Did you know there is a nonprofit choir in Olympia? All are welcome to join The Olympia Peace Choir, which started in 2010 as the brainchild of Kerri Lynn Nichols. Now retiring as artistic director, its vision will live on with new artistic director Matthew Melendez. They invite you to come sing during the free workshops in August before open rehearsals in September.
Not affiliated with any political, private or public organization, The Olympia Peace Choir’s mission is to be “an inclusive community chorus dedicated to using the power of song to create peace, social justice, and environmental stewardship. We sing music from diverse cultures and traditions and are dedicated to practicing the principles of equality, peace, respect, and cooperation.”
Matthew Melendez Takes Over as Artistic Director of The Olympia Peace Choir
Matthew, who is taking Kerri Lynn’s place as artistic director, has been working with the board during the summer to plan for the coming season. “On Monday, August 24, we will have a picnic/potluck so the choir members who are not on the board can get to know Matthew in a casual setting,” adds Kerri Lynn.
A career singer, Matthew has spent the last two decades singing tenor and will be in a performance of Verdi’s “Requiem” next month. But he says recently he mostly sings baritone, but can even sing bass if needed. “These days I spend far more time conducting than singing, but I still love being part of the sound from within whenever I have the opportunity, usually with ChoralArts Northwest in Seattle,” he adds.
He wanted to be the artistic director for The Olympia Peace Choir because of what it represents. “The Olympia Peace Choir occupies a truly unique place in our community,” he shares. “There are many excellent choirs that perform beautiful music, but very few whose mission so intentionally centers on building understanding, connection, and peace through singing. That aligns deeply with both my personal values and my life’s work.”
Matthew is passionate about community choir because he loves that people from “every walk of life” can join, contribute and create beautiful music. “In a time when so many people are experiencing loneliness and division, they offer an increasingly rare opportunity to build trust, empathy, and genuine human connection simply by breathing, listening, and singing alongside one another,” he says.
On stepping down, Kerri Lynn says, “I will miss directing The Olympia Peace Choir. Along with my husband Scott, we have imperfectly devoted 16 years to building this choir for those who need it, pouring our hearts and time and love and tears into each and every person who has been and is a part of it. But a founding director can only take a choir so far. It is time for a fresh perspective, change and growth…The choir never belonged to me. It simply came to me for a time and now the road diverges, each of us going along a new path but never really parting. The future it bright and hopeful as long as we sing.”
Matthew and the board have lots of plans for The Olympia Peace Choir, starting with the theme for this season, “Through Each Other.” “[It explores] the idea that the things we need most – hope, courage, joy, belonging, even peace – are most often found in one another,” he says.
They will work on developing the sound of the choir, as well as increasing its visibility throughout Thurston County with more performances and collaborations. “My hope is that every concert leaves audiences feeling not only moved by the music, but more connected to one another,” he adds.
Love to Sing? Join The Olympia Peace Choir
If you love to sing, no choir experience is necessary, says Nancy Spagat, performance/publicity coordinator for The Olympia Peace Choir. “Many of our new members don’t know how to read music,” she adds. “Also, we do not ask new members to audition. We only ask that you enjoy singing and agree to attend at least 80% of the rehearsals. Admission depends on how many people we have in each section. Exact numbers are not necessary but the choir director needs to balance the voices.”
Interested? You can learn more by attending one of their free workshops, taking place at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1925 Boulevard Rd SE, Olympia, during the choir’s regular rehearsal time, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Monday, August 10: Focus will be on the foundations of healthy vocal technique, helping participants better understand and explore their own voices in a supportive, low-pressure environment.
Monday, August 17: Focus will be on what it means to create ensemble and build community through music. Participants will experience firsthand how individual voices come together to create something larger than themselves.
Then, Monday, September 14, and Monday, September 21, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., will be open rehearsals for those who are interested in joining the choir. “This is not about auditions or proving that you’re good enough to sing,” says Matthew. “It’s about discovering your voice, making connections, and experiencing the extraordinary sense of belonging that can happen when people sing together.”
If you have questions, you can contact The Olympia Peace Choir at contact@theolympiapeacechoir.org or director@theolympiapeacechoir.org or visit The Olympia Peace Choir website.
