GILL — There’s a saying that Steve Damon, a music teacher who lives in Gill, likes to recite: the only wrong way to sing is reluctantly.
Keep that in mind when considering whether to go to the New Year’s Sing-Along, a new tradition now in its third year that will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Town Hall.
The first sing-along was on New Year’s Day in 2018 to celebrate the beginning of Gill’s 225th year, said Damon, who is one of the organizers of the sing-along. It went so well that year that the organizers decided to do it again.
“This is the beginning of a longstanding tradition, we think,” he said.
Damon coordinates the sing-along with his wife, Joyana, who is also a music teacher, and Emily Samuels, a retired music teacher who plays guitar.
The event typically draws about 40 people, Damon said. The group breaks into smaller circles, and organizers pass out books of recognizable Americana songs like sea shanties and patriotic songs. “Puff the Magic Dragon” is a popular choice, Damon said.
Someone calls out a song choice, and everyone turns to the page to sing along. When the song ends, someone calls out the next choice.
You don’t need formal music training to participate, Damon said. The songs are recognizable enough that people will either already know them or quickly realize that they do.
“It’s, ‘I haven’t sung this since fourth grade.’ That kind of thing,” Damon said.
And you don’t need to know how to sing.
“I had five different people say, ‘I can’t sing, so I won’t come,’” he said. “I get so sick of hearing that. Just come sing.”
Reach Max Marcus at mmarcus@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 261.