Pavilionaires choir debuts with local holiday concert

Residents grow close by putting talents to use in choir.

Greg Lynch/Staff photographer Sharon Loeffler and Alverta Weaver sing with the Fairfield Pavilionaires during practice Monday, Nov. 9, 2009.

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By Michael D. Pitman, Staff Writer 2:27 PM Tuesday, November 10, 2009

The Pavilionaires will make its debut next month performing a Christmas concert for the community at the Fairfield Pavilion.

The group of 20 started as an idea after Alverta Weaver and Maureen Schwab heard fellow Pavilion residents singing.

“Alverta and I were out in the courtyard on a summer night and we heard a bunch of people just singing old songs,” Schwab said. “Alverta turned to me and said we should start a choir.”

Weaver talked with people about forming a choir. She said they told her they couldn’t sing, but reminded them they had just done so.

“I thought perhaps they enjoyed singing and didn’t have an outlet for it,” Weaver said. “I thought it would be fun to start one.”

After activities director Sidney Jones gave the official OK, the group’s first practice was on Aug. 29.

Weaver sang in church and school choirs in Fairfield, and played saxophone on the Fairfield marching band in 1938.

Schwab sang professionally at weddings and with the Hamilton Choral Society. She said there are many professionals in the Pavilionaires.

Mollie Martin joined her friends because it “sounded like fun.” The trio had previously formed a crafting group called the Night Lighters. They make night light shades.

The group has not only developed friendships, but the choir has helped many members’ health.

“As the weeks have gone on, we’re not only singing, but we’re doing it right,” Schwab said. “We’re breathing right and our intonations are correct.”

Choir director Jeanne Phillips wanted to be involved because she loves music. She performs regularly for the residents at the Pavilion.

“Anyone who wants to have music in their lives, if I’m asked I’ll do what I can,” she said. “They are doing this fully as a desire to share their music and to make somebody else smile.

“The power of music is absolutely amazing. The intellect needed to perform music can exercise the mind, as well as the body.”

The group’s concert is set for 1 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Pavilion, 5251 Dixie Highway.

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