QUARTET OF NATIONS NEWSLETTER, REGION 31, SWEET ADELINES INTERNATIONAL
SUMMER 2007
HARMONY RAG FAREWELL FROM THE 1ST EUROPEAN SWEET ADELINES The final chapter for Purbrook is to look back on a to an end – but not quite as 13 of our ladies sing (still in wonderful history that will always be part of Sweet Adelines. 4–part harmony) for charity entertaining senior citizens in full We never quite reached that gold 40’s dress with songs from that star that we all chase but were era – aptly named “Reflections” first in so much more. who are so popular they are 1975 – The First Chorus in constantly being booked and 14 Europe with Ann Gooch (USA) of us called “The Beat Go’s On” arriving to help and guide us to sing for the pure joy, not wishing charter and dear Beryl Mort, our to sing for any association as Director then, who did so much Sweet Adelines was our first to help bring in more Choruses. love. 1980 – The First Chorus to sing Why did it end? We were down at Convention in USA with 19 of to 27 (not all singing members) us never to forget our standing and many over 65 and although Purbrook Harmony in their famous Black and Gold ovation when the curtain drew we tried every method and means back. The First Chorus to sing in the Netherlands with their to recruit it was not to be and with so many other talented new Chorus and the beginning of long friendships and now Choruses in our area it became difficult so we agreed to we have come full circle as they return to Region 31 as disband from Sweet Adelines and had a marvellous farewell originally we were only in Chapter 1, New York. Dinner with much We gave our support to many previous members and laughter, tears note with pride three who are now Directors in their own and memories and right; Julie Smith now successful in Canada, Sally Tomkins although we said with her lovely Bass voice, and Rebecca Thorpe, now with “Goodbye” such is Coastline, who under the guidance of Pat Bentley became the bond that we one of the youngest Certified Directors, and all Gold Medal all keep in touch winners with our Quartets. We have so much to be proud with our monthly of. news “Purbrook Chorus breaks often happen which is sad but when Gossip” and plan we see Spinnaker on stage we know that 30 of those very to party together, as many of you will know no–one parties good singers had like dear old Purbrook!!! their grounding We can be proud of our achievements and many Directors with Pat Bentley have recalled that when they started they used to watch us at Purbrook and and want to be as successful and now they are!! yes, we can feel But now we bring the curtain down with pride in our loyalty proud of that as to Sweet Adelines, at one time we were 60+ but when you we do also of the become a struggling small Chorus it is less of a joy and we many medals have found that at this stage more help is needed from the our Quartets and Region to keep the morale high when having to compete with Chorus have the “big guns” though we can say we have been there, done gained, too many to mention!! that and enjoyed it all so with our love and good wishes to We have had great laughter (remember “The Pits”) and you all, we leave you In Harmony. tears but it has been so worth it and all good things come Purbrook.
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