A Community Choir
Diane Masura, November 1985
It seems only appropriate, after looking at various written versions of this choir’s beginnings, that I add my perspective. It is with no small pride that I hear myself called “the mother of the Choir.” In my lifetime of memories, mothering this fine collection of singers stands second in importance only to the mothering of my wonderful daughter.
The Occidental community used to have a bonfire to warm carolers at night during the winter holidays. We lingered there late into the night that December 1978. There were John and Carol Metzs, the Fowlers, and I believe the Kincaids were there. It’s hard to remember all the names but there were about ten of us. What made us linger in the cold is what I think lies at the heart of this Choir: the love of lifting song together with others and making a joyful noise. Someone said they hated to stop and others agreed. Many hadn’t sung since high school or college and missed it. Someone remarked that it was a shame one had to be a member of a congregation in order to sing in a choir. Church choirs were the only option.
I said I had heard of something called a community choir made up of residents nearby. The Vietnam War had divided communities, even families and here was an opportunity to create community with music. I said that I didn’t know anything about leading a choir, but if they gave me their names and phone numbers, I would look for a director and contact them.
Elizabeth Van Buren suggested I contact Philip Rolnick and see if he would direct us. He had just returned from Australia where he had been a choir director. He was at that time supporting his family by working as a carpenter. After meeting him and his wife Jane at their home, he offered to direct our choir at no cost to us. He did that, and we singers gathered in my small living room around the piano. We sang “Get Up Old Dobbin.” The word spread until there wasn’t enough room in my house!
While getting my mail at the Post Office in town, I heard a wonderful bass singing down the hall. I asked if he would like to join our choir and qualified it by saying I was looking for a larger rehearsal space. He introduced himself as Reverend Linden Heath, minister at the Occidental Community Church, and said we could use the church on Wednesday nights for free. He joined and we just kept growing. Anna Iuppa, a wonderful graphic artist, joined and drew our first beautiful posters. Sylvia Murphy joined as our accompanist. Ramon Sender and Michael Hall wrote pieces for us to perform.
The community of singers spread beyond the Occidental area. The magic to me was that, after the seed was planted, the rest just took on a life of its own. Talent previously unknown for lack of a group, appeared from every corner of the community. I tell this story of how the Occidental Community Choir began to anyone interested in hopes it will encourage other communities to do the same. People of different backgrounds and life experiences can find harmony through making music together.