The beauty of community is that we get to be different, together. Choir teaches us how.
How do you work together peacefully with someone you disagree with? How do you hold your ground, accept differences of opinion, and prioritize the work? In our divided society, there can be a sense that this is an impossible ask.
Better to silo yourself with people you agree with, and snipe on social media at those you disagree with – while never meeting face to face.
Not better, though. Better is being in community with those you disagree with. We get to be different together.
Choir teaches us how. We sing different parts, but harmonize. We come from different communities, socioeconomic status, political affiliation, level of experience, and more. We make beautiful music together.
We don’t try to change each other, we try to complement each other for the sake of the ensemble.
Practice these skills in choir, and they get a lot easier in the real world.