The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Valley Soul Choir forming; holiday show expected
Valley Soul Choir forming, expected to perform at Griffin Hospital’s holiday concert
DERBY — Whether you love to sing in front of a crowd or just in the shower, Griffin Hospital and a professional recording artist are seeking voices to make beautiful music together in the Valley’s first Soul Choir.
Griffin CEO/ President Patrick Charmel recently saw a performance of Shoreline Soul, a gospel choir headed up by Angela Clemmons, and volunteers of all singing abilities. Charmel was inspired by what he heard and wants to capture that magic here.
Clemmons, of Madison, has been professionally singing for more than 35 years. As a background singer, she has worked with everyone from Aretha Franklin and Michael Jackson to Celine Dion and Justin Timberlake. Her voice can also be heard on TV and radio jingles for Burger King and Slim Fast. Clemmons also spent 2013 touring with the classic oldies band, the Rascals, as part of their “Once Upon a Dream Show” on Broadway.
Charmel was impressed by Clemmons’ ability to unite folks from all faiths and walks of life in song.
“I was moved by the Shoreline Soul performance, and I’m equally excited to work with Angela Clemmons to host the choir workshops with our neighbors and members of the churches and faith groups, human service organizations and businesses throughout lower Naugatuck Valley,” said Charmel.
Charmel asked Clemmons if she’d be interested in starting up the Valley’s first Soul Choir to perform in the hospital’s annual holiday concert Dec. 14. The free concert is held to thank the community for their support.
Clemmons, a mother of two, didn’t think twice about Charmel’s request.
“It was an easy decision,” said Clemmons. “I love the heart of Griffin Hospital. The idea that a hospital would do that was pretty cool to me. It moved me.”
Charmel is excited to see what evolves from this soulful partnership.
“This will be a wonderful way to build understanding and unity, help establish relationships and
cultural sensitivity, which are critical to our collective efforts to improve the health and well-being of our community,” Charmel said. “We see this choir as a way to build and enhance connections in the community to better serve those in need of care and support.”
Practices for the choir will begin in early November, leading up to the concert Dec. 14, which will take place at Assumption Church in Ansonia. Those interested in joining the choir can call Angela at 203-619-1415 or email shorelinesoul@comcast.net.
Raised on gospel music, Clemmons began singing at her dad’s Pentecostal church in Norwalk, and was directing three church choirs by age 12. She formed the first Shoreline Soul gospel workshop and concert in 2001 in Madison. Since then more than 100 volunteers have joined the choir, and have been “singing, clapping, swaying” and uplifting the community in song ever since.
After a recent tour of Griffin, Clemmons found the atmosphere “warm and welcoming” and “witnessing the spirit of the place” moved her to accept Charmel’s request.
“I knew I wanted to help create a wonderful, uplifting experience to this area and to do so with Griffin Hospital,” she said. “My experience is that one cannot listen to a great gospel song and feel the same way at the end of the song as they did at the beginning of it. It’s powerful, transforming and, in some ways, healing; and it’s universal. I think that fits perfectly with Griffin’s vision.”
Clemmons, who often gets stopped by people who’ve seen the concerts and thanked for lifting them out of a bad place, said those who join the choir experience so much more than fun.
“As they share these songs, they are also touching hearts in a deeply meaningful way,” she said.