At the YAI

It's a great way to start 2012 when you can spend a Friday night with friends at YAI, a network serving people with disabilities and their families. We warmed up in a classroom that had a “NO SINGING ALLOWED” poster on the bulletin board.  (We took a group picture with it, if anyone has the photo, please email it to peaceofheartchoir@gmail.com.)  Then, POHC Baritone Anthony went into the performance room to introduce the choir.  None of us in the hall heard what he said, but we walked in to enthusiastic applause and waving hands, so it must have been good.René didn’t say much when he introduced our first number, just that it was Seasons of Love from Rent, but it was enough to evoke cheers from the audience. One young lady in the front row sang the entire song with us.

The YAI young adults are, without a doubt, our most enthusiastic and energetic audience. They are fully engaged, listening to the songs with concentration, rocking, clapping, and occasionally singing along. After I introduced 7 Principles and said it was in both English and Swahili, one young man said he could count in Swahili and recited the numbers one through ten. Now it was the choir’s turn to applaud him.

The young men and women loved the idea that we were going to sing two songs at the same time: Night of Silence and Silent Night. We invited them to sing along with the Silent Night part. When we did the German version, I saw the same young lady in the first row listen for the first sound of every word, then mouth it and copy what we were saying. Some choir members talked to her later, and found that she is interested in auditioning with us.

Ocho Kandalikas proved to be a clap-along, with René revving up the audience–they clapped faster and faster, so we had to sing faster and faster. Good thing we warmed up with our repetative exercise “the tip of the tongue, the teeth, the lips.”

René had decided not to do Feliz Navidad, because it was too long after Christmas, but one girl kept asking for a Spanish song, and that was the only one we had this season, so we obliged her. Others sang along, and the girl who asked for it was extremely pleased.

It would be an understatement to say that the YAI young adults loved everything we did. They listened to all the intros and clapped for them. They were up on popular culture, telling us some things we didn’t know. Everything they called out was relevant, including that the founder of Kwanza was Dr. Karenga. One young man wanted to know if the song Ocho Kandalakis was in Hebrew, and we said it was in Ladino, a mixture of Spanish and Hebrew.

As they always do, they invited us to the party afterward. The refreshments were quite elaborate—rolled sandwiches in tortilla bread, cookies, crudites, chips, drinks...

Thanks, YAI. You give us a real lift. Happy New Year to all! -Peace of Heart Alto It has become a tradition for a member of POHC to do a post-concert write-up. It started when our Sign-up Coordinator began emailing her summaries to the other members in order to entice newer members to sign-up to sing at community concerts held early in the season. It didn't take long for Concert Write-ups to become greatly anticipated amongst our members, so we share them here in hopes that you'll join us at a future concert.

At Park Avenue Armory

Between the hustle and bustle of Hanukkah and Christmas, POHC members from all around the city gathered to sing at the Women's Mental Health Shelter at the Park Avenue Armory, part of the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House organization. Those of us who found our way into the fortress via the Park Avenue entrance wound up on the third floor. Those who entered through the side door on 67th Street wound up in the basement.  Each group wondered when the others were going to show up.  Thank you to our Communications Coordinator and Baritone member Robert, for finally uniting us. We warmed up in a side room where some kind elf had left cookies and apple cider for us, along with a thank you note. Then we went into the cafeteria to perform.  There were only a handful of people there, so the woman in charge announced over the PA system that there would be a concert, and a few more women came in.We opened with Seasons of Love—no introduction, just singing.  One or two women swayed; most just sat with no expression.  The applause was appreciative but mild.  Then a woman called out, “Can I ask a question? Was that fromRent?”  René said it was, and the ice was broken.

Next came Ocho Kandelikas, (Eight Candles, a Hanukkah song in Ladino) introduced by René. One woman sang the counting part with us. Our sound must have traveled to the dormitory rooms off the sides of the long hall outside the cafeteria, because little by little, more women drifted in.

Julie filled in for Megan with Silver Bells, with many audience members now singing along with us. After we finished Night of Silence/Silent Night, another woman called out that her former husband used to be in a choir, and he sang Silent Night during every concert he did.  As we introduced each song, the connection between the audience and the choir grew. They especially loved Alex’s intro to California Dreamin. When we got to the “Gonna shake hands around the world” part of Down By the Riverside, some choir members went into the audience to shake hands while we sang, and all the women extended their hands to us.

Our effect on these women was palpable.  Some faces brightened right away.  Some took three or four songs before they were pulled in.  But by the end of the evening, all had let go of the history they had come into the room with and let themselves become totally involved in the moment.

