Seeding a Culture of Communal Singing
Throughout 2024, Liz Rog and the Center for Belonging Folk School hosted a series of community singing leadership and listening experiences as part of a participatory research study funded by a Folk School Alliance in partnership with AmeriCorps. These sessions offered practical tools and tested strategies to integrate the power of song into folk schools. The research sought to provide insight into the best methods for sparking a nationwide renaissance of communal singing—an activity that nurtures belonging, well-being, and cooperation across diverse communities—and ensuring that song leaders and singing remain central in folk education. A fun clip of Song Carriers training at Marine Mills Folk School can be seen here.
In January 2025, the Folk Education Association of America (FEAA) highlighted these efforts in a webinar titled “How to Bring Song to Folk Schools.” Moderated by FEAA Programs Director Dawn Murphy, the event drew educators and enthusiasts from around the world. Participants explored how communal singing can deeply enrich folk school experiences, mirroring the tradition of Scandinavian folk high schools where group song has long been woven into daily life. Amid the lively discussion, attendees envisioned a future anchored in regular, open-hearted singing.
Panelist Insights
Fittingly, the event opened with learning and singing a welcome song together before inviting the panelists to share some of their experiences. Alyssa Zasada from Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts expressed her vision of making music accessible to those who feel they lack the skills to participate. “My overall larger vision is to give people the opportunity to sing and make music to people who currently feel like they don’t have access to that,” she shared. Similarly, Chandler Yorkhall from Danebod Family Camp highlighted the importance of creating a supportive environment for song leaders, stating, “My idea is to create a more diffuse leadership that empowers individuals to share their songs.”
The discussion also touched on the practical aspects of leading community singing. Bernice Hembree from the Folk School of Fayetteville emphasized the need for a welcoming atmosphere, noting, “Having space for everyone to gather in a circle rather than sitting in rows of chairs has really helped our singing together.” This approach fosters a sense of connection and encourages participation, making the experience more enjoyable for all involved.
As the conversation progressed, the panelists shared their hopes for the future of community singing. Britt Malec from North House Folk School expressed her desire for songs to become a natural part of community gatherings, saying, “I long for more of that—songs for every season and for every moment.” Liz Rog, a key figure in the song carrier training, encapsulated the vision of the movement by stating, “My vision is that 100% of the people have a place to bring their voice and feel like it matters.”
Carrying Songs Into The Future
“Bringing Songs to Folk Schools” underscores the power of group singing to bridge differences and cultivate belonging. Moving beyond performance, it emerges as a shared act of empathy and joy. By weaving singing into folk schools, participants are likely to discover deeper connections and lasting friendships. Ultimately, the movement encourages all people to raise their voices, celebrating how a simple song can make a profound difference in community life.
Looking ahead, the FEAA is excited to announce a final song carrier incubator training scheduled for the week of Mother’s Day in May, taking place in Olympia, Washington. [Registration information coming soon!] This event will feature Liz Rog alongside the Heartwood Trio, promising to be an enriching experience for participants eager to deepen their connection to community singing.
This project is funded by the Office of Research and Evaluation at AmeriCorps under Grant No. 22REACA001. The opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of, or a position endorsed by, AmeriCorps.
