How I found a new place of belonging in the Magnolia Chorale

​By Jordan Garceau, Alto
As a new Seattle transplant, I have spent the last eight months absorbing the city’s culture, and searching to find where I fit in. I grew up in a small Montana town where I knew people and people knew me. The first day I got my driver’s license, I got pulled over in the middle of Main Street. Within the five minutes it took me to get home, my mom received two texts and a Facebook message informing her that I was just pulled over by the county sheriff.  

My hometown made it easy to connect to those around me. We all were in a bubble of shared experiences. Everyone knew Trail Star Café had the best breakfast in town and no one dared miss the Christmas Light Parade. I never had to search for a place to belong in my community because we were all doing similar things. City life is a different ball game. I vividly remember the day I arrived in Seattle, with my 96’ Honda accord packed to the brim, feeling overwhelmed about life in a bigger pond where everyone I passed was a stranger.  

After a lot of Google maps rerouting, I finally figured out the best ways to get to work depending on how late I am running. I then focused on building up my social life. It wasn’t long before I formed a solid group of friends that I can trust and rely on. This past Christmas time, I started thinking about my current life and reflected on my goals. Although I was happy, I felt I was living on a hamster wheel doing the same things each week. I needed to find my “thing” to push me outside my comfort zone and connect me to others with similar interests.

My “thing” has always been singing. I grew up in the church and lead worship every Sunday. I was in every choir ensemble my school offered and even had a job singing at funerals for a hot minute. Singing has always been an important part of me and brings me fulfillment that I cannot get elsewhere. So one Saturday on a whim, I Googled “Seattle choirs” thinking all that would appear would be closed groups only welcome to the Susan Boyle’s of the world...   

---

Read More