Singing "bum, bum, bum, bum, do-dah, bum," sends Pat Webster’s great-grandchildren into fits of laughter.
While it might be comical for the "young uns", it is actually an important part of the 83-year-old’s daily rehearsal regime as a bass singer in the popular barbershop-style choir, Dunedin Harmony Chorus.
"They make fun of me saying ‘bum’ a lot. It always goes down well."
But fellow bass singer and youngest member of the all-female choir Heather Cunningham (33) said on the rare occasions when they did get to sing the melody, they revelled in it.
"Every now and then, we get a moment, so we make the absolute best of it.
"Oftentimes, we’re holding the rhythm together with well-timed ‘doos’, ‘dums’ and ‘bah-dums’."
"We’re just trying to get a few more younger voices in to help keep the chorus going and encourage more people to get out there and sing," Ms Cunningham said.
"It does help to have a good ear, but we’ve got a real range of singers and it’s really about enthusiasm and getting out there and giving it a great go."
The course is for women of all ages, beginning at 7pm at Andersons Bay Bowling Club.
Attendees will learn how to harmonise two songs, and then sing them to friends and family at an event in August.
Speaking of the 50-year age gap between them, Mrs Webster said all barriers seemed to disappear as soon as they started singing.
Ms Cunningham said there was a lot of admiration for people like Mrs Webster, who had been with the chorus for many years.
"Her love of singing is obvious. I hope when I’m her age that I can be half as sharp and witty as she is."
