When you sing with a group of people, you learn how to subsume yourself into a group consciousness because a capella singing is all about the immersion of the self into the community. That's one of the great feelings - to stop being me for a little while and to become us. That way lies empathy, the great social virtue.

Summary

This quote highlights the transformative power of singing in a group, particularly in the context of a capella music. By singing together, individuals are able to merge their individual identities into a collective consciousness. The act of subsuming oneself into the community fosters a sense of empathy, as one transcends their individual ego and becomes part of a larger whole. This unity and shared experience in community singing can bring about a profound sense of connection and understanding among individuals, emphasizing the importance of empathy as a valuable social virtue.

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