Event Details
NATICK-BASED CHOIR MARKS 15 YEARS OF BRIDGING GENERATIONS & INSPIRING CHANGE THROUGH SONG
Founded on a Vision of Radical Welcome and Music With a Message, Sound & Spirit Holds Anniversary Concerts in Natick on May 8 and 9, 2026
113 Members Range in Age From 8 to 90; Families Perform Side-by-Side
In 2011, as movements like Occupy Wall Street pushed Americans everywhere to question who gets heard and who belongs, a small group of singers gathered around a dining room table in Natick, Massachusetts, asked their own version of that same question:
What if a community choir were truly built on community. No audition required—just choir folk from the community who love to sing.
And what if, instead of separating children, teens, and adults, their voices came together in one intergenerational ensemble?
From that question, Sound & Spirit was born. The vibrant, intergenerational choir bringing together singers from ages 8 to over 90 was founded on a vision that extended beyond music to something deeper: a space where no one is excluded, and a community rooted in joy, growth, and belonging.
At the heart of Sound & Spirit is a simple but powerful philosophy: radical welcome. Creative Director Kate Leavey and Associate Director Cathi Ianno invite members to show up fully as they are—finding not just a place to sing, but a place to belong and to grow. The result is what many describe as a “Cheers effect,” where every voice is known, valued, and missed when absent.
That sense of belonging is reinforced through the choir’s signature approach to “music with a message:”
- Each concert is built around a theme, weaving together diverse musical genres to explore ideas that resonate deeply with both performers and audiences.
- From its first performance, “Songs for a Revolution,” to its upcoming fifteenth anniversary concert, Sound & Spirit uses music not only to entertain, but to reflect, connect, and inspire.
- It views music as a force for good, as exemplified by the “Gifts for Good” initiative—spotlighting organizations making a difference and amplifying causes for positive change.
For many members, the impact goes far beyond the stage. Over the years, singers have found the confidence to face long-held fears, the courage to try something new, and the joy of connecting across generations in ways few other experiences allow. Families have performed side by side. Friendships have formed across decades of age difference. And individuals who once doubted their place in a performance setting have discovered their voice—both musically and personally.
To mark fifteen years bridging generations and inspiring change, it will hold concerts May 8 and 9th in Natick featuring a selection of favorite songs from past performances that offer a window into the choir’s evolution and a reaffirmation of the values that have sustained it.
Fifteen years after that first question was asked around a dining room table, Sound & Spirit continues to answer it in the same way—by bringing people together in song, and in doing so, creating ripples of connection that extend far beyond the music itself.
About Sound & Spirit
Sound & Spirit (soundandspirit.net) is a nonprofit, intergenerational choir, welcoming both aspiring and accomplished musicians of all ages. Serving the Metrowest community, the choir presents a wide variety of musical styles, creating joyful performances. Its artistic and educational goals include: create high quality performances that inspire the audience and performers; explore music from a variety of genres, opportunities for each member to grow artistically and also personally, build a cohesive ensemble; and enjoy the musical benefits of a multi-generational group.
Its artistic team is composed of director & soprano Kate Leavey (creative director), arts administrator Cathi Ianno (associate director), choreographers Claire Mackay & Lilia Weisfeldt, pianist Simonida Spasojevic and lead teacher for kids Gabi Dixon.
Sound & Spirit’s 15th Anniversary Concert: Shine On!
Friday, May 8, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Natick High School
www.soundandspirit.net