Direct all correspondence, editorial copy and photographs to communications@sweetadelines.com.
Deadlines are 60 days prior to publication. Not all submissions will be published.
THE PITCH PIPE (ISSN 0882-214X)
Copyright 2025 by Sweet Adelines International. All rights reserved.
@SweetAdelinesIntl
From Our President
Sweet Adelines Turns 80 This Year!
Sweet Adelines turned 80 this year! We’ll celebrate this milestone this month at our international convention in Columbus, Ohio. It’s hard to imagine that Edna Mae Anderson could have foreseen her local singing group blossoming into an international organization with choruses around the world. We owe so much to the women who came before us—those who led, served, and built the foundation of this extraordinary community.
In Sweet Adelines, we celebrate harmony, not just in the music we sing, but in the way we come together. A thriving chorus isn’t just a collection of voices—it’s a vibrant community built on strong relationships and shared purpose.
Chorus culture matters; it is the invisible current that shapes how we feel, interact, and grow together. When we foster values like respect, encouragement, and a commitment to collective success, we create an environment where every member feels welcomed, empowered, and supported. And when individuals flourish, the music does too.
That’s where the THRIVE program comes in. It’s designed to support both musical and personal growth. While vocal development is a meaningful part of the journey, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. A strong foundation and infrastructure built on open communication, ongoing training, leadership development, and a culture of care helps choruses grow in ways that align with their own goals and values.
Leadership sets the tone. Whether you're a director, visual leader, section leader, or part of the management team, setting an example matters. Great leaders model respect, preparation,
and positivity. They keep lines of communication open and resolve challenges before they escalate. Servant leadership means putting the chorus first, leading with empathy, grace, and a shared commitment to excellence.
THRIVE recognizes that strong leadership and healthy culture are the foundation for everything we do. When we invest in these areas, we empower our members to soar— and the harmony we create together becomes even more powerful.
Just imagine the music we’ll make when every voice feels heard, valued, and inspired.
In harmony,
Mary Rhea
May we continue to nurture a culture of harmony in our next 80 years!
Visit Harmony Bazaar while you're in Columbus to shop a curated selection of merchandise from independent vendors as well as Sweet Adelines International Sales.
2025 COLUMBUS VENDORS
A Charming Affair • Beads N More • Color Street • DD’s Bras and Shapewear
Flutter Eyewear • GL Creations • Gold Medal Ideas, Inc. • Harmony Travel LLC
Heartland Market • Lady Jayne, Ltd. • Mark Enterprises • Montage/Double Take Pearls with Purpose • The Silverlady II • Ultimate Creations Infinite Aloe • Unique Fashions
From Our CEO
E“What has being a part of Sweet Adelines meant to you?”
xcitement is in the air – the change of seasons, the approaching holidays, but most importantly, excitement is building due to the upcoming Sweet Adelines International 77th Annual International Convention and Competition!
I am excited for those who will join us in Columbus, Ohio (USA) and for those who will be watching the webcast from around the world, whether individually or at a watch party. I know the competitors have been working hard and will leave us awe-inspired.
I get to enjoy many special events during the convention week. One of my favorite activities is the 50-60- and, yes, 70-year member breakfast. The stories, the camaraderie, and the love and commitment to Sweet Adelines International from these members are astounding. I don’t think that kind of commitment is shown for many things, which says a lot about the difference being a part of this organization makes in members’ lives.
As we prepare for that special time together, I have been reviewing pictures and quotes these members submitted for the celebration. As I read them, I was so moved, and I wanted to share some of the quotes from their responses to the question, “What has being a part of Sweet Adelines meant to you?”
“Thanks to Sweet Adelines, I have been able to carry on my lifelong love of music, passing it on to my daughter and two granddaughters. Singing in two choruses and a few quartets, I have learned so much about my craft and gained many friends in the process, as well as gaining confidence and leadership skills.”
