A United Chorus

“I don’t sing, I am a terrible singer”, “Oh gosh, you don't want to hear me”. . . all too often these are phrases I hear from people in my life. As a passionate singer myself, these comments always strike me as increasingly sad. The uniqueness and singularity of each person having an important voice is surprisingly compromised when it comes to singing, saving this art form for those who have an apparent talent for it.

When I was in Zambia in 2017, I was struck by the unabashed and willingness of the entire community to join together in song. Once, I even asked a young student I met if he was a singer and he looked at me quizzically almost as if to say, “What do you mean? Of course, I sing?”. For this young man, there was no distinction between persons as if one was a singer and one was not, everyone sings.

This beautiful acceptance of all voices in Zambia sustained their vibrant musical culture. I was inspired. How can we in our local communities encourage the voices of others if we silence them in song? This experience has ignited my passion that all people can sing, and ultimately should work to grow and nurture their own unique voice, so that we too may come together in a united chorus.