A Community for Good
In honor of Amandla's 20th anniversary (2008), each singer traced a hand onto fabric--lovingly stitched into this quilt by Barb April, local artist and Amandla member.
"Amandla is fabulous! What an extraordinary group you are! It is not only your singing--which is heavenly--but your spirit. The audience loved you--and so did I."
—Dr. Horace Clarence Boyer (renowned gospel music expert)
Singing with Amandla since 1991 has enriched my life beyond measure. Our music reminds us all, singers and audiences alike, that through committed creative community, we can temper our struggles with hope and beauty.
—Joan Featherman, tenor
Haiku for Amandla
Loving harmony
Soothes the soul,
excites the heart
Solidarity
—Val Scott, alto
An evolution of the Amandla Chorus
We are committed to acting with determination and hope-filled hearts during this era of increasing injustice and environmental crisis. For this reason, we’ve decided to change our name to Fiery Hope.
Founded in 1988, our chorus is based in Greenfield, Massachusetts and made up of singers from all over the Pioneer Valley. The name Amandla, suggested by a South African member, comes from the Zulu word for “power.” We continue to celebrate the power of community.
Every season, we present new works in addition to gems from our vast repertoire and work with guest artists to round out our mission of singing world music while remaining deeply rooted in our community.
We sing for justice, freedom, and peace—songs new and old, some from around the world and others written right here. In performance, we wear sashes made of cloth from many lands to remind each other that we belong to a global family.
Singing Serenades!
Our singing work continues despite changes to our world. We’ve launched a new project, “Soulful Serenades,” which enables us to bring music to people in safe groupings.
A poignantly beautiful serenade recently took place for a 68-year-old man with Stage IV pancreatic cancer. He and his wife of 50 years sat on their deck, soaking up our loving sounds. They said they felt deeply comforted by our visit at a time when family members could not travel from across the country to see them.
If you’d like to request a Serenade, call Eveline at 413-773-8655 or email eveline@amandlachorus.org
If you’re able to lend support as we continue our work, we appreciate any and all donations. Even a very small gift can help. Checks may be made out to “Amandla, Inc.” and sent to P.O. Box 223, Greenfield, MA 01302
PLEASE NOTE: Eveline MacDougall, founder and director of Fiery Hope / Amandla, is out with her first book, published by Haley’s. You may order Fiery Hope: Building Community with the Amandla Chorus by visiting FieryHopeBooks.com
The Amandla Chorus performs ''Ode to Joy''
Amandla Chorus Director Eveline MacDougall shares stoires about Pete Seeger with Rus Peotter. Eveline, Doug Reid, and the Amandla Chorus perform "Ode to Joy" with special lyrics by Seeger and a member of the chorus.
WGBY's Tribute to Pete Seeger recorded April 23, 2014 and aired March 4, 2014
Amandla Chorus sings ''Malala''
The Amandla Chorus sings an original song by Eveline MacDougall, "Malala," in tribute to Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai. Recorded in concert at the Edwards Church, Northampton, Massachusetts, April 30, 2016.
Stay In Touch
To learn more about Fiery Hope contact our director, Eveline MacDougall, at 413-773-8655 or eveline@amandlachorus.org
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