“I can’t sing a lick,” said John Keith. “I’m just adding bulk to the choir. They asked me to join and I’m glad I did; it’s great fun.”
The fun and the music are at the core of the Resilient Voices program, which fills the Levoy Theatre in Millville with the blending voices of the military veterans and community supporters in the Veterans Community Choir, while they also share with—and grow closer to—each other.
Some are trained vocalists, some avid singers, and a few, like John, have no chorus experience at all.
When I attended a rehearsal of the choir performance coming up on May 30, I parked right in front of the stately Levoy, no mean feat.
This theater has hosted so many different shows for decades—everything from vaudeville in its heyday to Iron Maiden in its rebirth. This one, though, may be unique of the thousands performed.
I got into the elevator with John, who was pushing his dear friend Sheila O’Rourke Hollman’s wheelchair. She served as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force. They both reside at the N.J. Veteran’s Memorial Home Vineland, the Levoy’s partner in this endeavor. There are several other veterans home residents in the choir.
The members range in age from early 20s to late 80s and are a racially diverse group of men and women, some differently abled, and many of whom have known each other only for the few months of practicing.
John and Sheila began talking to me immediately and brightly. When they entered the rehearsal room, they were resoundingly greeted by the group.
John said “I was in the Air Force for four years. My brother was in Vietnam in the Army. My father was in the Navy in 1942 when I was born. I served a year in Greenland—Greenland, nobody knew anything about Greenland until Trump came around.
“Greenland is nothing—there’s nothing up there,” he made clear. “But it was better than going to ’Nam.”
I sought out Betty Ann Hickman, since her good friend Jill Ransom pointed out it was Betty’s photo on the publicity poster for the show. The friends are both Newport residents.
“I’m very patriotic, very veteran-minded and we’ve had 11 or 12 veterans in our immediate family over the decades,” said Betty Ann. “I’ve always been very partial to veteran activity and I love to sing, so when I heard this was available and Jill encouraged me I was like let’s do it, so here we are.
“It’s been wonderful at practices; every time there’s something else that astonishes me, just makes me say ‘wow,’ ” Betty Ann added.
She predicted the whole house will be standing and singing as the choir does “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
Donna Terry, Levoy education and outreach associate and choir director, says “All right, how is everybody?”
Great, great, great—they’re all excited. Donna checks on recent birthdays and there were several, including Zion Reston, turning 24, the youngest choir member. For each, Donna said “Let’s sing Happy Birthday” and there was a beautiful melodic rendition and a round of applause at the end.
Donna smiles and laughs as much as anybody in the warm and relaxing fun environment—until it’s time to hit the notes.
She takes them through it measure by measure. Altos, let’s try it. Now the tenors. Alright, everyone on that part. Okay, now we’ll run through the whole thing.
“Well, sorry, we’re going to have to do that all over again.”
COLUMN 1, from top: Cindi Berry, Olivia Johnson, Jill L. Ransom. COLUMN 2: Donna Terry, Denise Workman, Octavius Johnson, Jim Cook, Jr. COLUMN 3: John Bollar, Rosemary Lambert, Zion Reston, John Lawrence Birmingham. COLUMN 4: Terri DelVicario, Robert L. Terry, Betty Ann Hickman, Sheila Hollman. COLUMN 5: Valerie Hunt, John Keith, Carol Iaconelli. Photography by Joseph Bruno
The insistent direction not only doesn’t dampen the atmosphere, it seems to enliven it. Both the voices and the personalities harmonize.
During breaks between songs, there is a friendly pattern of cohesiveness, like a neighborhood backyard barbecue.
Here they go with “The Army Goes Rolling Along,” then “The Marines’ Hymn.” I realize this is a medley of the official anthems of the military branches. Patriotic songs sung by patriotic people.
Going very smoothly. “Anchors Aweigh” now and then “The Wild Blue Yonder.”
There are a few pauses in going through the Coast Guard marching song “Semper Paratus.” It’s less familiar, as is the branch. So, they go over it again. It’s a good thing Donna is patient.
Adjustments are made in the program and something that was said just got a loud “whoop” from the crowd.
When they got to the Battle Hymn, I joined in, I couldn’t help it. At that point, I felt like joining the chorus.
There is an original arrangement at the end of Star-Spangled Banner and those high notes in the mezzo soprano range. The comforting sounds ring off the walls and ceiling.
A young tenor arrives late because of work and pulls up a chair. The group stops to welcome him, and he returns the greeting.
This is like an A.A. meeting with song instead of angst.
“I have known Donna for many years, so, when she put out a call to the Millville Woman’s Club Chorus about the program and needed some voices to join the choir, I said absolutely I’ll come and sing and help out and be part of this. I volunteer a lot,” said choir member Ro Lampert.
“I think this has been a really worthwhile project that’s going to bring some attention to the veterans in the county and to the many stories and the talents that they have,” she continued. “Hopefully, we get that message out, especially with Memorial Day on the 26th.”
