B8 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, August 23, 2000 W e invite you to listen to the great every Sunday at 5:30 p.m. on the j! Radio Dial 1320 AM A r ts & E n te rta in m e n t "Tii&i Might a t the Optrsf* "Qodla sera all 'open? The Italian Radio Program of Opera produced and presented by G ii Oakville Beaver Entertainm ent Editor: Carol Baldwin 845-3824 (Extension 254); Fax: 337-5567; E-mail: baldwin@haltonsearch.com Karen Bettesworth, above, is an enthusiastic member of the Halton Regional Police Chorus. The HRPC's popu lar Tattoo, which also fea tures pipe and drum bands, will be held in Burlington, on Saturday, Sep t 2nd. Above photo by Peter C. McCusker Chorus photo courtesy of HRPC N ew recru its sought fo r H alto n R egional Police C horus By S andra Om and SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER The Halton Regional Police Chorus is looking for a few good men. For the first time in its 16-year history, the chorus has placed ads in various local papers in an attempt to recruit male singers. "We are trying to increase our complement and we are trying to have more involvement with the community," explained Karen Bettesworth, human resources advisor with the Halton Regional Police Service and fund-raising chair for the chorus. The chorus, founded by former Police Chief James Harding in 1984 as part of his community policing initia tive, is made up entirely of volunteers. Its mandate is to provide entertainment to members of the community, such as the elderly and shut-ins. The group also sings at charity benefit concerts and police memorial services. Currently the chorus includes 12 women and seven men, one of whom is a uniformed officer, while the rest are civil ian employees. Bettesworth said because of their shift work it is harder for the officers to commit. But, she added, the mix is constantly changing and at various points the police chorus has had many uniformed members. Alix Kerr, the secretary and engagement co-ordinator for the chorus, .said all that is needed to join is a love of singing and a desire to give something back to the community. A knowledge of music is not necessary. "We aren't there to receive accolades and public recog nition, we are there for the joy of song," said Bettesworth. "Most of us don't read music," added Kerr. Nor do you need to be particularly courageous to per form with them. "I wouldn't sing solo if you paid me, but in a group I can be brave," said Bettesworth. All members of the chorus said the payoffs are amazing in terms of personal satisfaction and can recount many wonderful experiences that have touched them. Bettesworth, for example, said singing at a police memorial concert (the chorus performs annually in Ottawa and Cleveland, Ohio at memorial services for slain police officers) is an emotional experience not only for the fami lies who have lost a loved one in the line of duty but for choristers as well. "We work here. We know what these officers do, and you come to appreciate it. So, when you are marching in a parade for someone who has lost their life, and you're there to stand up and sing for them, it's amazing," said Bettesworth. Often at the memorials the chorus is joined by groups from other organizations. At times there can be as many as 200 voices joined together to honour officers slain in the line of duty over the years. Bettesworth said after a memorial, it is not unusual for a family member of a slain officer to approach the chorus and say how much they appreciated its presence. "It (the singing) brings beauty to a solemn occasion," explained Bettesworth. Performing at benefit concerts also gives chorus mem bers a great deal of personal satisfaction. Kerr said that each year the chorus does a benefit for SALT (Share And Learn Together), the proceeds of which go towards helping physically and mentally challenged adults, that never fails to touch them. Bettesworth and Kerr explained that you do not sing for SALT audiences, you sing with them as they just wander up on stage and start joining in, completely unaware of the boundaries between performers and audience. "It's such a great joy, they've had us in tears," said Joan McWilliams, human resources administration assistant for the Halton Regional Police and treasurer for the chorus. Recently choristers traveled to Sarnia and participated, along with the Sarnia Police Chorus, in a benefit concert for their youth program called Rebound, raising $4,000. In Sarnia, Kerr said, chorus members were small in number, only 12 voices, but when they finished singing, the crowd leapt to its feet with an instantaneous standing ova tion. "It gave us quite a rush, you could feel the enjoyment of the audience while you were singing," said Kerr. Seniors are also avid fans of the Halton Regional Police Chorus (HRPC). Kerr said a number of seniors groups booked them back in January for December, 2000 concerts. "For most of the seniors groups, if they call up and can't get us, it's a big disappointment, which is why they call so early to make sure they're on the list," said Kerr. Meanwhile the HRPC is looking forward to next season when it will have Donald Graves join the group as its new director. Kerry Halcovitch, executive assistant with the Police Ser vices and president of the chorus, said the chorus was thrilled when he offered his services and that he was overwhelming ly accepted by executive and chorus members alike. Graves is retired from Sheridan College as the dean of the Faculty of Arts, so he brings extensive knowledge not only in music but theatre as well. "He was looking to do something within the community that was musically connected, and we were looking for someone," said Halcovitch. `Timing was everything." The chorus does approximately 30 performances a year and sings everything from pop and show tunes to classical and gospel music. The chorus practises every Tuesday from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. but extends practices by a half-hour or adds an extra practice before a major concert. The HRPC's next big event will be its popular Tattoo in Burlington at Nelson Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 2nd, which will also feature pipe and drum bands. Last year tickets sold out, so more seating has been added this year, with an expected attendance of around 3,500 people. For information about joining the chorus, contact Alix Kerr at (905) 825-4747 ext. 5015 or Kerry Halcovitch at ext. 5051. T ickets fo r th e Saturday, S e p t. 2 n d co n cert are available b y calling 8 2 5 -4 8 0 5 .