As we were walking out at the end, I told one woman I saw her singing the German lyrics to Silent Night, and she said she used to live in Hamburg and her husband is from Sicily.  The woman sitting next to her said, “I feel as if you just got started.  I could go on and on.” Another great concert, POHC.  This is what we're all about.

-Peace of Heart Alto It has become a tradition for a member of POHC to do a post-concert write-up. It started when our Sign-up Coordinator began emailing her summaries to the other members in order to entice newer members to sign-up to sing at community concerts held early in the season. It didn't take long for Concert Write-ups to become greatly anticipated amongst our members, so we share them here in hopes that you'll join us at a future concert.

At The Times Square, a Common Ground Residence

After a successful Winter Fundraising Concert on Sunday, December 18, POHC got back to business with a Community Concert on Wednesday, December 21. This was our second concert at The Times Square, the nation's largest permanent supportive housing project for low-income and formerly homeless individuals and persons living with HIV/AIDS, operated by Common Ground. After warming up in a tiny basement room where we left the door open and serenaded the people in the computer room next door, we went up to the spacious fifteenth floor ballroom to sing to more than 100 residents at their holiday party.  The MC for the evening, complete with clip board and Santa hat, told us there was a small band on before us, and he didn’t want any break in the entertainment—we were to go on the minute the band ended.

We walked in while they were playing their last number, an instrumental rendition of Jingle Bells, so we provided an impromptu vocal accompaniment, threading our way through people finishing their dinners as we sang our way to the front.  By the end of the song, we were already in formation.  There couldn’t have been a more seamless transition from one act to the next.

From our first number, Seasons of Love, we had their attention.  When René introduced Ocho Kandelikas (Eight Candles, a Hanukkah song in Ladino) he said we would get faster and faster with the addition of each candle. One man shouted, “Go for it!”  Indeed, every time we came to the "uno-dos-tres" line, there was a woman singing it right along with us.

The audience was polite during the opening measures of Silver Bells, not realizing what song it was until we got to the “City sidewalks, Busy sidewalks” familiar melody, and then they applauded--even though it was the beginning of the song.

All the song introductions got applause.  They were especially rapt when Judith explained the Kwanzaa song, Seven Principles, and they sang along with many, including Silent Night and Let There Be Peace On Earth.

As we were making our exit, doing a reverse threading through the tables, many audience members thanked us personally.  One man said, “Thank you.  I mean really, thank you so much!”  Another gave high-fives to those of us who walked past his table. Go POHC!

-Peace of Heart Alto It has become a tradition for a member of POHC to do a post-concert write-up. It started when our Sign-up Coordinator began emailing her summaries to the other members in order to entice newer members to sign-up to sing at community concerts held early in the season. It didn't take long for Concert Write-ups to become greatly anticipated amongst our members, so we share them here in hopes that you'll join us at a future concert.

'Twas the Week of the Concert: POHC Pre-Show Bustling

December marks the end of Peace of Heart Choir's fall rehearsal and Community Concert season, culminating in the Winter Fundraising Concert on Sunday, December 18. The concert's theme is "Season of Love" and will feature more than a dozen songs celebrating winter holidays and sentiments of love and peace. As an all-volunteer choir, the week before the big show requires all members to participate in preparations beyond their regular musical rehearsals.

Spreading the Word 

Early in the season, members create, print, and distribute flyers, but much of the later outreach happens online. TheFacebook page admins have been sharing music video teasers of songs in this season's repertoire: California Dreamin by The Mamas & The Papas; Seasons of Love from the Broadway musical Rent; and The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting....) sung by Nat King Cole.

"I've invited every one of my Facebook friends," shared Robert Hornsby, a POHC Baritone and Communications Coordinator. "Even if they can't make it, it's good to hear from them." It is also good to hear from friends and alumni of POHC. Shakti, a former POHC Alto, posted "Turn it out y'all! xoxo" on the Facebook page and Jane, a former POHC Soprano and Steering Committee Chair posted, "[Seasons of Love] brings me back! Break a leg! xx."

Logistics

Behind the scenes, POHC members make use of their many non-singing talents. Writers and editors finalize and print the program. Marv, a POHC Bass and Assistant Treasurer, facilitates last-minute ticket sales. Wilfred, a POHC Tenor and composer of a new song, Peace of Heart Choir, debuting on Sunday, directs a rehearsal of members who will be introducing songs during the performance. Board members gather supplies for the intermission bake sale. Every member must do their part at home, from selecting a performance uniform to putting their music in performance order. And POHC Steering Committee Chair and Bass Larry Hurst reminds members of one last detail in a pre-concert email: "Have a good nights sleep Saturday!!!"

