Long Bay Threshold Choir brings comfort to the ill

With lullaby voices and sweet simple songs, the Long Bay Threshold Choir singers give the gift of song to people who are usually in heartbreaking situations.

“Our mission is to bring comfort and ease to the dying, their families and caregivers,” said Cynthia Dyer, who founded the local choir in 2014 and is director.

They go where they are invited and sing in hospital rooms, homes, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and other locations. They sing only in threes or fours, and they enter quietly carrying their stools of a height chosen to keep them on the same level with the person they are serenading.

Dyer said they are getting more calls to sing for people who are dying or suffering or healing from a sickness, and for their families and caregivers.

“We feel so privileged to bring our songs into these tender hearted situations,” she said. She is looking for more singers. “The more singers we have, the more visits we can make,” she said.

They are inviting interested singers, male and female, as well as hospice and health professionals, and volunteers, to either of two Open Houses and informational meetings where they will talk about what they do, sing in small groups to demonstrate how to make a song visit and teach some songs to everyone. There are no auditions.

The first open house and meeting is Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. at Surfside United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall at 800 13th Avenue North, Surfside Beach, and the second is on Oct. 13 at 2:30 p.m. at Briarcliff West Clubhouse, 10301 N. Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach.

To accommodate varied schedules, small groups of singers rehearse on Tuesday afternoons or Thursday evenings, whichever they choose, at different locations around the Grand Strand.

“If you can carry a tune, hold your part, blend with others, and communicate kindness with your voice, you'll fit right in,” Dyer said.

Their songs are their gifts.

The Long Bay Threshold Choir is one of over 100 such a capella choirs in the United States, Canada and Europe.

“Our calm presence, lullaby voices, and repertoire of simple, spiritual songs can be soothing and reassuring to clients, family, and caregivers alike,” Dyer said..

The songs are short and repetitive, mostly written by the choir members.

“The songs are full of peace and forgiveness and light and invitation to rest,” Dyer said. “It’s amazing how it affects family and friends there because they need to rest, too.”

This is one example of the songs they sing: “Rest easy, rest easy, let every trouble drift away. Love enfolds you and holds you safe.” Another is, “Hold this family in your heart. Watch over all their loved ones. Help the children make their way and hold them in the arms of graces.”

On paper, they are only words, but when those sweet voices give them wings, they become much more.

Donations to help with gas and other expenses are accepted.

This story was originally published October 1, 2015 at 9:43 AM with the headline "Long Bay Threshold Choir brings comfort to the ill."