Almaden Resident

Community

Happy Singers find songs bring others joy

By Emilie Crofton

Every Friday afternoon, the second level of the Almaden Community Center transforms into a concert hall as seniors belt out songs.

Happy Singers, a choral music group consisting of mostly Almaden Valley seniors, sings to wow crowds and bring joy to others through music.

The choir meets every Friday at 12:30 p.m. to learn, practice and sing a variety of songs. The group performs four times a year. The singers mix it up, traveling to churches, senior homes and community centers throughout the South Bay.

"Singing is a way to enrich lives and bring people together," says Lee Wang, the group leader.

Wang, a retired 69-year-old, joined the group 11Ž2 years ago with his wife Virginia.

"I never had the luxury to learn how to sing, but it was something I always wanted to do," Wang says. "Being retired, I now have the time for it."

Virginia Wang admits that like her husband, she had no experience singing but was anxious to learn.

"When our kids were young they took lessons. Now we finally decided that it was our turn. Being part of this group has been such a joy."

The majority of the 30-member group has had no prior training in music or singing.

Several members, including the Wangs, also attend voice lessons offered every Tuesday at the community center. Here seniors learn the fundamentals, including how to read sheet music and the importance of posture and breathing.

It's Friday, however, that Happy Singer members come together to share their love of singing. The group practices a variety of songs including basic opera and American, Chinese and German folk songs, which they perform during Christmas, New Year and the Fourth of July holidays.

The majority of their performances are in English; however, several songs performed at Chinese churches such as Saratoga's Home of Christ Church are sung in Chinese.

Teacher and director Sally Tan has been instructing Happy Singers since 2001. Tan, now retired, was a professional opera singer in Germany.

"To me music is so beautiful, and I want to spread that beauty," Tan says. "It's so rewarding for me to see people come here and enjoy themselves."

Virginia Wang says that under Tan's instruction the group's singing has greatly improved.

"It can be hard to teach seniors, but Sally is an excellent teacher. She's tough and strict but very good," Wang says. "To learn from her is an honor."

Happy Singers used to hold its practices in the South Bay, but the group moved to the Almaden Community Center for the convenience of members.

Soprano and alto are the dominant voices in the group, with 24 females and six males. Wang says the group is looking for more male singers.

"We definitely need more bass and tenor voices," she says. "Then our team will really be complete."

The Friday gatherings are more than an opportunity to exercise their vocal chords. Happy Singers serves as a form of exercise and socialization for the seniors, who take breaks to catch up on news and snack on food brought by members. Wang says singing in the group is healthy, too, as it helps expand the lungs.

Overall, members say Fridays are a time for joy.

"My singing has definitely improved," says Almaden resident Cathy Van. "It's all done in a way that's full of socialization and fun."

For more information on Happy Singers, call the Almaden Community Center at 408.268.1133.