When I moved to Granby in 2018, I wanted to bring people together through song. That's how the Granby Chorus was born - a small, spirited group of adults (and two teenagers) from right here in the Pioneer Valley who meet once a week to sing, laugh, and build something meaningful together.
We gather every Saturday morning at 10 a.m. in my home in Granby, MA. The coffee is strong, the conversation is lively, and the sound of voices rising in harmony fills the room. I serve as the musical director - and as a baritone, I'm right there in the mix. Most of what we sing are my original songs, though the group often helps shape them. Sometimes a member will even lay down a vocal track for one of our recordings, turning our weekly rehearsals into something that lasts beyond the moment.
From the very beginning, the chorus has been filled with remarkable people. One of our earliest members, Dr. Benjamin Levy, came to the group already studying mandolin and fiddle with me. His enthusiasm was contagious - he brought a spark to every rehearsal, reminding us that music isn't just notes and rhythm, but shared energy. When he retired and moved north to Gill in 2019 to start a new community of his own, I was sad to see him go but proud of what he helped us build.
As the years passed - and after the long quiet of the pandemic - familiar faces began to return. Karen, an attorney from Westfield, joined us again, bringing her partner along to sing alto. Deb, a writer; April, a teacher; Greg, an electrician; Peter, a mechanic; Robert, a retired psychiatrist - every one of them contributes a unique timbre, both in voice and in spirit. Together, they form a microcosm of what I love about this valley: people of all walks of life finding common ground in creativity.
I've directed orchestras, arranged for countless bands, and composed for soloists and ensembles over the years - but I can honestly say this is the most fun I've had in decades. There's something ancient and deeply human about singing together. As ethnomusicologist Joseph Jordania has written, group singing isn't just art - it's survival. Early humans sang to synchronize their actions, calm fear, and strengthen social bonds. When we sing together today, that same ancient instinct awakens in us: the feeling that we belong, that we are part of something larger than ourselves.
We haven't given a public concert yet - but that's about to change. Our goal is to bring our harmonies out into the world with our first performances in the spring of 2026.
If you live in the Granby area and love to sing, I hope you'll join us. You don't need to read music, and there are no auditions - just an open heart and a willingness to blend your voice with others. Come be part of something joyful, local, and beautifully human.
Granby Chorus meets Saturdays at 10 a.m.
đź“Ť Sweet Music Studio, Granby, MA
🎵 Let's make music together.
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