At Housing Works

It was a downright balmy afternoon marking Winter Solstice and Peace of Heart Choir's last outreach concert of the season and our second appearance this season at Housing Works. I arrived at the door to find Gary and Mr. Baker waiting in front of the building. Tasha greeted us and directed us to a room behind the main dining hall where Rene and a nice-sized group of choir members were rehearsing. We opened the outreach with Siyahamba and Rene explained the origins of the music. He invited Gary to tell the audience about Peace of Heart Choir and our mission. We continued with Wanemo, Child of Kwanzaa, Rock-A-My-Soul, Oy Es Dia De Placer, and our tongue-in-cheek numbers, Chanukah in Santa Monica and Cold and Fugue Season.

We had a short break during which Tasha who was referred to by one of the audience members as "teacher" drew a raffle for gift cards to Applebees and Darden's Restaurants (Red Lobster, etc.) which produced some audience excitement. The outreach continued with Imagine, one of my favorite songs which I introduced. One audience member seated up front visibly mouthed the words to the song and closed his eyes at several points, obviously feeling the music. We followed with a rousing Aquarius, heartfelt Over the Rainbow, and ended with Let There Be Peace on Earth which seemed to move the audience.

As I entered and left Housing Works, I noted the quilts, the mosaic pole with part of the mosaic formed in the shape of a peace symbol, and at the elevators there was the Universal Declaration of Human Rights stating the following: "Everyone has the right to a standard of living for his health and well-being of him/herself and his/her family including good clothing, housing and medical care, and necessary social services and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age, or other lack of livelihood or circumstances beyond his/her control."

After the concert, the involved audience member in the front row thanked me and I thanked him in return. As Michael Anne and other choir members conducted audience feedback after the outreach, many noted that Let There Be Peace on Earth was one of their favorites. There was an inspirational piece of artwork that faced us as we sang--a bright piece of artwork with a soaring bird. It was so appropriate that I was staring right at it as an audience member sitting in the back named Sealy interrupted my reverie and he said, "You guys lift my spirits up." We feel the same way, Sealy.

Peace and Happiness and Best Wishes for a Very Happy New Year,

- Carrie Wesolowski, Peace of Heart Choir Singer

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 Hallmark Battery Park City

The Hallmark of Battery Park City is an elegant residence facility that provides independent living, assisted living, and supportive services for seniors.  We sang in their well-appointed lounge, arranging ourselves around the grand piano to face the two sections of the audience in front of us and one on the side. Those of us standing closest to the piano could also see past the audience into the adjoining game room, where four residents were sitting at a table playing cards. The Choir has sung at the Hallmark before and we always receive a warm reception from this culturally savvy, alert, and responsive audience.  They pay close attention to the introductions as well as the music.

We opened with our usual: Siyahamba.  At the end of our concert, Vivian was talking to a woman who said she liked that we sang songs “from around the world.”  She said that when our very first song was in Zulu, she knew we were no ordinary group and this was going to be a special evening. We followed that with Wanemo and Child of Kwanza.

Next came Oseh Shalom.  Several people in the audience sang along with it.  Vivian was in a position to see into the game room, where the playing stopped and one of the gamers was tapping on the table in time to the music.  (By the end of the concert, all the gamers had left the table to migrate over to the concert.)

This group did well with Rock-a My Soul, evidently knowing part-1 and being sports about singing parts-2 and -3. To help them along, some choir members went out front to lead them in their sections.  They also liked our other sing-along, Down by the Riverside.

They knew who Tom Lehrer and enjoyed Chanukah in Santa Monica, which we followed with Oy Es Dia, Waltz of the Flowers, Rainbow, and Imagine.  Then came Aquarius, with Brian Muni doing the solo honors.  It was wildly received, even by this relatively sedate audience.  It was nice to see the recreation worker dancing in the back of the audience.

Renee introduced our last number, Let There Be Peace on Earth, and many of them joined in on that, too.

At the end, the brother and sister duo of Marv and Vivian Conan went to talk to Marv’s wife’s aunt, who is 93 and was sitting in the front row.  Some of the people sitting near her started talking to Vivian. One said she was a graduate of Hunter College and was interested to know that we sang there.  Another said that Rene had mentioned a CD, and she asked how she could get one.  At Rene’s suggestion, Vivian gave her the POHC pamphlet and she said she would get it online.

