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One Choir, Many Voices: Finding Harmony Across Generations
One Choir, Many Voices: Finding Harmony Across Generations
The Legacy of Choir
This spring semester, our Harmony Choir made a major return to the Institute of Music with the mission of forging intergenerational bonds through the power of singing. The Choir accepted members between the ages of 8 to 80, resulting in a diverse cohort of 15 singers. Despite their differences in age, skill level, and experience, the Choir soon became well on its way to a standout showcase performance.
The Institute’s community choir was initially established long before the 2020 pandemic. However, Miss Stephanie Weymouth’s passingstruck the heart and soul of our choir; her teaching truly connected with the kids from a loving place that reflected the Institute’s core. The Harmony Choir this spring was led by Director Michelle Molina, who carried on Stephanie’s legacy in cultivating an encouraging environment.
Teamwork in Harmony
The Harmony Choir is made of a diverse mix of parents, kids, and admins who are grouped by vocal range regardless of age. Despite there being a large age gap between the oldest and youngest member, the cohort still feels like a tight-knit family.
Students meet every Saturday,and dive right into stretches and vocal warm-ups, followed by practice of their showcase arrangements. With a genuine sense of community building, passion, and effort; harmony is an easily achievable goal. Members alsoput in the work at home and arrive to practice ready to contribute individually.
“It feels like we’re on a team,” explains Miss Michelle. “When rehearsal goes well, everyone is happy; versus when it doesn’t, we can all laugh about it and practice to come back better.” Working towards the showcase is a study of resilience.
A Teacher’s Ambition
Miss Michelle, who led the Institute’s musical theater team in summer 2025, also directs choir at Union City High School alongside the Harmony Choir.
Coming from a public school system provides her with an opportunity to workwith peopleof all ages and from different walks of life and she has especially enjoyed working with older, more matured voices.
The most rewarding aspect of Harmony Choir is a community that genuinely enjoys working together. “As long as morale is high, and people actually care, it’s difficult for something to go wrong,” says Michelle. Whether or not every choir member can read music or sing expertly, everyone puts in the same effort. This communal attitude is what makes the singing so healing. By helping others find their voice, one can find their own. Next semester, Director Michelle hopes to expand the Choir to have over sixty members. The Institute is excited to see where Harmony Choir leads in the future.
