Membership in the Senior Show Choir is open to everyone 60 years old or older who enjoys singing. No audition is necessary. About half of the 40-some member group braved a cold wintry Friday morning to attend the weekly rehearsal at Christ Methodist Church on Shroyer Road.
Rougier, retired after 30 years as a music teacher in the Kettering School system, also directs the Ukuleleians at the Lathrem Center. She also accompanies the Gay Mens Chorus.
Soprano Maria O’Connell of Kettering was one of the original members of the Senior Show Choir ten years ago. Marg West of Kettering and Kathy Smallwood of Centerville sing tenor and sit with the male tenors and basses.
Harris Vanderford, who sings bass, lives in Dayton but drives to Kettering to rehearse with the Senior Show Choir.
“It’s a good group and I have enjoyed the three years I have been connected with it.” Vanderford said. “Rougier is a great director. She keeps the rehearsals serious but lively and fun.”
Tenor Howard Winfield of Kettering would like more men to join the choir.
“It’s a great outlet since singing makes you feel happy,” he said. “More men should join us, they’ll find we’re all friendly.”
The sopranos and altos were busily marking their music as the group rehearsed “Sunrise, Sunset” from “Fiddler on the Roof” for their next performance in early April at a Dayton retirement complex.
Rougier said she has been playing piano since she was 8. She obtained a degree in music education from Eastern Kentucky University.
“I never had to look for a job,” she said. “Clark Haines, superintendent of music in Kettering schools, called me and said come to work, which I did for the next 30 years covering elementary, middle schools,and high school choirs at Fairmont.”
To learn more about the Kettering Senior Show Choir call Rougier at (937) 258-3795.
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