Vivian got questions about where we sang, how many we were, where we rehearsed, and “what is the background of your leader,” this from a resident who was impressed with Rene because when we sang, she could understand all the words.  One man said that this was the most enjoyable entertainment he had been to there.  Then he repeated, the most enjoyable.

The recreation worker invited us to join them for a coffee and cookies reception afterward, and a good time was had by all.

-Peace of Heart Choir Singer

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.

Our Holiday Benefit is around the corner

We wanted to share some exciting news about the Choir as we approach the culmination of our Fall 2013 Season with “Over the Rainbow & Around the World,” our benefit concert set for December 8.As you are aware, the Choir was formed over a decade ago in the aftermath of 9/11, when our community in New York City was seeking both healing and shared moments of joy and understanding.

Peace of Heart's music now at 9/11 Memorial museum

We were thrilled, therefore, when the Choir was asked to share its work with the National September 11 Memorial Museum, scheduled to open in 2014.  We have donated to the Museum two of our pieces, “It Takes a Village,” which – appropriately enough – was composed by our founder Jeff Becker, and “Bright Morning Star,” a timeless song of remembrance for all of our loved ones and ancestors whose memories live on in us.

Eleven outreach performances this fall season

This season's outreach has been very successful.Peace of Heart performed at eleven different locations excluding our benefit and we had a great turnout of choir singers for each! We have over 40 active members at last counting.And with auditions next month we hope to add more to our fold.

Our kickstarter campaign was successful

We thus ask for your help in keeping the Choir’s music going strong.  There are many ways to give, and just this fall, we have run a successful Kickstarter campaign to help the Choir raise funds to produce a first-ever CD of the music from its Fall 2013 season.

Remember that, for a donation of $100, you will receive two free tickets to our next benefit concert, and, for a donation of $250, you will receive two free tickets to each of our next two benefit concerts.

You can give to the Choir in any of the following ways:

• Donate online here
• By check payable to “Peace of Heart Choir,” 123 7th Avenue, #260, Brooklyn, New York 11215;
• Remember that donations are tax deductible.

Come to our Fall Benefit Concert

We also raise funds through our seasonal benefits which helps us run the choir each year. This is a great way to give and enjoy some wonderful choral music with your friends are family. Tickets can be bought online here

At Cylar House

Cylar House, run by Housing Works, houses residents living with HIV/AIDS and also has a day program for HIV+ individuals in need of supportive case management. In addition, they have a Behavioral Health Clinic open to the general public. It is located in AlphabetLand, and Yes, Virginia, this is really Manhattan. The concert announcement said to allow at least 15 minutes to walk from whatever subway we took. It wasn’t wrong. Except for one Soprano who lives in the neighborhood, we each had a transportation war-story to share.

We warmed up on the sixth floor, in a room adjoining an outdoor terrace with chaise lounges. Much to our surprise, we were met there by a professional photographer. It turns out that Noella had advertised for one on Craigs list, and this young man had offered to volunteer his services. Considering that today was the first time we met, he was pretty cool, fitting in immediately, taking pictures of our warmups and later, the concert.

We performed in a sunny—and very hot—room on the ground floor. Gary’s father, Rudy, gave a solo recital before we went on, playing unaccompanied clarinet pieces from his fake-book. He started while we were still warming up, so we got to hear only the end of it—a soulful rendition of Body and Soul.

As soon as we started singing Siyahamba, two men in the corner whipped out their cell phones and began videoing us. The audience was quiet but responsive, swaying to the music. A few were fanning themselves, but their eyes never left us. We followed that with Oseh Shalom and Samiotisa, with Rene explaining that it had 7 beats to a measure and telling them that some African songs had 11 beats. They seemed interested. Down by the Riverside got about half of them singing along, and all shook hands with us when we went out into the audience. When the song was over, one of the men who had been videoing us shouted out, “I like you guys,” and after our next number, Oy Es Dia, he shouted, “I just found your Facebook page!”