Community Concerts

One goal of Sunday's concert is to raise the money necessary to further the POHC's mission of promoting peace, healing and community through music. The free Community Concerts are where POHC really shines, so what better way to spend a pre-concert afternoon than doing what they do best? POHC members will head to Manhattan's Lower East Side to perform for and visit with residents and staff at Barrier Free Living, an accessible residence and community center.

The Music

POHC Musical Facilitator Robert René Galván has been tirelessly rehearsing with the group every Thursday, at additional sectional rehearsals during weeknights, and at a long Sunday rehearsal in November. POHC Soprano Patricia Young, currently a non-singing member, visited the long November rehearsal and was "really impressed" by what she heard. "It was really more than just the sound that was impressive. It was a feeling. The Choir performed Seasons of Love for me and I was blown away. Honestly, that's not a favorite song of mine--I've never seen Rent so I really only know the song from played-out commercials--but the expression of emotion was so sincere, so real, it invigorated the song with new life."

After months of rehearsals, POHC members have their own favorite songs from the season's repertoire. "My favorite songs this season are Wongolo and Amani," shared Nancy Gross, POHC Soprano. "I love the fact that Wongolo is such a complex piece with its change of time signatures and the exquisite harmony." Another fan of the Haitian folk song Wongolo is POHC Baritone Barry Weiss. "When I hear perfect harmony, balanced moving tones, and a sense of really communicating the words of the song...I get  a rush of exhilaration that makes me bask in our collected momentary triumph...Wongolo is the song that does it most for me this season."

Support POHC in celebrating a "Season of Love" tomorrow and find a new favorite song that will do it for you this season.

Weaving A Tapestry of Sound: Reflecting on the First Fall Rehearsal

The first rehearsal of the season had me a bit nervous. Though I had sung in some of the 9/11 events, I hadn't actually been in the Choir the previous season and a half.  My first season had been one of transition; the last season with our previous choir director. My second season had been with the new director, until a series of unfortunate events had sidelined me and I had to take a leave from the Choir.

On our first rehearsal this season, when we went into the practice room, we were greeted with art supplies and the Choir's new business cards, or stickers, to put our names on.  I love art supplies.  A large box of Crayola crayons can still get me to grin with glee and start dreaming away.  So I jumped right in and drew a little kitty face next to my name.  Yes, I love cats, too.  I've been owned by a little dark tabby named Calypso for 16 years now.  >^.^<

It was all very friendly.  A good deal of time was spent on introductions (new members got lollipops!) and I realized that we actually had lots of new members, and even more amazingly, many were men!  For those that complain they can't find men to date, let me assure you, it's a lot harder to find men to sing with.  :D

After some warmups we started in on two songs, Amani and 7 Principles.  I was happy to see that at least some of the Amani song was in French.  I knew those classes would come in handy someday!  ;)  

With some practice I started to just enjoy that feeling of singing with a group.  Together--though we all have different voices--we weave a united tapestry of sound.  It can make me joyous, and I hope it makes others joyous as well.

-Doris, POHC Soprano

Doris can be reached at kalypso_one@hotmail.com

POHC Starts the Fall 2011 Rehearsal Season on Thursday 9/15

After completing a meaningful and heartfelt pre-season concert series for the 9/11 tenth anniversary events, POHC is gearing up to start the regular Fall 2011 rehearsal season. The first rehearsal will begin promptly at 7pm, Thursday, September 15 (members who have not received details should email peaceofheartchoir@yahoo.com). 

Returning members will welcome almost a dozen "newbies" to the Choir as they prepare for more than ten free community concerts for NYC shelters, hospitals and non-profit groups to take place during late October through December. They will begin rehearsing songs in English, Spanish, Hebrew, Ladino, Haitian Creole, and Swahili--including songs that will celebrate the winter holidays of Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa. The general public can support the Choir's efforts, and enjoy their musical offerings at the Winter 2011 Fundraising Concert on December 18.

POHC featured on WPIX11 Ten O'clock News on 9/11

The WPIX11 camera that was in the audience at our Castle Clinton concert captured footage that was later used during the ten o'clock broadcast. Visit the WPIX website to see and hear POHC singing Bright Morning Star as featured in a segment about 9/11 Remembrances.

