Welcome!
This 90-minute concert is be presented in one complete, participatory journey without intermission.
The chorus was founded in 2014 in Monterey, CA by Director Lisa G. Littlebird and grew into the largest community chorus in that area by 2019. 2025 is the first year we’ve had both a Central Coast and San Diego chapter.
More than 100 San Diego singers and 130 Monterey singers chose to join our non-audition chorus this season. We learn all of our repertoire by heart, without sheet music, so we can more directly embody and share the messages of these songs with you. Together we do what we could never do alone.
The mission of Wholehearted is to create a more harmonious world by singing together.
We were so pleased to be joined this season by MaMuse. Sorah Nutting and Karisha Longaker are consummate professional musicians who are heart-led and deeply aligned with Wholehearted Chorus. The majority of our songs this evening were written by them. Learn more about MaMuse and join their mailing list for ongoing tour information and more at mamuse.org.
CONCERT PROGRAM
Most of our songs below include a link to a page with more information about that song, including lyrics, a recording, and background. They are all made for singing and sharing in community. May our concert inspire them to become lifelong friends and companions.
All of our song choices this season reflect upon a central inquiry: How do we bridge the divide?
To support this inquiry, Lisa developed a companion podcast series this season, also called “A Song for All of Us.” We hope you’ll enjoy listening to Lisa speak with several insightful guests here to deepen your own contemplation and inspiration as we all keep growing in the direction of love and belonging.
Podcast: aSongForAllOfUs.org
We offer this invocation as a spell cast for all of us to relax, receive and find our collective power within.
2) In This House, by Karisha Longaker
This is a new song from Karisha Longaker that came while in the home of our friend, Los Angeles songleader Maggie Wheeler. It’s an easy one to catch, so please sing! We like to think of this song as a loving invitation into our “house rules” – not only here tonight, but here in the United States and on Planet Earth.
A simple and beautiful layer song from Karisha Longaker. A really accessible one to teach in community singing groups of all sizes and levels of experience. We’ll invite you in the river with us.
A gem of a song from MaMuse about welcoming in our shadow aspects; including the harder, more confusing aspects of ourselves and our lives with curiosity and wonder. Arranged for Wholehearted by director Lisa Littlebird.
In 2021, Melanie DeMore and Lisa commissioned this song from MaMuse for our “Boots on the Ground” community singing playlist. What an anthem of solidarity and community they delivered! Arranged for Wholehearted by director Lisa Littlebird.
This song by Karisha Longaker came to her in a dream and it felt so familiar to her she was convinced it already existed so she almost didn’t release it. It is now widely circulating worldwide as one of the most potent community singing anthems of our time.
Lay back and receive the beauty! This is one of the lesser-known but most beautiful songs of Crosby & Nash, written by Crosby’s son, James Raymond. David Crosby shared in interviews later in his life that this song is the one he is perhaps most proud of. It is full of rich metaphors about redemption and surrendering to a greater power for forgiveness.
A song from the rainbow gathering days of the 70’s by Chhaya I-chèle of Eugene, Oregon. Presented in a fresh arrangement here by Lisa Littlebird here for Wholehearted Chorus with guitar. The song was originally inspired by a Psalm.
An anthem of togetherness by Ahlay Blakely, a Seattle-based songstress and grief-tender. Ahlay is a master of complex rounds and this is one of her finest.
A beautiful anthem of peace, written by San Diego Wholehearted chorus member and One Voice Choir director Maddie Hamann.
10) Through the Night, by Sorah Nutting of MaMuse
A brand new song from Sorah Nutting of MaMuse coming on their forthcoming new album. This song came through right before the war in Gaza. We hold this song with a deep prayer for peace in our world.
A mashup of a new song by Lisa Littlebird along with an re-imagined, familiar tune you’ll recognize from the Youngbloods.
Give it all up and flow downstream with us…
This song was born as a tool for navigating conflict. We dare you to look in the eyes of your partner/ kids/ co-workers and sing this the next time you find yourselves not seeing eye-to-eye.
Our concert’s namesake, this is an anthem for inclusion, empathy, and for everyone to know their deserving and belonging.
15) Let it Be Easy, by Karisha Longaker of MaMuse
This song was born from Karisha asking for a song for middle-schoolers, as they look around, wondering how much conformity is required to belong, and how much their authenticity is welcome. May we all embody the beautiful message here, with funk, joy, and style.
Influenced by the Gullah tradition active in composer Sarah Nutting’s Carolina homeland, this MaMuse song is part gospel, part hoedown, and major joy.
Stay In Tune with MaMuse
Click here to be the first to find out when MaMuse will be in the neighborhood again, and when their new album is born: https://www.mamuse.org/contact.
Joining Wholehearted Chorus
Think you might want to sing with us? We’d love to have you! Our next season is May-October 2026, with registration opening in March. Join Lisa’s mailing list now so you’ll be the first to hear when registration opens (you may easily unsubscribe anytime.)
Supporting Wholehearted Chorus
Your donations are warmly welcomed, and make it possible for us to offer scholarships to singers in our group. Thank you for your one-time gift by dropping cash in the jar at the door, making a donation via Paypal, or offering recurring support through Lisa’s Patreon.
Wholehearted Community Song Circles
Community song circles open to all are happening twice a month all year long in Carmel and Big Sur, led by wonderful songleaders, most of whom are also offering leadership in Wholehearted Chorus. Click here to join the mailing list and hear about all the great opportunities to sing: https://wholeheartedcommunitysongcircles.com/
Thank you for choosing to join us! We’re so glad you’re here.
