Date and time

Saturday, January 25 · 5 - 8pm EST

Location

Gymnopedie

1139 Bushwick Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11221 United States

About this event

• Event lasts 3 hours

WHAT IS A ONE-DAY CHOIR?

Gaia Music Collective's One-Day Choir series is an opportunity to sing in a choir for one day only. A celebration of song and the connective power of singing in harmony. An opportunity to build community, make some new friends, and raise our powerfully diverse voices as one.

No auditions. No commitment. No judgment or need for perfection.

Just the joy of creating something bigger than ourselves with a room full of beautiful humans!

For each choir, we pick a piece of music to rehearse and sing our hearts out to. In our time together, we'll:

-Play some fun singing games, warmups, and connection games
-Work through the piece section by section
-Break down the lyrics and emotions at play in the song
-Shape some key musical moments
-and Record some casual rehearsal videos of the piece to have for ourselves and share with the greater Gaia community

Whether you're a vocal ensemble veteran or have never sung in a group before, you are welcome here - all experience levels are valued in Gaia Music Collective!

OUR SONG THIS TIME AROUND

For this One Day Choir, we’re turning up the volume and diving into Madonna’s iconic 'Like A Prayer'—a song that’s equal parts pop brilliance and soulful power! With its infectious energy, unforgettable melodies, and a beat that demands you move, it’s the ultimate anthem to sing your heart out to. Ready to feel the music take you there? Watch the iconic original music video here!

LEARNING THE MUSIC

Sheet music and vocal recordings of each part will be available as learning resources at least a week before the event, to accommodate multiple ways of learning. These resources will either be included in your order confirmation or sent out in an email!

The intention is for us to come into the gathering having already familiarized ourselves with the parts, so that we can spend our time together really diving into the joys of connection and expression in the music rather than simply teaching parts one by one. That being said, we’re just doing this for ourselves, so there’s no need to stress over it (and definitely no need to memorize it or get it “perfect”, ever)! It’s also often easier to sing in person, when the rest of our part-buddies are singing the part with us. The community is here to support! Our primary intention here is simply to have fun and make some great music.

(If this style of learning isn't your cup of tea, we have other group singing events where you don't need to prepare at all! Check out our CircleSinging gatherings and House Shows.)

LED and FACILITATED BY:

This session will be facilitated by our amazing Founder and Lead Facilitator, Matt Goldstein.

Matt Goldstein (he/him) is an award-winning arranger, facilitator, improviser, songwriter, and educator who is known for his emotive vocal arrangements, soulful singing, heart-forward facilitation, and visionary leadership. After making waves in the a cappella scene as music director of The Vassar Devils and Hyannis Sound, he went on to found Gaia Music Collective, a collaborative music community that is achieving international recognition for its work in creating kind, connective, accessible spaces for musical play and expression. He currently serves as Gaia’s Co-Director and Lead Facilitator, while also performing as an improviser and singer-songwriter, directing at A Cappella Academy, leading Rock Voices (a community pop-rock choir), and teaching vocal improv intensives through Flow Labs.

RESPECT THE SPACE:

This is a beloved venue and we want to honor them! Please be considerate of the space.

PHYSICAL ACCESSIBILITY:

- 2 story walk down to the basement with handrails.
- Narrow doors & walkways.
- Limited seating available (metal folding chairs)
- Uneven walkways outside.
- Bathroom is not wheelchair accessible (narrow stall, low toilet).