From Hospice to Harmony

The Threshold Choir sings in Orange County 30 times or more a month and has been active since 2006. Despite their frequent appearances, this remarkable group of singers remains largely unsung. Then again, given that their venues are often no larger than a bedroom, their reach is inherently limited.

But the impact is profound. The choir brings comfort to those on hospice care , visiting the dying mostly in private homes but also hospitals, board and care facilities and assisted living residences. Their gentle a cappella harmonies, delivered at the soothing volume of lullabies, offer solace and peace to the dying and to their families and caregivers.

“We see it as a calling and a privilege to bring peace to individuals and their families,” said Kerry Wright, director of the Orange County chapter of the Threshold Choir. Established in 2006, this chapter, which currently has 16 active members, is part of a national nonprofit that began in Marin County in 2000 and now has around 200 chapters worldwide.

On Sunday, Oct. 13, members of the local chapter will make a rare public appearance as part of an all-day tribute to Elvis Presley titled Elvis in Harmony: A Gospel & Classics Celebration at Fairhaven Memorial Park in Santa Ana. While the first part of the day is devoted to his classic hits and will be performed outdoors by several Elvis tribute artists, The Threshold Choir will sing during the 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Gospel Show in the stunning, all-marble Rose Window Chapel of Fairhaven’s historic mausoleum, which was famously used to record Charlton Heston’s “Voice of God” performance in the movie The Ten Commandments.

Along with other choruses and Elvis tribute artist Martin Anthony the Threshold Choir will be the kick starter to a tribute to Elvis’s spiritual roots and his lifelong connection to his twin brother, Jesse, who died at birth. Anthony, also the music director for the Gospel Show said, “ we thought it was fitting to include the Threshold Choir as part of our tribute to Elvis since his birth also began with a death, and that we want to emphasize the profound impact music has in healing. And I don’t mean a physical mending, but something very spiritual that is different for all of us. “

Although the choir is excited to participate in the gospel show, two of the three songs it will sing are classics of the gospel music canon-- “Amazing Grace”, which is part of Presley’s gospel repertoire and “I’ll Fly Away”-- Wright emphasizes that the choir’s mission extends beyond any specific genre or religious affiliation.

They will also sing Hallelujah by Karisha Longaker and Sarah Nutting.

“We are not a gospel group and not affiliated with any religion,” says Wright, an Orange resident who joined the choir in 2010. “Our calling is for everyone. Gospel music is about Jesus, generally, and the word ‘gospel’ means ‘good news,’ which is proclamation. But that isn’t our job. Our job is to bring comfort and compassion to the dying, regardless of what religion or spiritual tradition they follow, or if they don’t follow any at all.”

The emphasis on the choir’s non-affiliation with any faith or spiritual doctrine isn’t meant to minimize personal belief systems, Wright said; rather, it underscores the deep, human connection to music. Just as music is often called the universal language, the peace and comfort provided by voices coming together in soothing harmony resonates with something profoundly human and instinctual.

“The research I’ve read on end-of-life neurological functions shows that hearing is the first sense to develop and the last to fade,” Wright said. “I believe that, on some level, even our most non-responsive clients sense our singing.”

The choir, which is all-volunteer and charges no fee for its bedside singing, has a repertoire of several hundred songs. Most of these songs, Wright said, “were written specifically for Threshold Choir members to sing at bedside,” in groups ranging from three to six members.

However, if a client has a request, the choir will “absolutely” try to fulfill it, Wright said. Requests can range from spirituals like “Amazing Grace” to favorite hymns or even beloved songs by specific artists.

“For instance, when I learned that a client was a huge fan of the Kingston Trio, you can bet we had ‘Sloop John B’ ready for them when we arrived,” Wright said.

To join the choir, neither a musical background nor exceptionally strong voice are required.

“You do need to be able to sing in a lullaby voice and carry a tune,” said Wright. “We also require each singer to be able to sing at least two parts of any song so that, regardless of which members are called to bedside, we have someone who can cover every part of each song.”

Wright is one member of the choir’s local chapter with a musical background; she studied musical theater before embarking on a diverse career that included raising a family, office administration, church finance, and sales training. But music has always been a constant in her life, so when she saw a notice for the Threshold Choir on Meetup, she thought, “That’s what I want to do.”

But it wasn’t just the singing that appealed to her; she had already experienced the profound gift that music can offer.

“When my mother was dying, I sat with her and talked and sang. Although she was non-responsive, when I sang the 23rd Psalm, she gave me a thumb’s up, so I knew she could hear me.”

EVENT INFORMATION

Elvis in Harmony is an all-day tribute to the King of Rock and Roll, on Sunday, October 13 and includes several Elvis tribute artists and bands on an outdoor stage from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. along with food trucks, Elvis memorabilia and other specialty vendors. It will be followed by the Gospel Show from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Rose Window Chapel of Fairhaven’s Historic Mausoleum and in addition to the Threshold Choir will include The Friendship Choir with Grammy nominated singer Sonya Griffin, as well as R& B and soul singers Tomi Wright and Charlotte Pope performing with Anthony.

Admission and parking to Fairhaven Memorial Park is free to the event located at 1702 Fairhaven Avenue, Santa Ana. Seating for the outdoor shows is free, with a limited section of covered seating for $10. The Gospel Show, which has limited capacity, requires a $25 admission. Seats may be purchased through Eventbrite under Elvis in Harmony. Additional info by sending email to elvisgospelfest@yahoo.com or calling 714-267-4657.

The event is presented by Dignity Memorial™ in support of Patriots and Paws, a Southern California nonprofit that provides essential home furnishings and companion pets to veterans, active-duty military, and their families at no cost.

About Dignity Memorial

Dignity Memorial™ is North America’s largest provider of funeral, cremation, and cemetery services. Participating Dignity Memorial locations include Fairhaven Memorial Park & Mortuary in Santa Ana; Fairhaven Memorial Services in Mission Viejo; McAulay and Wallace in Fullerton; and Dimond Shannon Mortuary in Garden Grove. The network also owns Memphis Funeral Home, which handled Elvis Presley’s funeral arrangements.

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