'Songs of Life' concert at Trinity Oaks

Several different choirs will be featured in a concert May 23 at Trinity Oaks. Submitted photo.

The Trinity Singers and Ringers, Salisbury Singing Seniors and the Y-Wonders will present a joint concert entitled "Songs for Life", at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 23, at the Trinity Oaks Retirement Center in the Special Events Room. A reception will follow the concert. This free performance is open to the public.

The four ensembles presented a highly successful joint concert last May, and the groups unanimously decided to work together again on a performance this year. Members of each of the groups are senior citizens from all walks of life and musical abilities who share a love of making music.

Daisy Bost directs the Singing Seniors; Karl Kinard directes the Trinity Ringers; Rosemary Kinard directs the Trinity Singers; and Kathy Norris directes the Y-Wonders. Rob Durocher serves as accompanist for the Trinity Singers.

A special addition to this year's performance will be a comic song by the combined choirs, accompanied by Steve Harrill on banjo.

The four groups have varied and interesting histories, and range in age from 29 to 99 years old.

The Y Wonders began on a beach trip in 1966. While returning from a Y-sponsored trip with Barbara Franklin (director of senior services at the YMCA), a group of senior citizen Y members were enjoying singing as they traveled. One of the singers suggested that they form a group and enter the Silver Arts competition. So eight people formed the Y Wonders Singers and with no director or accompanist, entered the competition at the Rufty-Holmes Center, and won first place. They took their a cappella talents to the state competition in Raleigh and won third. From there the group grew over the years with numerous directors and members as they concentrated on performing at nursing homes, senior citizen clubs, and wherever else the group was invited. The Y Wonders is currently a group of 20 very enthusiastic members (three men men) under the direction of Kathy Norris, who thoroughly enjoy sharing their music with others.

The Salisbury Singing Seniors were organized in 1980 under the auspices of the Salisbury Recreation Department. Dr. Marvin Wigginton directed the first concert on Dec. 17, with Roy Simmons as accompanist. In the spring of 1987, following Dr. Wigginton's retirement, Rosemary Kinard became the director. Subsequent directors included Cindy Pribble, Doris Holloway, Beth Young, and Sara Linn Drye, who was director/accompanist for 16 years. In 2007, Daisy Bost became director/accompanist following the retirement of Drye.

The Salisbury Singing Seniors have around 25 members now, and have just completed their 29th year of singing. Two members have been a part of the group for over 20 years. Hazel Snyder has been a member for 26 years and Sophia Peacock for 23 years. The group meets at the Rufty-Holmes Senior Center Monday afternoons.

The Trinity Singers and Ringers were organized in the fall of 2007 as a joint venture between St. John's Lutheran Church and the Trinity Oaks Retirement Center. Rosemary Kinard, associate parish musician at St. John's, became the director of the Singers. Karl Kinard, music director emeritus at St. John's, is the director of the Ringers (using a 3-octave set of hand-chimes). Accompanist for the Singers is Rob Durocher, director of music ministries at St. John's. The groups are composed of residents of Trinity Oaks and friends who are 60 years of age and older. The oldest member is 99.

Since their founding, the groups have grown to around 40 members total, and have performed for numerous churches and organizations in the surrounding area, while developing a real sense of community within the membership.