Peggy Kramer of Floral Park, a member of the award-winning Greater Nassau Chorus of Sweet Adelines International, was recently honored with the Heart of GNC Award. This is a monthly award presented to outstanding chorus members in acknowledgement of their commitment, generosity, helpfulness and enthusiasm.
Mrs. Kramer, who has 11 children and 31 grandchildren, brings her knack for maternal caring and nurturance to the chorus as head of the Sunshine Committee. She offers birthday and get-well wishes to members and hosts an annual Christmas party at her home. Last year, she even gave GNC singers an inspirational talk about being cheerful, smiling and spreading sunshine. “I like to make people happy,” says Mrs. Kramer. “I like talking to them and bringing a cheerful thought to them. You don’t think you’re doing much, but you see the grateful expressions on peoples’ faces, and they thank you.”
Mrs. Kramer, affectionately known as “Peggy Mom,” discovered Greater Nassau Chorus 13 years ago with her daughter, Peggy Pecoraro of Levittown, after spotting an ad in Newsday. Both mother and daughter had sung in choirs and glee clubs when they were students but were looking for a place to sing as adults. Mrs. Kramer said that the first time she and “Peggy Anne” visited a rehearsal, they knew immediately that they had come to the right place: “We kept nudging each other and saying, ‘Oh, my god, isn’t that a gorgeous sound!’ We couldn’t wait for the next Tuesday to come!”
Since becoming members, Mrs. Kramer and Mrs. Pecoraro have competed in seven worldwide Sweet Adelines International competitions and numerous Regional-level competitions with Greater Nassau Chorus. In their most recent International contest in October 2009, GNC earned a 4th place medal, surpassing over 600 choruses from around the globe. The Peggys have had other adventures with the chorus as well, such as singing The Star Spangled Banner at Madison Square Garden, performing holiday music at this year’s Radio City Christmas Spectacular, and appearing with the chorus on the Dec. 6 CBS News Sunday Morning segment, A Gleeful Song.
“The best part about Greater Nassau Chorus,” says Mrs. Kramer, “is being with women who share the same hobby and love of music and who are driven to be the best they can be. I’m also glad to have this special time with my first and oldest child. We already were super-close, but this brought us even closer.”
Women of all ages are invited to discover the joy of singing chord-ringing, fun-filled music a cappella-style with Greater Nassau Chorus. Open House rehearsals for prospective members are being held every Tuesday night in February from 6:45 to 10 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, located at 1375 N. Grand Ave. in Baldwin. Guests will receive a special introduction to barbershop and a cappella singing. For registration information and directions contact membership@greaternassauchorus.org or call 516-250-4995. More information is also available at www.greaternassauchorus.org.
