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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Wednesday, May 14, 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! -
Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 01:30 PM
University Lutheran Church of Hope in Minneapolis, MN
Paperless Singing Practice GroupIf you are looking for a new way to foster vulnerability, trust and connection in your worship, meetings or gatherings… if you enjoy oral singing tradition… or if you need a place to rest your soul and be filled…
Join host Maria Anderson-Lippert and other MMC leaders for a Paperless Singing Practice Group. This gathering is for anyone who loves to sing, churchy and non-churchy alike. Questions? Contact [email protected]
Learn more about paperless singing in the style of Music that Makes Community here.
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Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 06:30 PM
Brunswick High School in Brunswick, ME
Friends,
Music that Makes Community community connecter Pat Cannon is hosting a class on Singing for Wellbeing that will gather on Thursday, May 8th at Brunswick High School from 6:30-7:30pm
Songs range from simple chant-like songs to layered harmonies and will be chosen around each session's theme. The purpose of this class is to align and uplift our hearts and voices. We may include some toning or fun circlesing games, depending on the interest of the group. Your voice, whether timid or strong, is perfect for this class!Register here!
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Monday, May 19, 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. -
Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 05:30 PM
First Presbyterian Church in Hartford, CT
First Presbyterian Church of Hartford and Music that Makes Community invites you to a Community SING on Thursday evening, May 22 from 5:30-7 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 Jennifer Sanborn, Rev. Nancy Baseel, and others.
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.
Events
This is the first of several events over the weekend. In addition to the Community SING on Thursday evening, MMC leaders will be offering:
- 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.
- A Community SING with the Boston Interfaith Song Collective on Sunday afternoon, May 25 at 2:30 p.m., at The Allston Abbey. To learn more, click here.
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Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 06:30 PM
Brunswick High School in Brunswick, MEFriends,
Music that Makes Community community connecter Pat Cannon is hosting a class on Singing for Wellbeing that will gather on Thursday, May 22nd at Brunswick High School from 6:30-7:30pm
Songs range from simple chant-like songs to layered harmonies and will be chosen around each session's theme. The purpose of this class is to align and uplift our hearts and voices. We may include some toning or fun circlesing games, depending on the interest of the group. Your voice, whether timid or strong, is perfect for this class!Register here!
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Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 09:30 AM
Unitarian Church of Marlborough and Hudson in Hudson, MA
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]