By For the Joy Singers, 10 vocalists from the Palo Alto and Mountain View areas, singing isn't just an occupation - it's, well, a joy. They're confident the audience will feel that joy, as well.

The group, formed seven years ago, performs sacred folk music, but will sing non-denominational pieces for their festival performance. The Joy Singers perform 10-11:30 a.m. Sunday, at the Community Stage (See festival map in today’s magazine for details).

Singer Karen Gamow, a soprano with the group, said she can’t easily classify the kind of music the Joy Singers perform, but, “once you’ve heard them, they’re a bit unforgettable.”

Gamow said singers can join the group by invitation. Group members are clearly talented - and in demand. Three of the group’s singers are tapped to go on a yearlong tour of Italy.

The singers, who perform a capella and with two acoustic guitarists, do all original material, penned by group songwriter J. Donald Walters. Gamow said Walters has written some 400 pieces of music, many of them “beautiful compositions.”

Group members are also associated with Ananda, a meditation movement based locally in Palo Alto.

She described the music of the Joy Singers as “peaceful, but harmonious and fun.”

- Bruce Barton