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Voices Raised In Harmony

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By GEOFF FOX

gfox@tampatrib.com

Published: March 26, 2009

ZEPHYRHILLS - About halfway through a 90-minute performance, the men and women of the Betmar Chorus produced bandannas and tied them around their necks.

After a cue from director Mary Margaret Trice, the chorus, more than 100 strong, launched into a foot-stomping version of "Turkey in the Straw."

Applause from the crowd of hundreds at Betmar Acres Clubhouse No. 2 hadn't waned before the chorus commenced with a rollicking medley featuring "The Yellow Rose of Texas," "Deep River" and "Old Dan Tucker."

"It's a brand-new program every year," Betmar resident Charlotte Vosburgh said before Wednesday afternoon's show, the first of three this week.

Now in its 37th year, the chorus also will perform at 7:30 tonight and Friday.

A Massachusetts native, Vosburgh typically sings with the group, but she was sidelined this year with bronchitis.

"It'll be a packed house Thursday and Friday," she said. "We've had to turn people away from evening performances in the past. I'm really looking forward to it."

Featuring performers ages 55 to older than 90, the chorus performed with gusto on Wednesday afternoon. On the gospel tune "Rain Down," the audience sang along:

"Rain down

Rain down

Rain down your love

God of life"

Other songs included the standards "Chattanooga Choo Choo," "Stormy Weather," "Oh Susanna!" and "Old Folks at Home," better known as "The Swanee River."

"We've been practicing since the first of January," said chorus member Art Ash, a baritone from New Era, Mich., northwest of Grand Rapids. "We'd go as a full choir on Mondays and do sectional practice on Wednesdays.

"I'm in there and I sing, but I'm not a singer," he said with a chuckle.

Ash's wife, Janice, a chorus member since 2000, sings soprano.

Before the show began Wednesday afternoon, Coleen Clarkson, also a Michigan native, sat with her husband, Wayne.

"This is probably our fifth year" seeing the show, she said. "I wouldn't miss it. We know all the people in it. It'll be wonderful. The group has pretty much been together for years. Mary Margaret Trice does a wonderful job."

Coleen Clarkson said she and Wayne have been married nearly 60 years and offered that her mother lived to be 97.

When Coleen Clarkson was asked how her mother managed to live so long, Wayne answered:

"She got rid of her daughter!"

The couple laughed as the lights went down.

In moments, they were humming along to "Sing Hallelujah, Clap Your Hands."

IF YOU GO

WHAT Betmar Chorus, 37th season

WHERE: Betmar Acres Clubhouse No. 2, 47245 Lakewood Drive, Zephyrhills

WHEN: 7:30 tonight and Friday

COST: $5

INFORMATION: (813) 788-9606

Reporter Geoff Fox can be reached at (813) 779-4613.

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