01/28/2020
Notes from last night's Meet and Greet at Cafe Rhema (downtown Flint, MI):
***LONG POST ALERT***
I. Location: Cafe Rhema or Café
II. Introductions
a. Everyone states their name
i. Davina Whittaker
ii. Carrie Edwards-Clemons
iii. NIckoy Edwards
iv. BryMesha Ferguson
v. BreAsha Ferguson
vi. Uniquee Martin
vii. Brandon Mills
viii. Lewis Spears
ix. Mouchette Muhammed
x. Simeon Gentry
xi. Shaeliha Miller
xii. Joseph Mosley
b. State where they’re from
i. Davina-Flint, MI
ii. Lewis-Flint, MI
iii. Nickoy-Jamaica & Flint, MI
iv. BryMesha-Flint, MI
v. BreAsha-Flint, MI
vi. Uniquee-Flint, MI
vii. Brandon-Flint, MI
viii. Carrie-Flint, MI
ix. Mouchettee-Detroit, MI
x. Shae- Flint, MI
xi. Joseph-Waynesboro, VA
xii. Simeon-NR
c. Church affiliation (if any)
i. Davina-True Light
ii. Nickoy-Abundant Life
iii. BryMesha- Family Worship Center International
iv. BreAsha-Family Worship Center International
v. Uniquee-Christ Fellowship
vi. Brandon-Christ Fellowship
vii. Carrie- Ebenezer Ministries
viii. Lewis- Non-Denominational-Riverside Tabernacle
ix. Mouchettee-No Affiliation
x. Simeon-N/R
xi. Shae-No Affiliation
xii. Joseph-New Hope
d. What they plan to get out of joining the community choir
i. Davina-I enjoy singing. I enjoy being with like-minded people. I like doing service for us.
ii. Nickoy-Networking and community opportunity
iii. BryMesha-Positive influence in the community
iv. BreAsha-Vision of the community choir
v. Uniquee-A good time 😊
vi. Brandon-N/R
vii. Variety (different areas in the music genre)
viii. Lewis-Being around good singers, coordinated music ensemble, volunteerism, and community service
ix. Mouchettee- community engagement
x. Shae-support the mission of the community choir
xi. Joseph-Aid in spreading a positive light in the community, giving back to the community, youth mentorship, volunteerism, and continuous education of music with others
xii. Simeon- N/R
e. What they would like to contribute to the choir (secretary, outreach, et cetera…)
i. Davina-I can direct
ii. Nickoy-Outreach
iii. BryMesha-not sure currently
iv. BreAsha-Secretary
v. Uniquee-N/R
vi. Brandon-Outreach
vii. Carrie-sing and outreach
viii. Lewis-vocals and help with the children in the community
ix. Mouchettee-support the group
x. Shae-Singing
xi. Joseph-help with as many aspects to the group: outreach, teaching music, coaching, spiritual support, and performing music selected by the choir
xii. Simeoon-N/R
f. Can you read music?
i. Davina-No
ii. Nickoy-yes, once I get a refresher
iii. BryMesha-No
iv. BreAsha-Yes
v. Uniquee-No
vi. Brandon-No
vii. Carrie-Yes
viii. Lewis-No
ix. Mouchettee-yes, not fluent
x. Shae-yes
xi. Joseph-yes
xii. Simeon-N/R
g. Do you play an instrument? If so, what?
i. Davina-No
ii. Nickoy-yes, percussionist
iii. BryMesha-No
iv. BreAsha-Yes, violin
v. Uniquee-No
vi. Brandon-No
vii. Carrie-Yes, but not in years
viii. Lewis-No
ix. Mouchettee-Yes, the piano when I was young
x. Shae-Yes, the piano
xi. Joseph-Yes, the piano and organ
xii. Simeon-N/R
III. State the reasons for organizing the choir: These are some of the topics we went over last night as they were discussed among the group.
a. Giving back to the community efforts
b. Summer/Spring/Fall outdoor choir engagements
c. Children outreach and mentorship
d. Volunteerism
e. Spreading inspirational words to the community of Flint and At-Large
IV. What is your music background(s) We only briefly went over this topic in our discussion?
a. Experience in a choir setting (high school, church, et cetera)
b. Can you read music?
c. Do you play an instrument?
d. Experience working in a choir setting
e. What types of music do you enjoy singing (classical, modern/traditional Gospel, other choral arrangements and general music)?
f. When suggesting music to the group, please ensure that there’s sheet music (not lead sheet) for the music you would like to introduce to the choir
V. Choir names and ideas!? Some of the group wrote down some ideas at the meet and greet on their welcome paper—we will revisit this on our next meet and greet/rehearsal
a. Write out the different names
i. Carrie- “Company B”; “Expressions”, A song and dance company; “Vision 2020”
b. Vote as a group for the name for the community choir
i. Please review the above response from Carrie, consider some other ideas. Send them to Joseph, I will compile the answers and send out a doodle poll on the answers and present them at the next meet and greet/rehearsal. The results will be discussed there as well.
VI. Music learning aspect We discussed this briefly during our meet last night as a group. We will revisit this topic at our next meet and greet/rehearsal session(s)
a. The idea of this choir, we will engage in learning sessions not only general music rehearsal
b. Learn the music in which we are attempting to sing at rehearsal
c. General music notes and background will be taught throughout the choir’s time with one another
d. Knowledge of music expressions and such
VII. What are some rules do we want to incorporate as a choir?
a. Ask and write them out on the white board
i. We discussed this topic at length last with some responses listed below
ii. The question was worded: “What do we as a group would like to be known for in the community?”
