Testimonials

"Matt LaPine and the Rise Up Chorus are doing terrifically important work: bringing music's healing power into an increasingly fractured public square. They are the living embodiment of putting 'unity' back into 'community.' Working with them remains one of the greatest joys of my professional career."

"The Rise Up Chorus, under the direction of Matthew LaPine, presented a passionate and deeply moving performance of my large choral work, The Unarmed Child. I am so grateful for the hard work and intention of every moment and every phrase. Adding the dance troupe, Dance Reflections from Metuchen Dance Centre, brought another layer of emotion I had never experienced before. Thank you, Matthew, and thank you, Rise Up singers. It is beautiful how you embrace your surrounding community while bringing a strong message of standing for common sense gun laws while remembering the children who have been lost to gun violence."

"I loved to see both adults and children singing. I liked it when they danced and smiled. I liked that they did different arrangements of songs we knew. I liked it that the audience was invited to participate."

"It's really a great thing that this community chorus does. And that's the key word. Community."

"My favorite part of Rise Up Chorus...it's definitely the people. All the people involved are so friendly and nice. And now I have this whole family of people who sing together, that I feel ultra connected to."

"The thing that really keeps me coming back and what I like the most about RUC...when I come here, it's really emotionally authentic. It's really sincere. You can really just be yourself."

"Once I'm here, my heart is just bursting with the love of song and my fellow members of Rise Up Chorus. It's a great Friday night and our performances are even greater."

"What makes the group so special is the fact that everyone feels important. Everyone feels like they have a purpose within the ensemble, and it's such a community effort."

"It's such a wonderful community. It doesn't matter whether you're a trained musician, a professional musician, somebody who barely reads music, or doesn't read at all. Everybody is valued equally and encouraged. It's so much fun on a Friday night!"

"They say one of the distinguishing characteristics of a community is a common language. And it's often said that music is a universal language. That is certainly the case with Rise Up Chorus...It is a unique experience and one that really brings to me a sense of community and oneness with everyone around me. It's truly a privilege to be part of Rise Up Chorus."