Album Notes

The Morning Star Singers is a group of over 70 volunteer singers who are dedicated to bringing song and comfort to people with terminal or chronic conditions. Threshold singing brings beauty, harmony, and generosity to people who are facing some of life’s most challenging moments. Singing can reach through physical, emotional, and spiritual distress for the person facing a crisis as well as their families, caregivers, and anyone else within earshot. Most hospices, nursing homes, and hospitals have professional music therapists and chaplains on staff to support families musically and spiritually. Threshold singers offer something beyond what paid staff can give. They represent a benign, loving community who is willing to offer their voices as a gift without any strings or agendas attached. Songs are chosen that respect each client’s unique situation, spiritual beliefs, and musical preferences.

Instigated by local singer/songwriter and song leader, Barbara McAfee, with support from Bay Area Threshold Choir leader, Kate Munger, this group recently has committed to twice a month rehearsals. Barbara has been leading song circles in the Twin Cities for over a decade. The majority of the threshold singers are drawn from that group of passionate singers and many of them share a repertoire of appropriate songs.

Threshold choirs benefit everyone involved. The recipients of the bedside singing receive the comfort of music in a difficult time. Their families also benefit from the presence of kind voices as do staff at nursing homes, hospitals, and hospices who hear the music as they do their work. Staff frequently express deep appreciation for how the singing refreshes and encourages them.

The singers also benefit from singing together, learning new songs, forging new friendships, and most importantly, knowing they have been of service to people in need. Many of the choir singers have experience in more formal performance-oriented singing and yearn for a forum where their music serves a deeper purpose.

There are many powerful lessons about life and death to be learned at the threshold, especially in a culture where death and dying is so deeply avoided. Choir members will carry these lessons into the larger Twin Cities community, offering a more humane and loving approach to the end of life