SA Faculty and Staff Find Shared Purpose in Community Choir

The Saint Andrew’s Community Choir began as a simple shared vision among faculty members last spring, rooted in the desire to build a space where the school community could experience the joy of making music together. The response was immediate, resulting in a weekly tradition of gathering every Thursday for 45 minutes of collaborative singing. By stepping outside their traditional roles to engage in an activity that brings them joy, these faculty and staff members model for students the importance of fostering connection and exploring talents beyond the classroom.

Operating without a designated director, the group relies on a unique, collaborative process where members work together to listen and create. This exploration of a cappella singing has allowed the group to discover a collective sound that is built entirely through shared effort and curiosity.

With only a few rehearsals under their belt, the choir members had their first performances in the Chapel of Saint Andrew, singing an acapella version of “Silent Night” at the Middle and Upper School Lessons and Carols services. During the last week of school before Winter Break, members of the choir also sang various carols in the Lower School lobby and at the Middle School carline. 

 

The choir had the opportunity to reach a wider community when it was invited to perform at Bethesda East Hospital in Boynton Beach. The event marked the start of an inspiring collaboration involving Florida Atlantic University (FAU), the Ress Foundation, and JK Productions, alongside Saint Andrew’s faculty, staff, and students.

By filling the hospital lobby with holiday carols, the group provided an uplifting atmosphere for patients, visitors, and staff alike. The performance served as a beautiful reminder that purpose is often found in service and that music has a unique power to brighten the lives of others, proving that community is truly at its best when it is shaped together. The performance was so well-received that Jared Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Bethesda Hospital East and West and Saint Andrew’s parent, requested that the choir come back in the future for more performances. 

Saint Andrew’s Director of Performing Arts, Jason King, said, “I’m excited to be involved with the SAS Community Choir because it brings together something I value: people connecting through music simply for the joy of it. When students see teachers and community members making music together, it reinforces that the arts are not just something you study in school, but something you carry with you. I hope this choir continues to grow as a meaningful space that builds community and shared purpose.”