In a different turn of events from their normal concerts, Juice House’s Singing Blend performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “America the Beautiful” for a naturalization ceremony at the Toledo Lucas County Public Library Main branch on Jan. 9.
Forty new citizens from 25 countries were naturalized in the ceremony. Others in attendance included Jason Kucsma, executive director and fiscal officer of the Toledo Lucas County Public Library, Dr. Calvin Burney, a Library Legacy Foundation board member, and Mely Arribas-Douglas, a Welcome Toledo Lucas County specialist.
U.S. District Court Judge Jeffery J. Helmick presided over the event and recognized Juice House’s contribution to the city and community.
“Juice House is a community organization that fosters a healthy, diverse and alternative social ecology to cultivate mental and physical wellness, promote student success and build public connectedness,” Helmick said.
The choir consisted of students and faculty from the University of Toledo as well as community members. Many of the group members had similarly performed at a naturalization ceremony held at the library the previous year, but for other members, this first-time experience was something special.
“The naturalization ceremony was my first time singing in a performance for Juice House Singing Blend, so I was very excited to join the choir at this important event,” Joshua Repp, a student member of Singing Blend, said. “Although I was nervous to perform in front of a large crowd, the cohesion and energy of the group definitely made it a positive experience.”
While their hard work paid off, the success of their singing wasn’t the only thing that Singing Blend members were aiming for.
“[Singing in the naturalization ceremony] shows people that Singing Blend goes beyond just a typical college choir group,” Wei Keat Liaw, student president of Juice House, said. “We’re always looking to try out new things and see how far we can go to use our voice to touch others. I hope this can encourage members and audiences to see how much humanity can go into singing.”
For some members, singing at the naturalization ceremony had an added layer of importance compared to their normal concert performances.
“Just being at the naturalization ceremony felt different in terms of atmosphere,” Arjun Rajesh, Singing Blend student leader and Juice House student treasurer, said. “The new citizens of this country, finally at their final step of their long-drawn process, coming together to enjoy this momentous occasion, is much different from people coming together to enjoy a concert piece.
Singing at the naturalization ceremony filled me with a sense of patriotic spirit and, in some ways, also a boost in motivation to work towards eventually sharing the experience they had.”
Now more than ever, in a time when people are fighting for their place in the country, events like the naturalization ceremony can act as a symbol of hope to remind people of what it means to truly be an American and what this country was founded to be.
“Our singing is, in some ways, their first exposure to what they have worked towards,” Rajesh said. “So, to be able to sing the national anthem and ‘America the Beautiful’ in this ceremony instills them with a sense of identity, and also a way to remind them of the reason why this country is precious to all of the people who thrive here, and the countless people who have paved the way to establish this country’s founding principles.”
The ceremony also had a big impact on some of the singers themselves, especially those facing circumstances similar to those the new citizens had also faced.
“For me, it added this extra layer of purpose, which is to eventually be a part of this ceremony, sitting in the same seats as the newly [naturalized] citizens of this country,” Rajesh said. “They, just like me, have come to this land with a purpose, and have finally established their credibility and importance to this country.”
One of the main reasons the group was able to perform like they did, and a key motivator in their pursuit to impact people’s lives, is their conductor, Rebekah Chang. She herself was an immigrant to the U.S. and went through her own naturalization process with her husband and two children. Chang’s energy and constant supply of vitality passes from her to the choir and the audience, and is one of the reasons the group is able to impact so many people. During the performance, a moment came when Chang turned away from the choir to face the crowd and encouraged them to sing along, conducting both singers and new citizens alike as they sang for their country.
“When we sing out what we believe, it draws power,” Chang said. “That was what happened that day. As we were singing, many new citizens sang with us in tears, as well as the choir members. I sensed a strong synergy generated between [the] audience and the choir, which bonded us inseparably. I think what we experienced goes above and beyond a routine ceremony, but a memorable moment for both the new citizens and us. What a wonderful way to welcome them entering this great nation, the land of the free and the home of the brave!”
Refreshed and encouraged from their singing at the ceremony, the Singing Blend now turns their focus toward their upcoming spring concert on April 25 at Doermann Theatre at the University of Toledo, where they hope to continue touching the lives of those around them.
“Singing helps us to connect, interact, communicate and relate without noticing,” Chang said. “It transcends all differences and creates nutrients for humanity.”