1. Professionalism, we want to act with the utmost level of professionalism in our group sessions and outside our sessions. This was further exacerbated on the realms of our behavior at concerts and our volunteer affairs as well
2. Confidence, we want to be comfortable with one another as a group. Furthermore, we need to be confident in ourselves before we can master the confidence level in a group setting, in concert, and our outreach affairs
3. Low pressure, we do not want to create undue pressure on anyone in our group and those prospective individuals interested in participating in our affairs. Additionally, we will create and foster a safe space for everyone to share with one another. In that light, we will have to be mindful of other’s emotions and experiences; therefore, we will have to examine ourselves first before intersecting in someone else’s experiences and feelings. Safe space always.
4. Flexible, we will always maintain a flexible atmosphere and considerate of other’s limitations and skills. With that being said, we will at the same time we will be mindful for accountability as a participant in the group and above all be held accountable to oneself as well. With this understood and said, we will maintain a fun and safe environment for everyone.
b. Vote on the general expectations we shall give ourselves and future members of this group
i. Further discussions will be held at the next meet and greet/rehearsal. With, we will discuss and vote on the existing expectations discussed on 01/27/2020
c. What does it mean to be apart of a community choir?
i. Write out the definition of what we feel may be the reasons for organizing a community choir
1. This area was presented in the expectation piece of the meet and greet. Again, we will go over this area some more at the next meet.
d. What are some initial goals we shall set forth for this year as a group?
i. See above statement regarding this piece
VIII. Community outreach and out-of-town engagements
a. What are some expectations of these areas we need to note as of today?
b. Who would like to take responsibility of being the point(s) of contact for the choir?
c. What are some general expectations we shall put forth in terms of engagements within the community and the communities at-large?
d. Coordination with local events and organizations to show our presence in these areas
e. Contacting schools and universities in relations to the events and other areas of which we could help in as a choir
i. Joseph reached out to University of Flint Block Club regarding potential partnership with them
ii. Mouchettee, mentioned other organizations, such as Greek life involvements
iii. Further discussion at our next meet
IX. Social Media Presence
a. We discussed this briefly at our first meet and greet as a group. We will further discuss this area at the next meet.
b. What types of pages should we be found on (YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, et cetera)?
i. Joseph, set up the initial page
ii. Invites will be sent out
iii. BreAsha, mentioned she would like to hold the secretarial role with our group. Joseph will reach out with BreAsha regarding the notes and areas we need administrative assistance in as of right now.
c. Who would like to set up the accounts and pages?
d. At each rehearsal or meeting, we should add content at least there on our social media pages
e. Daily, weekly, or monthly updates? Discuss this at the next meet
X. Other ideas from the group?
a. Meeting times, dates, and locations?
i. We discussed that there shall be two meeting slots for our next meet in terms of accommodating other’s schedule
ii. We will have A and B days during the week of our next meet and greet/rehearsal. Davina will direct one of the weekdays times, and an alternative day would likely occur during the day on the weekend of the week we selected to be a rehearsal week.
b. Slogan/Motto? Discuss this area at the next meet
c. Holiday events and other choir dates
i. Discussed having a short premiere date as a choir in the month of February
1. February: African American History month
2. Davina shared a way we can incorporate poetry and singing in the same space. The idea comes from The Creation by James Weldon Johnson (Link: https://poets.org/poem/creation?fbclid=IwAR2QmeaYGOAHlSM55d7o_1ttbUp4GXhVRR8Of9nHE-lFWvrF7iLVdRXz_vo)
3. With that above idea, a poet would recite the poem within the background having song and instruments in play. Song idea was the negro anthem: Lift Every Voice and Sing
d. Invitations to participate in church related worship services Discuss at next meet
e. Communications with one another
i. The exchanging of personal contacts and what is best used to get in touch with one another
1. Decided that a group text messaging would not be efficient for everyone
2. Decided to create a page to allow for a more widespread communication and understanding with one another
3. Some participants are not on Facebook, but text messaging and/or e-mails will be sent to them to allow them to stay in the loop with thing
f. Dues and membership fees
i. At what rate?
1. Participant responses are:
a. Weekly offerings
b. Each time we meet
c. Monthly contributions
2. The ranges were:
a. $3.5 to $10
3. Fundraisers will be a part of our group events and performances to cover the expenses of the venue and space rental(s) and other equipment cost down the road
ii. When?
iii. What’s comfortable?
iv. Reasons
This area was discussed, hence the responses to the rate and amount responses from the group. We will revisit this area at our next meet
1. To ensure the we have a rehearsal and meeting space procured each time we agree to meet with one another
2. If we meet at a church, a love offering will be given to the host
3. Our attire for engagements
4. To supply our events in the community
5. One day set aside enough funds to support the youth in the community to go out and experience certain things
6. Sponsorship of community members if need be
7. Other ideas of what we could fundraise monies to support the choir’s efforts internally and give it back to the communities as well
***Please let Joseph Mosley know if you share questions or concerns at this time
**Doodle poll will be sent to everyone’s text messages or e-mail, please respond as soon as possible, please
Our initial meet and greet at Café Rhema, a great success! The amount of energy and participation was great, please keep it at the next meet and greet/rehearsal we have. Love each one of you
-Joseph Mosley
The Creation - And God stepped out on space,
