By Rose Marie Cantwell
For the Enterprise
On a Tuesday afternoon last November, 24 members of the Sound Singers of Edmonds were boarding their bus in the drizzling rain.
“Do you think it might rain?” the Irishman quipped.
Dressed in choir uniforms and rain gear, they were headed to a late afternoon performance at Remington Place Retirement Center in Seattle. As they boarded the bus, they were greeted by their director, Bob Jones. Seated in the driver’s seat of the bus, Jones checked their names off a clipboard.
Minutes later they started down I-5 to their destination. The rhythmic clacking of the windshield wipers added to the beat of their impromptu song. Others not joining in the song were discussing Cole Porter and his dynamic music. Obviously, the group was in high spirits. Today’s performance would also be an audition for singing at the National Governor’s convention, set in the state of Washington in 2004.
Under the auspices of the South County Senior Center, the volunteer efforts of the Sound Singers of Edmonds add to the coffers of the Senior Center. A multitude of shut-ins and other retirees also benefit from the group’s performances, entertaining with songs that bring back memories of their youth. The audience is encouraged to sing along.
With director Bob Jones, an accomplished pianist and retired school teacher, the choir has grown in numbers and performance abilities. They now number 54 members and are one of the most requested groups on the assisted living circuit.
Assisting Jones is Merilyn Beck, who also serves as booking agent for the group.
Soloist enhance the choir’s performances. Soprano soloists are Shirley Kranda Janet Wedel and Maralyn Hanby. Tenors Roy Combley, Jay Rust and Wilson Shea, along with bass singers Ken Lake, Rod Denton and Galen Lee, represent the male soloists. Married couple duets are performed by Bob and Norma Rohwer and John and Connie Sullivan. Adding to the piano accompaniment is Frank Steiger on strings and percussion.
Several of the soloists have sung professionally, including Connie Smith, a former blues singer. Joannie Schendel sang on Broadway, entertained the troops during World War II and is still cutting CDs. Her latest is titled “New York, New York.”
With five native Hawaiians in the choir, Hawaiian music and luaus are the group’s specialty during the summer months. Listening in at practice for this year’s production, “South Sea Island Magic,” you can almost smell the orchids. A Hula performance by native Hawaiians Merilyn Beck, Rose Patungan and Grace Tychsen will round out the show.
The choir recently cut a CD on March 23, as an audition for singing the National Anthem prior to a Seattle Mariners game.
The Sound Singers always welcome new members. Join them at practice 1 p.m. Tuesdays at the South County Senior Center, located at 220 Railroad Ave. in Edmonds. For more information call the center at 425-774-5555.
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