90 reasons to celebrate

Although Marguerite Flick, a retired accountant who has doubled as the group’s treasurer, hasn’t been around as long as Gilbert, her 25 years in the choir showcases her unwavering love of singing. Once a valley resident, Flick has been commuting from Oxnard to attend rehearsals for the last 13 years, although she has missed a few concerts due to open-heart surgery and an accident that left her with a broken hip.

This unwavering dedication, however, doesn’t just extend to longtime members.

Nathaniel Livesey, an atmospheric scientist at Jet Propulsion Laboratory who lives in Montrose, has been with the chorale for four years. “It’s something that I’ve always enjoyed doing, and it’s nice to do something that’s not work,” he said.

The organic, grass-roots feel of the choir is what has powered it for so many years, former member Pat Gafford said. She spent a lot of time tie-dying 62 shirts in her backyard for a 1999 concert titled “Good Vibrations.”

“A lot of people put their heart and soul into it,” she said. “At one point, the money was so bad that one couple literally supported the chorale almost fully.”

With the tough times behind it, the Burbank Chorale is poised to present its winter concert, which six-year choir member and Glendale resident Ann Chadney has billed as the event of the season.

“You don’t want to miss it,” she said. “You will walk away feeling so light-hearted and with the season.”

Shtangrud has nothing but praise for the choir.

“They’re really responsive, and they enjoy what they do,” he said.

This year, the choir will be joined by the children’s choir of the Colburn School of Performing Arts as well as a new group — the Young Men’s Chorus.