Joyful Voices News Briefs – August  2, 2019

On July 23, 2019, 23 choir members and another 16 “significant others” returned to Boston after a fabulous singing tour of norrthern Italy.  We visited Venice, San Gimignano, Sienna, Pisa, Cinque Terre as well as singing concerts in Florence, Lucca and Milan! What a blast. Out host choirs were incredible and we thank them for organizing the great concerts  Needless to say the sights and the Italian food were amazing. Check out our photo album of some of the trip’s highlights.

Monthly OPEN Gospel Sing!

Joyful Voices hears from so many people who want to join the choir or attend a rehearsal to in order to experience the joy of singing gospel music with Donnell Patterson, and we feel that providing a way for as many as people as possible to sing gospel is an important part of the choir’s mission.

As a result, last year the choir started an open public monthly gospel sing we call simply “First Monday”!!

EVERYONE is welcome at our new monthly gospel sings; no experience necessary. Just come and have fun learning marvelous gospel songs from the one and only Donnell Patterson.

“First Monday” open sings are held on the FIRST MONDAY of every month October – May (with holidays being the exception). The 2019-2020 season will begin Monday October 7, 2019 and run through May 4, 2020, at the First Parish of Watertown, 35 Church St. from 7:30 – 9:00PM.

There is a suggested $20 participation fee/donation per person per session.

About Joining the Choir

The choir is now about as big as we want to get and we usually only bring in new singers as result of attrition. The exception being strong bass voices which we are always looking for more of.

The very best way to be invited to sing with the choir is to regularly attend our First Monday Gospel Sings so we may get to know how you sing and, more importantly, get to know you as a person. We take our committment to the choir and the choir’s mission very seriously and we are looking for like minded people who want to be a  part of this incredible group.

Joyful Voices News Briefs – December 28, 2018

The choir is saddened by the news that our long time friend and choir member, Dr. Richard Levy, passed away on December 25, 2018. Richard LOVED singing with the choir and was instrumental in helping grow the choir by inviting his “Friends of Richard Levy” to come sing with us. Richard and his “friends” have been with us for years and we all will miss Richard deeply.

One of our choir members remembered Richard this way, “He was funny, faithful, faith filled, selfless, talented, kind, compassionate; all the things we aim to be in life. He took care of those whom needed him while on Earth and I know he is watching over and caring for us all from Heaven. My prayers go out to Richard’s family, friends, our JVOI family, and his patients that undoubtedly loved him! I love you so much, Richard. You were a blessing in my life. Rest peacefully.“

Let the choir say “Amen”.