The Threshold Singers of Washington, DC is one of over 100 chapters of the national Threshold Choir organization (www.ThresholdChoir.org). Our chapter is evolving with currently 13 committed singers. We are active in Washington, DC and Northern Virginia. We bring comfort through song to those at the thresholds of living and dying. When invited we sing in groups of 2 - 4 at the bedside of people wh
o are at the last stages of a terminal illness. We are not performers. This is not entertainment. Our goal is to bring ease and comfort. A calm and focused presence at the bedside, with gentle voices, simple songs, and sincere kindness, can be soothing and reassuring to clients, family and caregivers alike. We generally do not sing for groups of patients. There are no membership fees to join the local chapter of the choir and we offer our services free of charge. Everyone is a volunteer. We sing at hospice facilities or at individual homes on request. Our choir welcomes new singers to join us. We rehearse on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month in Washington, DC. For those who are interested in singing with us, we don’t have auditions, as our singing is more about intention and heart, but we do ask 5 things:
1. You have a pleasant voice and can carry a tune.
2. You can hold your part in multiple-part singing.
3. You can blend your voice with others.
4. You can communicate kindness with your singing and spoken voice.
5. You are willing to receive feedback about your voice and learn our bedside protocols. We ask that new members before going to the bedside, sing with the group for a while to learn our core songs as well as learn the tender needs of families going through end of life with a loved one.
