A recollection of the Dor-Abby Choir in D.C.
One of the most popular episodes of “The Andy Griffith Show” is Barney and the Choir. John Masters, director of the Mayberry town choir, is in dire need of a tenor. When Barney Fife hears of John’s dilemma, he quickly convinces John that he is the one to fill that vacancy. There is one slight problem; however, Barney cannot sing a lick.
My participation in choirs has always been a wonderful and rewarding experience. Over the years, I have been a part of school and church choirs. I sang in large school choirs as well as choirs in small churches. I was part of quartets, and I occasionally sang solos. However, I can now barely make it through two song verses before my voice gives out due to some throat issues. So, sadly, my singing days are over, and I miss it very much.
In May of 1964, I experienced a once-in-a-lifetime singing event. I was part of the Dor-Abby High School Choir, and on the early morning of May 9, our 74 member choir boarded two buses. It was the beginning of a ten-day tour to the East Coast where we would perform at our nation’s Capital and the New York World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows, New York.
You can imagine the excitement I felt that day. I was a seventeen-year-old from a small village, and I had rarely ventured more than twenty miles from home. Now I was about to embark on a 2600 mile trip to the largest city in the country where I would perform at our nation’s capital and the New York World’s Fair.
Our trip was indeed exciting. We had guided tours at Gettysburg and Washington D.C. We visited Mount Vernon and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. We also toured the White House and had breakfast at the Capitol. It was a far cry from driving the four miles to Abbotsford for a hamburger at the root beer stand. And I had the good folks from Dorchester and Abbotsford to thank, as they raised over $15,000 to cover our expenses. I felt honored and humbled when we performed at the Capitol and New York World’s Fair. We were the only high school choir in Wisconsin invited to perform. This incredible experience enabled me to have the confi dence to join other choirs.
But like Barney Fife, I now cannot “sing a lick.” However, I have all the beautiful memories of the joy of singing for so many years, and for that I am truly grateful.
Ken Anderson, the “Mayberry Guru,” can be reached at themayberryguru@gmail.com and www.themayberryguru. com.
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SINGING AT THE CAPITOL - The Dor-Abby Choir poses for a picture on the steps of the Capitol building in Washington D.C. The choir spent ten days touring the east coast where they performed at the Capitol and the New York World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows, New York.
