Northern-area groups sing to bring brightness to others’ lives

After working long hours, many people dream of retirement and the time they will get to spend pursuing their hobbies, but sometimes that dream can lose its romance if one becomes socially isolated and inactive.

To keep seniors active and pursuing their musical passion, Sun City Aliante Songsters formed in 2009 as a nonprofit chorus composed of approximately 40 seniors who live in Sun City Aliante.

“When you’re retired, you need a reason to get up in morning, and that means finding something worthwhile,” said assistant director of the chorus Connie Bensler. “For many of us, this is it. We may not always sound great, but we do our best, and that keeps us going.”

The group was founded by Jane Mehta and started with 10 members.

They specialize in singing patriotic songs, old standards, holiday songs, musical favorites, vintage pop and sing-a-longs.

“We started by singing in the living room of our founder, and then we just grew,” said Linda Egge, events coordinator and Songster. “We focus on giving back to the community by performing for different events.”

They perform at birthday and anniversary parties, assisted living facilities and community events.

Egge attributes their spike in popularity from their 2011 performance in front of 200 women of the Emblem Club at Tuscany Casino.

The following year, the group performed at the Aliante for the annual Veterans Day celebration and did two sold-out performances at their community center and holiday lighting ceremonies.

Without a director, the group was at a loss until it contacted Judy Shields, a musician who plays the piano and guitar. She took over as director in 2011.

Shields has experience teaching music at schools in Ely and serving as a music director for intergenerational choirs.

“Although many of us have been in choirs before, we’re still functioning at a basic level,” Bensler said.

Since the group formed, it has added percussionist Ron Stark and an occasional trumpeter.

Its most popular events are its spring concerts and holiday performances, where it donates a portion of the proceeds to charities in the Las Vegas Valley.

The other portion goes toward buying music for the group.

Other charitable actions the Songsters do are Christmas caroling around the community association for people who need an extra pick-me-up during the holidays, collecting food for food pantries and donating items.

“Our most memorable Christmas was last year when we sang at S.A.F.E. House (which offers services for domestic violence victims),” Shields said. “We raised money to buy a television and a Nintendo Wii and brought Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. One little boy wrapped his arms around me and said thank you.”

Egge said Sun City Aliante has been supportive of the group’s efforts to grow by adding a riser, sound system and lighting in the community hall to use during performances.

In 2012, the Sun City Aliante Treble Makers (ATM’s) was formed. The a cappella musical group is a double quartet of women whose repertoire consists of barbershop, blues, Broadway, patriotic, sacred, seasonal and vintage pop songs.

Auditions are required to join this group. Its programs usually run 20-30 minutes.

Both groups are available for performances with reasonable notice. They do not charge for their services, but donations are welcomed.

“All of us have so much stuff, we don’t need money for anything but the music,” Bensler said. “We want to give back. It’s a big part of what we do.”

Both groups plan to audition for Senior Idol, which is set at 3 p.m. June 11 at the Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St.

In addition, they are set to perform at S.A.F.E. House’s fifth annual Pretty in Pink Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. May 29.

For more information, visit safehousenv.org.

The group takes a break during the summer months but plans to be back in the fall.

“When you see the smiles and looks on people’s faces, you really can’t put a price on that,” Shields said. “It goes straight to your heart, and you know you’re doing the right thing.”

For more information on the ATM’s, call Nancy Albers at 702-202-1265. For more information on the Songsters, contact Egge at 702-232-2113 or lregge@emarkmail.com.

To reach North View reporter Sandy Lopez, email slopez@viewnews.com or call 702-383-4686. Find her on Twitter: @JournalismSandy.