WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers MAKING MUSIC—Members of the Friendly Village choir perform Wednesday in the clubhouse at the Friendly Village mobile home park in Simi. The group started about a year ago and is composed entirely of Friendly Village residents. The chorus sang eight songs as part of Americana Night. There's no denying that the residents of Friendly Village mobile home park know how to use their vocal cords.

The group of adults who live in the 221-unit Tierra Rejada Road neighborhood frequently show up at City Council meetings to speak up on issues affecting Simi Valley's older population.

Now some of them are using their voices for a another, more soulsatisfying cause: good music. Begun last year by the mobile home park's HOA, the Friendly Village choir has 25 regular members.

"I originally wanted to have a talent show, and then someone suggested a chorus," said coordinator Dave Reinstein, 77. "We were all surprised how many people turned out for the chorus and stayed with us."

The retired principal and former California Lutheran University teacher said the only requisites are residency at Friendly Village and a passion for music.

"We have people with beautiful voices along with shower singers like me," said Reinstein, who, with Phyllis, his wife of 53 years, has lived in Friendly Village for three years.

Jean Donahue was the first to join the choir. The retired CBS legal assistant has lived in Friendly Village for six years.

"The chorus has lots of energetic, lively people who want to live life to the fullest," she said.

Alan Finell, 70, is the ringer of the group. A professional concert pianist who once performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Finell accompanies the singers and arranges the music. Now retired from the professional side of music, Finell said he enjoys rediscovering its creative side.

"Most of the chorus members can't read music, so I selected songs to perform that are familiar to them and familiar to the audience as well," Finell said.

The group performs at the catered dinners held each month in the Friendly Village clubhouse. Their latest performance was this past Wednesday.

"We try to have a theme each time we perform," Reinstein said. "We've sure had an enthusiastic welcome from the residents."

The group rehearses weekly under the guidance of choral conductor Judy Pseil. They sing a variety of oldies, sometimes popular, sometimes spiritual, depending on the occasion.

"The chorus gives people this age something to look forward to. It gets them out of their units and brings them together," Reinstein said. "They feel like they're contributing to our community."