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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Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 09:30 AM
Unitarian Church of Marlborough and Hudson in Hudson, MA
WITH SADNESS, WE HAD TO MAKE THE DIFFICULT DECISION TO CANCEL THIS WORKSHOP FOR LOW REGISTRATION. WE HOPE TO BE BACK IN THE BEAUTIFUL NEW ENGLAND REGION SOON! IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTNER WITH US ON AN EVENT, PLEASE REACH OUT TO [email protected] TO START A CONVERSATION. -clb, 5/14/2025
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Music that Makes Community is excited to offer a One-Day Community Singing Workshop focusing on songs of love, freedom, and resilience at the Unitarian Church of Marlborough and Hudson in Central Massachusetts.
MMC Executive Director Conie Borchardt and experienced MMC facilitators Nancy Willbanks will offer a lively day of singing, learning, and community building. No special talents required - just a love of music and fellowship. Singers of all backgrounds, ages, and experience levels are warmly welcomed to participate!
Join us for a renewing day of building community through singing, learning, and fellowship. 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. Choir directors, clergy, cantors, lay leaders, and all who love to sing are warmly welcomed.
Registration fees
- $59 for the public
- $39 for members of UCMHReach out for scholarships or family/group discounts at [email protected].
Childcare is available for those who request it. Please indicate it under access needs on the registration form. Contact [email protected] with questions.
Registration is now open here!
If you're considering attending this workshop, kindly register before Monday, May 12.
We're grateful for the co-sponsorship with the Unitarian Church of Marlborough and Hudson.
If you'd like to co-sponsor this event, please reach out to [email protected] for more details. -
Sunday, May 25, 2025 at 02:30 PM
The Allston Abbey in Allston, MA
All are welcome to a free Community SING with Music that Makes Community and the Boston Interfaith Song Collective on Sunday afternoon, May 25 at 2:30 p.m., at The Allston Abbey.
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 a song to share and friends who love to sing.
Join Conie Borchardt and Nancy Willbanks from Music that Makes Community and Silas Kotnour of the Boston Interfaith Song Collective for an afternoon of participatory singing.
This 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.
* NOTE: The Boston Interfaith Song Collective is committed to masked events so please bring your own if you can. We will have a few on-hand as well.
Click HERE to RSVP for the event and make a donation.
Parking notes: Attendees are strongly encouraged to utilize the free street parking on Brighton Avenue and St. Lukes Road. The facility warns us that cars will be towed if illegally parked in the driveway of 7 Saint Lukes Road.
Events
This is the last of several events over the weekend. In addition to the Community SING on Sunday afternoon, MMC leaders will be offering:
- A Community SING with First Presbyterian Church of Hartford and Music that Makes Community on Thursday evening, May 22 from 5:30-7 p.m. ,To learn more, click here.
- A daylong Community Singing workshop on Saturday, May 24, from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. in Hudson, MA, 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, May 26, 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, May 27, 2025 at 06:30 PM
Midcoast Presbytarian Church in Topsham, ME
Friends,
The Brunswick Area Interfaith Council invites you to Community Song Circles for Love, Peace, Justice, Together that will gather on Tuesday, May 27th at Mid-Coast Presbyterian 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] -
Wednesday, June 04, 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 -
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at 06:30 PM
Asbury University in Wilmore, KY
MMC facilitator and board president Breen Sipes and other friends will be offering "A Taste of Welcome through Song" at a Taste and See Experience at Intergenerate Conference in June 2025.
For more details, click: https://www.intergenerateconference.com/
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Wednesday, June 11, 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! -
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] -
Wednesday, July 02, 2025 at 07:00 PM
Books and Brews in Brownsburg, INJoin 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