Imagine had many singing along, and those who didn’t were leaning forward in their seats. Then came Chanukkah in Santa Monica, which Rene introduced, telling them about Tom Lehrer and social commentary. Rudy accompanied us. Of all the numbers we did so far, this got the most applause, especially when Rene said there were three generations in the room, Rudy, Gary, and Gary’s son.

We followed This Land Is Your Land with Wanemo. When we finished it, a woman called out, “I know that song.” (I went up to her after the concert to ask how she knew it. She said her husband was African, and he had a Nigerian friend.) After Give Us Hope, we did Aquarius, with Gary doing the honors. This was applauded and applauded and applauded. Next was Rock-a-My-Soul, and even the people who hadn’t participated in the first two sing-alongs joined in.

After our final number, Let There Be Peace, Gary said that we liked singing for them and hoped to be invited back. “Yes!” they shouted. “We loved it!”

-Peace of Heart Choir Singer

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 Fountain House

Fountain House is a supportive community center for people living with serious mental illnesses, like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression. We warmed up and sang in the dining room, where they had urns of ice water with lemon waiting for us.

This audience took a while to loosen up, but once they did, they were definitely involved. Songs they especially loved, judging by appreciative hoots as well as applause: Over The Rainbow / Wonderful World, This Land is Your Land, and Aquarius (with Wilfred doing the honors). During Give Us Hope, I saw a man listening with his eyes closed, as if he was absorbing the meaning of the song.

When Rene said we were getting near the end of the concert, they said, “No! We want more,” so we did Rock-a-My-Soul, Peace Salaam Shalom, and Let There Be Peace. “Bravo!” they shouted when Rene signaled us to bow. Then they invited us to stay for refreshments.

This concert was significant for POHC, because we premiered three songs: Over The Rainbow / Wonderful World, Chanukkah in Santa Monica, and Samiotisa. There were some bumps in Rainbow, but nothing major. This was very empowering.

- Peace of Heart Choir Singer

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 Park Slope Women’s Shelter

According to CAMBA’s website, the Park Slope Women’s Shelter “enables mentally-ill and often substance-abusing women to stabilize their condition and move toward permanent and/or supported housing.” They’re located in the Park Slope Armory.  We entered through double doors so massive they wouldn’t have been out of place in a medieval castle, then mounted an imposing symmetrical staircase to our warm-up room.  The acoustics there were great; Rene said he could record in it.The acoustics weren’t as good in the large dining room we performed in, but that hardly mattered.  This was the most responsive adult group we have ever sung for, rivaling the YAI kids in their enthusiasm. Our first number was—you guessed it—Siyahamba.  One or two women caught on and sang it with us.  Others swayed in their seats, as they did for the next two numbers, also lively: Oseh Shalom and This Land is Your Land.  Then an abrupt mood change with Oy Es Dia De Placer, and the room became more peaceful.

Little did Larry know when he introduced Wanemo that there was a native Nigerian in the audience.

“What language is it in?” she asked.

“Igbo,” Deb said.

“OK,” the woman said.  “Let’s see.”

We told her that it was only one word, and we would ask her at the end of the song whether it sounded right.  When we finished, we received her verdict: “That was correct.”

We followed Imagine and Peace Salaam Shalom with Rock-a My Soul, with Rene saying, “Let’s put you to work now,” and dividing them into three groups.  They LOVED it and truly rocked that hall, sounding as good as, if not better than, we did. Wilfred gave a touching introduction to Waltz of the Flowers that ended in early holiday greetings and wishes for a good year. He got a round of applause. Then I introduced Give Us Hope, telling them it was written after 9/11 with the message that what children needed most was hope.  “Amen,” a woman in the back called out.

By far the most amazing song of the evening was Aquarius.  Wilfred brought the house down with his adlib in the Let The Sun Shine In part.  There was one woman in the first row who had been paying attention during the entire concert, but with a long and serious face.  Until Wilfred’s “business,” as Rene called it.  All at once she was smiling widely, eyes shining.

We closed with Let There Be Peace On Earth, and when we took a bow, we got a standing ovation.

As a fitting end to the evening, ten or twelve of us, Rene included, took the F train back toward Manhattan, and, in high spirits, we honored the subway car with a reprise of Siyahamba.

