Age is no barrier for the Hilda Ross Glee Club choir

2 Feb 2009 -

They may be older than your usual choir, but the Hilda Ross Glee Club are finding their voices – and they have an album out to prove it. The Hilda Ross choir draws its members from its residents, and now has a 31 minute CD featuring 11 tracks. The choir performs a variety of songs from traditional folk tunes to hits by ABBA. The group’s musical director and accompanist, Dr Julie Jackson-Gough, who is a senior music lecturer at Waikato University, believes singing is proving not only an enjoyable exercise for the choir’s members, but a healthy one as well. The group does not require auditions with any resident of the Hilda Ross Retirement Village invited to join the choir, propelling the average age of the choir to just over 78. Choir member Margaret Jarrett has been singing “unprofessionally” for years, including for departing troops in World War Two, though this was the first time her voice has been recorded. “I just love singing. We have a good laugh and a very enjoyable time,” she said. The launch of the CD took place at Hilda Ross on December 22 and was attended by more than 90 proud Hilda Ross residents.

You can purchase the Hilda Ross Glee Club album from the Hilda Ross Retirement Village reception at 30 Ruakura Road, Hamilton.