Joyful Voices Chorus Welcomes a New Director, Carrying on a Legacy of Community and Song
- Jackie Hanson
- Sep 25
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 26
There’s a quiet magic that fills the Fellowship Hall at Salisbury Presbyterian Church in Midlothian, Virginia every Thursday morning — the kind that comes from shared song, warm coffee, and the supportive rhythm of community. Since 2017, Joyful Voices Chorus has offered a space not just to sing, but to heal, to remember, and to belong. And this fall, that tradition continues under the warm leadership of their new director, Angel Stanton, whose journey to this choir feels, as she puts it, “like a God moment.”
Founded by Joanne Sherman, Mark Patterson, and Laura Miles, Joyful Voices began as a simple idea — a dementia-inclusive community choir where care partners and loved ones could sing side-by-side. What began with a few voices has grown into a vibrant, joyful ensemble of over 70 singers, with rehearsals full of laughter, music, and moments of deep connection.
This fall, as they begin their Broadway-themed semester, they also move through a season of transition. The retirement of founding director Joanne Sherman brought natural worries - “I was afraid people wouldn’t stay,” Angel admits. “Joanne was such a fixture — such big shoes to fill.” But stay they did. In fact, they embraced Angel with open arms.
Angel’s connection to Joyful Voices runs deep. A former colleague of both Joanne and Lauren, she stepped away from teaching years ago to be a full-time mom. But after her own mother passed in late 2024, she felt a pull back toward something meaningful. Months earlier, she had heard about the possibility of a position with the choir and decided to reach back out to Joanne—amazingly, the role was still available. After experiencing the choir for the first time, Angel stepped outside, called her husband, and said, “You can’t help but walk out of that building and smile and be happy. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life.” That was all it took.
Still, it hasn’t all been easy. “The hardest part?” Angel laughs, “the registration paperwork!” With nearly 18 duets and 70+ singers, there’s a lot to keep track of — not to mention chair setups (with help from the local Boy Scouts), lyric sheets designed for dementia-friendly reading, and the all-important pre-rehearsal snack time, a beloved 25-minute window where friends catch up and new members are welcomed in.
But loss, too, is part of the rhythm that Angel has had to embrace with gratitude and humility. This past summer, the group said goodbye to two beloved members. Angel attended her second funeral just last week. “One of the families had someone sing May Sunshine Light Your Way — the same piece we sing in rehearsal to honor members who’ve passed. That moment just... stays with you.”
And yet, even in grief, there is community. Donations were made to the chorus in memory of those members, and their spirit lives on in every note sung. “It’s not just about getting the notes right,” Angel says. “It’s about joy. About being together.”
Looking ahead, Joyful Voices is preparing more than music. Plans are underway for the inaugural Joanne Sherman Forum on June 25, 2026 — a mini-conference designed to support singers with dementia and their caregivers. With breakout sessions, community resources, and space for connection, the forum will carry forward Joanne’s legacy of advocacy and care.
As the choir gathers weekly — to rehearse, to snack, to smile — one thing is clear: Joyful Voices isn’t just about singing. It’s about showing up. For each other. For the memories. For the moments that matter.
Because even in the face of change, the music never stops.
Learn more about Joyful Voices and follow their work at the following links:
Website
YouTube
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