Who we are

A choir is born

Immediately after September 11, 2001, New York City was flooded with volunteers in one of the most profound shows of support this country has ever seen. There were so many volunteers that there wasn't enough work for them to do, and many people felt at a loss as to how to contribute to the city's healing efforts. The NYC Recovers organization emerged as one of the galvanizing forces for community rebuilding and bonding efforts in the days following 9/11. NYC Recovers organized a community event in support of all who were affected by September 11th, and they asked Jeff Becker, one of the founders of the choir, to write a song and convene a choir for the event. He got on the phones and email, and 28 people signed up to sing in 3 days. For the people who participated in singing, it was a chance to give something back to the city, as well as an opportunity to heal themselves and others through music.

On November 17th, 2001 in Washington Square Park, we performed Mr. Becker's "It Takes a Village" in our first concert as part of the NYC Recovers event.

Our musical journey

We initially took the name NYC Recovers Choir after the organization that helped us form. (For more on NYC Recovers, visit www.nycrecovers.org.)

By this point the winter holiday season had begun. We knew doing a holiday performance would be difficult. Once a time of joy, kinship and hope for many, the season was now a time of dread and sadness. Additionally, 9/11 compounded the difficulties faced by those for whom holidays might be stressful, such as people who have lost a loved one, or those from unaffirming families.

With anxiety, depressions, and substance abuse rates up sharply in NYC, people needed healing, hope, the promise of love -- and even some laughter.

On Dec. 17, 2001, the NYC Recovers Choir performed for SpeakOUT: LGBT Voices for Recovery. People approached us afterward and said it was the first time they had laughed or felt hope since 9/11. We knew we had found our mission.