Summary
Workshop Number: 25
Leaders: Ruth Fitz
Who May Register?: Open to All
Worship/Worship-Sharing: 15%
Lecture: 15%
Discussion: 10%
Experiential Activities: 60%
Who May Attend?
drop-in attenders welcome (may attend any session)
Strong singers, shy singers, and even self-professed non-singers are all invited to help build a joyful, Friendly, singing community in this workshop, through a variety of genres, from rounds, spirituals, and chants, to world music and songs of peace–all learned in the oraltradition. No singing experience or music reading is necessary to fully participate in…
Workshop Description
Strong singers, shy singers, and even self-professed non-singers are all invited to help build a joyful, Friendly, singing community in this workshop, through a variety of genres, from rounds, spirituals, and chants, to world music and songs of peace–all learned in the oral
tradition. No singing experience or music reading is necessary to fully participate in this workshop, just a willing and open spirit, and a desire to sing in community.
Singing together can be both relaxing and energizing and move our focus from head to heart. Particularly in this moment in history, many of us have witnessed the power of music as a unifying and courage-building tool that gently but clearly speaks truth to power. It can also be a balm for weary souls.
Overview
We will begin each session with a gentle warm up of our bodies and our voices, then sing energizing, fun songs and rounds. We’ll progress to songs with layered harmonies, short songs, and sacred chants, and will allow space for silence and reflection between songs, as Spirit leads. Engaging in the music often takes people beyond words and into a worshipful space.
Building our repertoire throughout the week, participants can expect to grow in confidence as the words and music become familiar, and as we work and play, weaving beautiful harmonies together. Each session will close with a time of worship or worship sharing.
Accessibility
Participants are encouraged to bring a water bottle for hydration and to wear comfortable clothing for ease of movement (and perhaps an extra layer for warmth, as there may be air conditioning). Wearing masks will be optional, and anyone who feels safer doing so for
themselves or for others is encouraged to bring and wear one. You may bring a phone or other small recording device to capture some of the songs (for your personal use, only). As a workshop leader, I hope that friends will leave this workshop feeling joyful, refreshed,
connected to Spirit, connected to one another, and connected to the broader community–with many songs, new friendships, warm memories, and perhaps some fresh insights.
Leader Experience
Ruth Fitz is a musician and song-leader who carries an embraced ministry of music from Gunpowder Friends Meeting in MD, where she presently leads singing each month. She has led singing in a variety of FGC Quaker spaces, from Arizona Half-Yearly Meeting to Baltimore Yearly Meeting’s Annual Sessions and Spiritual Formation Retreats. She has led Soulful Singing workshops at FGC in-person Gatherings since 2014. Ruth’s experience singing with her spiritual communities has been profoundly meaningful, both personally and in the deepening and strengthening of these communities. The music is expansive and joyful. Some Friends have expressed that this time together was one of healing and transformation for them.