Senior Center hosts Harvest of Harmony
The SCV Senior Center welcomed a bit of music and fun with the SCV Men of Harmony Chorus for their Harvest of Harmony A Cappella Harmony Show and Ice Cream Social on Saturday.
“Today is our 42nd annual show and all in Newhall,” said Dave Norman, singer, past president and board member of the Men of Harmony. “We perform throughout the year, but this is our one big fundraiser for the year. It keeps us going. And we have in the past had other guest artists, but we found that we have enough talent among the chapter to put on the whole show.”
The 18-man barbershop chorus sang from a wide selection of older tunes, including “In a Shady Nook,” “In My Room,” “Under the Boardwalk” and “My Wild Irish Rose.” With a costume swap here and there, they split and also performed with a quartet, a solo piano performance and a magic show.
Though the songs are of an older generation, Norman said that the Men of Harmony are not confined by age.
“Once exposed to the barbershop harmonies and singing on your own, with three other people, it reinforces young singers as well,” he said.
With some of its musicians living at the Senior Center and knowing the facilities well, it made sense to come and sing, Norman said.
Resident Van Pfister made sure he arrived to see the Men of Harmony and to see one of his friends perform, Ed Chan. Pfister said he was there not only to support his friend but also to watch the show as a way of giving back to the community.
“Reminds me a lot of my father, because he played the piano, he (played) all these songs,” Pfister said.
Norman added that they are looking forward to seeing the new center, which is set to open early next year and will be located between Golden Valley Road and Newhall Ranch Road.
The Men of Harmony Chorus rehearse on Tuesday evenings at the Valley Oaks Village apartments, where they welcome guests to watch, “especially singing guests,” said Norman.