There are three types of events listed on our calendar:
- MMC Workshops and Retreats planned collaboratively with hosts around the United States and Canada;
- Local Practice Groups led by presenters and participants from the Music that Makes Community network, providing opportunities to hone our skills and support one another in song leading;
- Community Events presented by organizations affiliated with MMC for the benefit of the wider musical community.
Upcoming Events
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Friday, June 20, 2025 at 06:30 PM through June 22, 2025
St. James Episcopal Church in Taos, NM
Music that Makes Community is excited to offer a Two-Part Community Singing Workshop at St. James Episcopal Church in Taos, NM! Rev. Sylvia Miller-Mutia, David and Winona Poole, and Conie Borchardt will facilitate these two days of singing, learning and fellowship. Singers of all backgrounds, ages, and experience levels are warmly welcomed to participate!
On Friday evening June 20 where we’ll sing together and tell stories about how this practice of paperless singing builds community and strengthens relationships. For five hours on Saturday, June 21, we’ll deepen our exploration of the leadership practices and skills of paperless (oral tradition) singing. Everyone is welcome to sing on both days; Saturday will be particularly of interest to those who are curious about leading paperless song.
During our time together we’ll:
- Explore a practice of paperless (oral tradition) singing leadership grounded in a spirit of welcome and generosity
- Engage models of teaching and leading that welcome our bodies, hearts, and minds
- Experience music reflective of the growing diversity of our communities and celebrating our rich spiritual and liturgical traditions
- Build community and strengthen relationships through singing
Each person will leave with new music to share, as well as experiences of learning and teaching songs applicable to their context. All who love to sing are warmly welcomed, as well as those who lead music in church, community, and educational contexts.
The Friday evening event is by free-will offering. CLICK here to RSVP, though none is necessary.
The cost of the Saturday workshop, including workshop materials, and refreshments throughout the day, is as follows:
- St. James’ members: $30
- Non-St. James’ members (in advance): $50
- Non-St. James’ members (day of event): $75
Lunch is on your own. A list of local restaurants will be available on Saturday. Refrigeration and microwave is available for those who would like to bring their own.
We do not want the cost to prevent anyone’s participation, so please reach out to let us know if you need scholarship support. Please contact MMC Admin at [email protected] or (612) 204-2235 with any questions.
REGISTER HERE
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Friday, June 20, 2025 at 06:30 PM
St. James Episcopal Church in Taos, NM
St. James Episcopal Church of Taos and Music that Makes Community invites you to a Community SING on Friday evening, June 20 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
When we sing, we connect with one another and with something larger than our individual selves. Join us for this uplifting experience of learning and collaboration, as we share songs that give voice to our collective yearnings for justice, freedom, and peace in our world. Bring a song to share and friends who love to sing.
This evening of communal participatory singing will be facilitated by Conie Borchardt, Music that Makes Community’s new Executive Director, and MMC leaders in the area, including Rev. Sylvia Miller-Mutia and David and Winona Poole!
The event is free and open to all who love to sing, regardless of musical experience or training. Freewill donations are welcome and help support the work of Music that Makes Community.
Click HERE to RSVP for the event and make a donation.
Related Events
This is the first part of a two-part event over the weekend. In addition to the Community SING on Friday evening, MMC leaders will be offering:
- A daylong Community Singing workshop on Saturday, June 21, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in Taos, NM, that further introduces the leadership practices and repertoire of Music that Makes Community with the intention to support the creation of spaces of trust, listening, and communication through singing and to introduce the basic skills for leading congregational song. To learn more, click here
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Monday, June 23, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Zoom
Join Music that Makes Community for a weekly touchstone that includes singing, silence, sacred text, and community connection. We'll gather at 10 a.m. EDT (9 CDT / 8 MDT / 7 PST) each Monday for a 30-minute gathering followed by coffee and conversation.
MMC leaders host the gathering, drawing from many musical and spiritual traditions. -
Monday, June 23, 2025 at 08:00 PM
Zoom
Beneath the forest floor there is a world unseen, tree roots and fungi, interconnected organisms all nourishing the ecosystem that reaches for the sun above. Rooted in our mission, Music that Makes Community is like the forest floor: we partner, support and serve leaders who in turn help their communities to grow and flourish.
