New CD stars the "Happy Hearts"
Senior singers record patriotic songs

By Melissa Fili
MethuenLife Writer

Ella Miller may be 90 years old, but she and fellow seniors in the Happy Hearts Chorus are still experiencing some of life’s “firsts” — the latest of which is heading into a recording studio and making a CD of patriotic music.
The popular 47-member singing group, based at the Methuen Senior Center, is tickled pink about the release of “The Happy Hearts Chorus Presents Songs of America,” a seven-song CD recorded in Haverhill.
“We hit it on the first time. It’s excellent!” beamed Evelyn Ebert-Wetherbee, a 17-year member of the chorus, referring to her group’s two-hour, single-take recording session.
The Happy Hearts are well-known across the Valley, bringing their joyful, uplifting piano-based shows to nursing homes, senior housing spots, hospitals, Northern Essex Community College and beyond. The group’s director Sue Foster, who works as the Senior Center’s activity coordinator, said they’ve been talking for about making a CD for about three years and finally the time was right.
“It’s something that they are so proud of!” she said of her year-round singers, who range in age from 61 to 92.
But as Foster tells it, the Happy Hearts are much more than great voices. There’s a phenomenal support system at work and incredibly tight friendships have formed. At one recent rehearsal, tears were shed when it was announced that one of the chorus’ members had died. Then, hugs were exchanged when members found out a fellow performer was moving into an assisted-living facility.
“We are so, so close. It’s like a family,” said singer Janet Chabot.
Several of the members actually ARE family: There are two sisters, two sets of married couples and even a father-daughter pair. There are also many helping hands devoted to the group: Lynne Moss creates the show’s backdrops; her dad Holly makes the chorus’ song booklets; Linda Sheehan types up the music sheets; Foster’s family works on the show’s “set”; the singers’ relatives attend shows and give moral support.
“If that isn’t love and respect of people, I don’t know what is,” said Foster.
While the Happy Hearts Chorus has been making beautiful music for nine years, the center’s original Music and Drama Group — led by Jeannette Courtemanche — formed 24 years ago when the Senior Center opened its doors. Some of today’s Happy Hearts were part of that group, which began with a mere 10 singers who simply “wanted to bring people together.”
“When Jeannette passed on, they needed to find someone to step in and keep the chorus going. It was something I’d like to try, and here I still am!” says Foster, who sang in the St. Andrews church choir.
Pianist Sue Forbes has been “touring” with the Happy Hearts and tickling the ivories for the past nine years as well.
During the holidays the Happy Hearts are more popular than ever, with many venues requesting their presence.
“Because of their age, we don’t want to push them,” says Foster, noting that many members carpool to events or hop on the Wee Bus.