article, The Power of Community Singing, “There’s something about communal singing that reaches into the dawn of human history and speaks to us in a way that transcends many boundaries and enables something innately human to manifest itself–the sense of belonging, of sharing, of being part of a team and a bond of camaraderie.” Singing is one of the simplest and yet most powerful forms of music-making. Singing together provides an instant opportunity for connection and commonality. In moments of joy, we turn to singing. In moments of grief or sorrow, we turn to singing. Look at the Estonians who sang, by the thousands, against their oppressors. Their “singing revolution” in the mid-1980s strengthened and deepened national identities that led to their non-violent independence from the former Soviet Union. Look at the Christmas Eve truce in WWI—they sang. Look at 9/11—people gathered and sang. During the complete lockdown phase of the pandemic, citizens in Italy sang from their balconies to show solidarity and boost morale. When Notre Dame Cathedral was burning —there was impromptu singing as people gathered.
We cannot measure the power of singing. When we sing together, we are connected to each other.
Research has shown the positive and transformative impact of group singing on community building. Chorus America’s 2019 Chorus Impact Study found that an estimated 42.6 million Americans regularly sing in choruses, and that more than 1 in 5 households have at least one singing family member, making choral singing the most popular form of participation in the performing arts for both adults and children. The study found that singing in a chorus is strongly correlated with qualities related to success further in life, such as greater civic involvement, discipline, and teamwork. Additionally, the benefits of choir are also backed up by thorough scientific research. Singing has been shown to boost cardiovascular health, stimulate the brain, reduce stress, improve powers of concentration and mindfulness, and enhance classroom performance. Additional studies have also shown that members of choirs report a greater level of meaningful group connectivity than members of sports teams. The beauty of choir is that everyone already possesses their own instrument (their voice!), anyone can learn, and everyone is welcome. My favorite study shows that singers’ hearts would synchronize with each other as they sing. How incredible is that? Hearts beating as one.
In the introduction to her book, The Art of Gathering, Priya Parker begins with these words “The way we gather matters…people [should] experience a sense of belonging.” This idea of belonging and community is central and fundamental to our mission and values in the New Jersey Youth Chorus.
I have always been passionate about the choral art and teaching, and knew that children and young singers deserved the opportunity to experience the beauty, joy, and artistry of singing. What I have come to learn is the profound power of singing and community. Since NJYC’s beginning in 1992, our commitment to musical excellence and integrity has remained high, as we’ve had many outstanding performance opportunities, from performing at NJPAC, Carnegie Hall, on the Today Show to singing with the NJ Symphony, Ronan Tynan, the Chieftains, Celtic Tenors, the South African Drakensberg Boys Choir, and Queen Latifah at the Super Bowl. NJYC has also been involved in Kids for Kids outreach and has toured domestically and internationally. While these experiences are a very important part of what we do, our work goes far beyond that. I have come to learn what the profound effect of singing and community has on each chorister as a person, and the power of choral music to shape and change lives. NJYC’s culture is one of integrity and building a community through a commitment to the music and to brothers and sisters in song. Many hearts–one beat. Many minds–one purpose.
At NJYC, you’ll find that the program involves far more than singing. Human connections, love, compassion, kindness, and caring are at the core of what we do. To build our community, we begin with the idea that every chorister is important and vital to the success of their choir ensemble. In an environment of camaraderie and joy, we celebrate what is unique and special about each child. When you bring all their gifts together, the result is extraordinary.
Over the years, we’ve built community by including events such as skating parties, bowling parties, swimming parties, overnight retreats, parent potluck socials, sectional rehearsals held at a chorister’s home on a weekend, a Welcome Day Potluck for our families, Coriste’s Friendsgiving celebration, icebreakers and games. This year’s “Cookies, Carols and Cocoa” for our choristers was held in conjunction with a parent “Jingle and Mingle” at a local restaurant. Each week, our Primo Coro choristers arrive to a table full of games that they can play with their friends prior to rehearsal and at break.
An NJYC alumni parent said: “The atmosphere of community, respect, self-discipline and love that was modeled, and expected, made my daughter feel valued in a way that nothing else in which she participated could have done. These girls and boys are sent into the world kinder, stronger and surer of their values for having been in NJYC.” The community that we build is seen far after choristers graduate from NJYC. I have witnessed the impact of NJYC’s lifelong connections over the years as choristers who met in our choir have sung “Blessing” (the piece we have ended every Spring Concert with since 1992) at friends’ weddings, NJYC alum parents who celebrate New Year’s together every year, my own daughter whose maid and matron of honor at her upcoming wedding are friends she met in 4th grade in NJYC, and choristers who, after losing a parent, chose to come to NJYC rehearsal the next day. Community, acceptance and belonging are what define us.
Last year, NJYC celebrated its 30th Anniversary season. As part of that celebration, alumni were invited to be a part of an Alumni Choir during our Legacy Concert, as well as our Spring Concert. In a word, it was incredible. Choristers from the inaugural year of the choir in 1992 and our most recent graduates in 2022 came together as one. I doubt it was sight-singing or theory that motivated them to return. I believe it was the camaraderie, the connection, the community that was built. The beauty and magic of choir is that everyone has a place, a home, a role to play in our NJYC family.