Fall 2024 Song Circles

Wednesday Evenings at Chalmers United Church
7 to 8:30 pm

Two 6-Week Terms:
Early Fall ~ September 11th to October 16th, 2024
Late Fall ~ November 6th to December 11th, 2024

Our singing community is non-performing and non-auditioned. We sing together for the pure goodness of it. By gathering weekly, we care for ourselves, our wider community, and the Earth. All songs are taught by ear. All voices are welcome and no experience is required. Show up exactly as you are!

About our Fall Offerings

Join us at Chalmers United Church in downtown Kingston, Ontario on Wednesday evenings from September 11th to October 16th to experience the power and beauty of singing with others in community. Whether you’re a seasoned songbird or someone who only ever sings in the shower, our singing community is open to all. As Mary Oliver would say, “You do not have to be good.” Your messy human self is more than enough.

During each 1.5-hour gathering, we will sing between 5 and 8 songs, ranging from playful to enchanting. Many of the songs we sing are about nature, wellness, hope, love, and our very human struggles. They will be short, sweet, meaningful and fun. Our gifted space holders and song weavers, Steph and Paul, will teach the songs in repeat-after-me style, making them simple to pick up in just 10 to 20 minutes. Before you know it, we will be weaving our voices effortlessly together.

New to group singing? Participate in whatever ways feel like a YES to you. Sing, listen, be silent, be still, laugh, cry, sit, stand, dance... as long as we are taking care of ourselves, one another and the space, there is no wrong way to participate.

What To Expect:

• A welcoming environment that embraces you and your voice as they are.

• Permission and encouragement to explore your voice at your own pace.

• Opportunities to connect with like-hearted humans and experience a sense of community.

• Easy-to-learn, heart-softening songs, ranging from playful to powerful and sacred, that will leave you feeling oh-so-OK in all of your tenderness.

There may be tears. There will certainly be laughter. Come prepared for the full range of feelings!

Who Is This For?
All voices and levels are welcome. No musical experience is necessary. In fact, people who only sing in the shower or car are especially welcome. We are all capable of making beautiful sound, and we would love to help you experience this birthright.

While we deeply value the presence of children in our community, this event is geared toward adults. Young people who can remain engaged or entertain themselves quietly throughout the 1.5-hour event are welcome. Pre-crawling babies are welcome. If bringing a young, energetic human would support you to show up, please be in touch with us and we will navigate the way forward together.

Event Details

6-Week Late Fall Song Circle Series
at Chalmers United Church
(212 Barrie St., Kingston, ON)
Wednesday Evenings, 7 to 8:30 pm EDT
November 6th to December 11th
Sustaining Contribution: $100 for 6 weeks or $20 per circle
No one is turned away for lack of funds!

For More Information and to Register,
click HERE or call Steph: 437-344-5543.

There is Fierce OKness in all of us.
Let's find our way back to it together. ❤

FAQs

What kinds of songs do you sing?

While you will occasionally learn and sing a portion of a well-known song, it is likely that you won't recognize most of the songs we sing at first. Over the years, Steph & Paul have filled their pockets with 100+ mantra-like songs that are therapeutic by nature and easy to learn. We like to think of them as song companions - you can call upon them in your daily life to nourish your wellness and resilience. Many of these songs have been written by folks in the community singing network and carry rich origin stories. With time, you too may find that your pockets are full of these songs and that you are singing them wherever you go.

For a taste of the songs we sing, visit find us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyjJ0b1AeJfwI9EQc0OVd5LPPOdJ5OBNZ.

Can I drop in?

YES. As this is our first weekly offering in Kingston, we welcome full-series and drop-in registrations. Upon registering, you will have the option to reserve a spot for the full 6-week series or a particular week. Choose the option that works best for you.

All first-time participants are welcome to join one song circle for free before committing to further participation. Use the promo code FALL2024TRIAL to unlock your free trial. Please note: The full-series registration option includes one free session.

If you are torn between dropping in and committing to the full term, we highly recommend you dive in for the six-week experience. With every week, you will become more comfortable in the group and ultimately get more out of the experience.

How can I support this offering? (In other words, what does it cost?)

We are happy to offer tiered pricing for the weekly song circles so that you can give what is generous and sustainable for YOU, based on your very unique lived experience. The beauty of community is that where some can give less, others can give more, and it all works out.

Gift options for full-series participants:
Suggested Contribution: $100 for 6 weeks ($20 per session + 1 free session)
Supported Contribution: $75 or PWYC
Supporter Contribution: $125
Benefactor Contribution: $150

Gift options for drop-in participants:
Suggested Contribution: $20 per session
Supported Contribution: $15 or PWYC
Supporter Contribution: $25
Benefactor Contribution: $30

If you know you want to sing regularly and these gift options are a barrier to your participation, please reach out to Steph at steph@fiercelyok.ca to discuss alternate options, like payment plans, energy exchanges, and COME RECEIVE spots.

Money is tight. Can I still join?

We dream of living in a world made of gifts, where folks who are yearning for song and connection can step into our singing community and experience joy and belonging, no matter their ability to give. If you are interested in singing with us, but finances are a barrier, please be in touch. We might be able to gift this experience to you.

How do you support people of all abilities to participate?

While we acknowledge that we have work to do, we are endeavouring to create spaces in which folks of all abilities, identities and singing experiences are able to participate in ways that are satisfying to them. All songs will be taught in the repeat-after-me style and will be simple enough to learn in one sitting.

If you feel concerned about being able to pick up the lyrics, rest assured that we're careful to choose songs that aren't too wordy. We will teach the songs in bite-size chunks and check in with you often. If a chunk is too long, we will teach a shorter chunk. We will move at a human pace and leave no one behind. If visual aids are helpful for you, please bring along a little notebook to jot down the lyrics and let us know if you would like any assistance catching the words. We're here to support you!

The space we will be using at Chalmer's United Church (MacCallum Hall) is wheelchair accessible.

All bathrooms at Chalmer's are gender-neutral.

While we are working to anticipate your needs, we warmly invite you, if and when you feel safe enough, to let us know how we can best support you to show up. Together, as a community, we will grow.

What is your wellness/COVID policy?

We are currently asking that participants complete their own wellness self-assessment prior to attending Fiercely OK events. Please attend only if you are feeling well and have not recently been sick or been in contact with someone who was sick. If you are unsure of whether you should attend, please complete this self-assessment: https://www.ontario.ca/self-assessment/ and reach out to Steph. If any symptoms of COVID-19, flu or other contagious illness become apparent during the event or in the 5 days after the event, please notify Steph right away.

Decisions regarding if and how to practice physical distancing at Fiercely OK events are left to the discretion of individuals in attendance. Masks are optional and most likely *will not* be worn by most participants. We ask that all participants exercise caution and sensitivity with regard to masking, maintaining physical distance, and practising hand hygiene in the presence of other participants. In case the circumstances require masking, we recommend that you bring a well-fitting N95 mask with you to the event. Please note that these guidelines and protocols are subject to change at any time without notice.

What is your refund policy?

While we do not guarantee refunds, we are committed to our relationship with you! Please be in touch with any concerns; we will work together to find an agreeable solution.

If you cancel your attendance due to health reasons or circumstances outside your control, you will be offered a credit you can apply to a future song circle with Steph & Paul.

Still have questions? Email Steph 😊