Hello, Sweet Human.
We’re so glad you’re here.
It’s time for another round of choir!
We're calling this one Confluence Choir, because it's an amalgamation of different iterations of choir we've done thus far.
The past couple of years, we’ve alternated Fire Choir and Choir Pa Todos (now also Dude Choir) for our 4-8 week choirs, with the intention to cultivate choir space that allows us to connect with community and ourselves, heal (both our singing/expression wounds and our being-held-and-seen-in-community wounds), and make some satisfying music. One of our regular community members reminds us that good language when describing it to folks who don’t know what to expect is “one is more ‘sleepover’ feel (fire choir), and the other is a more ‘traditional choir’ feel (choir pa todos, dude choir).” Our intention is for both choirs to inform each other—that the community building we do in Fire Choir supports our synergy and ease, which supports the quality of the music we make in Pa Todos/Dude choir, and the skills we gain in Pa Todos allows us fall into the music with more ease in between feeding each other and laugh-crying in Fire Choir.
Confluence Choir will be a space where both vibes come together, where folks can come and have a more “traditional” choir experience but held within a welcoming, low-key container. We care about each other first, we care about the music second (we still really care about the music, but you get the idea…), and that supports the safety and connection we need to be able to make some beautiful and enjoyable sounds together.
Whether you’ve sung in choirs forever, or you don’t even consider yourself a “singer,” this is a space for folks who love to sing, want to connect and grow in community, and want to make beautiful music together in a low-pressure, silly, supportive environment.
Here are the bare basics:
Right now, there is room for 32 participants, but we might be able to expand a lil bit if there is demand!
This is a treble choir. Treble choirs are traditionally comprised of women or children, but in our case that distinction just points to the ranges we'll be singing in. Folks of any gender are welcome to join as long as you feel comfortable singing in a "typically female range" (F3-A6). For context/example:
-if you have been in a treble/all-femme/women's choir before, your voice fits within this range.
-If you are trans and take hormones, a higher singing male (ie tenor), or have a higher speaking voice, your voice will likely feel comfortable within this range.
-If you are a lower singing person/male, the range above might not be comfortable for you to sing in for 90 minutes at a time.
If you’re not sure if the choir will be a good match for your voice, Oli is available to have a brief zoom call with anyone interested in joining to see if the range is comfortable for you.
Besides being able to sing in the range indicated above, there are no prerequisites or auditions required for this choir. You do not need to be able to read music. You will need to commit to a "light listening practice," which just means listening to assigned parts in between choir sessions. You do not need to know the parts perfectly each week, but you do need to be familiar with them.
If you have not been in an 8 week choir with Oli before, no sweat! We will have a quick phone call to make sure you feel clear on what you're signing up for.
If this resonates with you, you’re invited to 8 weeks of Confluence Choir.
Important note—in the Confluence Choir space, we value decolonization and transformative justice as frameworks that we aim to practice at individual and collective levels. If you are unfamiliar with these frameworks, you are encouraged to learn about them before entering the space.
The Details
When: from 7-8:30 pm with doors opening at 6:30 pm on the following Wednesday nights: Oct 7, Oct 14, Oct 21, Oct 28, Nov 4, Nov 11, Nov 18, Dec 2, Dec 9 (optional, low-key performance)
Where: UTSA Southwest Campus (around the corner from the SA main branch library downtown), 300 Augusta St, San Antonio, TX 78205.
Confluence Choir FAQ
Who is welcome in the space?
While our Fire Choirs began as a space for women and femmes, we opened our space to folks of all gender expressions a few years ago. Confluence Choir is a space for anyone interested in being in community in the ways listed on this website who feel comfortable singing in the range described above, and who are willing to do a “light listening practice” in between each session. Please enter the space with the intention to be aware and respectful of your positionality and privilege regarding other’s identities such as gender, sexuality, ability, age, race, creed, and class.
Do you need to be able to read music?
Nope! While there will be some music scores provided, we learn primarily by ear in this choir.
What kind of music will we sing?
Oli tailors the music to each group. Upon signing up, you will receive an email that invites you to vote on song options. We will focus on 3-4 main songs, as well as learning warm ups that support our vocal technique and harmony skills. We’ll also do some vocal improvisation.
What would you need to bring?
Yoga mat (or anything else to be comfy if you want to sit on the floor…there are also chairs provided, but we tend to be floor people lol), pencil, sheet music, water bottle, and wear comfy clothes.
What do I need to do to prepare?
Not nearly as much as you might think. You do not need to be able to read music for this choir. You will just need to commit to a "light listening practice," which means listening to assigned parts in between choir sessions each week. You do not need to know the parts perfectly each week, but you do need to be familiar enough with them that they don't feel like a surprise when we sing them at our sessions. For some folks, they can listen to the parts on the way to the rehearsal, and others like to listen throughout the week. Oli recommends listening 3 times a week for 15 mins each time, but whatever works for you to help you feel prepared enough works for us!
Together in this space, we’ll:
Sing tons! Our focus this round will be on repertoire, so our warm ups, exercises, improvisations will all focus on us helping us feel good in the songs we’re singing.
Track our nervous systems so that we are staying in our sweet spot for learning and collaborating with others (when we push ourselves too far or fast outside our comfort zones, we loose partnership with our voices! Finding our edge is key to growth and enjoyment in this space.)
Learn to deeply listen to ourselves and each other (that is the best byproduct of learning harmony—it carries over and teaches us how to harmonize in every aspect of life!)
Take time outside of choir each week to practice and familiarize ourselves with the music we’re learning through our “light listening practice.”
Build community and be held by a group of like-hearted folks. One of our sessions will be a potluck. We will also coordinate optional social events for the group, as well as the option to take our music out in public to share with others!
Share our music with others via an optional, low-key “performance” (basically just a final rehearsal that we invite folks to).
Illness and COVID-19 Policy
We will be singing indoors and unmasked. As singing without masks indoors is a high risk activity when it comes to the transmission of COVID-19 and other airborne diseases, participants will be asked to keep tabs on their symptoms, test for COVID if they are symptomatic before attending a singing session, and stay home when needed.
Sliding Scale Pricing for Vocal Meditation
General Admission: $150-300. $275 is the price that covers Oli's time in and out of sessions and expenses for the course. If you can give on the higher end, thank you for doing so! It supports the admission of those who currently do not have as much access to funds. 16 slots available.
Add-on private sessions: $90-120. Available for those wanting to do a deep dive with additional 1:1 care and holding. This option is great for those who are new to this kind of exploration or have a sense that they will want additional personal or musical support beyond what is possible in a group setting. Sessions can be purchased anytime during the course of choir and must be scheduled and completed by 1 month after choir finishes.
If you feel drawn to be here and the posted cost feels prohibitive, please reach out. That draw is important—an invitation to start a conversation and make your needs known. Let’s find a way together to support you and bring you in.🤍
There is one space being held as FREE admission for Black and/or Indigenous fam new to our community.
We so look forward to singing with you!
Cancellation Policy
In the event of an emergency or lack of capacity that prohibits attendance, please contact Olivia as soon as you're able. If you need to back out of participating for whatever reason, including reasons due to COVID-19, your credit can be transferred to another workshop, program or one-on-one work within the next year. Any cancellations less than 10 days prior to the event are subject to forfeiting full investment.