There are two types of events listed in this part of the calendar, Local Practice Groups and Community Events, and are included for the benefit of the wider musical community. They may be organized by Music that Makes Community presenters and/or participants, or musicians and organizations akin to MMC. All of these events are run independently from MMC so please reach out to the local contact with questions.
- Local Practice Groups are organized by Music that Makes Community participants and/or presenters to practice song leading without paper. You don’t have to lead a song if you go; in fact many practice groups welcome singers to join them! If you’re looking to organize other locals to form a practice group, please read this blog article and be in touch!
- Community Events are public events offered by musicians or organizations connected to MMC for the benefit of the wider musical community.
If you have a singing, worship service or other event you think might be relevant to other practitioners of leading song without paper, send a short description including dates and location, a banner graphic, and contact information (name, email and/or phone number) to [email protected].
Upcoming Events
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Friday, July 10, 2026 at 07:00 PM
Trinity Presbyterian Church, University City in St. Louis, MO
Hey St. Louis, MO! Join Music that Makes Community enthusiast, Paul Vasile, for an evening of singing and community learning in-person at Trinity Presbyterian Church on Friday, July 10 from 7-8:30 pm CDT.Paul and others will share music from varied traditions and cultures, with a special focus on songs of justice, freedom, hope, and peace. This event is free and open to all. You do not need to have any singing experience to participate – whether you can sight read sheet music or can’t carry a tune in a bucket, you are welcome!
The gathering will be in the Dining Room, a fully accessible space in the basement of the church. You’re invited to stay for ice cream and frozen treats to end the evening.Learn more and register here, or contact organizer Paul for more information!
Paul will also host a Community Singing Workshop in St. Louis on July 11. Learn more here.
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Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 09:30 AM
Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis in St. Louis, MO
Hey St. Louis, MO! Join Music that Makes Community enthusiast, Paul Vasile, for a community singing workshop in-person at Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis (MCCGSL) on Saturday, July 11 from 9:30 am - 3 pm CDT.Learn songs that help you to tend your body and soul in these challenging days. Experience community learning that engages our collective courage and power. Be welcomed as you are - no musical training or expertise required - and experience the joy of making music with friends and strangers. As we sing, we’ll:
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notice how community is formed through hopeful, embodied song and leadership that supports the participation of all
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play and pray together, sharing songs and rituals that invite us to joyful resistance as well as heartfelt lament
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reflect on singing as a resource for justice and resistance work, as well as metabolizing personal and collective trauma
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enjoy the companionship of others who love to sing
We’ll gather in the Sanctuary of MCCGSL, a fully accessible space that houses an LGBTQIA+-affirming congregation seeking to be a spiritual hub for the queer community in the Carondelet neighborhood.
The workshop includes a light lunch, with options for those with food allergies and dietary restrictions. There are resources to ensure everyone can participate, so if cost is a concern, don’t hesitate to reach out to learn more.
Learn more and register here, or contact organizer Paul for more information!
Paul will also host a Community SING in St. Louis on July 10. Learn more here.
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Monday, July 13, 2026 at 07:00 PM
St. John's Lutheran Church / Northfield, MN in Northfield, MN
All are welcome to Songs For Our Spiritual Toolkits: a Community SING with Music that Makes Community and co-hosts, Singing Resistance Northfield, on Monday evening, July 13, from 7-8:30 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Northfield, Minnesota.
When we sing together, we experience connection with one other and with something larger than our individual selves — whether it’s community or the sacred. Whether in good times or bad, singing together helps us remember we are not alone. Join us as we make music by heart and in community using paperless songs from many musical and spiritual traditions. Bring a song to share and friends who love to sing.
Join songleaders from Music that Makes Community, Singing Resistance Northfield, and others for an evening of community singing that will fill your spiritual toolkit with songs for many occasions.
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.
Masks are optional and welcome. Children of all ages are welcome; though no childcare is provided. Bathrooms are accessible. The event will be in St. John’s Hall, which is on the same level as the parking lot. There is ample parking available in the lot adjacent to the church.
