Passavant Singers shine bright
ZELIENOPLE — They may have been brought together by providence, but their skill and enthusiasm is what keeps them coming back to entertain their peers all year long.
The 35-member Passavant Singers, composed of employees and residents of the Passavant Retirement Community, began three years ago after a singing group performed at the retirement community.
After the show, a resident mentioned to activities director Cathy Reid that a singing group should be formed.
Reid grabbed the idea and started recruiting people for the group who she thought would be interested in singing sacred and secular music.
"I thought, you know, we'll just get together and sing some songs," Reid said.
She approached resident Lois Waldkoenig about serving as pianist, and the surreptitious senior didn't mention her years of experience as choir director. After some serious soul searching that evening, Waldkoenig committed to serving as the group's director.
Waldkoenig soon discovered the choir gave her a sense of purpose and responsibility, and she now refers to the position as her calling at Passavant.
Waldkoenig also said the choir, with its weekly practice and many in-house shows each year, also gives the singers a sense of purpose and achievement. Because of that, Waldkoenig refuses to hold auditions and welcomes anyone who wants to join.
Resident Mary Jarrett was recruited as the group's pianist after it was discovered she was a church pianist for several years.
Now in their third year, Passavant Singers perform at several events at the retirement community, including Veteran's Day, the Christmas concert, Light Up Night, the spring concert and Memorial Day.
"These concerts are well-attended not only because it is apparent the singers all enjoy what they are doing, but also do it well and do it with pride," said Donna Cawthorne, community outreach coordinator at Passavant. "Their self-named group provides singers with fellowship and an outlet for their voices, but it also inspires and blesses their listeners."
The group is accepting members and is available for performances in the Zelienople area.
For information, contact Cawthorne at 724-453-5414.
