Singing with compassion

Garden State Threshold Choir is an affiliated chapter of Threshold Choir, the nonprofit network of a cappella choirs who go by invitation, in small groups of 2-4 singers, to the bedside of hospice patients and others at the thresholds between life and death. We bring musical solace to patients, their caretakers and families by singing gentle songs in harmony.

Our songs come from a repertoire developed by Threshold Choir for this work. The songs are simple, nondenominational, and usually sung in three-part harmony. We have no religious affiliation and honor all spiritual paths. We are not a choir of performance, but rather of compassion and presence.

You need to be able to carry a tune, hold your part, blend with others, and accept feedback, so that we create the most blended and graceful sound possible. You are expected to attend rehearsals regularly, receive and respond to email messages from the director, and commit to practicing and learning the lovely songs. Background checks and other requirements and training will be required by hospice agencies.

This is a serious, long-term commitment that is not like any other choral group. It requires patience and perseverance, as it takes at least six months of preparation, practice and training before you are ready to sing for hospice patients.

We practice on Wednesday evenings, alternating between in-person rehearsals in Cedar Knolls and on Zoom. Locations for singing at bedside (nursing facilities, homes or hospitals) vary. Most of our bedside singing takes place on weekday afternoons and sometimes on weekend afternoons.

For more information, visit thresholdchoir.org, and the Garden State Threshold Choir page at https://thresholdchoir.org/Garden_State.