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Thursday, July 16, 2026 at 12:30 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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Friday, July 24, 2026 at 06:00 PM
Brunswick Unitarian Universalist Church in Brunswick, ME
Brunswick Unitarian Universalist Church is hosting a summer Community Sing series. Come sing with us and nourish connection, well-being, and joy! All are welcome to practice sharing, teaching, learning, and singing "paperless" songs in the context of a supportive community of fellow singers and song-lovers! Whether you'd like to experience how we can share songs in the oral/aural tradition, build your confidence as a song-leader, or just enjoy the "good medicine" of singing with others in community, we'd love for you to join us.Join us in-person from 6-7:30 pm EDT the fourth Friday of each month this summer (May-August).Contact organizer Pat Cannon for more information!
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Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at 07:00 PM
Islington United Church in Etobicoke, ON, Canada
Islington United Church is hosting an evening of singing, learning, and discovering new music for worship.
Drawing from Then Let Us Sing, the new supplemental hymnal of The United Church of Canada, this practical and joyful workshop will explore music from Creation to Christmas.
Together we’ll sing, share ideas, and discover ways to introduce new congregational songs with confidence and creativity.
Whether you’re a church musician, worship leader, choir member, or simply someone who loves congregational singing, we’d love to have you join us. Livestream available for those unable to attend in-person.
This event is part of a series. There is another option to attend in-person on July 30; learn more here.
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Thursday, July 30, 2026 at 07:00 PM
St. Andrew's United Church, Toronto in Toronto, ON, Canada
St. Andrew's United Church, Toronto is hosting an evening of singing, learning, and discovering new music for worship.
Drawing from Then Let Us Sing, the new supplemental hymnal of The United Church of Canada, this practical and joyful workshop will explore music from Creation to Christmas.
Together we’ll sing, share ideas, and discover ways to introduce new congregational songs with confidence and creativity.
Whether you’re a church musician, worship leader, choir member, or simply someone who loves congregational singing, we’d love to have you join us. Livestream available for those unable to attend in-person. Learn more here.
This event is part of a series. There is another option to attend in-person on July 28; learn more here.
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Tuesday, August 04, 2026 at 06:30 PM
Norbertine Center for Spirituality in Albuquerque, NM
Come practice sharing, teaching, learning, and singing "paperless" songs in the context of a supportive community of fellow singers and song-lovers! Whether you'd like to experience how we can share songs in the oral/aural tradition, build your confidence as a song-leader, or just enjoy the "good medicine" of singing with others in community, we'd love for you to join us. All ages and abilities welcome!It is our practice to ROTATE LOCATIONS AND ROTATE HOSTS for our monthly MMC Song Circles. Our "default" meeting time is the first Tuesday of the month from 6:30-8pm, but that day and time is not "set in stone."Contact organizer Sylvia Miller-Mutia for more information!
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Friday, August 28, 2026 at 06:00 PM
Brunswick Unitarian Universalist Church in Brunswick, ME
Brunswick Unitarian Universalist Church is hosting a summer Community Sing series. Come sing with us and nourish connection, well-being, and joy! All are welcome to practice sharing, teaching, learning, and singing "paperless" songs in the context of a supportive community of fellow singers and song-lovers! Whether you'd like to experience how we can share songs in the oral/aural tradition, build your confidence as a song-leader, or just enjoy the "good medicine" of singing with others in community, we'd love for you to join us.Join us in-person from 6-7:30 pm EDT the fourth Friday of each month this summer (May-August).Contact organizer Pat Cannon for more information!
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Tuesday, September 01, 2026 at 06:30 PM
ABQ Mennonite in Albuquerque, NM
Come practice sharing, teaching, learning, and singing "paperless" songs in the context of a supportive community of fellow singers and song-lovers! Whether you'd like to experience how we can share songs in the oral/aural tradition, build your confidence as a song-leader, or just enjoy the "good medicine" of singing with others in community, we'd love for you to join us. All ages and abilities welcome!It is our practice to ROTATE LOCATIONS AND ROTATE HOSTS for our monthly MMC Song Circles. Our "default" meeting time is the first Tuesday of the month from 6:30-8pm, but that day and time is not "set in stone."Contact organizer Sylvia Miller-Mutia for more information!