Natick’s Multi-Generational Choir Feels Like a Family

Sound and Spirit is a multi-generational choir for everyone, whether you like singing, dancing or playing an instrument, there’s always fun to be had. Our upcoming concert, “Rise,” is Sound and Spirit’s 10th concert since the group’s premiere in 2012. I am in the teens’ section for adolescents from 7th-12th grade. It is a blast to be in, and I have made many friends through it. Our Artistic Director is Kate Leavey, who founded the program. Not only is Kate a great singer, but she is also a great director, teacher and mentor. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have met a number of my friends, nor would I have been able or willing to train my voice as I have. Claire, her cousin, teaches choreography and the assistant director is Cathi Ianno,
The choir started due to a lack of a “real community choir,” according to Kate. By this, she means a choir where anyone who can carry a tune can participate in without an audition. She finds it interesting how, despite the diversity of professionals, lifelong choir members and novices, it still always works, stating that, “Together, we create something special that we could not achieve alone.”
An artistic committee helps pick the theme, and the upcoming concert, “Rise,” which is themed around revolution. Kate said that she and the other staff research and gradually dwindle down the number of songs that seem right for the concert. A fellow teen singer, Dylan Lavallee, said, “There are laid-back tunes, high-energy jams and everything in between. There’s something to fit everyone’s music taste, which makes ‘Rise’ especially intriguing.”
Choir participants range from rambunctious and joyful kids, exuberant and busy teens, and a very generous group of adults. Kate enjoys teaching them; there are a wide variety of roles to fill: writers, artists, dancers, singers, poets, program design and program ad-sellers. For concerts, Sound and Spirit hires a professional band and assembles a production staff, including a very experienced stage manager. There are diverse roles and jobs people can fill, which is one of the greatest things about the program.
Dylan said he joined the program because Kate is a strong musical mentor for him. For people who are thinking of joining, he said, “It has given me wonderful opportunities to sing and perform in a professional setting that I would otherwise not have experienced. If you’re looking to have fun and create an awesome performance, I would recommend Sound and Spirit a thousand times over.”
I also highly recommend that you tell your friends and family about Sound and Spirit, and see if they would like to join. I personally find that the whole program feels more like a family than an organization, and everyone is included no matter what role they choose. All in all, this is what makes Sound and Spirit the unique and amazing experience it is.
March Concert: “Rise” will be performed March 10 and 11 at 7 p.m. and March 12 at 3 p.m. at Walnut Hill School for the Arts, 12 Highland St, Natick. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and students, and can be purchased at soundandspirit.net or at the door.