In times of challenge and division, we need a strong root system more than ever. Join us for an online Solstice Sing on Monday June 23, 2025, at 8pm-9pm ET / 5pm-6pm PT to experience renewing interconnection in song.
Register HERE.
"Trees grow slow and trees grow strong. And trees sway with the wind their whole lives long. And trees hold the ground as they reach for the sky…"
- Trees Grow Slow by Laurence Cole
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Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at 06:30 PM
First Parish Church in Brunswick, ME
Friends,
The Brunswick Area Interfaith Council invites you to Community Song Circles for Love, Peace, Justice, Together that will gather on Tuesday, June 24th at First Parish Church from 6:30-7:30pm.
Gather to connect through song to uplift our hearts. At each event, a song leader will teach inspiring songs and weave in other offerings. No prior singing experience required—all voices encouraged!Free event. All are welcome. Questions? Email [email protected] -
Monday, June 30, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Zoom
Join Music that Makes Community for a weekly touchstone that includes singing, silence, sacred text, and community connection. We'll gather at 10 a.m. EDT (9 CDT / 8 MDT / 7 PST) each Monday for a 30-minute gathering followed by coffee and conversation.
MMC leaders host the gathering, drawing from many musical and spiritual traditions. -
Tuesday, July 01, 2025 at 05:00 PM
Taproot Garden in Norwalk, IA
All are welcome to a free Potluck and Community SING with Music that Makes Community at Taproot Garden on Tuesday evening, July 1. Bring a dish to share at 5 p.m. and be ready to sing at 5:45 p.m.!
When we sing, we experience connection with one other and with something larger than our individual selves — whether it’s community or the sacred. Join us as we make music together using paperless songs from many musical and spiritual traditions. Bring friends who love to sing and a song to share, if you’d like.
Join new Music that Makes Community Executive Director Conie Borchardt and long time MMC facilitator Ben Allaway for an evening of participatory singing.
This event is free and open to all who love to sing, regardless of musical experience or training. A Freewill offering will be taken to support the work of Music that Makes Community.
Click HERE to RSVP for the event and make a donation.
Potluck details:
- Please bring a dish to share!
- Tableware (plates, silverware, etc.) will be provided.
- Taproot has c. 40 chairs on hand. If you would like to bring your own camp chair or blanket, please feel free!
Accessibility notes:
- Potluck will be in the barn which is a short walk on the flat gravel driveway. The singing space is around the side yard on uneven ground. An electric club car (golf cart) is available to assist those with mobility challenges.
- A public bathroom is in the barn. For transparency so folks can make their own best decisions, it does not have grab bars or adequate space for a wheelchair.
- Parking is along a long driveway where cars drive in and angle left or right. There is no designated handicapped parking.
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Wednesday, July 02, 2025 at 07:00 PM
Books and Brews in Brownsburg, IN
Join us every first Wednesday of the month at 7 PM at Books and Brews in Brownsburg, IN, for a fun and welcoming community sing! Whether you're a seasoned musician or have no musical experience, all voices are welcome! We’ll share protest songs, pub songs, spiritual songs, and more. Come for the music, stay for the community. No experience required—just bring your voice and energy!Sponsored by Good Samaritan Episcopal Church -
Monday, July 07, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Zoom
Join Music that Makes Community for a weekly touchstone that includes singing, silence, sacred text, and community connection. We'll gather at 10 a.m. EDT (9 CDT / 8 MDT / 7 PST) each Monday for a 30-minute gathering followed by coffee and conversation.
MMC leaders host the gathering, drawing from many musical and spiritual traditions. -
Wednesday, July 09, 2025 at 06:00 PM
Bethany United Church of Christ in Chicago, IL
Music that Makes Community's Chicago Practice Group gathers monthly at Bethany United Church of Christ. All are welcome to sing with others, learn new tunes, and strengthen your song leading skills!