– 50-year Member Karen Hoepner, Red Cedar Sounds Chapter
““SAI” has given me the opportunity to travel the world and meet friends with whom I still connect. It’s the most fulfilling thing I do for myself that brings me joy. It’s my life!”
– 50-year Member Janna Cheeland, Grand Rapids Chapter
“Trying to express all the love, harmony, lifelong friendships, musical experiences, personal growth, and genuine joy from 60 years in this great organization is almost impossible!! Sharing all of the above for over 35 years with my amazing daughter, Michelle, has definitely been the icing on the cake!”
– 60-year Member Portia Little, 1971 Queens of Harmony Bron’s Tones, Harmony Hills Chapter
“First, the thrill of singing four-part harmony and producing overtones, and learning how to sing with our wonderful education programs. Next, the friendships I have made over the years. I am blessed to be in contact with so many of them to this day!”
– 70-year member Merilyn Bryan, Spirit of the Gulf Chorus
“Sweet Adelines has been 70 years of joyous barbershop harmony while learning organizational skills and growing as a person. The chorus has truly been my family.”
– 70-year member Mary Ann O’Neil, Verdugo Hills Chapter
I know many have similar stories of how membership in Sweet Adelines has enriched their life. So, as I close…
Cheers to our 50, 60, and 70 year members! You inspire me and are my role models.
Cheers to our competitors! Enjoy your time to shine and your friends beside you on the risers.
Cheers to all Sweet Adelines joining us in Columbus or from around the globe on the webcast.
Cheers to our barbershop fans, friends, and family who support us on our “one night a week” hobby!
And cheers and happy birthday to Sweet Adelines International on our 80 years of Harmony!
With continued appreciation,
Tammy Talbot
Watch for more member quotes in the January 2026 issue of The Pitch Pipe.
Nominees for the 2026–2029 Sweet Adelines International Board of Directors
The election of the International Board of Directors is determined by the votes of our members at the chapter level (and remember as a Chapter-at-Large or Member-at Large, we need your vote too!). We appreciate your attention to last year’s election and strongly encourage you to make sure that your chapter is represented as part of this important process.
This election will fill three expiring board terms, beginning May 1, 2026, and ending April 30, 2029. Ballots are due at international headquarters by 3 p.m. Central Time (9 p.m. UTC), Wednesday, December 3, 2025.
Annika Dellås
Rönninge Show Chorus Region 32 39-year member
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Science in Public Administration, specialized in Human Resources, 1980-1983
SPECIALIZED TRAINING: Facilitation program & Action Learning methods at Move Management to facilitate meetings and workshops. Swedish Academy of Board Directors certifying future board members. Labour Law, advanced. Business Economy at Uppsala University. Developing Leaders Program organized by AstraZeneca focusing on three different leadership roles-leading the organization, leading myself and leading the team.
CURRENT AND PAST OCCUPATIONS: HR Management Consultant/ Owner Dellås People Management Inc. since January 2015. HR Director/Employee Relations Manager at AstraZeneca, British/Swedish pharmaceutical company, 2004-2014, Croatia &Sweden. Business Unit Manager for HRM at Thomson Fakta AB, 2000-2002. HR Director at Volvo Aero Engine Services Inc., 1996-2000.
LIST FIVE SIGNIFICANT LEADERSHIP ROLES YOU HAVE HELD IN SWEET ADELINES INTERNATIONAL: International Board of Directors member since 2022/2023 with committee responsibilities in Worldwide, Finance and Editorial Review Board. Team Coordinator for the Regional Management Team (2017-2022). Project Leader and Chair for Rönninge Show Chorus Christmas concert Stjärnjul (2012-2017). Co-creator of Leadership for Section Leaders Workshop (2000). Regent on the regional board (1995-1997).
HOW DO YOU FEEL YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SWEET ADELINES INTERNATIONAL AS A MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS? I will contribute with my experience in leading change, with my ability in strategic thinking and by adding an international perspective to our work. I will also contribute by challenging the present, by seeing the overall picture and building a sustainable vision for the organization.
