In 2020 even the most innocent of activities suddenly turned dangerous and, in some cases, deadly. Few during the pandemic could safely gather for any type of group activity, especially rehearsing or performing in a musical ensemble. According to several studies, the spread of COVID-19 greatly increases for singers as they open their mouths and sing. Vocal ensembles of all types were immediately shut down, and even Zoom options weren’t very feasible. Fifty-four million choral singers in the U.S. (and more beyond) began to ask, “When will it be safe to sing together again?”
David Newman, a voice and music theory professor at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, found a solution that worked for his singers. Newman gave the vocalists wireless microphones and, using a sound system and mixer, musicians could sing and hear themselves in real-time through their car radios. Yet after posting his success on YouTube and social media, Newman found that no one seemed to be paying attention.
Then electrical engineer and amateur pianist Bryce Denney and his wife Kathryn, a professional singer, stumbled upon a similar solution. After Newman and the Denneys began comparing notes and spreading the word throughout various online singing communities, “car choirs” began to catch on. For a diverse range of vocal groups such as church choirs, classical ensembles, barbershop groups, pop combos, and more, car choirs became not only a way to keep the music going, but also served as lifelines for a community of musicians.
One priest in the documentary remarks about the car choir model, “It felt like something that was from God.” A singer comments, “It really hit me. It was the first time I had other people’s energies flowing with mine.” A barbershop quartet member states, “Part of our soul was coming back.”
Yet the concept of car choirs was filled with challenges: miles of tangled cables and cords, patched-together sound equipment, car batteries running down from hours of radio use, vehicles that needed to be jump-started, weather-related problems, and more. And have you ever tried to reserve a parking lot for anything, much less a car choir concert?
Despite the challenges car choirs sprang up all over North America, and no one complained about what they looked like. Parking lots couldn’t exactly compete with pristine concert halls, but people got used to seeing professional pianists playing from the backs of U-Haul trucks and accomplished singers sitting behind steering wheels. While these car choir concerts didn’t measure up to the atmosphere of an evening at the Met, the pure joy of the singers and their audiences far surpassed the price of extravagant black-tie concert events at upscale venues.
The Drive to Sing proves that the human spirit cannot be quenched, not even by a deadly pandemic. As one musician commented, “Singers have a need to make music together. They will always find a way. We will find our way home.” That determination is not only bound in making music but also in sharing it with other musicians and audiences. This documentary shows viewers an unforgettably uplifting story that will continue to inspire audiences regardless of the obstacles and challenges that come our way. You don’t even have to be a musician to be moved by this picture, but musicians—and music lovers of all kinds—will no doubt embrace the film and want to share it with others.
What academic subjects would this film be suitable for?
The Drive to Sing would be a welcome documentary resource for high schools, community colleges, and universities, especially those with music programs, particularly vocal and choral programs. The documentary also touches on issues of sociology.
What kind of film collection would this title be suitable for?
The Drive to Sing would be a valued educational resource for high school libraries, college/university libraries, and particularly public libraries. The film is appropriate for all ages and offers no objectionable material whatsoever, so an appropriate public viewing license would allow schools, libraries, and other organizations to screen the film.
Watch a TV interview with the director and producer of The Drive to Sing
1 of 7
A singer from Joyful Voices of Inspiration sings gospel music in her car in the foreground. In the background, singers' cars are arranged in an arc, pointing toward the conductor. This is our simplified poster for streaming services.
2 of 7
The Somerset Hills Harmony barbershop chorus rehearses in a church parking lot in Fall 2020. They sang this way every 2 weeks until June 2021.
3 of 7
In 2020, many singers learned how to record selfie videos so they could participate in virtual choirs online. Cell phone video from inside the cars produced some of the most personal, emotional moments in the film.
4 of 7
In December 2020, 160 singers gathered to sing through Handel's Messiah from separate cars in Bolton, Massachusetts. The conductor was on a marching band podium, and the pianist was in a rental truck to stay warm on that 34-degree day. At the time, this was the only way they could gather safely and sing.
5 of 7
Choruses from 20 states and several Canadian provinces adopted car singing to make it through the pandemic, despite the challenges. You will see them in action, and hear why it was so important to them.
6 of 7
Kathryn Denney conducts a parking lot choir, while Bryce Denney plays piano. In the SUV behind, you can see the audio equipment that enabled singers in their separate cars to hear each other.
7 of 7
This is the movie poster for The Drive to Sing that we brought to film festivals. For this concert in June 2021, some vaccinated singers were comfortable singing outside, while others sang from their cars.