Our Practices

We are a circle of women who desire to experience the deep inner peace and spiritual wholeness that comes from sharing our voices and our presence with each other. Our practices are filled with joyful activity. The lyrics by a well-loved and respected songwriter and member of the Santa Barbara Threshold Choir, Marilyn Power Scott, expresses this well:

Gather us together, Spirit of Harmony.
Arise in us, Loving-kindness.
Blend our voices in beauty and peace,
That they may nourish and comfort.

We welcome all women to our practices who share our mission of compassion and who can carry a tune. We provide a Guest Songbook and introduce you to a member who can answer your questions and assist you during practices. Please let us know to expect you and to find out our safety precautions.

Our Practice Times:
6:00PM–7:30PM
on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of each month
(except when a major holiday falls on those days).

Our Practice Location:
Moles Farewell Tributes & Crematory
2465 Lakeway Drive • Bellingham WA 98229
(We gratefully acknowledge Moles management and staff for their in-kind donation of practice space.)

Practice Check-in: members welcoming guests

At practices, we rehearse the songs we know give the comfort and compassion people seek. This includes many songs from the growing collection of Threshold Choir International. This unique treasury of songs is a joy to sing at our practices, as well as at bedsides. We also include songs that nurture our unique sisterhood, acknowledge milestones in a sister’s life and celebrate milestones throughout the year.

Outdoor Practice: Mother’s Memorial in Bayview Cemetery, Bellingham, WA
Sculpture by Ruth Mueseler, our Sister in Song

A Shipwright is our practice leader. She sets the theme for the practice and uses hand signals to insure we sing as a cohesive group. An Anchor is the bedside sing leader who chooses the songs and guides the bedside singers. The Sails rehearse giving comfort through compassionate songs during practices. A Boat consists of an Anchor and three to four Sails. During Practices, the Boats rehearse blending our voices by matching pitch and adding harmonies.

There is no need to become a Member to attend practices, though of course we hope you do. To become a Member, you will need to:

  • Attend a minimum of three practices as a Guest and experience being sung to in a bedside rehearsal

  • Join Threshold Choir International (annual dues of your choosing are required)

  • Receive and maintain a Member Songbook (a donation to cover the cost of the book is suggested)