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FAIRBANKS — Six years ago, Susan Spencer could readily spell “do re mi fa so la ti do” as easy as the next person, but singing the notes — singing any notes, especially in tune — was another story.

“I remember singing some in the junior high chorus many years ago, but that’s about it. I didn’t have any experience to speak of and I didn’t even know if I could carry a note,” Spencer said of those days when she started thinking she’d like to learn to sing.

A recently retired school teacher at the time — she taught at Denali Elementary School for 22 years — Spencer thought singing should be on her “To do” list. She learned of a performance the local Sweet Adelines, a female barbershop chorus group, was planning and decided it was the perfect opportunity: Not only did it offer a chance to sing but, better yet, to sing for a good cause.

“They were doing a Sing Out for Peace on the one-year anniversary of 9/11,” Spencer recalled. “They were inviting women in the community to come sing with them, so I went.”

After just six weeks of rehearsal, the transformed talent was not only ready to sing for peace but to embark on an active role in the Sweet Adelines group — she now serves as president of the Fairbanks Frontier Chapter. She’s made friends, learned she can in fact carry a note, and had “an amazing and memorable experience.”

Like others among the 28 local Sweet Adelines, Spencer tried the group on for size at one of the many guest night rehearsals. One visit and she was hooked. A number of guest nights were held this summer, offering “potential members a chance to experience barbershop harmony and to get to know the current members in an informal rehearsal setting,” the group’s invitations stated, but Spencer said potential members are always welcome at weekly rehearsals to get a taste of barbershop chorus.

“Women interested are always welcome to come check us out. They don’t have to have experience, you can learn while you’re here,” she said. “That’s what the rehearsals are for.”

Sweet Adeline performances are often civic-minded, Spencer said, making appearances that are fun for members and uplifting for listeners. They do singing Christmas cards during the holiday season — last year they recorded such a card via satellite at Fort Wainwright to send to troops overseas — visit nursing homes and other care facilities, and perform at human service events such as Relay For Life. Giving back to the community is part of the purpose, Spencer said.

The group’s current membership drive is offering a chance for singers to travel Alaska in celebration of the 50th year of statehood. Spencer said a tour will begin next June, taking the sweet singers to Haines, Skagway, Juneau, Sitka and Petersburg.

“We want to help celebrate statehood and bring barbershop chorus to those communities,” Spencer said.

In addition to learning to sing — Spencer has crossed that off the list of things to do — her involvement in Sweet Adelines has helped develop strong friendships and brighten the day of those who enjoy a good chorus sound. She recalled an experience she had a few years ago when she sold two tickets to a friend for a Sweet Adelines show. The friend, after some consideration, decided to bring her mother, who had Alzheimer’s disease. When the songs ended, Spencer learned just how powerful music can be.

“My friend came up to me after the show and thanked me because her mom related to the music so strongly. She said, ‘You brought my mom back to me for the afternoon.’ It was so heartwarming,” Spencer recalled, touched by the way people in the audience react to the music.

The group holds weekly rehearsals from 6:30-9:30 p.m. each Thursday evening at the University Presbyterian Church, 3510 College Road. Spencer said members often rehearse on their own time, learning the music at home, and do a number of public performances by invitation throughout the year, in addition to two annual shows: The Christmas performance and a spring show. She said anyone interested in music, with or without experience, is welcome to come meet “a group of women you can always depend on” and join the 28 voices that already chorus together each week. For more information call 474-0501.

What: Sweet Adelines, Fairbanks Fronteir Chapter rehearsals

When: 6:30-9:30 p.m. each Thursday

Where: University Presbyterian Church, 3510 College Road

Contact: Joy at 474-0501

Contact Features Editor Erica Goff at 459-7523.