''I'll probably pop my clogs singing a high C on stage,'' he said, chuckling.
''At least I'll go down doing something I love. I hope I've still got a few years left yet.''
At tonight's Royal Dunedin Male Choir concert at the Dunedin Town Hall, Mr Bartlett will be honoured by the choir and the audience for his long service to the ensemble.
The former Hillside Railways Workshop engineer joined the choir in September 1955 as a first bass singer.
Since then, he has also been a member of the first and second tenor sections, and has sung many solos with the choir.
Mr Bartlett had a four-year break from the choir in the 1960s when he had to move away from Dunedin for work.
He has provided long service on the choir's committee since 1971, where he has been chairman (1978-84), deputy chairman (1977 and 1985-88), president (1989-90), and trustee (1995-present).
He was awarded the choir's highest honour in 2003, the Golden Lyre, for his service.
''I look back now and think, `crikey, where did all that time go?'.''
While his legs do not work as well as they used to, Mr Bartlett credits the choir for his overall good health and wellbeing.
''If I didn't get out and about, I wouldn't be here today.
''I've had three wives, but all have passed.
''This [the choir] has been good company.''
He has outlasted six conductors and is one of the longest-serving choristers in the choir's history.
The only singers to have outdone him are the late Arthur Ibbotson (58 years) and George Errington (57 years). He has both of their records in his sights.
