LGBTQ ‘quoir’ closes its season on a hopeful note

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Sunday, a line of people formed outside of Edgewood United Church waiting to experience the sheer optimism of the Salus Singers. The self-described “queer quoir” started in 2017. Its second annual concert consisted of gospel and contemporary tunes that related to this year’s theme of unrelenting hope.

“The choir is kind of a visual and auditory example of what Salus could be in an embodied way,”  As the Rev. Phiwa Langeni, the center’s founder, put it.

As a black, Christian trans person, Langeni understands the feeling of having to leave an identity at the door when entering certain spaces.

The troupe opened with a classic gospel tune “The Storm is Passing Over.” The singers were accompanied by pianist Margherita Fava, guitarist Konstantin and directed by DeShaun Snead.

Snead, 37, has been involved with choirs from the time she could talk. Snead mentioned that her mental health has been a priority during the “Post-Obama years” — and being able to share music with other people decreases feelings of isolation.

“Without DeShaun, there is no choir,” said co-creative director Lee Andrew Sayles, who originally pitched the idea of the choir to Langeni.

Sayles and his wife, Janet, are the heartbeat of Salus Singers. They serve as the “mom and pop” to the group, offering words of encouragement and even singing Sayles' special “happy birthday” song. The couple said the ensemble’s only rule is to accept all people for where they are at.

Tenor Kimmins Southard, who is transgender, sang for many years before transitioning. While taking hormones, Southard’s voice changed and Southard — who prefers the plural pronoun — said they may have never sung again if it weren’t for the “quoir.” New to Michigan, Southard wasn’t expecting “to make such great friends” in the process of rediscovering themselves.

The singers sway in unison and occasionally someone will reveal a smile. The audience reflected the diversity onstage where performers varied in age, race, ability, gender and sexuality —  even “straights” sing in the group.

Halfway through the show, Penny, 9, and Lydia Thompson-Linton, 10, performed Rebecca Sugar’s “Be Wherever You Are.” The song comes from GLAAD Award-winning TV series “Steven Universe.”

Their parent, Djinn Thompson, watched from the stage as the girls delivered the self-love anthem with absolute poise. As a parent, Thompson — who also prefers the plural pronoun —  said it’s difficult to find spaces where their whole family can feel at peace. The community choir has given the family a chance to share “their gifts in a way that maybe they couldn’t in another place.”

The performance ended with “The Parting Glass,” a traditional Scottish farewell song, wishing the audience a “good night and joy be with you all.”

Langeni said after last year’s concert, “Joyful Resistance,” the choir wanted to focus on “joy for the sake of joy.” The reverend says this year’s program considered joy as “a thing that keeps us alive” but paired it with an unflappable sense of hope for a new normal.

“This is a proactive approach to getting to that time where I don’t have to be brave just by existing,” Langeni said. “I don’t owe anyone my story as I encounter and cultivate my joy.”

Salus Center

Wednesday – Friday

(517) 580-4593

Business hours available at saluscenter.org

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