- Peace of Heart Choir Singer

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 Jewish Community Center,Manhattan

About 25 members of the choir gathered in a colorful classroom three floors below the main floor and practiced both our songs and getting our starting notes from Rene without a piano or other musical reference. Just before 4 PM, we all trooped up lots and lots of stairs to the main floor, where we were going to perform in the entrance lobby.

We began with Siyahamba, which always catches everyone’s attention and followed with Ose Shalom, Wanemo and Oy Es Dia de Placer. Ambitiously, we sang Waltz of the Flowers, which we needed to re-start in order to get on tune, but then it went beautifully! We had a lively singalong with Rocka My Soul, dividing the audience into three groups to join us in the different parts. Od Yavo, Down by the Riverside and This Land is Your Land also functioned as effective singalongs and we closed with spirited renditions of Give Us Hope and Let There Be Peace on Earth. Rene did a wonderful job of getting each section its proper pitch for each song!

The audience was both fluid and attentive – children moved about, some sitting and clapping along with the music, one traipsing up to Rene’s music stand, which Rene carefully secured with his hand. Several older women sang every Hebrew song and singalong and were thoroughly engaged in the entire concert. Many others joined in on one song or another. There was a lot of activity and some hubbub to sing over, but there was a wonderful feeling of connection and appreciation of each other between the choir and the audience. A good time was had by all!

-Peace of Heart Choir Singer

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.

Peace of Heart on KickStarter!

Peace of Heart Choir, one of the premier a cappella choirs in New York City, needs your help to record and produce a CD of its Fall 2013 season. Our music has recently been curated into the permanent collection of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. We're also auditioning for a national radio show, which has asked for a new CD of our music. So now is the time to do this! Head over to Kickstarter and help us with make this happen!

New Merchandise!

Soprano Deb and Tenor Alex flash us their tote bags

Rob Hornsby, Peace of Heart bass singer holds a cup

Our new Tote Bag. Our choir members make sure they carry their music in them for practises and performances!

We just  made new Peace of Heart merchandize! New cups and tote bags available with our beautiful logo. 

At Catholic Worker Maryhouse

A time traveler from the Woodstock generation would have felt at home in Maryhouse, where the walls are festooned with pictures of Martin Luther King and Dorothy Day, as well as posters that say, “We are the shepherds. We watch sheep,” and “Close Guantanamo,” and “Fight the technological oppression.” There was also a replica of a missile and bombs, which Rene couldn’t resist mounting to pose for a picture, and current copies of the Catholic Worker with the newsstand price printed in the upper right corner: One Penny.

According to Wikipedia, Catholic Workers is “a nonviolent pacifist movement that continues to combine direct aid for the poor and homeless with nonviolent direct action on their behalf.” We saw proof of that last night, in this house in the East Village that provides soup-kitchen lunches four times a week—they would do it more often if they had the funds—as well as clothes and facilities for showering. Enter POHC, with our message of spreading peace and harmony in the world through music. It was a case of one nurturing organization nurturing another nurturing organization.

The small auditorium was full, mostly with people from the Woodstock generation, but there were also a significant number of younger people along with a few children. Our standard opening, “Siyahamba,” had the children in the back dancing their dolls on the table in time to the music. Next came Barry’s introduction of POHC and his tribute to the mission of the Catholic Workers. They were especially touched at his mention of their founder, Dorothy Day, and her autobiography, The Long Loneliness. We followed “Oseh Shalom” with our premier of “Oy Es Dia De Placir.” Then Rene asked whether they wanted to hear “Imagine.” A collective YES! We have sung this song to many audiences, but never to one where it was so native. It was a thrilling to have them singing along with us.

After a few more songs and singalongs, we divided into three groups for “Rock-a My Soul.” Rene divided the audience into groups, too, and we came down off the stage to intermingle with them. The posters on the walls rang with our joint rendition. Then we stayed wherever we were in the audience, in no particular order of sections, to sing “Let There Be Peace On Earth.” It was a very intimate feeling. That was supposed to be our final number, but after chants of Encore! Encore!, we did a reprise of “Let the Sun Shine In.”

Afterward, we accepted their invitation to come downstairs to the soup kitchen, where we were treated to delicious snacks and hors d’oeuvres straight from the oven. It was a wonderful ending to an evening of mutual appreciation of two caring organizations.

- Peace of Heart Choir Singer

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.