Last hurrah for Masterton's songbirds

WONDERFUL MEMORIES: The Harmony Ladies choir, pictured at their "Night at the Proms" concert last year, will be performing their last concerts this year.

What started out as a fundraiser half a century ago has become a family for a group of Masterton songbirds -- but now it's time for the curtain to fall on the Harmony Ladies.

The Harmony Ladies, a choir made up of senior women, has been a regular fixture in Masterton for 54 years, singing at rest homes, church concerts, end-of-year functions and Christmas parades.

By far the ladies' most popular venture has been their twice-yearly concerts, held every September and October, featuring costumes, dramatic skits, and everything from 1920s jazz to the show tunes of Andrew Lloyd Webber.

But, with age catching up to many of the members, this year's concerts will be the Harmony Ladies' last.

Producer Joyce Winn said most of the group had been members since the 1970s, and were "extremely sad" to stop performing.

"But we're not young anymore -- our eldest is 91, and we only have two members younger than 70.

"Some of the ladies can't stand for very long, and our pianist Val's eyesight in failing.

"It's sad, but we knew it was going to happen eventually."

The Harmony Ladies was formed in 1961, by a group of women whose husbands were members of the Savage Club.

The club members needed money for their newly acquired hall on Albert St, and their wives formed a choir to perform at a "fundraising bash".

Present for that first concert was Thelma McKenzie, the club's last remaining original member.

Thelma said she has many fond memories of her time with the club -- learning songs from Les Miserables, performing in flapper outfits, waving Union Jack flags for a "Proms" concert, singing at Equippers Church's Christmas in the Park, and taking trips throughout the North Island to meet other choirs.

"Singing at the rest homes was my favourite -- their faces would light up when we'd do all the old songs, and they'd sing along with us."

Thelma is still an active part of the Harmony Ladies, singing her parts from a chair, as worsening arthritis has left her unable to stand for long periods.

Once the club finishes, an "important part of [her] life" will come to an end.

"We've become like family. We're there for each other -- the friendships have been good for me, as I'm now on my own after my husband died.

"But it's been a happy time -- lots of beautiful songs, and some lovely memories."

Joyce said the Harmony Ladies will stay together as a social group, and will perform at rest homes and other functions, when asked.

For now, they are looking forward to entertaining their final concert audiences.

"It's very gratifying for them, and they're a treat to watch on stage."

The Harmony Ladies' last concerts will be held at the Savage Club on Sunday, September 27 and Sunday, October 4, starting at 1.30pm.