GILL — The New Year’s Day sing-along that has become a tradition has moved to a virtual format this year.
The sing-along has been held at Town Hall each New Year’s Day since 2018, and was originally part of Gill’s year-long 225th anniversary celebration. However, it was popular enough that it was held again on New Year’s Day in 2019, then again in 2020.
Organizers Steve Damon and his wife, Joyana, who are both music teachers, lead the group of participants through standard folk songs, accompanied by a guitarist. The event usually draws about 50 or 60 people, many of whom aren’t trained singers, Steve Damon said. But the songs are familiar enough that most people can sing along, or can follow from a book.
This year, Damon said he had thought it wouldn’t be possible to hold the sing-along, because a large social gathering wouldn’t be safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
But, as music teachers, he and Joyana have been leading virtual sing-alongs for their students every week, he said. Additionally, last week, he held a virtual Christmas carol sing-along for the United Church of Bernardston, and found that it worked well.
“We thought, ‘This is the platform we should use for the Gill sing-along, too,’” he said.
The Damons will be broadcasting themselves live on Gill’s 225th Anniversary Facebook page, and anyone watching can submit comments or song requests, which everyone will be able to see. The event starts on New Year’s Day at 2 p.m.
Reach Max Marcus at
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