The SingFest flag (photo by Nathan) [Yellow flag with the words “Merton SingFest / Wimbledon Choral / Merton Music Foundation” hanging outside of a church building]
Hannah ’28 writes about our first performance of the trip here:
Our second full day in London was one of the busiest and most rewarding days of the trip. In the late morning we attended the SingFest choral festival in Wimbledon, where we performed among several community choirs from throughout London. Under the direction of Daniel Mahoney, the festival kicked off with singing We Raise Our Voice in Song with all the choirs. The older ladies who I stood next to were incredibly friendly and sang their hearts out, and everyone was smiling and having a great time. Each choir then performed two to three songs, showcasing upcoming concert repertoire or simply sharing fun music they were working on.
Garnet Singers ready to sing (photo by Colette) [Members of Garnet Singers standing and smiling outside of the church, wearing concert black uniforms and holding music folders in preparation]
Garnet Singers was the second group to perform, and we sang a number of songs, including Cells Planets, which the audience seemed to really enjoy, and To Sit and Dream. As we performed, the atmosphere of the room was encouraging, supportive, and not stressful at all. Rather than feeling like we had to impress or prove ourselves, it felt more like contributing to an atmosphere of shared love for music, regardless of age, nationality, and experience. As each choir stepped off stage to make room for the next group, I imagined a dining table with everyone seated around it, with each person bringing a dish to the potluck, while also being able to taste and savor the food on the rest of the table. From the “oldies” choir to the youth choir, I saw the importance and joy of singing throughout all stages of life and the gift of community that it provides. It made me appreciate the community that Garnet Singers has become to me at Swarthmore even more, and the opportunity to sing with friends and strangers who love to sing too.
Performing at SingFest (photo by Pat) [Garnet Singers’ director Nathan speaking on a microphone to introduce a piece during the performance while members of the group stand behind]
When all the choirs came together at the end to sing We Raise Our Voice in Song once more, it was a full circle moment, full of lighthearted laughter, music-making, and enough sound to be heard from outside the church. Standing outside the church, with some homemade ginger bread I bought from the bake sale, I felt like I had been a part of something magical, and I will be sure to continue singing even after I leave Swarthmore.
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