At the start of our 37th season, Fiery Hope is holding two open rehearsals on Tuesdays, Sept. 10 and 17 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Anyone interested in checking us out is invited to attend one or both sessions in the rehearsal space we rent at Temple Israel, 27 Pierce St., Greenfield, Mass. (The entrance is on Myrtle Street.)
"This semester, we're especially looking for basses and tenors," said founder and director Eveline MacDougall, "but we'll consider other voices, too." MacDougall determines singers' suitability through a "brief, painless check-in to figure out vocal range and basic skills." Ability to read music is a plus, but not required as long as candidates can learn quickly by ear and hold their part while singing in harmony with others.
"Group singing is an ancient and supremely healthy activity," said MacDougall. "Science backs me up on this point. Singing by yourself is good for mind, body, and spirit; when we join our voices with others, the benefits are exponential."
MacDougall said that Fiery Hope always seeks to increase the group's diversity in terms of ages, cultural backgrounds, and even personal or political viewpoints. "We sing material from around the world, with themes including celebration, community building, human rights, and in praise of our earth," she said. "We're eager to establish connections across divisions that have become increasingly problematic. We aim to dissolve silos and echo chambers that keep us from being one people, which is what we're meant to be."
Fiery Hope sings in a wide variety of venues, including schools, prisons, homeless shelters, elder communities, and concert halls of all sizes. "Our songs have brought us into beautiful collaborations with amazing people like Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai, Desmond Tutu, Cesar Chavez, and Wally and Juanita Nelson, and we've performed for and with thousands of lesser known people who've changed our lives through their generosity and openness. We're very excited about our 37th season."
To explore membership in Fiery Hope, please contact director Eveline MacDougall at eveline@amandlachorus.org or call 413-773-8655 (landline telephone, no texts).