Maurice Sheppard (far right) is the Director of the Lasses and Lads of Enchantment and One of at least 4 members (including Chuck Tallman, John Baillie and Dick Heaton) that have been with the LOE for more than 25 years. While the LALOE is much bigger than this photo, this lovely group of do-gooders sang live over a Facebook connection to two members both hospitalized recently.
MUSIC News:
Do you like to sing, can you carry a tune, even if you cannot read music? The Lasses and Lads of Enchantment invite community members to join guest night on Thursday, May 8. If you have always wanted to try four-part harmony for fun, here is your chance.
The LALOE can help you find your part (tenor, lead, bass, or baritone) and indulge you with some fun tunes, then invite you to sing along. Oh, did we mention snacks and drinks? The chorus sings from from 6:45-8:15 p.m., almost every Thursday night in Graves Hall of The United Church of Los Alamos. You can give it a go and see if you would like to come back for more or just become a fan of their local performances.
Bonnie Kiang enjoys the time she spends with the group because the harmonies are so cool. She enjoys hanging out with members because everyone is so easy to talk to and enjoys the very relaxed low-key commitment. She likes that she can just show up and enjoy the time with friends.
While the group has just started on their planned October performance of Broadway and television/movie tunes, they are always prepared for local events.
Are you celebrating a birthday or anniversary that needs a quartet? If you’re looking for a large or small group to sing for milestones or when a patriotic song or two calls for a big, round sound, a gathering of members can be arranged anytime.
Matt Michnovicz sings bass and invites you to give it a try. “What makes the barbershop chorus appeal to me is how wonderful we sound with the four parts in harmony. We make complex chords, and when we do it well, our sound is just wonderful and energizing,” Michnovicz said. “It makes me want to practice and encourage the other singers I know to keep working on it.”
Recently, two chorus members were hospitalized, and the team banded together during practice to sing to their friends over the phone. The assistance of their son allowed the chorus to send some love via his Facebook account. It was a fun and unexpected benefit of technology to buoy spirits with song.
Nehpreet Walia has also joined the songsters in their mission of music. “Everyone is very welcoming and makes you feel like you are a part of a big, amazing family,” Walia said. “I love learning and singing new and old songs together with them.”
To learn more, call President John Baillie at 505.660.0484. You can also check out their website.