NILES — Members of the Valley Senior Choir said the joy of singing and being with others who enjoy singing is what means the most to them.

The choir of 30 people ages 60 and older from Trumbull and Mahoning counties has been practicing for the spring and summer season, which will begin with a patriotic program at 7 p.m. Friday at the McKinley Memorial Library in Niles to mark Memorial Day.

David Lyons, director of the choir, which has been together for the past four years, said there are singers in their 60s, 70s, and 80s and some in their 90s.

“We go to nursing homes and the McKinley Memorial and Eastwood Mall, where we sing, ” Lyons said.

Each Friday, the group gathers at the Niles SCOPE Center to practice or to different locations to perform. Lyons, who has been the director of the Valley Senior Choir for about two years, said the members were part of other groups.

“This provides seniors with the opportunity to come together and sing. This group loves singing at nursing homes, where they love singing many of the older songs,” Lyons said.

She said the seniors are full of energy when they gather to sing.

“They have not aged. They enjoy life and enjoy singing. They volunteer to be part of this and show up each week. The joy of life is what makes it neat,” Lyons said.

He said he has the group sing a variety of songs, some of which are easy to learn and others that are more difficult.

“They love having the blended difficulty of music. Some have a lot of musical training and others not as much,” he said.

The choir also has been practicing many patriotic songs to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. Lyons said the current focus is on traditional patriotic songs, while in December, it will be the old-style Christmas hymns.

Lyons said he likes seeing the audience participating by singing along with the choir.

Rebecca Hanks of Niles said she likes singing with others and singing for people at nursing homes.

“It’s all about sharing with others. We don’t just sing for ourselves,” Hanks said. “People can sing along with us. I like singing the old-fashioned style songs.”

Electa Lyons of Warren said she likes sing-alongs and being able to get together with all the people as a large choir.

Leona Crepps of Girard likes singing patriotic songs because she has family members who served in the military.

“When we perform at nursing homes, you can tell the residents and the staff appreciate us being there,” Crepps said.

David Lyons said they have members who are over 90 who are very active, sometimes doing solos or duets.

“This is something you do if you want to stay young. If you like to sing, this is what you do. It is fun,” said Judy Shaffer of Howland.

Carolyn Hartzell of Howland has the job of playing the piano to accompany the choir.

“I like being with the people. I have been part of this since 2023. It’s a wonderful group,” Hartzell said.

Lyons said he can tell how much enthusiasm the choir members have.

“They are full of life and seem to enjoy life. Some of the songs we sing lend themselves to that.”