Songweavers™, the a cappella  women’s chorus of the Concord Community Music School, opens its spring session with Open Sings on Tuesday night, January 6, 7:30-9 pm and Wednesday morning, January 7, 9:30-11 am. Young children are welcome at the Wednesday morning session. Songweavers is open to women of all ages and musical experience. There are no auditions to join. Rehearsals take place at the Concord Community Music School, 23 Wall Street, Concord. There is no charge for attendance during the first week. For more information, please call 603-228-1196.

Based on the belief that everyone can (and should) sing, the 120 members of this large women’s chorus learn songs by rote in the African-American tradition; music-reading skills are not a prerequisite. Songweavers rehearse in two groups (Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning) that come together for an annual spring concert. The repertoire includes music from many ethnic traditions. The singing is predominantly a cappella, although drums and other instruments are often used as accompaniment.

Carolyn Parrott, founder and director of the Music School’s Songweavers chorus, is also widely known in contra dance circles as a country dance caller and member of the award-winning Blackwater Band.