SANDPOINT – Life moves in a grand arc that begins with birth, proceeds through school and family and career and ends with the crossing of that final threshold, the end of life.

Since 2000, an international group of volunteer singers has been on hand to witness that passing by invitation as they sing gently to soothe the person who is dying and the loved ones who stand beside them.

Known as the Threshold Choir, the organization began in Marin County as the inspiration of a woman named Kate Munger, and now claims more than 150 chapters worldwide.

The concept arrived in Sandpoint in 2014, when a young woman named Kirsten Longmeier moved here from Portland and brought the idea with her after having been involved with a chapter there. The group now has about 10 members who meet to rehearse twice a month on a repertoire of songs that member Marilyn Haddad described as “not religious, but spiritual in nature and totally non-denominational.”

“We call them ‘lullabies,’” she said. “They’re kind of like prayers put to music – it’s kindness made audible.”

Working in concert with Bonner Community Hospice – a group with which Haddad has also volunteered for the past seven years – the Threshold Choir is a free service available to those nearing death and their families. Choir members usually travel in groups of three people to sing unaccompanied in 3-part harmony at the bedside.

“We have a very sacred and peaceful presence,” Haddad said. “We glide in like little angels who come in and say our prayers with our singing voices, and then we glide out without any fanfare.

“It’s as much a comfort to the family as it is the person in the bed,” she added. “I, for one, am honored to be invited into a family’s private, personal time and their loved one’s passing.”

One of her most memorable experiences came when she and two other members sang at the bedside of a woman at the Restorium in Bonners Ferry. As their 20-minute visit was drawing to a close, a staff member slipped the singers a note saying that another resident needed their services when they were through.

“Of course, we said, ‘Yes,’” Haddad said. “We always say, ‘Yes.’”

Entering the room, they found a husband, son and grandson standing vigil beside a woman who was very close to death.

“Things were progressing rapidly and, as her breathing became slower, we held our arms out to these gentlemen and just held these men up,” Haddad shared, adding that the singers were gently “oo-ing” a melody at that point. “We were all standing around her, holding each other, as she breathed her last breath.

“That was the first time we helped someone across the threshold.”

The partnership with Bonner Community Hospice has benefited both groups, according to Haddad, who sees the choir as “another aspect of that team providing support at the end of life.”

“The Threshold Choir is open to new members who have time, have the vision of service and have the voice,” she said, adding all that is required of the singer at first is that they can carry a tune.

As important as vocal quality is the ability to listen closely, she continued, noting that the group works on skills such as “vocal attunement” as a tool to create a blend among the singers.

“We meet, we get close, we sing – and we listen to each other,” she said.

Most of the music in the Threshold Choir songbook has been written by choir members from the various chapters, with the balance consisting of a few traditional songs. Training also includes developing comfort with the idea of sharing compassion in this intimate way as the end of life draws nigh.

“A lot of people are fearful of or uncomfortable with death,” said Haddad. “In our group, we have found a way to make death a part of our lives.”

To date, the Sandpoint Threshold Choir has volunteered for a couple dozen bedside singings. Each singer taking part in those visits has gone through the training required of new members before taking part in a graduation ceremony.

“We have a ceremony and songs are exchanged,” Haddad said. “It’s a rite of passage.”

A little-known fact about the Threshold Choir is that the group can be on hand to sing at the junctures that accompany virtually any stage of life.

“We would sing for someone at a birth or for someone who lost their spouse a year ago and is so lonely going into the holidays,” Haddad said. “It’s not just for those who are dying – it’s for anyone at an important threshold of life.”

The choir has become an annual tradition at the Bonner General Health/Bonner Community Hospice Tree of Memorial Light celebration, with its Dec. 2 appearance there marking the fourth year-in-a-row the group has been part of the event.

In a cozy corner of a local coffee house, Haddad opened the Threshold Choir songbook and quietly sang the words to one of the songs.

“We are all just walking each other home,” she intoned, singing the line several times in a row using words attributed to Ram Dass, with a melody written by Kate Munger.

When she was through, she looked up, eyes glistening, a smile taking over her face. What draws her to this work?

“It’s the heart and soul of the music and the mission,” she replied. “This is the best thing – the kindest thing – I do for myself and others.”

Those interested in learning more about the Sandpoint Chapter of Threshold Choir can call 208-274-3645.

Information: thresholdchoir.org