Western NC Pagan Choir
A space in which we embrace the power of our voices as a vehicle to praise, invoke, and express wonder towards the living world. Located in Asheville, NC
Our fall season begins on September 15th! Register Here
WNC Pagan Choir is a community choir open to all voices in which we sing together to celebrate the magic of the natural world, inspired by folk & pagan traditions of Europe.
We meet in Asheville, North Carolina on the unceded lands of the Eastern Cherokee, or ᏣᎳᎫᏪᏘᏱ “Tsalaguwetiyi.”
We meet for 8-week seasons, learning songs themed around earth-based spirituality and pagan holidays such as Samhain, Bealtaine and Imbolc. This is a directed space, where we learn together by ear- singing rounds, chants, folk songs and layered songs with three and four-part harmonies. We also have a few notated songs from season to season, with every song taught by ear. Our choir includes people with varying levels of experience: some have sung in choral groups before, while others are singing socially for the first time. WNC Pagan Choir is open to everyone and is a queer-friendly and anti-racist space. Attendees can join at sliding scale prices.
What We Do Together
WNC Pagan Choir is a space in which we embrace the power of our voices as a vehicle to praise, invoke, and express wonder towards the living & dying world. In WNC Pagan Choir, we learn songs that express devotion to land and deities, reflect the changes of the seasons, and connect us to nature-based beliefs and folklore from Europe (often with a focus on England, Ireland and Scotland). Imagine standing and sharing your voice in a circle, or weaving around other singers while raising joyful harmonies, or chanting in gratitude to deities, spirits and ancestors.
In an average rehearsal, we spend time warming up our voices, then explore rounds and parts songs alongside verse/chorus songs. As we learn and sing these songs, we incorporate movement such as walking, hand gestures and circle dances. Before we close, we also take time to thank the songs and any beings invoked through the songs.
All of our songs are learned by ear. Lyrics and practice tracks are made available online for all attendees. Sheet music is occasionally employed, but reading music is not required for this experience. Our songs vary in challenge, from simple rounds and chants to layered songs and verse/chorus folk songs with multi-part harmonies. We sing original compositions by Saro and other contemporary song leaders, as well as traditional songs from a variety of European traditions.
Towards the end of each season, we have a public Finale for friends and family that includes a mix of performance, ritual and participatory singing. At some point during the season, we have a private, song-based seasonal ritual just for choir members.
Song Samples
Who is this for?
All voices are welcome at WNC Pagan Choir (there are no auditions!) and attendees bring varying levels of experience into the space. What is most important is that you bring your voice and a curiosity to explore songs about paganism and animism connected to European folk traditions (and occasionally beyond Europe!). During our seasons, we explore songs about folk magic, sacred beings like trees & rivers, and deities such as Brigid, Demeter, Lugh, and Aurora.
WNC Pagan Choir is anti-racist and welcomes people of all lineages. WNC Pagan Choir is also designed to be a queer friendly space. Please read more in the FAQ below.
About the Choir Leader
Hi, I’m Saro Lynch-Thomason. I’m a song leader & folklorist living on the occupied lands of the Cherokee in what is now called Asheville, traditionally known as ᏙᎩᏯᏍᏗ (Togiyasdi: “The place where they raced boats”).
I use song to root us into people’s history, folk practice and everyday reverence for the animate world. I have studied and taught folk songs from Appalachia, Scotland, England, the American South and beyond for over 15 years, and I create my own songs inspired by tradition and the contemporary “heart songs” movement.
I was raised in Nashville, Tennessee, and grew up in the Unitarian Universalist faith. Throughout my adult life, I’ve learned and created music inspired by Northwestern European pagan and animist practice, facilitating music-centered workshops and rituals that explore these traditions.
“Before I joined [WNC Pagan Choir], I'd held so much internalized shame around singing. But in choir, with Saro's encouraging and joyous guidance, the primal part of me that longs to sing unfolded. Now, singing is once again my friend. In truth, my life is now enchanted (origin of the word en-chant is 'in song'). Thank you, Saro and WNC Pagan Chorus, for the opportunity.”
—Gail Lazarus
When
For our Fall 2026 season, we’ll meet on Tuesdays, mid Sept. thru November for 10 weeks. Please make a note of the dates and times below.
Sept 15th, 6:30-8:30pm
Sept 22nd, 6:30-8:30pm
Sept 29th, 6:30-8:30pm
Oct 6th, 6:30-8:30pm
Oct 13th, 6:30-8:30pm
Oct 20th, 6:30-8:30pm
Oct 27th, 6:30-8:30pm
Nov 3rd, 6:30-8:30pm
Nov 10th, 6:30-8:30pm
Nov 17th, 6:30-8:30pm
Friday, November 20th, 6:00-9:00pm: Rehearsal
Season Finale: Nov. 21st, 5:00-7:00pm
A Samhain/Halloween ritual and additional Finale rehearsal will be scheduled as well- TBD
Where
WNC Pagan Choir regular rehearsals takes place in the Fellowship Hall at the Land of Sky UCC, 15 Overbrook Place, Asheville, NC 28805.
Payment
This choir is a commitment for the full season experience. No refunds are issued.
You are required to register and pay before attending. Your payment gives you a spot in choir as well as online access to practice tracks for all songs.
Cost for the season: Sliding Scale $160-$300
The base cost for the season is $160. Members can also choose to pay a Supporter price of $200, or a Sustainer price of $300 (both of which include optional payment plans).
SCHOLARSHIPS
Some scholarships for this season are available to low-income applicants. Please email Saro directly at sarosingssongs@gmail.com to inquire.
CHOIR ASSISTANT SCHOLARSHIP
An assitant position is available for the Spring 2026 season. In exchange for free attendance, the assistant helps to set up and break down the rehearsal space, assembles folders leading up to the beginning of the season, and provides special assistance at the seasonal ritual and Finale. Assistants are expected to be able to attend the majority of choir sessions and the Finale. Contact Saro at sarosingssongs@gmail.com to learn more.
VIDEOGRAPHY & SOCIAL MEDIA SCHOLARSHIP
A scholarship is available for someone with experience in videography who is willing to take short clips of our sessions for use in social media, and who can edit short clips from that footage. Contact Saro at sarosingssongs@gmail.com to learn more. Please include any samples of work if you have any. It’s completely fine to record on your phone.
Accessibility/Illness Policy
Our space is wheelchair accessible.
We will be physically active during our sessions, doing a mix of standing, walking and sitting- but you are invited to take care of your body in the ways that you need. If you need to limit your movement, chairs are always available.
If you have had a covid exposure, have any respiratory illness symptoms (even if it’s just a cold), or are just feeling under the weather: please stay home and come back the next week! Let’s keep our community healthy! Many attendees, including Saro, the facilitator, are immune-compromised. This space is mask optional, but please wear a mask if you prefer!
Have more questions? Check out our FAQ section here!