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PROVO — Choir director Dave Lewis started inconsistently attending the Provo Community Congregational United Church of Christ 10 years ago. After being asked to fill in as the organist, he slowly started becoming a more permanent member but made it clear he wanted nothing to do with a choir.
The next spring, however, he was approached by leaders from churches in the area and asked to direct an interfaith concert. Nine years later, the Utah Valley Interfaith Choir is still going strong, creating a community of inclusivity and friendship, and Lewis gets to happily watch from the director's view.
"I call it jokingly being a fly on the music stand, seeing the interaction between folks that have different backgrounds and watching them become friends — people that would never normally have a chance to get to know each other," Lewis said.
The Utah Valley Interfaith Choir is hoping to foster connection and friendship during its United We Sing! concert on Friday, Nov. 3, at 7 p.m. The annual concert was started to bring people together to "celebrate what we have in common," Lewis said.
"We see so much divisiveness in the world and in our country and we felt there's a lot we can celebrate together that we have in common. That's kinda been the creed of the choir since the very beginning that we have held onto," Lewis said.
As part of the Provo November Art Stroll, people are welcome to stay for a song or watch the whole program that is centered on the theme "Be Still — songs of gratitude, faith and friendship."
Lewis described the program as an "eclectic mix of music" ranging from Tom Petty, to gospel hymns, to classical music. There is a little bit of something for everybody while focusing on positive ideals the choir stands for.
"Music can be a very healing element in our lives. Something speaks to everybody and that's why I like eclectic programs," Lewis said. "This is an evening where people can come together where they're not necessarily religious or have a denomination they claim, but they're certainly welcome to come. There's a message for everybody of just being open and kind and being accepting of no matter who you are and what your beliefs are."
The former president of the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce, Val Hale, will be a guest speaker at this year's performance. Lewis said he is excited to hear Hale's messages. Students from the Religious Academy at Lindon Community will also be featured and artworks from artist Paul Grass will be displayed.
Lewis said the choir is made up of about 20 people of all different beliefs coming together from all across Utah County to share good messages through music.
"That's where we are different from other community or religious choirs, is because we're really focused on not just singing music, but we're focused on the friendship we gain and understanding," Lewis said. "It's not just singing. It's come and enjoy each other's company, get to know each other and we become another family."
This year, the choir brought in David Kime, who has an extensive background in music, as an assistant director to help train and improve the choir's skills. Lewis said the choir is volunteer-based and not audition-based, so anyone with any amount of singing background can join to worship through music.
The choir is sponsored by the Provo Community Congregational United Church of Christ and will perform at the church building at 175 N. University Avenue, which was added to the National Register for Historic Places last year.
Lewis said the church is not only an inclusive worship place, but it also acts as a community performing arts cultural center that Provo is in need of. He said the Provo Tabernacle used to be that space, but now there isn't a venue anymore and he thinks the church building and choir fill that niche.
"We see that there is a need and a desire to have that in the community," Lewis said. The church hopes to expand the performance areas to be able to host full orchestras and a historic 45-pipe organ acquired last year.
The choir will also be collecting donations for Community Action Services Food Bank on the night of the show.
