Resources for Grieving Choirs

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 is the letter to Maine choir directors from the Maine ACDA Board, and the resources that were shared. 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.
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October 28, 2023

Dear choral friends and family,

We all are in the world of music because at one point or another, music saved us. At one point or another, music comforted us, and at one point or another, or perhaps every day, music has brought light into our darkness. 

During this difficult time of anxiety and questioning, we as directors have the opportunity to help our singers use the unfailing power of music to find community and belonging, to find solace and peace, and to process feelings that are impossible to put into words or may otherwise be locked far below the surface. 

We know that music is healing, and that singers will desperately be seeking a sense of normalcy and comfort – but also that it can be difficult to jump back into sight-singing exercises or woodshedding notes and rhythms without addressing more directly the shared experience we are having as Mainers in this time. In continuing with our mission to provide support to our director membership, we’d like to offer up some choral-specific resources that you might find helpful in the coming weeks. We will also add these to a page of our website so that any recommendations you send our way can be included. 

We’re grateful to be part of this choral community with you, and hold you all dear as we move through this together.

With love,
Your Maine ACDA Board
Repertoire 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.” ​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
  • 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.

Quotations
Helpful Reading/Watching
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