In 2009, after singing in the Denver Turnverein Chorus since 2007, I met with a group from the Turnverein Chorus who mostly lived on the West side of Denver  I wanted to try singing light jazz and musical pieces.  We sang our first concert in December 2009 with PDQ Bach’s “Throw The Yule log on Uncle John”.  In the beginning we didn’t sing in every concert with the Turnverein, but as the occasion arose we would contribute one or two pieces. Â
Generally I would ask Keith Arnold, our director at the time, what was the theme of the concert. Then I would find appropriate music for that theme. Eventually we sang two pieces for each concert beginning in 2012. Â
Early on we participated in the Open Mic at Jefferson Unitarian Church to hone our small group experience. Westsiders have toured with OWS in 2013 and 2019. Â
2017 saw us sing for two Naturalization Ceremonies at Four Mile Historic Park. One in April and one in August. We had the privilege of experiencing the ceremony and singing for then Governor John Hickenlooper and Senator Michael Bennet.
November 2017 we produced our first Westsider’s Winter Wonderland concert at Swallow Hill Music.
The Westsiders meet Monday evenings, in addition to our Thursday One World Singers rehearsals. Â
It’s amazing to think that what I thought initially to be a temporary group has lasted over 14 years. There have been changes in the group since 2009, but we have just kept on singing.  Â
On March 25, the Westsiders lost our dear friend and colleague, Bob Kluver. He had sung with us since 2009, almost the beginning of our group. Affectionately called “Bobby,” he always knew his tenor parts. He never failed to ask if I had everything I needed. Bob toured North Dakota with us and sang at the Naturalization ceremonies at Four Mile Historic Park where he was a docent for many years. He often took on the role of Santa. We can’t ever thank him enough for his hours of dedication to our performances. We all miss him. We hope to honor his memory at his Celebration of Life ceremony on May 26 by singing his favorite songs. This will be a memorial celebration and reunion of all current and former Westsider members.