By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
HE’S only missed four rehearsals over 51 years.
Dandenong resident Jeff Keyaerts has been singing in the Melbourne Male Choir for a good part of his 88 years and said age doesn’t bother him.
“I’m as fit as a fiddle,” he said.
“I still go to water aerobics, still drive a car, cook, clean and sing – maybe that’s why I’m still so fit.”
Mr Keyaerts has lived in Dandenong since 1959 and is the choir’s longest serving original founding member.
He urges everyone to give signing a go, no matter their voice.
“You don’t have to be Pavarotti to join,” he said.
The Melbourne Male Choir is recruiting new voices to bolster its sound and currently has about 20 members.
However, Mr Keyaerts, who sings base, said that’s not enough.
“We are all getting a bit old and are looking for new blood and we would like to bring out our own tapes again,” he said.
Mr Keyaerts believes singing in a choir is a tremendous hobby for men.
“I continue to go because I love singing and choir singing, I’ve made lifelong friends.
“We are a very friendly mob, after practice we come together and have some cake,” he said.
The Melbourne Male Choir was formed out of the Australian Dutch Male Choir, which itself was formed 25 years ago, and Mr Keyaerts said there were not enough Dutch singers in the end so the name was changed.
“There used to be 68 of us and we performed at the Sydney Opera House, we’ve been all over the country,” he said.
The choir often perform around country Victoria.
“You name it, we’ve been there,” he said.
Mr Keyaerts said any local singers hitch a ride with him to the weekly rehearsals.
“People that sing are happy people,” he said.
No prior singing experience is required to join the choir and there is no formal or public audition for new members.
To find out more information visit www.melbournemalechoir.com.au.
