Singing and Merrie Crawford go together.

For more than 20 years, Merrie has been a member of the Sun Lakes Chorale. Singing in concerts is a highlight for Merrie. But even before concerts come, there are weeks of rehearsals, which Merrie relates is such a joy. She loves being with others, singing with others, and having the camaraderie that you have when together.

Merrie researches and writes a script about each of the pieces and its composers, which she narrates at the Chorale concerts. Merrie has also served many years as a board member of the Chorale. For some of those years, she was corresponding secretary, then president for five years. She is the forever Music Librarian. On any given day, you may find Merrie, along with her sidekick Pat and assorted volunteers, sorting, filing, stamping, and labeling music to have packets of music ready for the singers. She also chaired the revision of the current Chorale Handbook. In addition, she volunteers to assist in other areas of the Chorale.

There are times when Chorale members socialize outside of Chorale rehearsals or concerts. Merrie says it is a forever memory when the Chorale went on a cruise together in 2005. Then, more recently, she hosted several Chorale gals for a session of making scarves for the Chorale ladies. Six gals came with their sewing machines, and six other gals were in two different rooms cutting and pinning to make 70 scarves at that time. What fun!

Not only is Merrie singing in the Sun Lakes Chorale, but she is a longtime member of the Sun Lakes United Methodist Church choir. She also serves as Music Librarian for that choir. But there is more that Merrie is involved in here in Sun Lakes. She has been a member of the Sun Lakes Community Theatre for many years and often is the director for one of their productions. Currently, she is the director for the summer production of The Sweet Delilah Swim Club.

Merrie graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University with a degree in speech and theatre and also met future husband John there. John and Merrie lived and worked in New Jersey, California, Michigan, and Wyoming before moving to Arizona in 1979 with their son Justin where John taught at ASU in the Hugh Downs School of Communication and Merrie in the Kyrene School District.

After moving to Sun Lakes in 1998, they became involved in Sun Lakes Community Theatre, and following retirement, Merrie added the Sun Lakes Chorale to her activities list. She enjoys reading, music, theatre, cruising, entertaining, and especially the yearly visit to the East Coast to see family on Long Beach Island, N.J., and to catch a play or two in New York City.

It just goes that music and drama go together for Merrie Crawford!