We welcome you to read some of our singers' stories about their connections to Chorus and to music in general. We hope you can learn more about our singers and the impact that the BWC community has had on us.
Please click a member's name to read their story!
What role did singing or making music play (or didn't play) in your earlier life?
We were a musical family while I was growing up. My dad played the accordion and then the guitar and he had a special song for each one of us. Piano, flute, and a coronet often filled the house when my siblings practiced. During my teens, I sang in a wonderful church choir; we even sang the complete Handle's Messiah and Bach's Christmas Oratorio. I also sang in my high school's Madrigals.
What does Chorus mean to you?
Chorus honestly feel like being home with my tribe. Being surrounded by women from all walks of life is so special - a place of non-judgement, of welcoming, of support and caring. We are quite something!
What do you love to do when you're not singing?
My biggest joy is growing food and eating something I grew every day of the year. even if it's just dried basil or an egg my chickens laid. I LOVE being retired! Knitting, sewing, reading, spending time with my family - my life is really very sweet!
What role did singing or making music play (or didn't play) in your earlier life?
My mom played the piano. We had a baby grand and she loved to play Debussy. My dad played a little banjo and acoustic guitar when I was very young. He liked Hawaiian guitar music which we teased him about.
What does the Chorus mean to you?
I love to sing! Becky and chorus are therapeutic and I always feel my spirits lifted afterwards . Becky makes singing a joyful experience. It’s a great community of women and I’ve made good friends over the years.
What do you love to do when you're not singing?
I like to garden, swim, knit, draw and illustrate stories , read, embroider felt and sometimes cook. I love spending time with my 2 grandchildren!
When did you come to Chorus?
I arrived at the Brattleboro Women’s Chorus in February of 1999 as a
result of a rather unexpected chain of events. Here’s how it all
happened. While talking to a colleague on the telephone, she took an
incoming call from Becky. When my colleague returned to the line,
she expressed that a spot opened up in the Brattleboro Women’s Chorus for her to join. My colleague was elated! The news she shared persuaded me to join. Having recently begun the process of researching local choruses, I was curious to learn more about the Brattleboro chorus. After we got off the telephone, I called Becky immediately and had a conversation that convinced me that the BWC would be a good organization to be involved with. However, at the time, chorus membership was at an all-time high and I would have to be placed on a wait list. Luckily, a week later, I received a call to say that there was a spot for me. Fast forward to March of 2020. I sang every semester from the spring of 1999 until then. Each year I became more confident as a singer and as a young woman in the world due to Becky’s inspirational leadership.
What did you find when you came to Chorus?
While in chorus, I found community and sisterhood. Being a part of the Brattleboro Women’s Chorus helped to restore my inner belief of that which is good in this world. Becky and her Board of Directors have created a place where I could join together with other women to sing songs of peace, love and joy to make the world a better place. For this, I am grateful.
I came too chorus in spring of 2012. I had gone thru some dark times and was struggling big time living at Molly stark motel. I was so depressed and felt like there was no light at the end of the tunnel. And I felt so very alone.
I got home from work that afternoon, I picked up the local newspaper. And there was a ad with come sing with Brattleboro Women’s Chorus that night at All Souls Church. I drove down, thinking along the way that I’m probably not good enough for this group. I even said that when I got there, I was so broken.
Then we sang in parts? OMG, I didn’t know there were parts to singing!
Then, when we all started singing, and the harmonies were giving me goosebumps and I was crying. I knew I had found my place. I immediately felt this overwhelming feeling of love and heartfelt welcoming. I was still so embarrassed about my life being in a motel room, and was nervous people wouldn’t like me if they knew my life story, but I did finally get my own apartment after 5 months.
For my very first concert (and my first time on stage), I stood in the back row next to Twyla and Elizabeth and was so scared that they held my hand thru the whole concert. I was sure I was going to pass out as my knees were wobbling! After the concert I felt like a movie star (LOL)!
I've continued to sing since 2012. Chorus has continued to be one of the most important things in my life, I’m so blessed to be with so many wonderful woman that love me for me, regardless of my past. I wouldn’t miss Chorus for the world …I am so happy with my life.
Thanks to my Women’s Chorus sisters who have helped me in so many ways, and continue to love me thru it all…Amen.