Ladder for the Soul Choir Connects Hearts Through Music
Posted: 01/23/12
Ladder For the Soul Choir performed at the Portland Zoo's December "Zoolights" display.
The Ladder for the Soul choir continues to evolve and hone its ability to perform in a wide variety of venues and circumstances. The choir recently performed at the Portland Zoo’s December “Zoolights” display. The intrepid performers found their way to the “Elephant Plaza” on a cold, drippy evening. The “stage” was set under a metal roof next to the Zoo Train tracks. This made for interesting acoustics as a rain storm pummeled the roof, a hardy wind blew past the open-sided venue, and every few minutes the train chugged past, blowing its horn!
The gift of rain brought people seeking shelter together, to listen to the exquisite writings of Baha’u’llah. The audience, most likely anticipating Christmas carols, listened attentively to each song.
Two weeks later, the choir once again performed musical outreach at a twelve-hour chant for peace sponsored by the Portland Zen Buddhist community. During this interfaith event, different faith communities led participants in one-hour chant sessions. The choir members led chants for “Ya-Baha’ul-Abha,” “God is Sufficient Unto Me” and an interfaith chant that incorporated “Allah-u-Abha” along with Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Buddhist phrases. Choir members remained afterward to talk with participants and support other faith-based chant groups.
The choir also continues to sing for more reverent occasions, including memorial services, musical firesides, Holy Day observances and devotional gatherings. Choir members are actively involved in the Sunday morning devotions at the Portland Baha’i Center and perform as a group on the second Sunday of each month. Several choir members have recently committed to adding the fourth Sunday for live music during devotions. The Sunday devotions are open to everyone and people of many different beliefs attend.
Sunday devotions start at 10:30 AM at the Portland Baha’i Center (8720 N. Ivanhoe Street, Portland, 97203) and fellowship follows at 11:15 AM. We hope to see you there!
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