Verdugo Hills Women’s Chorus (VHWC) concluded its spring performances and is ready to embrace some time off during the summer. The local group, whose members are part of California Women’s Chorus, Inc. (CWC), perform in the foothills and nearby communities from March to June and during the holiday season in November and December. This spring they entertained at Scholl Canyon Estates, Windsor Manor, Mountview Retirement, The British Home in Sierra Madre and Del Mar Park and Regency Fairoaks in Pasadena. Mount Olive Lutheran Church in La Crescenta, Solheim Senior Living in Eagle Rock and La Crescenta Health Care Center benefitted from VHWC’s music as well. Singing recently for the La Crescenta Women’s Club was the final performance of the season.

The end of this musical season will see a big change for VHWC. Sharon Schlarb, who has been VHWC’s choral director for the past 20 years, will put down the baton and take a seat in the second soprano section of the chorus come September when the group gathers to start rehearsals again. The chorus is “over the top” happy that Schlarb will be adding her voice to the group. Her dedication and commitment to VHWC as a director over the years, whether choosing material for concerts, teaching singers the proper way to present a song, working overtime to “iron out the kinks” in certain pieces of music, “woodshedding” as she called it, has been a labor of love for which she could never be properly repaid. She has worked tirelessly to teach, encourage and exhort the chorus to be the best singers they could be. Her leadership, sense of humor, corny jokes and funny stories were something to look forward to at each rehearsal and the chorus is certain those things will continue as Schlarb takes her place as one of the chorus.

VHWC now numbers 35 singers and there is always room for many more. Any woman who has the love of music and likes to bring joy to others through song is welcome to join. No auditions required, just be able to carry a tune and attend Monday morning rehearsals. The chorus meets at the La Crescenta Presbyterian Church, 2902 Montrose Ave. in La Crescenta, where they rent a practice room and store their music. A summer sing day is in the works and open to any woman who wants to sing (date to be announced).

For further information, contact Sharon Schlarb at (626) 376-5383 or Arlene Massimino at (818) 624-1111.

Submitted by Arlene MASSIMINO