Page 83 - Sun Rays_December 2015

A fond farewell
Dick Anderson steps down
as Singers’ choir director
By Linda Gilchriest
For many residents, the Sun City
Singers’ Christmas Concert heralds
the start of the holiday season.
However, this year’s offerings come with
a sad twist, as they mark Dick Anderson’s
last as choir director.
“It’s time for me to go,” says Anderson, who
is stepping down after 10 years of service.
“You know, you get into something like
this and you have a hard time deciding
when you are going to leave because it
becomes a part of you.”
Anderson and his wife Maxine came to
Texas 20 years ago. Anderson explains,
“We got to the point where our kids
thought we ought to be living near one
of them as we aged.” With daughters in
Michigan, New York and Texas, Anderson
laughs as he says, “We chose the non-
snowy place.”
Anderson had directed his church choir
for 38 years, leaving the position in 1993.
However, when the previous Singers
director stepped down following the
choir’s 2005 performance, opportunity
knocked. “One of the ladies in the choir
knew I had been a choir director,” says
Anderson, “and she called and asked me
if I was willing to do it. I’ve always loved
choral music; it’s one of the loves of my life, lengthy musical background. A retired
actually. So this was a good opportunity
to get back into it.”
Anderson has been involved in music
almost all of his life. In high school, he
directed a youth choir and performed
in a trio. He says he always wanted to
teach, but because music teachers didn’t
make much money, he pursued a degree
in English Literature instead.
“I wasn’t particularly interested in
teaching music, although I did for three
ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG
years. I directed a choir in the first high PHOTO BY CHARLIE BYERS
school I taught in,” Anderson says. The
principal of his Union Grove, Wisconsin Dick Anderson
high school told Anderson he could teach
four sections of English if he started a PHOTO BY LINDA GILCHRIEST
choir. “I had 30 kids the first day, but by
the second semester I had 75!” Laughing, Georgia Parmalee
he recalls, “I recruited a lot of football
players.” decision, saying, “She’s got a great
background and a great personality and
Anderson has many fond memories of she’s just a really nice person. I’m very
being with the Singers. “When you direct pleased.”
a large choir, there are times when you Although no longer directing, Anderson
just feel that you meld with the choir. It says he will continue submitting songs for
feels like it’s a special occasion – a special possible performance selections and, of
performance. And there have been a course, attending Singers’ concerts.
number of those.” “Music is a lifetime blessing,” Anderson
says. “You can enjoy and participate in
Anderson has been writing choral music it almost all your life. You can’t play golf
for almost 9 years with collaborator R.G. all your life, or baseball or tennis, but you
Wyckoff, who also is a Sun City resident. can enjoy music forever.”
He says he hopes to continue writing, This year’s holiday concert, “Rejoice,
saying, “I still have some ideas up there, It’s Christmas,” will take place on Dec.
if R.G. will continue to provide the text.” 2 and 3 at 7 p.m. in the Social Center
Together they have written nearly 100 Ballroom. The performance will feature
songs, many of them sung during the a number of heart-warming songs and
years by the Singers. an audience sing-along of traditional
pieces. Tickets are available for $8 at
Georgia Parmelee, a long-time member the Member Services Office or online at
of the choir and director of the upcoming www.sctexas.org.
Sun City Follies, will take over as director
following the Singers’ Christmas concert.
She has already begun preparing for the
Singers’ spring concert, and boasts a
educator, Parmelee boasts a Bachelor
of Music and a Master of Fine Arts in
Choral Direction, and was the director
of a nationally televised contest variety
show in Galway, Ireland.
“I am honored to be selected to direct this
talented choir,” says Parmelee. “I can’t
wait to get started.”
Anderson is supportive of the board’s
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