Vocal Chords Celebrate 25 Years of Uplifting Song
MIDDLETOWN - What began as coincidence has grown into a mission for Middlesex Hospital Vocal Chords founder Joyce Ghent, RN. This amazing group would never have been born if not for a vision of one caring nurse. For the past 25 years, she has been fulfilling a mission in the Greater Middlesex community.

       In February 1990, Joyce Ghent, a registered nurse at Middlesex Hospital in Middletown, had a dream of helping others through music. While employed in the Intensive Care Unit, one evening she received a response from a seriously ill patient while softly singing to him. She realized, as many people in the medical field have come to know, that music is an instrument of healing, both for the listener and performer. There came the idea for a singing group.

       Though she has a background in music, Ghent knew nothing about organizing a singing group. She began her research and, of course, one of the most important issues was financing a group. She drew up a proposal and presented it to the administrators of Middlesex Hospital, promising them that the singing group would be a professional and positive reflection of the hospital.

       Gathering a small group of employees who loved to sing, she began this special group. Under the musical direction of Gina Fredericks, they were on their way.

       Fredericks, an accomplished musician, was no stranger to the music world. She has been involved in music in one way or another, including being director of the St. Sebastian Church Choir in Middletown for 50 years and providing private piano and voice lessons.

       In the beginning, the group rented wooden platforms to stand on for the concerts. Today members stand on steel risers; programs are printed instead of hand-drawn; and a keyboard, two accompanists and live orchestration are used for the concerts. Indeed the group has come a long way since it started.

       To the best of members’ knowledge, the MHVC is the only hospital-supported singing group in Connecticut and possibly in New England. The financial support that MHVC continues to receive from the hospital administrators is amazing. Ghent submits a budget twice a year to the hospital’s vice president of human resources. The rest of the funds come from member dues and a patron drive held every October.

       The music is selected to uplift and inspire audiences and includes patriotic songs, classical pieces, spirituals, songs from the Big Band era, broadway musicals and holiday music. The only requirement to join is the love of music, to enjoy singing, be willing to make the commitment to rehearse each week and help in the various outside community activities of the group.

       Over 63,000 miles have been traveled to present the concerts. Performances include two annual concerts a year for the general public, a Hospice Memorial concert in November and a Christmas Carol Sing at the Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center and a tree lighting ceremony in the hospital lobby. Trips have been made to the Vatican in Rome to sing for the Pope; The White House, Senate buildings and Union Station in Washington, DC.; Walt Disney World; a hospital in Montreal, Canada; Cancer Survivors Day at the CT State Legislature; an Armed Forces Day appearance on Channel 3; and a holiday concert at the Veterans Home in Rocky Hill. To date, $67,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors pursuing a career in nursing or music have been awarded. Donations have been made to the Middlesex Hospital Hospice Unit, Intensive Care Unit and Obstetrics Department, the Salvation Army, Eddie Home, Community Health Center and the Amazing Grace Food Bank.

       The Middlesex Hospital Vocal Chords are a family. They support each other in tragedies and gather together to attend a wake and sing for members who have lost loved ones. They celebrate each others accomplishments and give emotional support when needed. Traveling and singing together has cemented friendships that will last a lifetime. They sing, laugh and cry together and reach out to the hospital community and beyond. Ghent’s energy, passion, dedication and a strong will are attributes that keep this singing sensation in existence today. Luckily, she chose to use her gifts and talents to reach out to others and in turn their voices, lifted in song, have touched the lives and spirits of thousands of people. Her love of life and people are very contagious!

       MHVC’s next concert is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, at Portland High School, 95 High St., Portland, at 7:30 p.m.

       For more information, including how to join the Vocal Chords, visit www.vocalchords20.org or call Joyce Ghent at 860-342-3120.
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