If hope speaks through music, then hope abounds in New York City and around the country. The Peace of Heart Choir formed in response to the September 11th attacks and promotes mutual understanding. They performed in Battery Park.

- Lolita Lopez, WPIX

 The above clip is edited to include just the feature about POHC from the WPIX11 segment about 9/11 remembrances.

At the Federal Hall Building

With the exception of Jeanette, (baritone) Anthony's mom, probably no one has watched more POHC concerts than me. Having watched the scheduled concert at Castle Clinton and both of the ensuing impromptu concerts today, I've got to say that I've never seen the Choir have a finer day. And what a day to do it!So many memorable moments today:

• At Castle Clinton, a group of Korean tourists approached just as the Choir started Arirang. You should have seen the pleasure and surprise on their faces that an American choir was singing their song;
•  So many past POHC members whom we have missed in more recent seasons showed up to sing with the Choir (or just to support it).
• Listening to and watching Bill Pierson solo on his own song, We Remember You.  Bill did his solo in all three concerts, and, not only was he superb every time, but his performance became more moving each time he performed it;
• The Choir sounded awesome when it went indoors at Federal Hall. Dona Nobis Pacem, for instance, was eye-opening and the audience was a bit stunned by an example of the Choir's modus operandi: singing in Latin, Hebrew, Hindi, Lakota and Arabic;
• Watching René lead the Choir so smoothly.

On a day that meant so much to so many, the Choir showed why its mission matters and carried out its mission beautifully.

-John, Peace of Heart Board Member and "Alex's Dad"

It has become a tradition for a member of POHC to do a post-concert write-up. It started when our Sign-up Coordinator began emailing her summaries to the other members in order to entice newer members to sign-up to sing at community concerts held early in the season. It didn’t take long for Concert Write-ups to become greatly anticipated amongst our members, so we share them here in hopes that you’ll join us at a future concert.

As 9/11 Anniversary Approaches, NY1 Revisits New Yorkers of the Week

Today, as we remember the events of 9/11/2011, POHC also looks back on the formation and early history of the Choir. The article below was originally published by local news station, NY1, on September 5, 2003. Check out the video on the NY1 website. As the two-year anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center nears, NY1 decided to revisit some of our previous New Yorkers of the Week, spotlighting some of those who continue their work to help New York City heal and remember.

As 9/11 Anniversary Approaches, NY1 Revisits New Yorkers Of The Week Laura Yanes began her journey of honoring firefighters across the city two years ago with a simple photograph of a firefighter sitting on his rig. She planned on delivering it, ironically enough, on September 11.

After the tragedy she felt desperate to know if the fireman in the photo was alright. She visited the house and found that he was okay, but it was the request of the other guys from the house that spurred her full-scale project.

“It seemed like a simple request and a simple way to say thank you, so I started,” says Yanes. ”Two pictures led to eight more, and that led to 20 more, and now I'm at 4,500.”

Yanes found the pictures brought some firefighters comfort - in case something were to happen, they'd have a professional photograph to be remembered by. To others, it brought the joy of laughter.

As the second anniversary approaches, Yanes is still hard at work, taking photographs of any firefighter who wants them. She says it's her special way of saying thank you.

“When I say 'thank you' to these guys, I always say, 'You were there every day before 9/11, and you've been there every day since,'” says Yanes. “I'm just happy to honor that and say thank you, not for just what they did on 9/11, but for all of it.”

Remember the Peace of Heart Choir? Jeff Becker formed the choir in a matter of days after the terror attacks, and they continue to let music be their guide for honoring all of those lost that tragic day.

“There's a need to honor. Two years out, there was still that need to honor, honor what was lost, who was lost, what was lost,” says Becker.

They sang songs of hope, spreading messages of healing and remembrance. They even brought laughter. Two years later, the choir is still together, bonded in their mission to bring peace and unity to a community that still so badly needs it.

“I think we're out there trying to soothe people and give them a little bit of an uplifting experience,” says choir member Charlie Palmer.

They inspire by example, including all ethnicities, races, religions into their choir, and singing in dozens of different languages. They show that being different is what makes us New York.

“When people see us it gives them a different perspective,” says choir member Vanessa Wilson. “Things that have happened in the city that were awful, people were blamed, but when they look at is they know what it's all about. It's about sharing and togetherness.”

In the end, their music, like Laura Yanes's pictures, continue the process of healing and moving forward, all the while never forgetting. That's why they're our New Yorkers of the Week.

