Singing with neighbors at Northside Tavern

A group of about 20 individuals, all who love to sing, join together once a month at Northside Tavern to bond with one another, learn a song, rehearse it and perform it—all in a matter of three hours.
 
Sing! Cincinnati is just one of Starfire Council of Greater Cincinnati’s initiatives aimed at building a sense of community around shared interests.
 
“Inevitably, someone will always come to the back and talk about how back in college, they used to be involved in xyz choir or some choral group—something they had done previously—but then because of getting in a career, they put it by the wayside, but continue to miss it since they stopped doing it,” says Michael Heckmann, who serves as project manager for some of Starfire’s community-based initiatives, like Sing! Cincinnati.
 
“There’s not a lot of time pressure: You show up, you practice, you sing—it’s all in one night.”
 
The project just started a few months ago, but so far, the small group has performed “For the Longest Time,” “Pure Imagination” and “Happy.”
 
“I've thoroughly enjoyed helping take familiar songs and bring them to life with the amazing people that come to the events,” says Ali Marvin, one of Sing! Cincinnati’s directors. “I can't express how overwhelmed I am by the response from those who have come and can’t wait to see more of Cincinnati start singing together.”
 
Any individual who enjoys meeting neighbors and singing is encouraged to join in, as it helps Starfire to fulfill its mission of bringing people together.
 
“We want to make sure that everyone in the community is seen for their gifts and talents and the contributions they can make to society,” Heckmann says. “Those contributions lead to the building of relationships and growing of respect for all people.”

Do Good:

• Like Sing! Cincinnati on Facebook.

• Attend the next Sing! Cincinnati gathering at Northside Tavern April 23 from 6-9 p.m.

• Bring a friend. 

By Brittany York

Brittany York is a professor of English composition at the University of Cincinnati and a project manager for Charitable Words. She also edits the For Good section of SoapboxMedia.