Review: "The Drive to Sing" (2023)

When It comes to the COVID pandemic, it is very easy to focus on the negative impacts it had on everyone's lives. As time moves on, we are hearing more stories of inspiration that came from adversity. One such story is covered in the new documentary Drive to Sing from Director Bryce Denney. As COVID cases increased at an alarming rate, social distancing and lock downs prevented people from gathering in groups. This made it impossible for choir group singers to do what they loved to do, sing with their group. Not only did this impact them artistically but mentally as well. Through the innovation of a number of individuals and the power of the internet, choir groups found a new way to do what they loved while staying safe, by singing in their cars.

Drive to Sing is a heart warming, inspiring story about parking lot choirs. It showed how one concept can spread like wildfire and evolve. Over the course of the film we see how the different choir groups had separately come up with a similar idea of group members singing in cars but did not have the know-how to do it efficiently. Thanks to the Denneys and others sharing demonstrations of their concept online along with detailed instructions, choirs across America were able to do something they loved safely. Some of the choirs took the ideas and tailored them for their own groups, building off the foundation of creativity laid out by the Denneys. For all the stories we see of a nation divided, it is wonderful to see an example of people coming together over their love of singing. Even better is the demonstration on how everyone was open to different suggestions to improve on the concept, without pride getting in the way of making a great idea even better.

There are interviews with directors and members from all different types of choirs, each one describing what they missed most about performing together for an audience. You can see the light in their eyes when they are able to do what they love thanks to the parking lot choir concept. A number of choir members from various groups share how being able to sing with their group helped them through the tough times and kept their spirits up. We also get to hear many examples of the wonderful voices that make up the choirs. When I heard these songs sung by these talented groups, I understood why they were so driven to get back together. The Denneys eventually take their setup on the road, offering to bring their setup to choir groups who may not have the equipment or the means to get the equipment. This allowed those groups to still practice and perform. Though it soon consumed all their free time, the Denneys never speak negatively about doing the work. You see the love they had to be able to help others, even if it meant traveling to 8 different places over the course of two weeks and still juggling the day job.

Drive To Sing shows how art and technology can make beautiful music together. Innovation through adversity thanks to a shared passion for music.  While I feel it runs a little long, it is still an uplifting story that is a perfect watch for the holiday season.