In a time when the word “music” mostly brings to mind digitized, commercialized, and performative sound – the act of “singing to” – it is still possible to reclaim the earlier, richer understanding of music, “singing with.” Communal singing is so different from performance: the latter delivers an experience to an audience, who encounter the music as receivers, while the former invites participation. It is a circle, balanced, equalizing, full but never finished, sending out sound to beckon outliers to lend their voices for the joy and comfort of it.

At the Bruderhof, music is worship, fellowship, and fun.