Traditions for Communities of Belonging

I stand in front of a crowd of diverse, masked individuals. A bouncy soprano burns off energy, and a couple of altos sit, head to head deep in discussion. An operatic tenor vocalizes and a distracted Bass looks intently at his phone. Another bass drops off into a sitting nap but suddenly sits up straight - startled awake by the tenor. Other singers fiddle with their music or water bottles or stare into space attempting patience.

How do these people become a united chorus, in the next 5 minutes? How do they become a community of belonging? Why is it important that they do?

Traditions for Beginning
I stand facing these beloved singers. I adjust my music stand.
I call out “Please stand in body or spirit!”
Most singers turn toward me, others end their conversations quickly or stow away phones.
“Roll your shoulders backward.”
And we all move together.
The beginning of rehearsal is nearly always the same. Singers fall into the comfortable routine of physical warm-ups. It is my goal to make encouraging eye contact at least once with each singer.
I watch them carefully, noting who looks uncomfortable, and who seems more tired than usual.

We move on to scales and scales in rounds, this part of the rehearsal also stays the same. Folks who arrive late know where we are in the routine and what to do.
The familiarity allows me to take the specific musical temperature of the chorus that evening. I can hear where the challenges are, which individuals and sections may need more attention, and who is missing that night. More importantly, the familiar traditions of beginning blend the crowd of unique individuals and create the chorus for that rehearsal. We become a community of belonging. Only then can we continue to the parts of warm-ups meant to aid us in the specific skills needed for our present repertoire.

Concerts are Wonderful. Communities are Created in Rehearsals.

Rehearsals are where choruses work their best magic, both musically and communally. For this, we need common, ambitious but achievable goals that make the most of our individual and collective strengths. When humans make music together, their brains tell them they are with their tribe. This identity of belonging spills over into our daily lives; we support each other like family. With every rehearsal, we produce more beauty, more joy, more empathy, and more compassion. Eventually, that beauty, joy, empathy, compassion, and excellence can no longer be contained within the rehearsing group. Then we expand the community for a bit. We invite others to come, celebrate and share our friendship, joy, and beauty., We call THAT a concert.

The beginning of rehearsal is a threshold into the community of belonging, a safe, generous space to share your best authentic self. Different groups have different traditions, but the motives are the same. To step into the communal journey and walk together for a while.

Traditions for Partings
Likewise, we need to step back into our lives. In the chorus I am describing, our closing tradition is usually to gather closer in some way. Sometimes we circle the piano, during covid, we have often simply turned trebles and lower voices to face each other. Then we sing something poignant from our repertoire to each other, purposely, with appropriate emotion. Some of the most beautiful music I have ever heard happens in that closing moment. We gather our things, carrying the warmth of friendship, the joy of work well done, and the peace of that moment with us. Threads of affinity connect us between rehearsals.

I’m describing what happens in this chorus, but the same sort of thing happens in every community of belonging. What traditions do your people use to gather? How do you use traditions to establish safe space for creative collaboration? How do you celebrate your achievements, and maintain a sense of connection while you are apart?

I love what I am doing this summer. But I look forward to the first rehearsal this fall; to hearing myself, or whoever is leading physical warm-ups that evening say,
“Please stand in body or spirit…Roll your shoulders backward.”
What comes after that feeds my soul every time.