WHAT SPECIFIC SKILLS, IDEAS, TALENTS, ETC., WOULD YOU BRING TO THE INTERNATIONAL BOARD?
I will bring leadership and facilitation skills to the table, including how to build good teams, create engagement and hold people accountable. I will also bring financial skills and business acumen. I will bring board experience, employee relations and governance skills that will add valuable knowledge and insights to the board.
WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION? My vision is to continue our direction towards the future and incorporate musical development with worldwide perspectives and a collaborative approach. My vision is that we take the lead to develop our artform of barbershop with a sound balance between heritage and new influences in the music.
WHAT SHOULD BE THE PRIORITIES FOR THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION OVER THE NEXT FIVE TO 10 YEARS? Develop the barbershop/a cappella style to stay relevant and set the scene for the future and to attract younger members. Find ways to increase the number of new choruses and challenge our thinking to simplify administration and cost models. Build diversity and collaborate with other organizations without losing ourselves and our uniqueness.
DESCRIBE WHAT YOU THINK SWEET ADELINES INTERNATIONAL WILL BE LIKE 25 YEARS FROM NOW: Sweet Adeline International will be the natural choice for women singing acapella music and will have a clear position in the worldwide network of barbershop singing. Sweet Adeline International will promote diversity and work with music development for all singers worldwide. Sweet Adeline International will develop women skills, self-management and confidence.
Lori Britt Horvath
Greater Nassau Chorus Region 15 16-year member
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts – Management and Communications, Master of Science – Organizational Psychology, PhD Curriculum (all but dissertation) – Applied Organizational Psychology
SPECIALIZED TRAINING: Certifications: Prosci ADKAR Change Management Methodology, Six Sigma Master Black Belt (Process Improvement Methodology) Project Management Institute - Project Management Professional
CURRENT AND PAST OCCUPATIONS: Current: Business Transformation Consulting Director. Past: Business Consultancy Founder/Owner, Self Employed – two years, Business Transformation Services VP – seven years, Management Consulting Firm Partner – 14 years, Adjunct Professor at NYU – 13 years (taught Organizational Change, Team Dynamics, Multi-Cultural Leadership and Corporate Culture)
LIST FIVE SIGNIFICANT LEADERSHIP ROLES YOU HAVE HELD IN SWEET ADELINES INTERNATIONAL: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Council Chair (2 years) and DEI Council Member (3 years), Region 15 Regional Management Team – Team Coordinator (5 years), Region 15 Regional Management Team – Marketing Coordinator (1 year), Region 15 Regional Convention Committee Member (5 years), Greater Nassau Chorus Team Coordinator (8 years)
HOW DO YOU FEEL YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SWEET ADELINES INTERNATIONAL AS A MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS? I’m a people-focused leader who balances empathy and compassion with pragmatic business acumen in developing strategy and making decisions that impact both organizational health and human experiences. I consider an array of diverse perspectives, make recommendations that are for the overall good of the organization and tactfully communicate about them.
WHAT SPECIFIC SKILLS, IDEAS, TALENTS, ETC., WOULD YOU BRING TO THE INTERNATIONAL BOARD? Strong knowledge of human-centric leadership and data driven decision making and how to honor/apply both in real-world situations. Extensive experience facilitating and participating in decision making forums within public, private and non-profit organizations (e.g. Boards, Steering Committees, C-suite Teams). Clear understanding and appreciation of the differences between governance, leadership, and management.
WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION? The reaffirmation to DEI & Belonging in the April 2025 issue of The Pitch Pipe was inspiring. My vision is that these principles become so ingrained in everything we do – just ‘business as usual’ across all regions/chapters – to enable member growth & retention in our current footprint as well as expansion to new geographies.
