RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - The Rancho Murieta Voices have gone silent. 

Initially formed as Murieta Village social group more than 30 years ago, the Rancho Murieta Voices has performed for frail, elderly residents in assisted living facilities since 2002.

Its mission ended earlier this year when they couldn't replace the group’s retiring music director and pianist, even though both had given seven months’ notice. 

Joanne Lehman, who has been president since 2017, and her main helper, Geri Dekker, tried everything possible to fill the two positions. They posted pleas on social media and in the paper, talked to churches and music directors, and distributed fliers. 

“We’ve had this before but this is the first time no one stepped up to the plate,” Lehman said. 

Dekker said the group’s demise “is breaking” her heart. 

“I will miss singing for these people because it gave me such joy to see their joy,” she said

The Rancho Murieta Voices performed their last concert on April 11 for residents at Oakmont at Eldorado Hills. It was their best performance ever, according to Corinne Dryman, a member of the group for five years.

 “Because we knew it was our last, we gave it our all,” she said.

The Rancho Murieta Voices’ last gathering was a May 2 retirement party at Go 4 Pizza, where current and past members flipped through photo albums, shared memories, and enjoyed pizza and complimentary sundaes.

Oakmont Folsom at Creekside activities director Marni Cadi was distressed by the news. 

“They really made a reputation for themselves,” she said. “Even though our residents get music twice a week, they absolutely loved them and everybody came down to hear them…This is so sad.”

Atria Fair Oaks activities director Heather Williams agreed. 

“We absolutely loved having them perform,” Williams said. “Unfortunately, we could only get them once a year since they were so booked up. “

Lehman said volunteering for the Rancho Murieta Voices was a significant commitment because they sang at practices or performances at 2 p.m. every Thursday for most of the year. “That didn’t lend itself to somebody who was working so it almost had to be someone who was retired,” Lehman said.

Lehman joined the group in 2016 when she was 65. 

“I was the youngest member of the group,” Lehman said

Danny Diaz, 87, who joined the Rancho Murieta Voices in 2004, was both the oldest and longest-running member. He and his wife drove from their home in San Mateo to their home at The Villas every week. 

“I love to sing and I love to play golf,” Diaz said. “My wife has a group she has coffee with, so it has worked out pretty well for both of us.”

Diaz said he couldn’t help smiling when many audience members began singing along, although they didn’t have the lyrics in front of them like he did. 

Williams said that phenomenon was evident at her facility where many residents have some memory issues. 

“But as soon as the group starts performing a song, they absolutely remember every single word. They love it,” Williams said.

Lehman said they selected  25 songs for each performance, drawing from a playlist of more than 1,000 songs from the 1920s through the 1960s. Their all-time hit  was “There Ain’t Nothing Like a Dame” from the musical “South Pacific.” The men in the group donned sailor hats to belt out that show tune, much to the delight of their audiences.

Lehman said the Rancho Murieta Voices experienced a hiatus when the pandemic hit. Nevertheless, nearly all members returned when rehearsals began in fall 2022. During this time, Lehman and Dekker also recruited a new music director. While visiting Strutz Ranch, they encountered Paula Ramirez showcasing her musical talent on the flute. Ramirez, a retired high school music teacher, accepted their offer to join the team. Additionally, Toni Anania, a pianist, also agreed to become part of the ensemble.

Lehman described Ramirez as an outstanding director who elevated the group to a higher level. “She was organized and just made things happen. Our practices became more like performances,” Lehman said. “Paula felt we might as well go out and perform more and practice less.”

Ramirez's contributions extended beyond organization; she also enriched the group's repertoire by incorporating military and patriotic songs, which resonated deeply with audiences.  When the Rancho Murieta Voices performed a medley of songs representing all military branches, it prompted veterans in the audience to rise and salute.

Lehman said they were devastated when Ramirez and Anania tendered their resignations last November.

Lehman adjusted the 2024 performance schedule to accommodate the singers' and musicians' family obligations, allowing them more time for personal responsibilities. The revised schedule included a five-month break, with two concert performances scheduled per month for the remaining duration.

