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By Beth Mallindine<\/p>\n
What happens when a fish is confined and unable to swim, a child is kept from playing, a chorus is no longer allowed to sing? With the onset of COVID, singing in groups was flagged as one of the most dangerous of activities. Members of Womansong of Asheville had been singing together for joy, social justice and community for 33 years. Would this be the end of this uplifting, empowering group? How could the mission continue without an audience or a way to sing together?<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are women who know how to keep things going, stay focused and be ready to pivot when things change,\u201d says Martha Burrows, one of the group\u2019s artistic directors. \u201cWe know how to weather the storm, and then we sing about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
With their usual tenacity and creativity, Womansong came together in Zoom rehearsals to learn new music, produced a voting rights Virtual Choir piece and created a live-stream concert, Womansong Reimagined. They refreshed their mission statement and logo, launched a racial equity study group and held backyard rehearsals, singing masked and distanced. \u201cThis is a choir where the members have tight bonds with one another, helping out in times of sickness, celebrating in times of joy,\u201d says longtime member Randee Goodstadt. \u201cI have always found music and singing a very powerful therapy, and I\u2019m glad that Womansong has given me so many wings with which to fly.\u201d<\/p>\n