If you'd like to help Laura Yanes, you can email her at firefighterphotos@nyc.rr.com. Also if you'd like more information or tickets to the Peace of Heart Choir's upcoming concert, please call 212-781-9821.

If you know someone who would make a good New Yorker of the Week, or if you have an idea for a story you'd like to see, send an email to nytonight@ny1.com, or mail a letter to:

New York 1 75 Ninth Avenue, 6th Floor New York, NY 10011

At Castle Clinton, 9/11 10 year commemoration

As part of our 9/11 commemorative concert series, POHC was scheduled to perform at Castle Clinton in Battery Park, in cooperation with September Concert and the U.S. Parks Department. The Castle Clinton concert was attended by passers-by and various members of the public including 9/11 first responders, tourists, POHC members, and a camera operator from WPIX 11 news. After the Castle Clinton concert, the choir performed two more impromptu concerts at the Federal Hall Building for the 9-11 Healing and Remembrance Program (part of the Mental Health Association of New York). A summary of the day is below. Readers of our blog may remember that our post-concert write-ups are usually done by a singing member who participated in the concert that day. Well, this time, the singing members were in for a pleasant surprise when we found that two of our audience members shared their concert write-ups, seen below. Thank you to both Wilfred, a singing POHC member and Tenor Section Leader and John, a POHC Board of Trustee member and father of Tenor, Alex, for your support, encouragement and caring words.

Wilfred here and just wanted to take my time to say that all of you are doing a wonderful job singing out there! All of you must've put some good time and effort to exercise your voices, rehearsing every song just right, and let it out. It was my first time ever hearing y'all sing. Also I want to thank all the classic members who I haven't seen for approx. 3 to 5 years for taking time out to be part of us once again, at least for this special concert. Okay, now to those who didn't make it, here's the story.I came in about four minutes late thinking I was gonna get lost but made it during the Arirang song. I don't remember the song order 'cause I didn't sing but I can tell you more of what songs I do remember, in random order (even though I wasn't part of the performance, I did watch from the audience).

• We Remember You - It sounded great with Bill Pierson, who wrote the song, singing solo.
• Arirang - Came in about four minutes late but did make it in time to tell you that the song went smooth, and I do believe Cheryl sang solo on it and I already know she a great singer.
• Dona Dona - Lovely tone with Judith, Leslie, and Megan as soloists. Very enjoyable.
• Down By The Riverside - A good sing-a-long with the audience's participation. During the lyrics "I'm gonna shake hands around the world..." some members came out shaking audiences hand (I even had one from Leslie), which I love because it makes me feel that the choir is on my side as well as the audience's.
• Blowin' In The Wind - Another sing-a-long. All the audience participated in this song as well, and they sang it loud and clear.
• Od Yavo - Enjoyable and easy. The audience loved it and clapped along.
• Give Us Hope - A great song to sing. It was also a clap-a-long. Maybe in song selection we can have a new category--clap-a-long songs!.
• Let There Be Peace On Earth - The last song done with Leslie and Deb as female soloist.
• Those were all the songs. I thought that was it, but it wasn't. A few members of the Choir had to leave, but the rest stayed and decided to participate in an unplanned concert. We all took a walk down to Federal Hall and performed inside. The acoustic quality there sounds like a beauty. The Choir didn't sing as many songs as at Castle Clinton. They sang the songs Arirang, We Remember You, Give Us Hope, and Let There Be Peace On Earth.

Last, the Choir performed outside the Federal Hall for the final performance. René asked Gary, who also wasn't part of the performance but did show up to watch, and myself if we would perform with them and we agreed, even though we were unprepared. We did know the songs though, so it was no problem. It was worth doing something overall.

During the time I'm writing this, I was just watching WPIX 11 news and all of you were on television! I freaked out in happiness when I saw it . Yes, John (Alex's Dad), and myself were in the shot too, but the camera was behind us since we were in the audience. Congratulations! I had to post it on facebook immediately. LOL.

I enjoyed this whole day because of all of you. Thank you! To those who are not gonna participate this Fall/Winter season, I will miss your sweet and charming voices. Hope you do come back sometime. To the rest, I will see you all Thursday at our first rehearsal!

-Wilfred, Peace of Heart Tenor & Section Leader

It has become a tradition for a member of POHC to do a post-concert write-up. It started when our Sign-up Coordinator began emailing her summaries to the other members in order to entice newer members to sign-up to sing at community concerts held early in the season. It didn’t take long for Concert Write-ups to become greatly anticipated amongst our members, so we share them here in hopes that you’ll join us at a future concert.