Former Austin residents from Arizona, California, Oregon and all over the country will be returning to Austin the first weekend of May.

They're coming to sing, to enjoy a concert and to reacquaint themselves with old friends.

They're coming to celebrate 50 years of the Northwestern Singers.

The group that began as a male chorus in 1953 and merged into a coed singing and dancing group in the 1970s will be celebrating its long history and continued popularity in Austin.

Alumni of the group have been invited to sing at a May 3 reunion concert. A combined chorus of former and current members is expected to exceed 200 people. Two former directors will conduct the group for a couple songs apiece.

Old friends will see each other again. Current members will meet former members they never knew, but they'll all have something in common -- a love of music and performance.

"It's just a really neat experience with lots of different kinds of people," said Alice Holst, member since 1971 and treasurer of the group. "There is not a lot of groups you can belong to where there's that much difference in the types of people."

The Northwestern Singers was first known as the Austin Male Chorus. At that time, the group toured the Midwest and was a member of the Association of Male Choruses of America.

Wilbur Funk, a former Austin High School music instructor, was conductor of the Austin Male Chorus from 1955 to 1962. Funk, who now lives in Portland, Ore., will be returning to conduct two pieces.

"Ones that are still able to sing will take part. Most of the people are going to be strangers to me or children or grandchildren (of former members)," Funk said.

Funk hasn't been back to Austin since he left in 1965. He's looking forward to seeing familiar places, the changes and especially the members he directed.

The Austin Male Chorus became the Northwestern Singers after Northwestern State Bank (formerly Norwest and now Wells Fargo) decided to sponsor the group.

In 1971, women, who were called "Friends," were recruited to sing with the men in the winter concert. This eventually led to the group becoming permanently mixed in the 1980s.

Ken Jensen, who was a director from 1965 to 1990, saw the group evolve. In the early 1970s, Jensen decided he wanted to include Broadway tunes in the shows.

"You can't do Broadway without women," said Jensen who lives in Austin and will direct two songs at the reunion concert.

Today, the non-profit group still features show tunes along with other types of music and has added more choreography and costumes. About 50 people belong to the group and ages range from 24 to 73 years.

The Northwestern Singers performs four main events a year. A Fall Benefit Concert raises money for the group and Music Boosters. The Winter Concert is the most elaborate, a full production with costumes, choreography and staging. The group performs at the ecumenical service on Good Friday each year. A Spring Concert is held in May, this year's reunion concert being much larger than normal.

The Northwestern Singers also donate their talents throughout the year at events like Christmas in the City.

A sense of humor is far from lost on the group. One of last year's shows featured eight Elvis impersonators. Holst proudly recalls one of her recent roles in a show.

"I'm older than 30 and younger than 70, but I can do the splits," Holst said, pausing. "In a nun's suit."

Memories from current and former members range from specific events to just enjoying performing.

"It's the satisfaction of doing something well and having complete strangers appreciate what you're doing," said Northwestern Singers President Rick Young.

Harlan Nelson, who has been a member for 30 years, remembers singing "Battle Hymn of the Republic" in 1976 for a crowd of 7,000 at the United States Bicentennial Celebration in St. Paul. Director since 1990, Les Mahla, recalls humorous performances of "Little Ol' Lady from Pasedena" and "I Got You, Babe." Deborah Smith, member for seven years, enjoys performing during Lent every year.

But it's not just the music that holds the group together.

"Friendships develop that stay forever," Jensen said.

Jensen keeps in contact with members he directed. He recently visited three of them in Phoenix.

Holst, Nelson, Smith and Young said camaraderie is one of the reasons the group has stayed together for so long.

"Everybody accepted each other. We're very accepting of anybody," Holst said.

In fact, the group always welcomes new members. There aren't formal tryouts. The director just determines where a person's voice fits best, Young said. The number of rehearsals a week and involvement are mostly dependent on each person's schedule.

"The most trained vocalist and the most serious shower-singer, everybody comes away learning something about music," Holst said.

All former members of the Northwestern Singers are invited to attend a reception from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, May 2, at the Holiday Inn and Conference Center in Austin. A luncheon for current woman members and alumnae of the group will be held at 12 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at Lansing Corners. Rehearsals will be held that afternoon for current and former members.

The Northwestern Singers 50th Anniversary Reunion Concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 3, in Knowlton Auditorium at Austin High School. Tickets purchased in advance are $9 for adults and $8 for senior citizens and students. Tickets can be purchased from Northwestern Singers members, Black Barts/Nemitz's, Lighthouse III Christian Book Store and Sterling Main Street. Tickets at the door are $10.

Also, 50th anniversary buttons can be purchased for $3 a piece or two for $5 from Northwestern Singers members. Those with buttons are eligible for one of three $200 drawings. Participants must be present at the May 3 concert to win.

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at cari.quam@austindailyherald.com