The descriptive words of the grant proposal were coming alive right in front of me.
Levoy Theatre is one of only 41 organizations nationwide selected to receive a Creative Forces Community Engagement grant in this round.
The grant supports the 16-week program that goes beyond traditional therapy methods to foster resilience and well-being in veterans of all ages and service experiences, as well as their families and the local community.
By integrating various art forms, including creative writing, monologue development, choral singing, music composition, and technical theater, Resilient Voices provides a unique and holistic approach to healing and self-expression.
“The most exciting aspect of being part of this program is that it’s a chance to connect two worlds I’ve been passionate about for many years—performing arts and military service,” said Jim Cook. He is in the unique position of being a member of the choir, a veteran, and a Levoy board member.
“Resilient Voices has given me an opportunity to revisit my military career life. It’s fascinating how hearing something like the Army Song jogs memories I thought I’d long forgotten and it’s both challenging and rewarding,” he said.
“The participants from the Vineland Veterans home singing with us are sharing really engaging stories about their experiences in the monologues they wrote. We have a veteran who’s sharing his experience with segregation and the challenges faced by Black service members, we have another veteran sharing her experience of being a woman in the Air Force ranks during the early days of enlisted female service members. Their stories reflect the history of our nation, and it’s a part of our community that deserves to be seen and recognized,” Jim concluded.
“Resilient Voices is an example of the high-quality programming offered through our Arts and Education Center, illustrating our commitment to leveraging the transformative power of the arts to support and heal our veterans, their families, and the community,” said Lauren Van Embden, programming director of The Levoy.
Creative Forces: NEA Military Healing Arts Network is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs that seeks to improve the health, well-being, and quality of life for military and veteran populations exposed to trauma, as well as their families and caregivers.
“Resilient Voices demonstrates the transformative power of the arts in healing and community building,” said Renee Brecht-Mangiafico, director of education Levoy Arts and Education Center. “Watching these veterans find their voice through creative writing and music has been incredibly moving. This performance celebrates their journey and invites our community to better understand the veteran experience.”
The May 30 event will feature special guests NJ Dogs of Honor, with a brief presentation about the service dog program. The Bridgeton High School AFJROTC will post the colors to open the ceremony.
Thanks for the Memories, Dad
One sailor’s monologue comes to The Levoy across more than 80 years. In what is sure to be a poignant moment, Cindi Berry, a retired teacher from Millville, will read poems written during World War II by her father, the late Signalman Third Class Russell Corson Jr., USN.
“I’m so grateful that he left his writings behind because it gives him a voice” she said. “Even though I haven’t heard his voice for decades, through his poetry I can hear him and that’s really special for me.”
Signalman Corson died at 49 when Cindi was 11.
“He was my hero,” Cindi said with emotion. “I mean there are just so many things, even though I had just 11 short parenting years from him: He taught me to swim, passed on his love for nature, taught me to ride my bike, and gave me my love of music and singing.
“He sang in the senior church choir while I sang in the children’s,” she said. “He sang baritone in a quartet and played violin. He’d sit on my bed and we’d practice music together.
“I’m so grateful I can honor him this way.” —M.B.
Cindi’s father served on a PC boat. Its mission was to track enemy submarines. This is excerpted from one of his poems, about his boat.
A PC
A little, rolling, pitching demon
She seems almost alive.
And from the misery of her hapless crew,
Much pleasure she’ll derive.
If the sea and foam don’t wet you,
And you somehow keep your feet,
The engine spray will get you,
Or you perish from the heat.
Her living space was carefully planned,
To ensure the most in pain.
And you crack your head in a hundred spots,
Creating throbbing in your brain.
A PC will not be mentioned,
When the tales of the sea are spun.
But her crew will sure remember her,
Long after this War is won!
The Veteran Photographer
Professional photographer Joe Bruno’s therapist suggested he volunteer at the Veterans Home in Vineland to help him deal with his PTSD from his service as a Staff Sergeant in the Air Force and National Guard by communicating with other veterans.
“It was just supposed to be a one-and-done,” he said. But he generously began shooting portraits of the residents and giving them a copy.
“I went back the next year, and now it’s been four,” he said. “Family members tell me how much they appreciated the photograph of their mom, dad or sometimes spouse or sibling. I have had family come to me after a death to tell me how much the photograph meant to them.”
Joe described a woman who wanted to be in a photo with her husband, a resident. He agreed, but the husband was suddenly against it. He argued that she was always “telling him what to do.”
“ “I realized that, due to dementia, he didn’t know who she was,” Joe related. “I said she’s your wife and it’s her job, and then he said ok, fine. When she thanked me, she said that will probably be the last photo we’ll ever have together.
“I’d like to say it didn’t make me cry, but I held onto it until they were gone. How could I not continue to do this?”
When Joe, who lives in Hammonton, learned about the Resilient Voices program, he volunteered to do publicity photos and individual headshots for the participants. It’s just who he is. —M.B.
