Music has an unparalleled ability to unite people, transcending barriers of age, race and language. For nearly 25 years, Joyous Singers, a choral group based on Louisville’s east side, has embodied this universal truth. Composed of primarily older adults, the group has touched countless lives through performances at senior living facilities, health communities and public concerts.
With a current roster of 31 dedicated members, Joyous Singers is led by passionate Music Director Mary Muse, and accompanied on piano by Gloria Nimocks. Muse, a seasoned music educator with almost 30 years of experience, describes her work with the choir as more than just a professional endeavor; it’s a calling.
“Out of all the musical things I’ve done in my life, directing choirs is by far my favorite,” Muse says. “To me it almost feels like a ministry of sorts. I love being able to help the singers prepare their performances. I love connecting with them through music. It’s also great to provide joy for others through our performances.”
Joyous Singers was founded in 2000 by Clarese Fuller, who relocated to Louisville from Chicago, where she had previously directed a 60-person senior community choir. Over the years the group has been a creative outlet and a community for its members. However, like many organizations, Joyous Singers faced a significant challenge during the COVID pandemic, which led to a sharp decline in enrollment.
“One of our main goals going into our 25th anniversary is to rebuild our roster after we lost so many members during the pandemic,” Muse says. “We also want to make sure people understand that while we’re primarily a group of mature adults, we welcome new members of all ages.”
As a nonprofit organization, Joyous Singers operates on a modest budget, charging members a small fee to cover costs like sheet music. According to the group’s president, Rick Coalter, these expenses can quickly add up.
“Many people don’t know, but when you purchase sheet music, it’s almost $2 per piece,” Coalter says. “We have to buy 40 to 50 copies of four or five different songs for each concert, and while it might not seem like a lot, it quickly adds up. Our members pay dues, but we’ve also been looking at things like grants to help us with our growing costs.”
Recently, the group received a $1,000 Sparking Change Mini-Grant from the Community Foundation of Louisville, which provided some much-needed financial relief. Coalter and the board are actively pursuing additional funding opportunities to ensure the group’s sustainability and growth.
Each year Joyous Singers hosts two public concerts: a spring performance in May and a December holiday concert. These events are a blend of traditional favorites and new selections. Muse is currently finalizing arrangements for the spring concert, which will explore the theme of love in its many forms: romantic love, familial love and love for one’s country.
“This year we performed some winter pieces, a few Hanukkah pieces, and then the rest were Christmas pieces in a variety of styles and genres,” Muse says. “For instance, we did ‘Sleigh Ride’, which is a standard, but also performed ‘Glow’, a fairly new piece for choral groups by Eric Whitacre.”
For Coalter, who also performs with the choir, Joyous Singers is about more than music; it’s about fostering personal growth and community connection.
“The experience is rewarding in two different ways,” Coalter says. “We’re giving back to the community by performing for them and bringing joy into their lives. Our members are also continuously learning. They are learning how to sing correctly, learning how to read sheet music, understanding meter, and most important, learning how – working together – we can create some beautiful sounds. A favorite tradition is to make sure to stick around after our performances, especially at places like assisted-living facilities, and talk with the residents. Sometimes we share cookies or a snack. We don’t want to walk in, sing and just disappear. Those places can get a little lonely for residents, so we want to give them a friendly and warm experience.”
The singers practice once a week at Lyndon Baptist Church (8025 New La Grange Road) but are eager to expand their outreach. Coalter notes that while weekday morning rehearsals may pose a challenge for younger members, the choir is actively seeking new singers and volunteers to manage their social media and develop a website. Looking toward their 25th anniversary in 2025, the group aims to find new performance opportunities.
“We’re reimagining what we do,” Coalter says. “For example, we’d love to perform ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ at baseball games, sing holiday songs at Christmas tree lightings or sing patriotic songs at Civil War re-enactments. Our goal is to connect with a wider audience and spread the joy of music even further.”
Singer Lynn Slaughter learned about Joyous Singers from longtime member and friend Mike Thomas. She says the two previously sang together in their church choir. Unfortunately, their beloved choir director had to suddenly leave the group. Knowing she was eager to find another musical outlet, Thomas recommended she join Joyous Singers, a group he has sung with for several seasons. Slaughter says Thomas’s recommendation came at the perfect time, and that joining has been a wonderful experience.
“I’m a former professional dancer and dance educator who has always felt deeply connected to music,” Slaughter says. “Music was the reason I became a dancer. It made me want to move. Moreover, I love to sing. We have an inspiring musical director in Mary Muse, and Joyous Singers is a wonderfully supportive, enthusiastic group of mature folks who share a love of music and singing.”
Slaughter says she would tell prospective members that Joyous Singers is an incredibly friendly and welcoming group. One of the unique aspects of the choir is the diverse repertoire and daytime schedule, which works well for those who prefer daytime activities. She says the group’s mission is not just deeply meaningful, but also impactful, providing entertainment and inspiring choral concerts in the Kentuckiana region. These performances bring joy to audiences who might otherwise have limited access to live choral events, and that’s a mission worth being part of.
Through their unwavering dedication to harmony, community and joy, the members continue to prove that music is a powerful force for good, bringing people together one note at a time and spreading joy in the community.
Comments 2
A dear friend sent me a copy of something she saw about the Joyous Singers in a local magazine. She said, “It made me think this is something you might enjoy.” And she was right! I enjoyed singing for a number of years with the Pride of Kentucky Sweet Adelines and I have been interested in exploring the opportunity to sing again. I would love to attend one of your rehearsals and to meet you and other members of the Joyous Singers. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you.
Anne, contact them directly. https://www.facebook.com/JoyousSingers/ has an email address to reach out.