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This was my first experience of being welcomed to an interview with a song: “Kathy, you are as welcome as the flowers in May.” I felt like I was in an opera.

The 22 members of Senior Class, ranging in age from 61 to 90, were rehearsing.

They meet at the Roy Culler Senior Center on Tuesday mornings. Many are there from 9:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., rehearsing with Senior Class and another singing group at the center, the Happy Tones. Music is important to them.

Senior Class founder Dennis Eaton had directed the Happy Tones for four years but gave up the group because of his work responsibilities.

When he retired in January 2006, he remembered several members of the Happy Tones had expressed interest in singing the music of the ’50s and ’60s — which many of them had grown up with. That wasn’t the Happy Tones’ style, but it would work for a new group.
Eaton had tryouts for Senior Class in June 2007. Chorus members are required to learn the words to all the songs and have a repertoire of more than 50 songs including solos and duets.

The group has its own trio, the PAMS (similar to the TAMS of the ’50s). The initials stand for the first names of the trio’s members, Peggy, Anne and Maxine. They are still working on the “S.”

When the group decided on its repertoire, members met with Eaton and his wife, Anne, leader of the Happy Tones and co-director of Senior Class. They considered hundreds of songs and chose a “core set.”

Songs include “At the Hop,” “Bye Bye Love,” “Party Doll,” “Charlie Brown,” “Rockin’ Robin,” “Sh-Boom,” “Yakety Yak,” “Tammy,” “Lipstick on Your Collar,” “Blue Moon” and “To Know Him Is to Love Him.”

Anne Eaton has experience in dance and offers suggestions for dance movements. She said when her husband first formed the group she was underage, but she’s now a full-fledged member. She doesn’t hesitate to offer suggestions to “keep him on track.”

Mark Kirkman plays the piano, Jack Agati is the drummer, and Maxine Stone and Jim Peters play guitar.

During the past two years, Senior Class has entertained across the state. Since 2007, it has performed more than 30 times.

For Valentine’s Day this year, the group offered “Singing Valentines” in High Point. For a small fee, a group will go to your sweetheart, sing three songs and present him or her with a red rose and a card.
Peggy and Frank Farrington have been members of the group since it started and said they grew up with the music that Senior Class sings.

Peggy is the “P” in the PAMS and has been singing since she was 6. One her favorites is “Everybody Loves a Lover.”

Frank Farrington said there is a wonderful camaraderie in the group. “We are in the same age group and get along well together. We have couples and singles in the group.”

“Sometimes we travel together to see musicals and get ideas for our own performance,” Peggy said. “Having to memorize the words to so many songs keeps our minds sharp.”

Rick Riedel sings a collection of six songs — “Men of the ’80s” — with the full chorus doing backup.

“I love the people,” he said. “They were welcoming, and I felt like a member from the beginning.”

Riedel said a highlight for him was “going to a recording studio in Greensboro and making a CD. It was an interesting experience.”
Charles LaBella has been singing with the Happy Tones for seven years and now sings with both groups.

“We have a fun time — not too serious,” he said. “Dennis and Anne are great leaders. They even fill in for each other sometimes.”
Kathy McFatridge and Jane Partin are neighbors who joined the group together.

“When we go to assisted living facilities, I get more out of it than the residents,” McFatridge said. “It is nice to be able to give back. The residents really get into the music and often sing and dance with us.”
“When we are singing, you forget all your cares for two or three hours when you see the expressions on the audience’s faces,” Partin said.

She especially likes trips to shows. “We learn from the other groups we see,” Partin said. “I love looking at their costumes.”

Anita Marino and her husband, Guy, enjoy participating in Happy Tones and Senior Class together.

Guy Marino is also in several musical groups from barbershop to gospel.

“This was a turning point for us to be able to do something together,” he said. “It is great fun.”

Eaton said Senior Class usually performs at the Roy Culler Senior Center in High Point in December, so watch for that date.

The group’s objective is to deliver fun, laughs and memories to the audience through quality singing. So whether you are “Down on the Boardwalk” or in High Point, let them provide you with moments to remember.

Contact Kathy Johnson at mjohnson2@triad.rr.com