Volunteer Spotlight: Gayle Giovanna

How did you first get involved at Upper Valley Music Center? I started going to Patricia Norton’s Circle Singing session. Circle Singing is where you improvise your part, and then she gives you some direction along the way. It taught me that singing did not have to be formal. Rather, it could be just fun! 

What volunteer projects are you involved in? In the past, I volunteered for about two to three times for the Sing & Play festival. And that was because I felt the obligation to give back. You choose the hours, then you are here at the festival! It was also fun to see what other people were doing at the time.

Why is volunteering at UVMC vital to you? When it comes to volunteering, I feel it is important to give back to an organization. That way, it is reciprocal, and the connections gained are invaluable.

What have you learned from volunteering at UVMC? I learned that the Music Center does a broad range of music classes for children and adults, in many musical styles. The first year that I volunteered at the Sing & Play Festival, I handed out programs at a recital for teen classical singers, then listened to a slow jam playing traditional fiddle tunes, then a jazz jam. It was great fun!

What’s your advice for someone considering becoming a volunteer? They could start with volunteering for the Sing & Play festival, then go onto something else. I am sure UVMC has other volunteer opportunities that are on longer terms as well. 

When you’re not volunteering, what musical activities can we find you participating in? I sing in the choir for the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Upper Valley (UUCUV), led by Hannah Jeffries. We sing wonderful selections of modern choral music, as opposed to standard hymn music. And a few weeks ago, I was the music coordinator for the Universalist Society of Strafford, at a special celebration, with the choir again led by Hannah Jeffries. It was great!