Momentum Choir fosters friendship and belonging as members raise their voices

But the lake-effect snow had other plans.

As the liaison between the choir and the board that handles issues members might be facing, Stamp, 49, is no stranger to challenges. She often finds herself braving the cold to make the trek from Tonawanda to the Southtowns.

“It’s always been a challenge ever since I moved out here,” Stamp said. “I do it because the choir’s down there.”

For choir members, that is a familiar refrain.

Momentum Choir, previously known as Momentum Western New York, was established in 2016, modeled after the Canadian group Momentum Niagara. The group is made up of 13 members, ranging in age from 22 to 69, all of whom have disabilities. Founded by Dr. Joni Milgram-Luterman, the group initially started off with 10 members. While Milgram-Luterman wanted to grow the choir exponentially, the pandemic changed that plan. But it had one positive outcome: It let people who were otherwise unable to be a part of the choir due to transportation issues, chime in and contribute to the recordings. 

The name of this year’s winter concert is “Thank You For the Music,” inspired by the ABBA song, which is a part of the current set list that also includes The Beatles’ “Blackbird”; “This is Me” from the 2017 musical film, “The Greatest Showman”; and “Rainbow Connection,” from “The Muppet Movie.” In between the performances, the choir will showcase snippets of video interviews conducted by administrative assistant Megan Brunner, emphasizing members’ experience and the importance of this choir in building a community.

The concert is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Sunday in the Orchard Park Community Activity Center, 4600 California Road. Tickets can be purchased for $10 here.

“We believe that it gives the choir members the opportunity to belong to something,” said Milgram-Luterman. “It also…