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Who We Are:

The Morning Star Singers is a group of volunteer singers who offer songs of healing and comfort to those struggling with living or dying. We sing for free at hospices, hospitals, nursing homes, and private homes within the Twin Cities.

We are women and men from many walks of life including stay-at-home mom, librarian, urgent care physician, engineer, information technology planner, hospice nurse, retired professor, massage therapist, spiritual director, and photographer. Some of us are trained musicians; many are not.

We were founded by singer and song leader Barbara McAfee whose experience of singing at the bedsides of friends and family members inspired her to offer this gift to a wider community. She leads the group with the support of several coordinators.

Since its beginning in the fall of 2008, the group has fostered sister choirs in Rochester, MN, and in Winona, MN and and is helping to start a new choirs in Taylors Falls, MN.

What We Offer:

We bring a repertoire of diverse songs from many traditions to people in private homes, hospices, nursing homes, and hospitals. The spirit of the music ranges from gentle and soothing to uplifting and lively. We strive to bring music and a presence that honors the situation and preferences of each client. Though we hold our work sacred, we do not adhere to a particular religious tradition.

Most visits include 4 to 6 singers and are likely to last about 15 to 20 minutes. Singers are available at various times of day and evening. We sing for those who are awake and snapping their fingers as well as those who are traveling their last few hours in silence and stillness.

Each group member has received fundamental training in hospice philosophy, appropriate behavior, and confidentiality