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"It's time for your audition," announced Director Lyle Forde midway through the Shelter Bay Chorus's holiday concert last Friday evening.

The 200 people in the audience at the Shelter Bay Clubhouse embraced the challenge enthusiastically, because the "audition" was the holiday singalong.

"We sang songs I knew from church when I was young and it was so much fun," said attendee Patty McCormick. While she probably won't join the chorus, the singalong "changed my attitude about the holidays."

With no lyrics provided, everyone sang from memory – the kind of mental workout that chorus members do in every practice. Staying engaged in a group is beneficial for people as they age, Forde told the audience. "You forget your aches and pains and the mental process of figuring out rhythms and pitches is just as good for your brain as Sudoku or Scrabble."

Founded in 1985, the chorus draws singers from Shelter Bay, La Conner, Mount Vernon, Anacortes and Bayview. Accompanist Sally Riggers comes from Samish Island and Forde, a longtime high school and community choir conductor, drives from Arlington.

Their love of singing was evident Friday. All 43 voices blended beautifully in a mix of religious and secular tunes with interesting arrangements. Every section was solid and soloists like Amanda Savage of Anacortes added extra color and beauty.

Forde promotes the choir at every performance because overall, numbers are down. Sixty members strong in 2019, there were less than 30 when pandemic restrictions lifted in 2022. Many longtime singers moved away, took up other activities, or were reluctant to sing in a group. One or two had died. Some older members no longer wanted to drive at night.

Carpooling helps address night driving – and Forde's enthusiasm is bringing more singers into the fold. "If you can only come to rehearsal every other week, I say terrific. If you're going to Paris for vacation, great, enjoy yourself and plug back in later."

Another draw: the post-rehearsal gatherings at the La Conner Tavern. "Then you really have time to talk with each other and have a different type of fun," said Forde.

Younger members like Savage are joining. So are recent retirees like Lori Buher. "Lyle has such a big heart and he makes it so much fun," she said. "When I realized on Sunday after the second performance that we wouldn't have any more practices for a month, I felt a real loss."

The chorus starts rehearsing again on Thursday, Jan. 18, at 4:30 pm. Interested singers are welcome to join. For the spring concert, Forde is looking for music that is challenging but singable by people with different levels of experience. He provides recordings of all the songs for members to listen to at home.

On the 18th, Forde will be waiting for you.

"Come! Drop in!"