Tom Burley humbly refers to his talent for singing as ‘the Lord’s gift.?
How appropriate the 67-year-old Oxford resident will be using that gift to help raise money for the Men’s Charities at Oxford United Methodist Church (OUMC).
For the last two years, Burley has been singing bass with the 42-member Flint Male Chorus, which is set to perform at the church’s first fall concert from 7 to 8:15 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4.
Organized in 1943 as the Chevrolet-Flint Male Chorus, the group used to consist of men employed at General Motors Chevrolet Manufacturing Plant in downtown Flint.
Affiliated with the Great Lakes Male Chorus Association, the group has been independent of GM for the last 35 years and now has members who range in age from 20 to 80 years old and come from all walks of life in Flint and surrounding communities.
‘It’s a great group,? said Burley, who enjoys the ‘camaraderie? it offers. ‘We’ve got one member (Ron Sheppard) that’s been in over 50 years.?
Burley, a resident here since 1991, joined the chorus because of a family connection.
‘My cousin’s (Clayton Burley) been in it 36 years and he’s been after me to join for a good part of that,? he said.
But singing is nothing new to Burley, who’s performed in school and church choirs.
‘I’ve sang all my life,? he said. ‘My parents got me started. My mother played the piano and they both sang in choirs.?
Later, Burley enjoying singing with his late wife, Barbara, to whom he was married for 34 years.
While he served in the U.S. Coast Guard for six years, Burley had the opportunity to solo with their internationally renowned band. He also sang with the Coast Guard Receiving Center Chorus in New Jersey.
Burley’s been a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary for two years.
Outside the Flint Male Chorus, Burley can be heard singing with the OUMC choir.
He’s been a member of the church for six years.
When he wasn’t singing, Burley worked as a meat cutter for 30 years at various small, family markets. For almost two years, he owned and operated Burley’s Market in Royal Oak.
Burley also worked as a courier for Quest Diagnostics for 10 years.
The Flint Male Chorus will be performing 14 songs during the upcoming OUMC concert including classics such as ‘Sixteen Tons?, ‘Yes Sir, That’s My Baby?, ‘Amazing Grace?, and ‘The Sidewalks of New York.?
There will be a short intermission after the first seven songs.
Refreshments will be served in the church’s Fellowship Hall immediately following the concert.
Tickets will be sold at the door and cost $5 for adults and $3 for students. One-hundred percent of the net proceeds will go to OUMC Men’s Charities, which will use the money to do things like purchase a defibrillator for the church.
Oxford United Methodist is located at 21 E. Burdick Street. For more information about the concert call (248) 628-1289.
The Flint Male Chorus is always looking for new members and more concert dates. Rehearsals are every Tuesday (September through May) from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Flint Southwestern Academy.
To contact the group call Jack Ewing (810-733-3565) or Jim Harrow (810-233-6214).