For more than 300 years, Detroit and its river have been a destination for people of every nationality searching for freedom and opportunity. Just as the Detroit River symbolizes the common hopes of these seekers, the Deep River Choir celebrates the common spirit that continues to inspire and unify our diverse and storied community.  Sponsored by the Y-Arts department of the Boll Family YMCA, this community-based, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic international singing group answers the question, ‘How can we keep from singing?’

 The YMCA Deep River Choir has quickly gained a reputation for being one of the most unique singing groups in Metropolitan Detroit. Composed of gifted singers from the city and suburbs, the choir specializes in songs of praise and protest. Gillian Eaton, VP of the Arts and Humanities Branch of the Metropolitan Detroit YMCA, formed the choir in September 2007. Under the direction of Ms. Bobbi Thompson and musical consultation from Brazeal Dennard Chorale Conductor Nina Scott, the choir renders modern interpretations to traditional folk and gospel as well as Motown and the blues.

 The choir’s roster includes award winning musicians Robert Jones and Matt Watroba who assisted Ms.Eaton in forming the group. Each member of the choir wears a colorful stole hand woven by youngsters from a village in Ghana where the weaving tradition is passed down through the generations.

 In addition to singing at numerous YMCA events, the Deep River Choir has performed at the city’s annual holiday celebration Noel Night, numerous Martin Luther King Day tributes, the 2008 NAACP Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner in Detroit, the Justin Ravitz Memorial Celebration, the Detroit Festival of the Arts, the African World Festival, and the Ark in Ann Arbor. The choir has just released its first CD, Praise and Promises, a recording of spirituals, traditional folk songs, and original compositions by Robert Jones and Matt Watroba. An overview of  upcoming performances by the choir is available at: www.y-artsdetroit.org.