February 2008 marked our EIGHTH year of sharing smiles, forming friendships and blending our voices to raise good vibrations to the Earth. Grateful thanks to every one who has ever attended. We are averaging 30+ singers each month!

FRIENDS IN HARMONY is not a performing group but rather a monthly, musical "Open House" for folks who want to sing from their hearts without needing a strong musical background or having to commit to attendance.

For those who are interested in taking harmony further into the community, we do on occasion organize Friends in Harmony Singing Out! appearances. This subgroup exists on a sign-up basis for all who wish to perform publicly and can commit to the date of an event and spending a bit more time "polishing our act".

People and Places: Friends in Harmony with Phyllis Pulver

When I got the letter over seven years ago now, I chuckled to myself and tossed it away with the other mail I didn’t want. The letter was an invitation to sing. Obviously, my dear friend had made a mistake. I didn’t sing. I had never had any music education or training, and I could not carry a tune.

But I continued to think about this invitation, and a few months later I called Phyllis and said, “I think this will be good for my soul.” She agreed, and that was the beginning for me.

Phyllis Pulver had attended a workshop on “Building a Vocal Community” led by singer Ysaye Barnwell of the a cappella group Sweet Honey in the Rock. The workshop challenged participants to go home and build their own vocal communities. Phyllis’ first step was to send those letters.

On the first Thursday of every month, Phyllis opens her home to “Friends in Harmony” and leads a group of people of varied backgrounds, interests, and ages for an evening of singing just for the fun of it. It is obvious that she puts loving effort into the planning and preparation for each gathering, selecting songs to teach us in the oral tradition. Many of them have an inspirational component that lifts the soul as we lift our voices. There is no sheet music, nothing written for us to follow. So, like me, you don’t need to be “a singer.” Each voice is supported by the group.

Phyllis is a tremendously gifted musician. The 30 to 40 people who attend each month divide themselves informally into their most comfortable vocal range, and Phyllis teaches each part – bass, tenor, alto and soprano. Putting them all together produces a beautiful soul supporting sound so exciting to us that we often applaud ourselves once the song is finished.

Friends in Harmony is more than an evening of song. It is an evening of coming together with old friends and an opportunity to make new ones. For me, it is another CALM Connection.

You are invited to join Friends in Harmony or to drop in just for a visit on any first Thursday at Phyllis’ Rexford, NY home.

This article was taken from Elaine Hurley's CALM Newsletter.