 “We also thought we could attract some new people to help us out in our unfilled positions,” Lehman said. 

However, despite their efforts, Lehman ultimately had to make the difficult decision to cancel the remaining concert season for 2024.

Lehman said the Rancho Murieta Voices frequently performed at various venues beyond their regular schedule. In 2019, they delivered a heartfelt Christmas concert at the Rancho Murieta Women’s Club, leaving many audience members moved to tears. Additionally, the group extended their support by singing at memorial services to honor departed members.

In addition, smaller groups from the Rancho Murieta Voices ensemble made visits to nursing homes, spreading cheer to former members who were unwell or celebrating birthdays. During the holiday season, they also delighted Murieta Village residents with festive carol singing.

In addition to their pianist, the ensemble welcomed various musicians into their performances over the years, each adding their unique flair to the group's sound. These accompanying musicians included guitarists, bassists, drummers and an accordionist.

At the final gathering, two pivotal group members of the group were there. Bill Perry, who assumed leadership of the Village activity group in 2002 and served until his retirement in 2017, played a significant role in shaping the group's activities and fostering community engagement. Lee Holm, who served as the music director from 2004 until about 2018, made enduring contributions to the musical direction and cohesion of the Rancho Murieta Voices ensemble during her tenure.

Holm laughed when she remembers how she became involved. Perry was on the golf course with her husband, when he learned she had been a music teacher. Despite Holm’s protestations, he recruited her to be the music director as the prior one had eloped. Holm and her husband had moved to the community only two weeks earlier.

“I have such good memories. It’s hard to believe it is over,” she said.

Perry characterized his involvement with the Rancho Murieta Voices as a "pleasurable chore," illustrating the blend of joy and responsibility it brought him. He traced the group's origins back over three decades to its inception as a social gathering within Murieta Village, spearheaded by Lillian Harris.

Initially led by Chuck Hagerman, the group's early meetings at the clubhouse featured a selection of songs curated by Hagerman. Perry's introduction to the ensemble came about serendipitously on the golf course, where Hagerman, aware of Perry's musical background as a guitarist and arranger, extended an invitation for him to join their ranks.

Upon Hagerman's departure in 2002, the singers turned to Perry, recognizing his musical talents and leadership potential, and asked him to assume the role of leader, thus marking a new chapter in the evolution of the ensemble.

But Perry had some prerequisites. 

“I didn’t want to pull out a few pieces of sheet music and sing for a while,” he said. 

Instead, Perry advocated for the group to set goals and to begin performing publicly. The catalyst for that was his younger sister, a geriatric physician.

“She convinced me that people in senior residences and nursing homes don’t have a chance to get out so why don’t you bring the music to them,” Perry recalled.

To enhance the organization, Perry implemented more structure within the Rancho Murieta Voices, establishing bylaws that delineated roles and responsibilities for each member, whether as a primary contributor or backup support. 

Recognizing the group’s financial needs, especially considering the acceptance of gratuities at performances, Perry took proactive steps such as opening a bank account and securing nonprofit status to ensure proper management of funds and expenses. 

The Rancho Murieta Voices encountered challenges as it grew. In late 2008, they faced a setback when they were asked to leave the Village because it was considered an outside group. However, the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church deacon recognized the group's efforts as a ministry and provided space for rehearsals, meetings, and piano storage.

Subsequently, the group found a new home at the Rancho Murieta Community Church for years until renovations commenced.

Fortunately, the Catholic church welcomed Rancho Murieta Voices back, allowing the group to continue its musical endeavors in a supportive environment.

Maryanna Hashorva has played a vital role in maintaining the group's connection through her weekly newsletters since 2014. 

Despite the significant commitment of practicing and performing every Thursday, she now feels a profound sadness as the Rancho Murieta Voices has disbanded.

Reflecting on the group’s impact, Hashorva remembers the joy and camaraderie shared during performances.

“It was truly heartwarming to witness older individuals, who were actually our peers, tapping their hands on their legs and beaming with happiness,” Hashorva said “It was the best thank you that you could ever ask for.”