I grew up in a large musical family (six kids). We sang when we were driving in the car, when we did chores, when we sailed to and from Catalina (we were also a sailing family). Dad and Mom had season tickets to the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera , and as soon as we reached our early teens, we got to come along. I sang in the church choir growing up, sang in a choral group at Fluor (an engineering and construction company), and participated for one season with a mixed choir in Ojai before moving to Mountain Ranch. A member of Mountain Melody, Gay Hakola-Maloney, encouraged me to consider joining, and after much prodding by her, I auditioned in the spring of 2014. Although it is a challenge, I love that we perform off book—it definitely enhances the experience for singers and audience!
Sue W., Member since 2014

I began singing with Mt Melody when I learned that a women’s choir was singing in my daughter’s classroom after hours. She and I had sung together in choir while she was growing up, which probably influenced her career in music in the first place. As her mom, I enjoyed reconnecting with her after her college years, especially since she was pregnant with her first child. The extra time she puts in as a music and drama teacher along with a young family doesn’t allow her to continue, but I’ve met so many wonderful women that I’ve continued on. When all else fails, music lifts my spirits.
Lesley D., Member since 2010

Maggi and Susan and Marta were singing some patriotic songs at a back yard 4th of July party in 2004. They were talking about how fun it is to sing, and talked about doing more of it. When I heard about it, I thought we were going to just have some ladies sit around and drink wine and sing. I don’t think of myself as a singer, but a piano player, but thought casual singing sounded fun! Meanwhile Marta met Julie, and at our first meeting, we had Marta, Maggi, Susan, me, Don (Marta brought him, our first and only male in our Women’s Chorus,) Linda, Joyce, and Carol. We were small and not very trained, and Julie had big ambitions to start a group. I wasn’t even thinking performing would be fun. Well, look at us now, I guess I CAN sing, performing IS fun, and we have certainly enriched the group over the 10 years by adding many talented and experienced singers than our original group started off with. I know Marta is the only person (and Julie of course) who has been in the chorus every season since it started. The rest of us have taken at least a season break, and of course Linda and Joyce have moved out of state. (Its not exactly a secret, but we are thrilled to say that the original group is going to perform 2 songs at the intermission   on 5/2 and 5/3. This is pretty exciting for us, plus we get to see Linda and Joyce again!!)

Emily J., Member since 2005

 

This year, Mountain Melody Celebrates 10 Glorious Years of Song!
In honor of this occasion, members of the group have written their “stories” of how they came to be a part of the group.
Mountain Melody is more than just a bunch of women who like to sing–it goes deeper than that–it is truly a community that comes together to share their love of music and the joy of performing it.
So sit down with your cup of java (jive) and read our stories!
Be sure to make it to one of our spring performances too, we are revising many old favorites and adding new favorites too.
Our music is fun and family-friendly, and brought to you with love!
🙂