Over the years we have received hundreds of comments from our singers about the importance of SingYourJoy in their lives — including our online connection since we have been physically isolated from each other. Here is a small recent sample.
“It doesn’t seem to matter whether I come in feeling like a million bucks or feeling next to worthless, I am accepted each week with open arms regardless. Through this compassionate constancy, I have come to realize that I don’t need to ‘prove myself’ in order to ‘earn’ the love of others. I don’t need to be the best and the brightest. I just need to show up. Gordon and Christine have nurtured such a sense of belonging and unconditional love that one cannot help but be enveloped in its shroud.”
“Two years ago I was in a much darker place. SYJ was one of the ladders that helped me climb out of that place. For the choral members it is not just the singing that makes SYJ so amazing. Though the singing is pretty darn amazing. SYJ is also a place to build skills, confidence, and friendships. I can’t stress enough how beautiful and important this whole thing is. Two years is short but SYJ has made that time so special and it will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
And from a parent: “SingYourJoy is one of the most amazing groups we have discovered for my son to participate in. He has epilepsy that is poorly managed by medications, which makes joining groups quite challenging. From the first night we were both welcomed with open arms. Christine and Gordon ensured everybody was aware of what he needed to be safe and to be able to participate. He has been welcomed by all in the choir and made to feel like he belonged from that first moment. Singing is something he loves and to be able to learn how to sing in harmony with such a powerful group of supportive people has made him more confident, given him new skills and especially a sense of belonging which is the greatest gift I can witness as a parent.”