They come from all walks of life; they represent numerous ethnicities; and they can sing.
Under the direction of founder Eveline MacDougal of Northfield, the Amandla Chorus will perform its Spring Concert at All Souls Church, 399 Main St. in Greenfield Saturday, March 19, at 7:30 p.m.
”We’ve got a really special show this time,” MacDougal says.
Shelburne singer and pianist Dan Tinen will accompany the chorus on piano and Greenfield poet Margaret O’Connor will read some of her poem, with the chorus singing along.
Founded in 1988, the 28-year-old Greenfield-based chorus has members who range in age from 14 to 85.
The name “Amandla” comes from the Zulu word for “power.”
MacDougal says the chorus celebrates the power of community and sings for justice, freedom and peace — members wear sashes made of cloth from many countries during performances to remind everyone that “we belong to a global family.”
The chorus will be presenting new works, in addition to old gems, this season, and will be working with many guest artists, including Tinen and O’Connor.
Amandla sings to celebrate life and to articulate social concerns, says MacDougal. “We work to provide inspiration in the struggles for justice and peace and choose songs and source material from around the world.”
MacDougal says Amandla fans have referred to concerts as “soul nourishment,” and through audience participation, she tries to create community and lead listeners and singers through an inspiring, emotional journey.
MacDougal says that will be even more apparent this time around, as O’Connor joins the chorus to read some of her poetry. The chorus will sing behind her.
Amandla will be performing many different songs, but MacDougal says she had to add one to Saturday’s repertoire.
MacDougal has stood and sung with Nelson Mandela, held Artchbishop Desmond Tutu’s hand and shared stages with the late Pete Seeger.
“I’ve watched, over and over, how humanity can rise above the stink of greed and hatred, using art forms and common sense,” she says.
So, MacDougal decided to include a song she wrote based on a poem written in 2001 by a Michigan boy who was 9 years old at the time.
It goes:
If you are lucky in this life
A window will appear on a bettlefield between two armies.
And when the soldiers look into the window
they don’t see their enemies
they see themselves as children.
And they stop fighting
And go home and go to sleep.
When they wake up, the land is well again.
MacDougal says as a mother and teacher, she is horrified at what her son and students are witnessing in the political arena, but as an artist is encouraged that expressions of creativity have always been key to overcoming such ugliness — and will again.
MacDougall says she started the chorus as a way to support the growing campaign to end apartheid in South Africa in the later 1980s. Since then, the chorus has added songs from many lands and in many languages as a way to share the joy of singing in community and to take a stand for human rights.
Amandla sings songs that are both joyful and convey the struggles many deal with in their lives – MacDougal says it is important to acknowledge both.
General admission is $10. Students and seniors are $8.
Amandla Chorus will peform its second Spring Concert at Edwards Church in Northampton on April 30 at 7:30 p.m. Guest performer will be Evelyn Harris.
For more information, email eveline@amandlachorus.org or visit: amandlachorus.org and search under “Events.”