The October announcement asked only that singers have a heart for music.
Age, race, sexual orientation, residency and religious affiliation did not matter to the organizers of Hampton’s inaugural Unity Choir, a collaboration among Hampton Arts Education and departments for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) and Parks & Recreation.
“I wondered if anyone would show up,” said Gabe Diaz, executive director of the DEI office, which receives no federal funding.
The 40-some voices that turned out belonged to a teenager, three men and African American and white women of all ages. Under the direction of multitalented performer Luther Chambers, stage name Luc Chay, they not only learned to sing gospel.
They’ve shared lunch dates, rides and fellowship.
On Sunday, they’ll share a stage for a free concert at the 380-seat American Theatre in Hampton. No seats remain for the event.
“Walking in the first time and seeing all different people from different places and all of us being able to come together to create harmony is amazing,” said Faith Gilliam, who refers to music as the therapy that helped her through the loss of four brothers.
Jeannie Mosely credits music with easing her transition into wellness after nearly a decade of illness. “I needed to find someplace to sing,” she said. “The thought of singing with a choir again was so appetizing.”
Choir members do not wear matching robes or sign an agreement binding them to come.
“There was no test, no exam, no audition,” Diaz said. “I’ve always enjoyed music and singing and bringing people together. I’m not a great singer but I am a great convener.”
Twice weekly, “come if you can” rehearsals began before the current presidential administration eradicated DEI initiatives. Many choir members are disappointed about the lack of understanding surrounding DEI.
“It has been redefined as something it is not,” he said. “If you’re opposed to it, I want you to say, ‘I’m opposed to diversity. I’m opposed to equity. I’m opposed to inclusion.’”
Diaz and many of the Hampton choir members take pride in the city’s roots in diverse and cultural programming, which includes the Mosaic Festival celebrating world cultures; Heritage Day that commemorates the melding of African, European and Indian traditions in the community; and the Blackbeard Festival, with events remembering the notorious pirates from the seaport city.
“We’ve been working toward unification long before it was trendy,” Diaz said. “We’ve been doing this work since the 1990s. We’ve got programs rooted in the community.”
The choir is another that surpassed Diaz’s expectations. More invitations to perform are pending, including the city’s Unity Awards, an annual event recognizing those who contributed to unity in the city.
Singer Chrysany Collier said the recent headlines that slam DEI as "nonsense" are “all the more reason we need this choir.”
Soprano Kim Johnson loves the idea of the city bringing people together and said the national efforts to undermine DEI “enlightened my determination to be part of this choir.”
Unity Choir will perform favorites including the gospel “Everybody Clap Your Hands” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a hymn written as a poem in 1900. It is often referred to as the “Black National Anthem.” Storytelling will also be part of the afternoon.
At the end of each rehearsal, Diaz asks for one word from participants to define their last two hours. He’s heard “healed,” “refreshed” and “inspired” often.
“If the nation could get a glimpse into this building,” he said, “they could really learn something.”
