Come and share in the classics

Like the Hotel California, a Burnaby seniors choir likes to welcome new members who then never seem to leave.

The Confederation Seniors Choir ranges in age from 66 to 97.

The longest-standing member joined in 1984.

Margaret Burkett decided to try out the group 30 years ago, and today she is still singing her heart out at seniors' centres and hospitals every week.

"It's a great group," she said. "We're very, very friendly people; we get along very well together, and, like me, they all like to sing."

The co-ed choir currently includes 22 members but is actively seeking up to six new singers and, in particular, a new accompanist.

Anyone who can read sheet music and play the piano is especially encouraged to inquire about joining.

The music the choir performs is a variety of lively show tunes and other songs related to the various seasons and holidays.

Finishing off the last of the Christmas jingles last month, the group is now rehearsing some Scottish and Irish tunes in a lead-up to Robbie Burns Day and St. Patrick's Day.

They also sing a lot of songs that were popular in the first half of the 20th century.

"We do a lot of the older songs, like from back in the '30s and '40s because that's what people in the seniors' homes like," said Burkett. "They don't want the new, modern music, they want the old music that they remember (from) when they were young."

Maggie Ford, a choir member and the choir's bus driver, has been with the group for the past 10 years.

She said she joined for the singing and stayed for the fun.

"The music is just great," she said. "And, of course, you go out with a whole bunch, chatting and laughing - and we're a good bunch. There are no members who are really grumpy members or anything like that."

Besides the Saturday practices and Tuesday performances, members enjoy potluck parties at the end of the Christmas season and before breaking for the summer.

And what do they do at their parties?

"We sing," Ford said, with a laugh. "It's crazy. We're singing all year, and all we want to do is sing, and we just like being with each other."

Anyone age 55 or older is welcome to join.

The choir practises Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon at Confederation Seniors Centre, 4585 Albert St., and performs Tuesday afternoons at other seniors' homes and centres, as well as hospitals around the Lower Mainland.

For more information, call Jean Peterson, 604-299-9272.

mreid@ burnabynow.com