meet Connie & Tom
World Harmony Chorus Members
Connie and her husband, Tom, joined CSMA’s World Harmony Chorus a year ago. A vibrant 70-year old, Connie is an avid ice skater with an “intense, full, busy life.” Before coming to CSMA, however, she “regretted that I wasn’t singing any more,” so she jumped right in after discovering the chorus, and talked Tom into joining as well. Tom never sang, so this allows them “both to explore a new avenue in life.” It’s a wonderful chance to meet others who love to sing and have fun together, too!
CSMA’s World Harmony Chorus provides an opportunity for beginners to seasoned choral singers to become part of a group where they can simply experience the joy of making music. People “absolutely do not need to have any experience or even read music,” Connie reports. “We learn by repetition and listening. It’s not intimidating at all.”
Tapping an exciting variety of songs from South America to Africa and Eastern Europe, all parts in the chorus are taught by ear in a fun, supportive atmosphere that allows this couple to “explore what we can and cannot do with our voices.” Connie is enthusiastic that CSMA’s chorus director is an “incredible musician. He knows and can sing all of the parts.” And he is very welcoming of everybody who wants to join, she adds, so long as they have the desire and commitment to learn and participate.
“When we started, we didn’t even know what we sang and neither of us read music,” Connie remembers. After singing in the alto section of the choir each week, however, she says that she feels “happy, more awake and more alive.” She loves being part of the chorus because there is “no way you could ever get the sound that we all make together alone. It’s like a wildflower field producing what no single flower could do.”
The meaning of “arts4all” for Connie and Tom is that “anybody can be part of creating music.” No matter what your age, ability or vocal aspirations might be, “I would really encourage people to just go out and try it!”