The Sun City Charter Club, Prairie Singers, is looking for singers to join in the music-making.
RD Holloman, a long-time member of the club, and director of the subgroup Prairie Voices said, “If you already have some experience singing and wish to join our Sun City group, we would like to hear from you. No tryouts are necessary to join the chorus. Each year we have performances in spring and at Christmas.”
Joan Riffner has been in the club since its beginning. She was recruiting residents to join so that the club could have its 25 minimum members to become a charter club.
Riffner said, “My husband and I moved into Del Webb in June of 1999. I became a part of one of the first volunteer committees, we were known as the Ultimate party Committee. It was through our work on these committees that I met Carolyn Kleen, one of the most talented people in Sun City. We quickly concluded that we absolutely needed a chorus in this development.”
Their efforts resulted in 115 new residents joining the club. Riffner said, “It was necessary for us to stop at that point because no more people could have been accommodated for performances on the Drendel Hall stage.”
Riffner said, “We are currently hoping to encourage new memberships in the Prairie Singers when we resume practices on September 6 for our Christmas Program scheduled for December 3. We will have representatives at the Charter Club Expo on August 31, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Prairie Lodge, ready and willing to answer any questions you may have regarding your membership.”
Holloman said, “We welcome all voice ranges: soprano, alto, tenor, and bass.”
How often do they practice?
Holloman said, “Rehearsals are on Tuesday evenings beginning September 6, in preparation for our winter concert, and we rehearse from 6 to 8 p.m. We break for a couple of months and then begin getting ready for our spring performances.”
Where are the concerts held?
Holloman said, “At this time, the two events are held at Willow Creek Community Church Huntley.”
What is the difference between Prairie Singers and Prairie Voices?
Holloman said, “[Prairie Voices] is a smaller group. It’s an adjunct group that travels to nursing homes, retirement homes, and even some of our Sun City Neighborhood Events. We do have auditions for Prairie Voices. Our practice continues throughout the year, taking short breaks. We perform a lot of music from Broadway shows and popular groups of our time like the Beatles.”
What are some perks of being in the Club?
Riffner said, “It’s the joy of singing and the opportunity to meet new people.
Holloman said, “It is the joy of bringing music to people. I remember on one occasion at a nursing home, there was a woman in a wheelchair in the back of the room. She was sitting there with her eyes closed. Her daughter came to us and thanked us for the performance and said, ‘This is the first time I have seen my mom smile in weeks.’ Those moments bring satisfaction.”
If you are interested in joining residents in song, please contact Fred Joob, President at 847-669-0997.
Riffner said, “To us, music is the universal language. In these troubled times, we need it more than ever.”
