The sound of sweet voices filters out from Port Ludlow’s Bay Club on Thursday nights. It’s the Choral Belles practicing, perfecting songs for their summer and winter concert series.

Service through music is more than a motto for the Choral Belles. It’s a treasured way of life through the year.

“They’re so sweet. I love them,” said Bay Club receptionist Sue Bartkus. “They just give their time for groups, nursing homes, other places. I really admire them.”

“Our mission statement, ‘Service through Music,’ has inspired the Belles to reach out to retirement centers, service groups, churches and others. This past year we have presented our music to 55 such venues,” said Choral Belles director Mary Lou Montgomery. The Choral Belles have also recorded two CDs, both of which have sold out.

“I’m so proud of what they do,” said Montgomery.

The women’s choral group practices every week as a whole group under the direction of Montgomery, with piano accompaniment by Jolene Visser. Sometimes the three sections, first soprano, second soprano, and alto, may choose to do additional practice, said Montgomery.

The women joke about the commitment, but they delight in each other as well as the music.

“Everyone sings together really well, and that’s a really good feeling,” said Montgomery. “They just love each other, and it’s sincere.”

“We all genuinely love each other,” affirmed member Bets Cragoe.

“They’ve gone through so much together – hip replacements, the deaths of partners, and even some children,” said Montgomery.

“It’s a special group of ladies,” said member Paula Davis. “You can come in dragging, but the music takes us away. It recharges us.”

“This is something I do for me,” said member Jean Johaningsmeir. “I don’t want anybody to take this the wrong way, but I give so much time to other people, with all my volunteering. This enlightens me.”

“Music is therapeutic,” said member Valerie Hinchliff.

“Music impacts people in a deep way,” said member Mea Graham. “They say music is the last thing that people respond to when Alzheimer’s takes them.”

Sometimes those patients join in singing along to familiar tunes, and sometimes they are dramatically stimulated by the music.

Cragoe gave an example of a woman slumped in her wheelchair, looking less than aware when wheeled into a concert at a nursing home.

“We did a medley of songs, and she looked asleep, but at about the third Gershwin tune, she rose up in her chair, pointed her finger, and exclaimed, ‘That’s George Gershwin!’”

Responses like that can bring tears to their eyes, said Montgomery.

“Over the years, we’ve given to the community and the community gives back to us. Music is my life, and it’s given me so much,” she said.

Now in her 11th year as director of the group, Montgomery recalled, “When I heard the mission statement was ‘Service through Music,’ I thought, ‘I’m in. That’s the way to be.’”

Any woman is welcome to join, provided she can read choral music arrangements and commit to the group.

“You feel like you belong from the first,” said Gloria Ricketts, a member for two and a half years.

Three of the 20 women currently in the group are original members, serving since the group was founded in 1996.

Three others are former Chimacum High School chorus students of Montgomery, who taught music there from 1958 to 1975, in partnership with her husband, Chimacum’s first band director, Duane Montgomery.

“He was an inspirational character to me,” she said.

The couple, who were married 57 years, met when they were 16 and 17, and both had bands playing for a high school dance. They married two years later while attending Western Washington State College, now Western Washington University.

“Duane said we really should be teachers together, and that’s what happened,” said Montgomery.

It was a wonderful experience, she said, smiling at the memories.

Montgomery then went into real estate, but kept music in her life.

“It’s true. Once you’re a musician, that’s where your heart is,” she said.

Currently, she sings professionally with the Dukes of Dabob, and plays and sings saxophone with swing band Nostalgia, in addition to directing the Choral Belles.

"I love the Choral Belles. They are a really wonderful group,” she said.

On the program this holiday season are fun holiday tunes such as "Santa Baby," along with sacred music.

Montgomery is particularly excited about “Where Shepherds Lately Knelt.” Karl Bach was commissioned to do the arrangement, because there wasn’t one for a women’s chorus.

“It’s so melodically emotional, and the words are wonderful. That’s the thing about choral music. The words bring out the emotions. Choral singers are blessed. We have the only instrument that plays the words. We have a responsibility. We always hear [people say] we can understand every word you’re saying. We work on that.”

“These are not professional musicians; they’re ladies who like to sing,” said Montgomery. “They take suggestions very well. I always tell them they’re my joy.”

Members of the chorus are Norma Brewer, Bets Cragoe, Jean Johaningsmeir, Paula Davis, Shannon Uyeda, Meg Anderson, Gloria Ricketts, Marianne Walters, Valerie Hinchliff, Rona Anderson, Mea Graham, Sandra Flaherty, Lori McKinley, Judi Smith, Sheila Burrell, Shirley Calkins, Marian Page, Bonnie Van Allsburg, Sandy Curtiss and Ruth Braasch.

Brewer and McKinley also serve as assistant directors. Hinchliff and Curtiss are flautists as well.

The Choral Belles are performing this holiday season as part of their series of 17 concerts.

The women also sing at the Port Ludlow Bay Club Tree Lighting at 3:30 p.m., Dec. 3.

The final, candlelit concert, which benefits Toys for Tots, is 7 p.m., Dec. 17 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Port Townsend. Suggested donation is $10. Gifts for Toys for Tots are appreciated, but not required.