Make a JOYFUL Noise: Singing as a Spiritual Practice

We offer a safe space to sound/sing/find our voices – freeing the sounder/singer in us for use in

spiritual ways. “The idea of singing as a spiritual practice for me is to give witness to the power,

the energy, the Mysteries that I am unable to explain in other ways by going within and

producing sound from the heart” (Mary Bucklin). 

Things we want you to know:

• Our goal is not necessarily to make us into singers or better singers, but to help us express our authentic selves and free the joy within us through sound and movement—engulfed by love and joy, without judgment.

• We will discuss and experiment HOW we can perhaps go deeper in our use of sound/song/chant in our daily lives.

• We will sound/sing in organized large and small groups and unstructured soundings out in Nature, using vocables, soundings, chanting, and singing to reach and try to express the knowing of our hearts. 

• We will offer morning soundings to welcome the day, as well as evening soundings to welcome the night. 

• We will spend the time needed to be able to carry the songs in our hearts and minds when we leave.

• We will offer time for personal needs (naps, walks, visits to the Spirit House, chattingwith friends, etc.) as well as plain ol’ sing-a-long time.

No singing or musical experience is necessary, just curiosity and a willingness to create sound with others!

Facilitated by joyful singers and longtime Hope Springs advocates Mary Bucklin & Mary Manera.

Sliding Scale

Committed to accessibility for guests and stability for the organization and its employees, Hope Springs Institute sets its fees and rates to reflect reciprocal exchange and mutual support.

The sliding scale model represented here relies on honest reflection and trust. Before claiming your rate on a sliding scale, we ask that you consider your economic privilege. A helpful resource to do so has been created by Alexis J. Cunningfolk: Sliding Scale as a tool for Economic Justice. The standard rate represents the full cost of this program, while the “supporting community” rate offers a “pay it forward” model to off-set the “supported community” rate, which aims to make these gatherings more possible for a broader range of folks with different circumstances and resources. Get stretchy, but stay safe, and please consider the reminder that sliding scale is not a sale, or a pay-what-you-want structure. Making your share of an equitable contribution might mean that you are still making sacrifices, or prioritizing this experience over something else. Consider payment plans as ways to balance the cost (you can register with a deposit with the balance due before the retreat begins).

Fees for this Hope Springs led program go toward room & board, credit card processing fee, operational costs, facilitator stipends, and future scholarships/program support.

May we rejoice in a system of our creation offering support to us both. And if any questions arise, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Rates

Standard Rate: $750

Supporting Community Rate: $1000

Supported Community Rate: $500 

Guaranteed single: $1250 (Limited availability)