Deena Kamm Strikes a Chord to Amplify Voices of the Community
Entering the doors of westside Bend’s Broken Top Bottle Shop & Ale Cafe on the first Monday of each month is akin to stepping into a rock n’ roll show. The drummer and bassist keep the driving beat, while a guitarist and keyboard player offer solid rhythm and familiar leads. However, the 50 or so lead singers of the Public Rock Choir (PRC) joyfully belting out Jon Batiste’s popular song “Freedom” remind you that you are closer to home. The lyrics say, “I hear a song that takes me back and I let go with so much freedom.”
The Public Rock Choir has been meeting regularly at Broken Top Bottle Shop since 2016, though their voices have been heard in downtown Bend’s Drake Park, on a float during the Bend Christmas Parade and singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at sporting events.
“No one has to sing alone, and everyone gets to tap into their inner rockstar and let it rip,” explained Vocal Coach and PRC Founder Deena Kamm. “It’s meant to be fun, loud and a place where you can come and sing your face off.”
About Deena Kamm
Kamm, who has been a professional singer most of her life, started vocal coaching roughly a decade ago. After being consistently asked for lessons by audience members at her performances, she began taking on child and adult students. Her career evolved to into executive voice coaching, though she still works with singers as well. Her focus in coaching is to find a client’s true voice and help unleash what is already inside of them. While working with many of her students, she realized they had nowhere to sing in public; and the idea for the choir was born.
Bend’s Jim Brown started taking vocal lessons from Kamm a few years ago and attended the Public Rock Choir shortly after that. He likes the live band and being able to sing with a crowd.
“Over time it has become a fun community of people,” said Brown. “There are regulars who have become friends and it’s a nice once-a-month get together.”
Experience Bend’s Public Choir
Uriel Fox decided to join the choir in 2017 after realizing she would have to pitch her startup company at entrepreneurial events. She ran across an ad for PRC that touted, “If you can talk, you can sing! No experience necessary.”
“The experience has helped me develop smooth, cool voice control through proper breath control,” explained Fox.
Kamm organizes the choir to be beneficial for everyone. She makes sure the musicians–made up mostly of former students and high schoolers–are paid and experience what it’s like being in a working band. Her only rule for the singers is that everybody has to be nice to everyone else.
Historically, group singing has been around as long as time immemorial. Scientifically, singing creates physical happiness as the body releases serotonin, oxytocin, dopamine and endorphins. The energy in a room also begins to change as the resonance of notes from group singing syncs up the frequency of the singers.
Choosing songs can be the most challenging part. A typical evening with the Public Rock Choir finds the singers and band covering everything from “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars, to “When Will I Be Loved” by Linda Rondstadt or “Sympathy for the Devil” by The Rolling Stones. It’s most important that the songs are fun for the choir to sing and to create a gospel for believers and non-believers alike. The Public Rock Choir inspires others to believe in community.
“I have been a professional singer my whole life,” said Kamm. “I’ve done it all—from albums to tours. This has been the most satisfying thing in my life. Watching people experience music without inhibitions is so liberating.” See singbend.com.
For a full interview with Deena, listen to The Circling Podcast.
