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CMU launches Voices for Peace, a rapid-response community choir
At a time when many communities are wrestling with fear, polarization, and uncertainty, CMU is inviting community members to lend their voices to a new rapid-response community choir called Voices for Peace. This choir may be called upon to sing at community events, peaceful demonstrations, and public moments where shared song can help foster courage, solidarity, and hope.
This new initiative grows out of two recent events hosted by CMU: Singing Resistance and Living Resistance.
Singing Resistance creates space for participants to raise their voices together through songs of hope, lament, and solidarity. Living Resistance offers an opportunity to learn the principles and practices of disciplined nonviolent action. Together, these initiatives explore how communities can respond to injustice and uncertainty without resorting to violence.
"Throughout history, singing has played a powerful role in movements for justice and peace," said Dr. Anneli Loepp Thiessen, Assistant Professor of Music. "Singing together helps communities sustain courage, express grief, strengthen solidarity, and remind people they are not alone—shared song has a way of steadying people for the difficult work of nonviolent change."
Voices for Peace builds on that tradition. Participants who join the choir indicate that they are willing to gather—sometimes on short notice and during the traditional workday—to sing at community gatherings where music can help create a spirit of courage and care.
The choir will participate only at the invitation of community groups organizing such events. CMU's role is simply to coordinate the choir, assess invitations in light of the choir's guiding principles, and to share opportunities with those who have signed up.
No musical experience is required.
"This is not about polished performance," said Sandra Koop Harder, Vice-President External at CMU. "It is about people showing up for one another, reminding us all that courage is possible, that love is stronger than fear, and that there are ways to respond to tension and injustice without abandoning our shared humanity."
Voices for Peace reflects the principles of the Anabaptist peace tradition that shape CMU's mission. The choir is grounded in a commitment to nonviolence, respect for the dignity of all people, and the pursuit of justice through peaceful action.
The choir also maintains a non-partisan posture. While it may sing at gatherings that address matters of public concern, Voices for Peace is not connected to any political party, candidate, or campaign. Its purpose is to support peaceful community expression and solidarity.
Participation in Voices for Peace is flexible and entirely voluntary. Those who sign up are simply opting in to receive occasional invitations when opportunities arise and are free to decide whether to participate.
Learn more and sign up for invitations at cmu.ca/voices-for-peace.
To invite Voices for Peace to participate at an event, community organizers may contact:
Sandra Koop Harder
VP External
skoopharder
For media inquiries:
Kevin Kilbrei
Director of Marketing and Communications
kkilbrei
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