Cheers for the Coeur d'Aleers

By DEVIN WEEKS

Staff Writer

Singing is so much more than words and music to the Coeur d'Aleers.

It's camaraderie. It's creativity. It's collaboration.

But mostly, it's a way to bring joy to others.

"I’m a big believer that music touches people’s hearts in a way that nothing else does," Michelle Baker, 32, said after rehearsal Tuesday.

This joy is a gift that keeps on giving. The Coeur d'Aleers love to sing; they perform twice a month in care facilities and twice a year for the public.

"There are so many parts of it,” said Rose Dempsey, who has directed the group for 12 years. "The sing-outs we do are really very fulfilling. There are some (members) that that’s why they sing with the group.”

When they share their love of song with the community and see the faces light up with smiles, the joy they're sending comes right back.

"I love to sing," said Baker, who is the youngest Coeur d'Aleer at 32. "I feel honored to be able to sing with all these wonderful ladies and to add my voice to the beautiful sound."

In harmony with each other and their community, the Coeur d'Aleers have much to be happy about. The 3Cs (Cancer and Community Charities) singing group is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, with no end in sight.

The choir comprises four parts: first soprano, second soprano, first alto and second alto.

The approximately 40 members are pitch-perfect in their parts, their voices coming together like a chorus of angels on Christmas Eve.

"I just like the fact that we sing all different kinds of music, some sacred, some fun things, familiar tunes that people know,” said Mary Ann Mathews, 91, who has been a member for 20 years. "Singing makes me happy."

The Coeur d'Aleers originally began more than 25 years ago when a group of friends wanted to simply get together to sing. Eventually it became an organized entity under the 3Cs umbrella, meaning the ladies pay a yearly membership fee that goes into a main fund that is annually distributed to different charities and causes in Kootenai County.

And aside from rehearsing once a week and performing for the community, the ladies have gatherings in the summer to give them a social connection that enhances their stage presence and builds lasting friendships.

“The thing I like about this group best is that there’s no drama. The ladies get along beautifully," Dempsey said. “The people just gather and they love to sing. All I do is enable them and help them along."

The Coeur d'Aleers will present their annual spring concert, "Songs of Life," at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Lutheran Church of the Master Gathering Hall, 4800 Ramsey Road, Coeur d’Alene.

It will include some familiar favorites such as "God Bless America" as well as original pieces written by Coeur d'Aleers accompanist Jeanie Donaldson, who has provided her piano-playing talents for nine years.

"We just have a great selection of music," Baker said. "Some songs are more sad and some are more happy. I think it hits all different ranges of emotion, so I think people will enjoy being able to go through the different feelings that the songs will bring."

Tickets for "Songs of Life" are $8 or two for $15 and available at the door, through members or at Great Harvest Bread Co., 3510 N. Government Way in Coeur d'Alene.