Photo by Bill Green The Golden Tones, a choir of Frederick County residents over the age of 50, performs at the Golden Living Center in Frederick. The group has about 25 members and is sponsored by the Frederick County Senior Recreation Council.

"A few of us just wanted to sing some Christmas carols together and we started meeting up a couple of times a week to do it," Bailey recalled.

The members enjoyed their time together so much that, even after the holidays, they kept meeting to sing "the old songs," tunes they'd enjoyed in their youth. Eventually someone heard about the group and invited them to come out and do a live performance at a local event -- the Golden Tones were born.

Today, the group, sponsored by the Frederick County Senior Recreation Council and open to all Frederick County residents over the age of 50, boasts upwards of 25 members. They are all volunteers, singing for their own enjoyment and that of others. Spectators who appreciate the group often give donations, which members use to pay for sheet music.

But, it's not about the money. As John Cooper, a longtime member of the group explains, "People enjoy us and we enjoy them; that's why we do it."

At a recent performance at Golden Living Center in Frederick , the room was replete with smiling faces, obviously enjoying the array of tunes the Golden Tones were presenting. The group sang a little bit of everything; show tunes, inspirational pieces and crowd pleasers, like "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," for which they donned baseball caps and encouraged crowd participation.

However, it's not all fun and games. A great amount of work and dedication goes into the making of an air tight production. The recent addition of Chip Handrich as director has changed the entire vibe of the group. Members noted that Handrich is knowledgeable and has high standards for the group. He, and the pianist, Christine Pappas, may have only been with the group for a couple of months, but their presence is already being felt among members, and his attention to detail is becoming evident in the performances.

The group will have plenty of opportunities to perfect the skills Handrich is helping them develop at the numerous events they have scheduled throughout the year. The chorus meets for practice each Monday at the Frederick Senior Center from September through May of each year. They begin making appearances in early October.

They can be found singing on a weekly basis beginning each October for Frederick County retirement centers, nursing homes, church senior groups and community events geared towards retired citizens.

They are always looking for members. If you are a Frederick County resident, over the age of 50 who would like more information about joining the chorus, contact the center by phoning 301-600-3525, or by e-mailing to harkatlet@gmail.com. You may also contact the center if you are interested in having the Golden Tones sing at a senior centered event.