WHAT SHOULD BE THE PRIORITIES FOR THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION OVER THE NEXT FIVE TO 10 YEARS? Membership growth and retention. Increased focus on youth programs across all regions and chapters, while also caring for the changing needs of aging members. Ongoing differentiation of Sweet Adelines from other singing organizations, while also continuing to collaborate with them for community building. Global expansion and more inclusive integration of regions outside North America.
DESCRIBE WHAT YOU THINK SWEET ADELINES INTERNATIONAL WILL BE LIKE 25 YEARS FROM NOW: 40K members across six continents (sorry, Antarctica!) with ensembles being able to compete in their native language (i.e. being truly global). Broad membership representation across all categories of diversity. Greater range of modern musical genres. Greater use of technology (virtual reality, AI, etc.) to enable performance, education, and competition.
Jean Schoenlank
Harmony Celebration Chorus Region 15 39-year member
Bachelor’s in Education, Bucknell University; Masters in Curriculum and Learning Environments, Harvard University; Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership,
SPECIALIZED TRAINING: New Jersey Leaders 2 Leaders Mentoring Program for new administrators, Clinical Supervision of aspiring teachers, Various learning styles programs
CURRENT AND PAST OCCUPATIONS: Retired Elementary School Principal; Current Adjunct Professor of Education, William Paterson University
LIST FIVE SIGNIFICANT LEADERSHIP ROLES YOU HAVE HELD IN SWEET ADELINES INTERNATIONAL: International Board of Directors, 2025-26. Regional Leadership Committee, 2022-present. Region 15 Education Coordinator, 2017-2024. Regional Faculty Member, 2012-present. Chorus Lead Section Leader/Music Team Member, 2008-present.
HOW DO YOU FEEL YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SWEET ADELINES INTERNATIONAL AS A MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS? I am an enthusiastic, intelligent, compassionate leader with a good sense of humor. As a leader in my chosen profession and in my region, I have always focused on bringing people together around a common goal, working towards consensus for the good of everyone, using effective communication skills.
WHAT SPECIFIC SKILLS, IDEAS, TALENTS, ETC., WOULD YOU BRING TO THE INTERNATIONAL BOARD? As a longtime member of Sweet Adelines, I possess a deep knowledge of its history while appreciating the changes that have taken place. I can see the big picture while also identifying the details to get us there. I bring tried and true leadership strategies and a healthy perspective wherever I go!
WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION? To foster a community that encourages its members to grow as singers, musicians, and leaders, bringing more people into the world of barbershop harmony who will take the initiative to keep adapting and growing.
WHAT SHOULD BE THE PRIORITIES FOR THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION OVER THE NEXT FIVE TO 10 YEARS? Membership growth is essential to our future, so we must keep finding ways to share what we do in innovative ways. Retention is equally important. The singers themselves make our organization special; therefore, we need to be open, inclusive, caring, and encouraging through education and outreach.
DESCRIBE WHAT YOU THINK SWEET ADELINES
REMEMBER: Ballots are due at international headquarters by 3 p.m. Central Time (9 p.m. UTC), Wednesday, December 3, 2025. QUESTIONS? Call headquarters at 1.800.992.7464 or 1.918.622.1444 or email corp_secy@sweetadelines.com.
INTERNATIONAL WILL BE LIKE 25 YEARS FROM NOW: The past 25 years have gone quickly, and we faced challenges we couldn’t have imagined. I think Sweet Adelines International will continue to be resourceful and creative as an essential musical outlet for thousands of singers around the world, adapting to the world as it continuously changes.
cont. on next page
River Blenders Chorus Region 5
18-year member
Master’s in Education, Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership
SPECIALIZED TRAINING: Organizational management/Systems Thinking, Cognitive Coaching/Mentoring, Team Building/Group Dynamics, Conflict Resolution, Technology and presentation skills
CURRENT AND PAST OCCUPATIONS: Special Education Teacher, Secondary/Elementary School Principal, Director of Staff Development, Outdoor Education Team Leader
LIST FIVE SIGNIFICANT LEADERSHIP ROLES YOU HAVE HELD IN SWEET ADELINES INTERNATIONAL: Region 5 Management Team, Events Coordinator. Region 5 Chair Regional Convention. Region 5 Co-Competition Coordinator. River Blenders Chorus Team Coordinator. Additional River Blenders committees: Director Search, Creative Show, Rebranding.
