Director: Peggo Horstmann Hodes
Based on the belief that everyone can sing, members of this large women’s chorus learn songs by rote, in the African-American tradition; music-reading skills are not a prerequisite. Songweavers rehearse in two groups (Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning) and present an annual spring concert. The repertoire includes music from many ethnic traditions. The singing is predominantly a cappella, although drums and other instruments are often used as accompaniment.
Meets Tuesdays, 7:00-8:30 p.m. OR Wednesdays, 9:30-11:00 a.m.
Songweavers is New Hampshire’s original women’s community chorus, open without audition to women and teens. Based on the belief that everyone can sing, Songweavers is a coming-together of spirit and heart through music. Begun 30+ years ago by Carolyn Parrott for women who were afraid to sing, it has grown into a joyous chorus of kindred souls.
Everyone can sing; it’s a human birthright. When we sing, it makes us happy. It’s a whole body experience. The vibrations the Songweavers make together as a group are transformative, for individual and group alike.
Songweavers is an aural tradition chorus. All of the music is learned by ear, in the traditional style of call and response. Director Peggo Horstmann Hodes sings each part, and chorus members sing it back. Before long, the chorus is singing in four-part harmony accompanied occasionally by piano and always with the drive of African style drums.
Songweavers is a force of nature, driven by the passion and power of each singer joined in harmony with toe-tapping percussion.