Do you remember the theme song to Three’s Company? You know, it starts out “Come and knock on our door, we’ve been waiting for you, where the kisses are hers and hers and his, three’s company, too….” Do you remember the part that goes “dahma nahrah nayvoo, three’s company too?” Well neither does anyone else. I recently found out the real words are “down at our rendezvous, three’s company too.”

Yes, I am one of those musically-word-challenged people. Not only do I have trouble memorizing words to songs, the words that I do memorize are usually incorrect. I am always the one who will be singing loudly, having a great time and then I notice people staring at me with strange expressions. Someone will eventually clue me in on the fact that I am completely singing the wrong words.

So, what does one do about this sort of problem? Join a singing group, of course! I am part of the BG Singers and each week I get to be surprised when seeing the words to songs that I thought I knew.

One time, I was sure that the chorus-music publisher had changed the words to the well-known song YMCA. I always thought the words were, “It’s for the spirit of the YMCA” when I guess the rest of the human population knew it was “It’s fun to stay at the YMCA.” Either way, I get to have a blast rehearsing every Tuesday evening with 75 extraordinary people, in order to put on a show each spring.

Director/Conductor of the BG Singers and Buffalo Grove resident Linda Rosen says that this year’s show entitled “And the Nominees are…” is “a celebration of the nominees of the American Film Institute's 100 best songs, The Academy Awards, The Tony Awards, The Emmy Awards, and the Grammy Awards. It's always nice to be a winner but the nominees are sometimes even bigger hits! The variety of genres creates a really fun-filled and fast-paced show that has something for everyone to enjoy. From "That's Entertainment” to "Rent", "Up Where We Belong" to "Walking in Memphis."

“The year began on a very tragic note for the BG Singers,” says Rosen. “One of our original members, Larry Berkowitz died just before the opening of our season quite suddenly from a heart attack. In addition, over the summer we had lost a former singer to cancer. The outpouring of family support to both Larry's family and grieving together with our own group was overwhelming. Larry was a true lover of the arts - he sang because it brought him joy to be with this group and share his love of people and song. We returned the honor by beginning the season and dedicating it to his memory. The basses get together every Sunday morning, and still leave a chair open for him.—That can tell you the depth of feeling that this group has for the bonds of friendship that they make. His family is honoring his memory by giving a scholarship to a deserving Buffalo Grove High School senior, majoring in the arts, through the Friends of the Park Foundation of the Buffalo Grove Park District, which will be presented at the concert on Saturday night.”

“This is my twelfth year choreographing and performing with the BG Singers,” says Assistant Director/Choreographer and Buffalo Grove resident Charla Silver. “Since my first year, I have loved working with this amazing group of people. We come from many different backgrounds and many walks of life. But we share a common love, a love of music, a love for performing. We enjoy each others' company every Tuesday evening. We share one another’s joys, sorrows, accomplishments. We take on service projects to give something to those less fortunate. The BG Singers are more than just friends, we are a group of people bound by the music, the camaraderie, and so much more.”

The show “And the Nominees are…” is produced by Buffalo Grove resident Lindsay Grandt. And the incredible people whom I have the pleasure of singing with every week are Buffalo Grove residents Judy Abbinanti, David Alhadeff, Steve Ander, Robin Axel, Bruce Bohrer, Susan Dubin, Terri Fergus, Vivian Fogelson, Wendy Friedman, Donna Garfield, Michael Garfield, Bonnie Gold, Leonard Gold, Elliott Hartstein, Kelly Hauslein, Mickey Kaplan, Jeanette Kratz, Lori Lapping, Dave Lemrise, Susan Levy, Carolyn Lewis, Beth MacCrindle, Debbie Macklin, Mickey Mell, Jim Merfeld, Mary Naughton, Cathy Novak, Beth Nudelman, Gayle Pervos, Susie Pinzur, Larry Preston, Barbara Quinlan, David Rosinski, Barry Schaff, Lynne Schneider, Steve Schneider, Charla Silver, Shelly Spector, Marilyn Wagner, Fred Weissman and Wendy Zimmerman, Long Grove residents Cheryl Goldstein, Gary Mednick and Susan Zolno, Kildeer residents Jon Andes and Jan Gussin, Hawthorn Woods resident Heidi Korn, Arlington Heights residents Mike Altman, Ann Bauer, Steve Bulmash, Bill Chambers, Jeff Conrad, Teri Dickinson, Tricia Dockery, Jill Gavin, Stacy Groner, John Haug, Kathy Montesano and Mel Siegal, Wheeling resident Stellie Friedman, Vernon Hills residents Eve Getlin and Julie Lichtman, Mundelein resident Catherine Crandal, Deerfield residents Cyndy Chanenson, Andrew Graham and Ilene Heyman, Lake Zurich resident Jerry Rottmann, Northbrook resident Mitch Portugal, Palatine resident TJ Andrew, Morton Grove resident Andie Decker, Mt. Prospect resident Jill Karner, Glenview resident Tom Korman and Roselle resident Barbara Jean Robey. The show also includes the phenomenal accompanist and Arlington Heights resident Jeannie Richardson.

“Of all the things I am proudest of,” says Rosen, “it is not the music we make, rather it is the feeling that you have an extended family every Tuesday night to share your joy and successes, your pain and sorrow. People who care, friends who nurture, and the genuine camaraderie that comes from sharing a passion-- music. I am privileged to be their director, but incredibly honored to have made such long lasting friendships.”

Performances of “And the Nominees are…” will be in Stevenson High School’s West Auditorium on Saturday, March 17 at 8:00 pm and Sunday, March 18 at 3:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased for $15 in advance at the Alcott center or $18 at the door. (Children under 12 and seniors get $1 off per ticket.)

Well, I will hopefully be singing all of the correct words by March 17 and 18! If you know someone fabulous who should be featured in this column, please email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

© 2007 Susan Dubin, Buffalo Grove, Illinois