Originally formed to sing at postal celebrations and the funerals of colleagues, the Post Office Choir stirred a lot of attention when it performed at postal worker Reynold Brown's funeral in April, 1994. So much so, in fact, that it has been in demand ever since.

Led by director Darryl Simons, the group of male and female voices, which varies in number between 17 and 20, has gone on to develop a repertoire which includes gospel, rhythm and blues and love songs, and received invitations to perform at a variety of events, including retirement banquets, weddings and social occasions.

Drawn from all branches of the postal service, the choir gets together to practice two or three times before each event and, while many of the members have never sung publicly before, according to Mr. Simons "they are a real joy to work with''.

"We don't have any arguments. They come up to my studio and they pay attention,'' he says. "In fact, I wish some of my church choirs had the same attitude as the Post Office Choir in terms of coming to rehearsals. Church choirs could certainly take a hint from them.'' And it seems the Post Office singers also think the world of their director.

"Darryl has done a fantastic job with us as far as harmony goes, and we just seem to pull it off wherever we go,'' says mail handler Dawnette Richardson, who sings alto. "He is wonderful. He really motivates us and has a lot of patience.'' Postal clerk and tenor Ted Darrell is equally enthusiastic.

"I think he is one of the greatest in the world,'' he says. "When you get a group of co-workers to sing in harmony that takes a lot of patience. After singing you go away with a real good feeling.'' In addition, mail handler and alto Mrs. Mary Smith, who has been a member for approximately five years, says the choir "makes the Post Office lively.'' "It's something that brings up our morale,'' she notes.

Indeed, many still remember the huge standing ovation they received when the Post Office sponsored a gospel recital at City Hall in November, 1995.

"We were the main feature, and I think we did nine or ten songs -- the most we had ever done at one time,'' Mrs. Richardson relates."I still get goose bumps thinking about it. It was very, very touching.'' The recital was such a success that its profits were divided among three charities: the West Indian Association (to help with hurricane relief), the Bermuda Diabetic Association and the Lupus Association of Bermuda.

Since then, the choir has appeared in charitable concerts around the Island, and at such venues as the Fairmont Southampton Princess Hotel, St. Paul's Centennial Hall, the Bermuda Industrial Union, and the Pembroke Hamilton Club.

This month, they performed at the Human Rights Day celebrations on City Hall steps.

Interestingly, while some members sing elsewhere on a regular basis -- Mr.

Darrell, for example, is with the St. Paul AME inspirational choir -- others are inexperienced but enthusiastic. For Mrs. Robinson, joining the choir was a case of fulfilling a dream.

"I like the unity we have,'' she says. "We are one big family, and I like the way we are appreciated because most of us aren't really singers.'' Although Mr. Simons is a professional musician who works with various soloists, small ensembles, gospel groups and choruses around the Island, he volunteers his services to the Post Office choir.

"I consider it my community work,'' he explains.

While he left the Post Office in 1996, directing the choir is not Mr. Simons' only connection with the busy Government department. Describing himself as a "part-time, full time on call'' postal worker, he still returns to help out when mail carriers fall ill, take maternity leave, or are on vacation. But his main passion has always been music, and specifically the organ.

"I can remember being a little thing going to church with my mother. Whenever she said `Let's go to church' I knew I would hear that great big sound. That's where it began for me. At the end of the service, if I was missing, she knew I would be with the organist. I was always just astounded at him playing this big instrument.'' Eventually, the youngster taught himself to play the organ, and he also studied piano. Growing up, he says Rev. Dorothy Tuzo and Mr. Cecil Smith were an inspiration.

In his mid-teens, Mr. Simons decided he wanted to be a professional musician, and went abroad to study music at junior college in Franklin, Massachusetts.

Today, he smiles as he recalls the doomsayers who urged him to study another profession as well so that he would have something "to fall back on'' if his music career failed. Today he still feels strongly that everyone should follow their dreams, as he did.

"People never look at someone as having a gift,'' he says. "No matter what their vocation is, it should be strengthened in that direction. To take someone else's dream away is to rob them of life itself, but people mean well.'' Indeed, the Berkeley Institute graduate maintains that while everyone is born with a distinct gift, not everyone is an academic.

"If they really use that gift, a lot can be accomplished,'' he assures -- and who should know better than him.

"I recognise that my music is a gift. I can basically hear something and play it. I think I am very fortunate in that,'' he says.

Currently the resident organist and music director at Vernon Temple AME Church, Mr. Simons has also directed the gospel group Rejoice since 1982.

While church music remains his favourite, it is by no means the only genre he knows. As a keyboardist, his track record includes performances with Legacy, as well as participating in soca concerts and various convention bands.

Recently, he worked with the Ovation quartet at a convention; in the early 1990s he was with the group Stardust, and also served as musical director for Gene Steede's first Nightlife series.

Mr. Simons produced his own album in the 1970s, and worked on a local Christmas album with June Ventzos.

"I have been working with people for more than two-thirds of my life,'' the 42-year-old admits, and he too loves the camaraderie music generates.

Asked what his favourite work is, the musician responds: "Training choirs.'' As one of a dwindling breed of church organists, however, Mr. Simons notes, with sadness, that there appear to be no young musicians interested in following in similar footsteps.

Also, he feels that, overall, musicians don't get the respect they deserve.

Many people expect them to donate their services, or work for a small sum, without having regard to the fact that they have invested years of time and money in acquiring their degrees, and accumulating a wealth of experience afterwards.

"Most musicians perform for the love of it,'' Mr. Simons admits, adding that even now he attends workshops in the US twice yearly with a great friend of his who is a producer, arranger and workshop clinician.

Looking back over the experiences his talent has provided, the director says: "The Lord has been very good to me, and all that I am I have Him to thank for. I just think that I am very blessed.'' Clearly proud of the Post Office Choir, Mr. Simons sees the happy association continuing indefinitely.

"They are wonderful people and I love them. I really do,'' he assures.

All mail choir: Smartly dressed in their blue uniforms, members of the Post Office Choir, led by director Darryl Simons (seated at keyboard), performed at the recent Human Rights Day celebration at City Hall. Originally formed to sing at postal celebrations and the funerals of colleagues, the singers have become so successful that they are in demand for a variety of local events.