Free Pop-Up Choirs
next one: TBD on a Saturday, 10:30-11:30am at MARin Country Mart
Musical flashmobs that spread the joy of singing together!
Simple
Songleader Marv Zauderer teaches easy-to-learn songs by ear, line-by-line (“call and echo”), which means no music to read, and you never need to have come to any of our choirs, song circles, or pop-ups before!
We sing contemporary harmony songs, layer songs (with verses interlocking beautifully when sung by different sections of the group at the same time), rounds, and unison songs — songs like this one, this one, and this one, with the occasional old favorite, like this one. Songs are selected for their ability to rejuvenate, soothe, uplift and inspire! And all can be learned in 10 minutes or less.
Accessible
All voices and levels are welcome; no singing experience is needed.
We co-create a safe, non-judgmental, anti-perfectionistic space with the freedom to allow our voices to emerge and blend just as they are.
All pop-up choirs are free of charge. We extend a special welcome to People of the Global Majority (also referred to as BIPOC) and the LGBTQIA+ community. Ours are anti-racist, anti-oppression spaces.
Community-Building
Our purpose is not performance; it’s connection and community participation. We invite passers-by to step into our circle at any time, learn a quick-to-learn song with us, and sing!
Next pop-up choir:
TBD on a Saturday, 10:30-11:30am at Marin Country Mart (Larkspur Landing), in the courtyard in front of Farmshop restaurant, during MCM’s awesome farmers’ market. Consider staying for lunch! And check out the video clips and photos below to see some of us in action at a previous pop-up!
More Fall ‘24 Singing: Come Join the Big Sing!
Want another opportunity to sing easy-to-learn, non-religious, uplifting songs in community? Our Joyful Voices Chorus community choir hosts our community-wide Big Sing on Sunday, November 24th in San Anselmo. Come sing (or just hum or listen, no pressure!) with a whole bunch of warm and wonderful people. And special guest Debbie Nargi-Brown, who is truly amazing! Feel free to check out some past Big Sing videos here. Come co-create the magic!
What People Are Saying about our Pop-Up choirs
“That was the most fabulous & fantastic day! Great location, beautiful music and people. Magical!”
— Linda P.
“What a wonderful morning! The pop-up choir was a great success!”
— Jerri M.
"So good to be LIVE and in person with others…especially after all the isolation of late. The separation just melts away in the current of music and love."
— A Pt. Reyes Farmers’ Market Pop-Up Singer
“A cup of soft-serve from the heart.”
— George C.
Pop-Up Choir in Action!
Here’s part of the group that came together on May 20, 2023 and August 26, 2023 at the Marin Country Mart in Larkspur during their weekly farmers’ market. `
Not only some of the singers from our choirs but numerous passers-by jumped in and sang with us. `
One person, who joined partway through and stayed for the rest of the singing, came up to me afterwards and said, “I got over my fear of singing to sing with you.”
A Sing With Marv Pop-Up Choir singing “This Little Light of Mine,” authorship unknown and with deep roots in the African-American spiritual tradition.
The Sing With Marv pop-up choir at Marin Country Mart on August 26, 2023 singing Debbie Nargi-Brown’s Be Open.
A SingWithMarv Pop-Up Choir singing Heather Pierson’s “Wisdom in My Bones” on May 20, 2023 at Marin Country Mart at Larkspur Landing, Larkspur, CA
Welcoming passers-by into our pop-up choir at Marin Country Mart, August 26, 2023
Singing under the big tent at Marin Country Mart, November 18, 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
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They’re easy-peasy! I arrange a space for us at public events like farmers’ markets (our hosts are always thrilled to have us there!), we show up at our appointed time, we learn a song in 5-10 minutes and sing, and then do the same with the next song, and the next! I have signs there inviting passers-by to join us — people can join us for one song, some of the songs, or all.
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You don’t! All voices and levels are welcome. We have many singers who have never sung with a group before. And of course, in addition to having fun, our goal is to welcome absolutely anyone who’s at the event to step into the circle and join us. Your voice is needed!
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Nope! I teach all songs at the pop-up by ear, line-by-line, so they’re easy for anyone and everyone to learn.
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You don’t! Just show up, and tell a friend if you can! If you’re not already on my email list, please consider joining it as you’ll get announcements there. Also you can follow me on Facebook at facebook.com/singwithmarv and on Instagram at instagram.com/singwithmarv.
Our pop-up choirs originate from unceded Coast Miwok land and we acknowledge we benefit from their displacement. To contribute to healing the continuing harms of the colonization of indigenous people, including through rematriating land, a portion of the proceeds are donated to Huukuiko, a local Coast Miwok organization.
Interested? Sign up for the email list and come on out to the next pop-up!
This work is inspired by the Thrive Street Choir of Oakland, CA and the Monsoon Seed Choir of Tucson, AZ.