How to Come Prepared for Pagan Choir
Please bring a water bottle and wear loose-fitting, comfy clothing for our sessions. Having a layer on hand is important- we need to be warm enough in order to let our bodies be open and easeful with singing. Please avoid eating big meals ahead of time- we will be breathing into our diaphragms and doing this on a full stomach can feel uncomfortable! Also, please bring a sense of play! We can sometimes feel that spiritual spaces need to be somber- but this is a place where we can bring fun and humor alongside grace and reverence.
The 3 Event Types of our Choir: Singing Sessions, Ritual & Finale
There are three different event types that take place in each choir season: singing sessions, rituals and Finales. Our singing sessions are our regular, weekly gatherings on Tuesdays in which we learn songs together (and sometimes enjoy simple ceremony to open or close the space). Each season we also enjoy a song-centered ritual in honor of a pagan holiday. We tend to the look to the Wheel of the Year (a modern, but still useful invention) for inspiration. Depending on timing, the ritual either takes place during the season or at the end of the season. Our rituals last a few hours, and are always private- just for choir members! And last, we have a season Finale: This is a public event that happens at the end of the season. At our Finales, we share songs from our singing sessions with our community (it’s a big ol’ community sing!), perform a few songs, and usually have some simple ritual.
Movement, Accessibility & Illness
Our space is wheelchair accessible.
We will be physically active during our sessions, doing a mix of standing, walking, dancing and sitting- but you are invited to take care of your body in the ways that you need. If you need to limit your movement, chairs will always be available.
We typically incorporate circle dances or simple, coordinated movement into some of our songs. You are not required to dance if this is out of your comfort zone- for any song with a dance component we will also provide a participatory, non-dancing option.
If you have had a covid exposure, have any respiratory illness symptoms (even if it’s just a cold), or are just feeling under the weather: please stay home and come back the next week. Let’s keep our community healthy! Many attendees, including Saro, the facilitator, are immune-compromised. This space is mask optional, but please wear a mask if you prefer!
Attendance
You are welcome to come as you are able, and it’s expected that choir members won’t be able to make every session (life happens!). However, as we get closer to the date of the Finale, we will spend more time focusing on performance during our sessions, and a few additional rehearsals will be scheduled as well.
Drop-In Policy
Folks curious about joining WNC Pagan Choir are allowed as drop-ins for the first two sessions, but after these sessions only committed choir members may attend. Email Saro at sarosingssongs@gmail.com if you are interested in attending as a drop-in.
Practice Tracks
Choir members receive practice tracks for the songs we learn. Practice tracks are password-protected on our website, and typically become available to choir members a week or two into the beginning of the season.
Scents & Perfume
Many of us enjoy using scents, smoke and smudging as part of our spiritual practice or ritual work. However, in WNC Pagan Choir, we do our best to keep these space scent and perfume-free, in order to make the space as accessible as possible to the most participants. Thank you for your understanding.
Child Policy
Children 10 years old or older who can focus and participate are welcome in the space as paid, full participants. We ask that you not bring non-participating youth or children, unless they are quiet babies-in-arms.
You must talk to Saro first to make sure the space will be appropriate for your child. Email Saro at sarosingssongs@gmail.com with any questions.
Please direct any additional questions to sarosingssongs@gmail.com
Western NC Pagan Choir 