36 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 16-22, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com MUSIC Do you think you are a mediocre singer? Lisa G. Littlebird disagrees—we are actually all singers, and this premise of good or bad need not be applied. “I see it as a universal wound, and a gap for so many people between their natural sense of worthiness in the world,” she says. Littlebird has built a choral practice dedicated to healing that wound. She trains songleaders—and yes, anyone can be a songleader—and coordinates a no-audition choral group, Wholehearted Chorus. Audience members who attend an upcoming concert, “A Song for All of Us,” are also encouraged to sing along. The folk duo MaMuse (Sarah Nutting and Karisha Longaker) also join in, bringing a full band. The program features songs selected around a theme of harmony and unification, including many composed by MaMuse (such as “We Shall Be Known”). “We select songs that feel like they move our hearts, wisdom and intelligence along,” Littlebird says. “This year, it’s: How do we bridge the divide? I do not imagine we can answer that with 16 songs, but by singing them we imagine we can expand the possibility.” Many songs address the theme explicitly in their lyrics, such as “Circle Round” by MaMuse. “I have a circle around me of people I love / So I can stand up in the face of fear, stand up in the face of fear.” But the mission of Wholehearted Chorus runs much deeper than words can capture—it is about accessing something core through voice and singing together. “The birthright access to dancing and singing in community is so ancient, such a primal technology of human connection,” Littlebird says. “When it doesn’t feel available, I believe it cuts off an essential life force and sense of belonging in a person.” She made it available starting with leading song circles in Big Sur in 2008. Littlebird has since relocated to San Diego, traveling back for rehearsals in recent months, but a community has bloomed: More local song leaders and even a new group, Wholehearted Community Song Circles, to continue drop-in singing to celebrate the oral tradition of music. Everyone is invited. Wholehearted Chorus and MaMuse perform at 7:30pm Wednesday, Oct. 22. Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., Monterey. $35. An open dress rehearsal takes place at 7:30pm Monday, Oct. 20 at Hidden Valley Music Seminars, 104 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley; free. thebirdsings.com/wholehearted. All Together Now Wholehearted Chorus and MaMuse invite everyone to join in the unifying power of song. By Sara Rubin Sarah Nutting and Karisha Longaker of MaMuse will join with Wholehearted Chorus, bringing instrumentation to the choral group’s upcoming performance. Carmel Tasting Room San Carlos & 7th • 831.626.WINE (9463) Estate Winery & Tasting Room 1972 Hobson Ave, Greenfield SCHEIDVINEYARDS.COM Enjoyfriends. sips. Pouring daily from 12pm OCEAN AVE 7TH AVE 8TH AVE MISSION ST Carmel Plaza Sunset Community & Cultural Center SAN CARLOS ST DOLORES ST
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