Valerie Says: Say No More, I'm There!

Music has always been part of my life. Growing up, my family sang and played instruments, and I followed suit with flute in the school orchestra, piano lessons, choir, musical theater, ballet, and tap. Then I spent a good chunk of my adult life in a different kind of musical world, partnered with a genius rock and roll keyboardist, composer, and singer. We lived the rockstar lifestyle, without the wealth, and it was its own kind of wonderful. But when that chapter ended, I wanted something that was mine again. A group. A stage. My own voice.

I found an audition notice for the Alexandria Singers in a newspaper ad. I walked in convinced the odds were against me either way: if they sounded awful, they'd accept anyone, and if they were really good, they'd send me packing. I was wrong on both counts. The group was excellent, and somehow they wanted me too. What I did not expect was that time and old habits had taken my 1st Soprano voice all the way down to 2nd Alto. There were threats of Tenor. We don't talk about that.

They had me at "pops." Contemporary music, jazz, swing, showtunes, with full chorus choreography and yes, sequins? Say no more. I'm there.

Twenty-five years later I'm still here, and it has never been just about the music. The friendships, the shared theater trips and restaurant nights, the feeling of belonging to a family and being part of something larger in this community. This group is so much more than a choir. And like a true family, when something happens in your life, everyone somehow knows. There will be a card, a gift, and people who genuinely show up.

Live music is necessary for the human soul. This nonprofit brings joy to our patrons and to ourselves, and singing and dancing together is one of the most basic elements of our shared humanity.

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