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Merry Melodies Sing for a Cure in support of local cancer care centre The Merry Melodies‘ choir director Rosemary Flanagan leads them in a performance last week. The group is holding a charity concert, called We Sing for the Cure, on April 18 at the Waterloo Christian Reformed Church, at 209 Bearinger Rd. Jerearer omston Proto "It‘s a part of our program of helping othâ€" ers, which we do every time we sing out," said Jerry Fischer, the past president of the Merry Melodies. Songs for the soul For the Merry Melodies, it‘s always been about giving back to the community. And that‘s just what the local amateur singing group plans to do with its upcoming concert, We Sing for the Cure. "(Concertâ€"goers will take away) memoâ€" ries of the classic songs and a feeling they‘ve not only been entertained, but that they‘ve helped a charity." Tickets to the concert, which will be held on April 18 at the Waterloo Christian Reformed Church, cost $10, and proceeds will go to the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre in honour of the group‘s president, Corry Denduyf, who was diagnosed with the disease a year ago. C f"v f introducing ds A N y /4"") Forbes Waterloo Mazda aarmmid s onompiiinl PS f‘ and U ffl-//’bes MM PNNHUEAE i u2 5 e 2 ecemmemity /.2 Watel’loo [l'l:- = .;;‘] Motor Trend Sport Utility Vehicle of the Year Entntnremtmmmmnn * Ts NarthGiald Drive at the and 2008 North American Truck of the Year 0 97, st Drive oday! | 1 % | The audience will be entertained by the Northfield Drive at the Expressway, Waterloo 519â€"746â€"2777 By Jennirer Ormston _ Chronicle Staff Drop by today to p}ék fip' your wmhgw‘ca window cling and show your support | for the Kitchener Rangers ._ This is the group‘s first charity concert, but the Merry Melodies has lots of experiâ€" ence performing for a crowd. â€" retired senior singers‘ renditions of old favourites such as Impossible Dream, Can‘t Help Falling In Love, Imagine, You Are So Beautiful and I‘ll Walk With God. Guest artists, including a soprano/alto duet, a quartet and a piano duet, will also perform. _ s s _ The group sings at retirement and nursâ€" ing homes three to four times a month, except in the summer, and it‘s very much in demand. In fact, the group is booked until the end of this singing season in May. Fischer attributes this popularity to the fact there aren‘t many local groups like the Merry Melodies. _ s â€" "The seniors, they enjoy it because they don‘t see live entertainment on a daily basis," he said. "It‘s a treat for them to have somebody come in and entertain them." Plus, it helps them to pass the time, espeâ€" | www.forbesmazda.com | ARTS FOCUS cially when their families are too busy to visit often, he added. "When the rest of us are busy, the time goes by very quickly." _ Established in 1974, the Merry Melodies, which is sponsored by the City of Waterloo, had a small membership of 10â€"12 people who enjoyed the camaraderie they found in the group. "It was more of a social thing, and they sang out to entertain people who were ill," said choir member Barb Oberle. "She‘s been a godsend," said choir mem ber YÂ¥vonne Manderson. In 1999, Rosemary Flanagan took over as the Merry Melodies‘ director, and its memâ€" bership soon swelled to new heights â€" more than 60 seniors, some of whom are in their "She‘s really brought us along. Everyone used to sing the same notes, now we all have parts," addedâ€" Mary Palmer, who joined the Merry Melodies in 1995. Fischer also credits the quality of the group‘s pianists, Isobel Field we want the cup - he Kitchener Rangers . WATERLOO CHRONICLE + Wednesday, April 2, 2008 * 21 What keeps the members coming back to rehearsal each week, at the Adult Recreation Centre in uptown Waterloo, is the fact it‘s about "seniors entertaining senior seniors," Fischer said. and Isabel McDonald. "Without them we couldn‘t carry on," he The group is looking for new members, especially men. Those who join take away a sense of satisfaction from bringing some joy into retired people‘s lives, Fischer said. To book a performance by the Merry Melodies, contact the centre at 519â€"579â€" 1020. "And there‘s a social aspect of members, who are also seniors, getting together." â€" Tickets to We Sing for the Cure are availâ€" able from choir members or at the Adult Recreation Centre, at 185 King St. S. About oneâ€"third of the tickets are already sold. "It‘s a good event to come to because you‘ll see what other seniors are doing for seniors who can‘t get out," Fischer said. Financing Up To 60 Months