Making music - State workers chase away budget blues with songs

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- With threatened layoffs, budget cuts and no or few pay raises, a choral group of Missouri state workers might be expected to sing the blues.

Not the Music Makers. The noise is joyful with this all-volunteer chorus combining more than 600 years of state government experience.

They've seen recessions and revenue shortfalls, endured familiar criticism of bureaucrats and government bloat, watched as legislators and the governor argued about where the spending ax will fall next.

"So we figure there's enough bad news. We want to have a little fun, and this is a fun way to build teamwork and contribute," says Daniel Hays, who sings a fine tenor during his breaks from working with unemployment insurance operations.

There are 46 Music Makers, all from the ranks of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, specifically the Division of Employment Security. They have fun but work hard in half-hour bursts, crowding into an unoccupied conference room next to director Gracia Backer's office for noon-hour rehearsals.

Comic relief

Backer is the demanding choir director and the comic relief. For the Christmas program, she ambled in dressed as Santa Claus. Introducing the patriotic program, Backer drew laughter and applause by turning out as Uncle Sam, complete with vivid blue swallow-tail coat, top hat and a 6-inch goatee of white yarn.

When she stopped mugging for the audience, Backer became solemn: "Thank you, families, and thank you, to you military personnel, for your service." Then a military detachment posted Old Glory and the Missouri flag, as the audience stood in respectful silence.

Backer swung around to her chorus, all dressed in red, white and blue. She raised both hands with the authority of Leopold Stokowski. The singers stood at attention, then began on her cue. "O say can you see ..."

Between songs, Backer encouraged smiles and laughter, quipping before "America the Beautiful" that the Music Makers aimed to put diva Kate Smith to shame. They gave her a run, with the help of the appreciative audience on the final chorus.

"This is a way to lift morale, because we do it on our own time and it brings us together from our cubbyholes," said Janet Lepper, a 34-year agency veteran. "It takes our mind from other problems."

They sang as the legislature met across town in the Capitol, part of a budget standoff with Gov. Bob Holden over spending bills.

Members of the Music Makers said they watch the headlines, worry a bit for themselves and neighbors in the company town of state government, but then return to their music.

The Employment Security Division, which relies on federal funding passed through to the state, hasn't been hit as hard in its work to connect unemployed workers with jobs. Workers said they are grateful for that but note that most haven't had a pay raise in a couple of years.

At least there is fellowship in this -- and in the music, said Wanda McDonald, who handles the agency's payroll. She started singing in church as a girl and finds a relaxing outlet in performing with her co-workers.

"Singing bonds us together," McDonald said. "We love the fellowship all around. It's our way of thanking the other state workers, who we know are working hard."