Bethel Park-based Harmony Singers recruiting new members

Covid-19 forced Harmony Singers of Pittsburgh to mute all performances for a while, but as the South Hills-based show choir enters its 56th year, members are hoping to restart the music and add some new members.

Prior to the pandemic, the volunteer group regularly performed at retirement homes and other venues. The music stopped in 2020. Harmony Singers performed a few shows last spring and summer.

For the 2022-23 season, Harmony Singers is hoping to get back to a schedule of shows that’s as close to normal as possible.

“Covid was really hard,” said Bobbi Gerson, Harmony Singers board president. “When we have been able to perform, the audiences have been so receptive, and that’s very encouraging.”

Harmony Singers have about 30 members, which is down from the 40 or so who performed with the group pre-pandemic. The group has a few performers who are former professional musicians, but the vast majority are either retired or have careers that are totally unrelated to music.

Some members may have performed in high school musicals or sang in a choir. They joined Harmony Singers many years later because they missed that creative outlet, Gerson said.

It’s not necessary to have a perfect voice to join. Gerson said a love of singing is much more important.

“When you see someone performing who loves it, you know it. Does it really matter if they miss a note here and there? If they’re having a good time, they can make you have a good time,” she said.

Led by music director Cynthia Pratt, Harmony Singers performs a variety of music, such as show tunes, pop hits and spirituals. While chorus’ voices are the main part of the act, they also incorporate comedy and dance into every show.

The group practices Tuesday evenings at Brightwood Christian Church, 5044 W. Library Ave., Bethel Park. They are hoping to perform about a dozen shows this year, mostly private concerts at retirement communities or banquets.

Harmony Singers also have a few shows around the holidays that are open to the public, including a Dec. 9 show at Brightwood Christian Church.

Harmony Singers has a working relationship with Pittsburgh Musical Theater, a performing arts organization geared mainly to children, and they will take part in the theater’s production of “A Lyrical Christmas Carol” Dec. 17.

Those interested in belting out the tunes can find more information at harmonysingers.org or by emailing join@harmonysingers.org.