Photo by Tom Richardson
Escucha ~ Listen: Southwest Threshold Choir Gathering 2019
Our family of Tucson Threshold Choir members hosted the 2019 Southwest Regional Gathering, just as the Sonoran Desert trees were blooming full tilt in the Old Pueblo. We were joined by 73 sister and brother choir members from 13 Threshold Choirs throughout the Southwest from Friday April 12th through Sunday April 14th. Our time together was facilitated and energetically led by thrilling song writer, leader and activist Melanie DeMore.
We met at the ever gracious community of St Francis in the Foothills United Methodist Church at the corner of River and Swan Roads in the Tucson foothills. We also held a community sing for over 200 participants on Saturday April 13th, led by Melanie DeMore, at Southside Presbyterian Church.
The goals we set and achieved for the gathering included:
- Building community among Southwest choirs;
- Improving vocal skills and bedside singing acumen;
- Imparting Threshold Choir culture;
- Providing instructions on accompanying the dying process; and
- Achieving personal renewal of mind, body and spirit.
We were especially grateful for the assistance of the Phoenix West and Flagstaff Threshold Choirs for their assistance throughout the planning and preparation stages. And we were pleased to hold an introductory session for prospective bedside singers two weeks after the gathering, as well as a few community presentations.
Singing at Life's Thresholds 