My reason for going up to the wine country was song not drink. Actually I haven't had a glass of wine in ten years. Good thing, as a friend told us about the $45 glass of wine that was on her menu at an upscale Napa restaurant on Friday night! Anyway, our purpose was to attend the 9th annual Canta Bella Women's Chorus Invitational. It was held in a church on the outskirts of town. The view as you walked out the front door of this circular modern building was stunning, with vineyards across the street and mountains in the distance.

The invitational, which I attended for the first time last year, is put on by Music Empowerment, Inc., the same group of women who sponsor the WoMaMu (Women Making Music) camps. Since I've now been part of five WoMaMu weekends, this community of women feels like family to me. There is much hugging and catching up to be done before we can even think about singing!

Twelve women's choruses from all over Northern California were part of the invitational this year. Some, like Melody & the Matriarchs, had only five members and others, like the Canta Bella Chorus, brought at least 30 women onstage. We began gathering at 8:30 AM for registration and bagels/smears, coffee/tea and juice. After a vocal/movement warm-up facilitated by Ellen Robinson and Judy Fjell, the program began about 10 AM.

Each chorus was asked to perform two songs and then teach at least one of them to the community. At the start of the day, we received copies of all the songs we'd be learning. Many women taped the whole event in order to bring new songs back to their choruses and song circles at home. Not everyone performed; there were many who came simply to enjoy a full day of music and to join with over 100 women in the process.

Around noon we broke for lunch. Many of us shared a delicious Moroccan vegetarian meal with salad, rolls and six choices of cake for dessert. During this time, some choruses found opportunities to rehearse. Other women used the time in more productive ways, like lying in the sun. After lunch, we continued the same program with five more choruses singing/teaching. At 3:30 PM there was a free concert open to the public. Most groups performed the same songs they had taught us during the day.

It was fun to see and hear such variety of music and the ways in which each group presented itself. Most were low-key, as if they were up there singing for friends. Some, like the Girlfriendz, dressed up and added the zest of choreography. I was especially touched by Kate Munger's Threshold Choir.

Last winter while in San Francisco, I'd heard that a women's song group was starting, one dedicated to singing at the bed sides of persons facing death, like AIDS or cancer patients, or individuals in chronic care facilities. I was so attracted to this way of using song to ease someone's passage. When I talked to the woman who was starting the group, she told me she was asking for members to make a six month commitment. With my migratory patterns, I was unable to make such a commitment. But a friend who has been singing with this group since the beginning, assured me that if the director and I ever met, she was sure something could be worked out. She was right.

Yesterday my heart melted as the Theshold Choir sang their simple meditative songs and then taught them to us. I felt such a strong connection! At the end of the day, I met and spoke with the director and, as H.G. had predicted, she was very open to my joining the group. Now all that needs to happen is for a ride to manifest between today and next Monday. I'm confident it will. I know I am meant to sing with this group. It feels like my friend J.P., who first introduced me to SF and who died of AIDS in November 1994, has a hand in this.

I was fortunate to be able to sing yesterday both with the Canta Bella Chorus and during the concert with Judy Fjell's pick-up group of unaffliated singers. What a lifegiving day, and one with the promise of even more heart-full singing opportunities to come. Is there any activity I love more than singing? If so, I'd be hard put to name it.