Joyful Voices of Inspiration
Metro Boston, Massachusetts, and the world for 20 years!
On Monday September 9th, Joyful Voices will hold its first rehearsal of the new 2019-2020 season. It is an exciting time being able to get together again with old friends and catch up on each other’s lives as well to get back to singing our moving, soul-stirring gospel music under the direction of the fabulous Donnell Patterson.
The first engagement of our new season will be on Sunday September 15th at the 10:30AM worship service at The First Parish in Waltham at 50 Church St in Waltham. We love singing at this church and hope you can join us at this service.
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.
Please check back often for updates and new postings.
Note: use the scroll bar on the right of the calendar to scroll down and reveal ALL listed engagements.
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.
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.

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”.

Our Mission
Gospel music is both a powerful inspirational medium and a uniquely American art form. The choir’s mission is to share their inspiring gospel music with others and, in doing so, promote the appreciation of gospel music through education about the history and development of the music.
Founded as a traveling choir, JVOI loves to travel and goes on singing tour most every summer. The choir has visited Italy (twice), France, Holland, Ireland, Brazil, Costa Rica, Argentina, Barcelona Spain and Germany!!
Joyful Voices of Inspiration frequently donates their services at civic and fund raising events in the Boston area.
Our Director
We are truly blessed to have such an energetic, dynamic, enthusiastic, talented and FUN director as Donnell
Click here to learn more about Donnell
Book the Choir
To learn more about having Joyful Voices perform, please contact Mr. Norris Welch, Joyful Voices’ Vice President of Operations, at (617) 361-9717 or e-mail us at info@joyfulvoices.org regarding fees and availability.
Joyful Voices are available to perform from late September to early July.
Contact Us
PO Box 6318
Lincoln MA 01773-6318
For Booking Information: 617-361-9717