The key word for the civic choir at Grays Harbor College is “happy.”

That’s because the show the choir is about to put on for interested folks at 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoon at The Bishop Center for Performing Arts is all about that positive feeling. After the civic choir takes the stage, Grays Harbor Concert Band will follow with a six-song setlist. Happy is clearly the theme for the concert band, as well.

Steve Cavin, who’s been part of the choir since 1973, said he loves to sing. He couldn’t pinpoint his favorite song he and his fellow singers will bring to the stage this weekend.

“It’s hard to say,” Cavin said. “‘Happiness is so fun to do.”

The song “Happiness,” which is from “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” is one of eight songs in which Kari Hasbrouck, the choir’s director, will lead the group, of about 30 members, on Sunday.

Cavin had great things to say about Hasbrouk’s direction.

“Kari’s very good,” Cavin said. “She’s a wonderful musician. I don’t know how long she’s been here, but she’s fun to sing with.”

During Tuesday night’s rehearsal, Beth Ginther, the choir’s pianist, called the up-tempo number “a workout.”

Laurel Sheffield, a soprano singer, is much newer to the group than Cavin. Sheffield spoke about getting to know about the choir and how an exchange from the choir director at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church led Sheffield to the civic choir.

“I didn’t even know we had a civic choir,” Sheffield said of the director at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, in Aberdeen. “My choir director was like ‘hey, you want to join the civic choir?’ And here we are.”

Sheffield, now of Hoquiam, moved to Grays Harbor in January. Sheffield was glad to join the civic choir at Grays Harbor College.

Throughout the nearly two-hour rehearsal Tuesday evening, it was clear Hasbrouck takes directing the choir seriously. While providing positive feedback, Hasbrouck also pinpointed what little mistakes the choir made and shored them up. And then, of course, the choir sounded more in sync.

If there is any doubt about how Hasbrouck feels about her role with the choir, this should clear that up:

“I love working with them,” said Hasbrouck, who’s directed at GHC since 2015. “They’re kind of a second family.”

Hasbrouck touted the choir’s inclusivity for one reason she loves the program. Hasbrouck said “anyone with a love of singing” can join. No experience is needed.

And while the choir’s been more for seniors, Hasbrouck noted how the age has expanded. One reason is because she’s had performers who are the children or grandchildren of former choir singers.

“Just a great group,” Hasbrouck said.

Tiffany Maki will direct the concert band. She talked about what people can expect to see on Sunday.

“The band’s program consists of a variety of songs that invoke happiness, or remind us of happy memories,” Maki said. “The program will include a Henry Mancini medley, Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy,” “America Forever March” and other favorites, as well as a surprise or two.”

Maki enlisted two of her performers to speak about being in the band.

Cindy Jamroz spoke about how “very happy” she was to join the band and how easy it was to regain their form after “many decades,” of not playing music.

“It was a low pressure environment that allowed me to take my time and build my ‘chops’ back up to a performance level,” Jamroz said. “The band is fun and it is great to be able to play as a group with like-minded musicians. Along with us old folks, I am happy to see so many younger people joining the band and having a good time in the group. Even if you have not played in a long time, come join us and have a blast.”

Steve Rogers called playing in the band an “honor.”

“I’m 77 and have returned to my roots,” Rogers said. “I played in the GHC concert and stage bands in the ‘60s under the direction of Craig Wellington and it’s a thrill to be able to play once again. This is a very talented group guided by a dedicated and knowledgeable conductor.”

A few of the music events happening this weekend across Grays Harbor County, according to the venues, Facebook and people in the know:

Friday, June 9

6 p.m. — The Bridge Music Project Grays Harbor Showcase — The Loading Dock — 202 E. Wishkah St., in Aberdeen

7 p.m. — Graysen Foust — Montesano Moose Lodge 1210 — 3 Monte Elma Road., in Montesano

Saturday, June 10

5 to 8 p.m. — Patrick Allen Murray — Ocean Pours Taproom — 759 Ocean Shores Blvd. NW, in Ocean Shores

6 to 9 p.m. — The Stuntmen, Higher Standard and Luck — The Loading Dock

7 p.m. — Chad Shue — Red Cedar Bar — 1941 Riverside Ave., in Hoquiam

8 p.m. — Chris Eakes — Ashley’s Pub Haus — 710 J St., in Hoquiam

8 p.m. — Satsop River Outlaws — Tuggs & Chuggs — 13443 W. Cloquallum Road, in Elma

8 to 11 p.m. — Graysen Foust and Amanda Ransom — Pine Tree Bar and Grill — 101 W. Ocean Ave., in Westport

Sunday, June 11

2 p.m. — GHC Civic Choir and Concert Band — 1620 Edward P. Smith Dr., in Aberdeen

Contact Reporter Matthew N. Wells at matthew.wells@thedailyworld.com.

Matthew N. Wells / The Daily World Sopranos from GHC’s Civic Choir, from left — Cheryl Guth, Trisha Charlie, Laurel Sheffield, Marrilee Rhoads and Alexa Amarok — sing “Hold On,” during Tuesday night’s rehearsal at The Bishop Center for the Performing Arts. It was the last rehearsal before Sunday’s performance, which begins at 2 p.m. It’ll be followed by the college’s concert band.