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Singing Group Revitalizes Ailing Man's Life

Cheryl Bentley/SUNCOAST NEWS

Rick Nare leads the Pointe Alexis Singers in a practice session at the Pointe Alexis Community Center in Tarpon Springs. From left singers are, back row, Dan Fox, Dorothy E. Lawson, Al Logan, front row, Laurie Foster-Peterson, Mark Skopczynski and Barbro Wilson.

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By Cheryl  Bentley | The Suncoast News

Published: January 19, 2008

Rick Nare credits his participation in the Pointe Alexis Singers with far more than honing his musical skills.

"It's given me my life back," he said.

Nare is the director of the nine-member group that was formed in October of last year and gave its first concert in December. It is based in the Pointe Alexis development in northwestern Tarpon Springs.

Nare must have kidney dialysis six days a week. "I came to Florida with a heart condition and dialysis basically to die," he said.

But these days, thoughts of his health take back stage to his activities as director of the vocal group. Its December concert played to a receptive audience.

"We had people come up with tears in their eyes saying, 'You made my Christmas,' " Nare recalled.

He is now busy getting the group ready for its next concert. The April event will feature Broadway show tunes.

The group will give two concerts a year and also entertain residents in assisted living facilities.

Nare helps members with vocal tone, breath support and diction. Another member, Dan Fox, teaches them musical notation and theory.

Nare majored in vocal theatrical performance at Northern Kentucky University, in Highland Heights, Ky. He has 40 years of experience in choral music.

The Pointe Alexis Singers started with residents of the development on Riverside Drive but is now looking for members from other areas.

Prospective members need bring no more than their passion for singing, said Nare. They don't have to be professional singers, nor even know how to read music.

The group practices weekly at the Pointe Alexis community center.

The group also needs volunteer instrumentalists, especially people who play violin, drums, flute, oboe or trumpet.

Dues are $15 a month for sheet music, refreshments and fee for the piano accompanist.
Nare pointed to 15 copies of sheet music for the song "Climb Every Mountain." They cost $26, plus postage, he said.

"If you do 10 numbers, it's expensive."

Nare faces the cost because he refuses to electronically reproduce copyrighted music. "When you copy music, you're stealing."

Members have become like a family, he said. Both the music and members have added much to his life.

"It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness," he said. "This is the way I light our candle."

For more information call 727-937-0933.

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