Mission

In February 1980, the director of a small glee club placed an ad seeking harmony singers, sparking the birth of the Westernaires. Members of another group and several individuals responded, and together, they began performing at nursing homes, churches, and community halls, including a Variety Show that same year.

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By 1981, the group had grown to 54 and applied for Chartership with Sun City West on Jan. 27, 1981 with full chartership awarded Feb 2, 1981.  With $10 dues and a $50 grant from a local bank, they funded their first official concert, an Ice Cream Social, held on the Johnson Recreation Center patio. Attendees brought their own chairs and donated $1. The event, featuring solos, small groups, and a full chorus finale, was a success.

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The Ice Cream Social became an annual tradition, gradually evolving with themed shows and rising ticket prices. Performances moved to the Social Hall, and the chorus transitioned to larger group numbers, allowing members to focus on singing rather than setup duties. Uniforms improved, with hot pink caftans for women and cummerbunds for men.

 

As a Chartered Club, Westernaires pre-dates Stardust Theatre, and held rehearsals at Beardsley Recreation Center. Performances at R.H. Johnson Social Hall lacked a proper stage, but creativity and dedication carried the shows. Women often sang bass and tenor, drawing on their Barbershop chorus experience.

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On December 16, 1982 the Westernaires Chorus of Sun City West was granted 501(c)(7) status by the Internal Revenue Service. 

The Westernaires gained recognition, regularly performing in the Sundome Variety Show and memorable collaborations, like their February 1988 concert with the Harmonettes, the Sun Dots quartet, and the DesertAires Barbershop Chorus. Membership grew, reaching 100 voices in the late 1990s.

 

In 1989, the chorus found a permanent home at the Stardust Theatre in the Kuentz Recreation Center, introducing their first Holiday Concert to an enthusiastic audience. The venue’s expansion and increasing popularity allowed for multiple performances each season, eventually reaching four concerts for both Christmas and Spring.

 

Today, the Westernaires continue their legacy with major seasonal concerts, special events like the town’s Silver Anniversary in 2003, and sold-out Veterans Day performances in 2011 and 2014. In May 2022, the Westernaires were awarded a 509(a)(2) Non-Profit Status by the IRS in recognition that the clubs primary income comes through performances and mission related activities.  From humble beginnings, the group has become a beloved community fixture, sharing the joy of music for over four decades.

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In 2024, the Westernaires welcomed our new director, Ms. Kaitlyn Hudson, a recent university graduate with a passion for choral music across diverse styles. Kaitlyn is pursing a Masters in Choral Conducting and is an accomplished vocalist and instrumentalist whose energy and enthusiasm are inspiring!

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The Westernaires present two major concert series each year—Fall and Spring—featuring fresh, custom-designed performances that delight our sold-out audiences.  We are envisioning fresh opportunities to carry out our mission of chorale singing, quality musical entertainment and promoting music education and community.  

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With a proud 45-year history, we’re dedicated to creating meaningful musical experiences, workshops, and social events that bring joy and unity to our community while living into a bright future as Westernaires.