Fiery Hope

Fiery Hope invites community members to open singing sessions in Greenfield where attendees can sing along, just listen, or explore membership as the chorus launches its 39th season. On Tuesday, Sept. 8, Fiery Hope will gather in the Green Fields Market Meeting Space at 170 Main Street at 6:30 pm; on Tuesday, Sept. 15, we’ll meet in the Greenfield Public Library Community Room at 6:30. The sessions are free and open to the public.

We sing in concert halls, hospice settings, homeless shelters, prisons, and at community meal sites, schools, elder residences, and other places where people deserve art and beauty. We welcome interested singers from all backgrounds and encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to audition. Regardless of whether you’re interested in becoming a member, everyone is welcome to attend. Normally, we rent rehearsal space at the Stoneleigh-Burnham School in north Greenfield, but we’re holding our open sessions in downtown Greenfield to encourage folks to come check us out!

Ideal membership traits include basic musical skills and an eager desire to learn. We seek cooperative individuals, teens and up, who can commit to Tuesday evening rehearsals September through May. Director Eveline MacDougall assesses candidates for vocal range and basic skills through a brief, low-stress audition.

While Fiery Hope members are asked to contribute a sliding-scale fee to participate, this we're waiving the fee for anyone under the age of 30.

For more information, email Eveline MacDougall at eveline@amandlachorus.org or call her landline, 413.773.8655.

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.

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