HOW DO YOU FEEL YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SWEET ADELINES INTERNATIONAL AS A MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS? Having experienced Sweet Adelines leadership and resources firsthand, I know how vital the organization is to the life of our choruses and chapters. I’m committed to its future, bringing leadership skills, governance experience, excellent communication and collaborative group skills. I love learning global perspectives and supporting others through coaching and mentoring.
WHAT SPECIFIC SKILLS, IDEAS, TALENTS, ETC., WOULD YOU BRING TO THE INTERNATIONAL BOARD? I align vision with long range planning and budgeting, foster leadership, navigate change and utilize collaboration to guide meaningful decisions. I’m grounded in adult learning principles, skill development and coaching. Creating the 2020 virtual regional definitely boosted my tech game! Sweet Adelines is a powerful connection for all of us.
WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION? I envision Sweet Adelines as a vibrant, evolving worldwide organization that empowers diverse and multigenerational singers to “share our stories” through competition, global education, and events. I imagine passionate members energized, inspired, and eager to share their joy of barbershop harmony and a cappella music.
WHAT SHOULD BE THE PRIORITIES FOR THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION OVER THE NEXT FIVE TO 10 YEARS? In the next 5–10 years, key priorities should include broadening global connections, ensuring financial sustainability, maintaining relevance across generations and diverse backgrounds, inspiring, and promoting creative performances and competitions, investing in developing future directors and arrangers, and listening to the needs of younger singers replicating programs that foster diverse, multigenerational participation.
DESCRIBE WHAT YOU THINK SWEET ADELINES INTERNATIONAL WILL BE LIKE 25 YEARS FROM NOW: Sweet Adelines will thrive as a sustainable, formidable international singing organization that plays a vital role in music education and appreciation, promoting barbershop and a cappella music across our world and in our communities and schools. We will expand our dynamic, multifaceted artform to reach out and provide a home for people, embracing their voices and stories. Rosalyn (Ros) VanHecke
“I love the camaraderie”
Sweet Adelines International Donor Emily O’Brien
Emily O’Brien – called Emo – barely remembers a time when barbershop wasn’t in her life. Her mother, Mary Taylor, has been a member of Gem City Chorus since 1981. (Today, Mary is a dual member with Scioto Valley Chorus.)
“I was probably in first grade when my mom started singing with Gem City,” Emo says. “In years between international competitions, they would do musicals with Southern Gateway Chorus, a local Barbershop Harmony Society chorus. When I was in third grade, they did a production of The Music Man and asked members to bring their kids to be in the show. That was the first time I was actually on stage with a barbershop chorus, and I loved it!”
When she was 11, she spent all summer going to Gem City Chorus rehearsals, learning all she could.
“They were debating whether or not they wanted to have somebody so young in their chorus,” she recalls. “Eventually, they voted me in, and right away, I started a barbershop quartet with the daughter of one of the members of my mom's quartet (and two kids from her school). Rising Star didn’t exist at the time, but we got into talent shows and things like that. I've been in a Sweet Adelines chorus or quartet pretty much ever since!”
College, internships, and an exciting career have taken her all over the world, and wherever she goes, she seeks out a Sweet Adelines chorus. She was a member of Scioto Valley Chorus (#4), front row member and baritone section leader of Toast of Tampa Chorus (#9), and often visits and coaches several Japanese quartets and choruses in Tokyo (Satellite Area, Japan).
Emo’s first competing quartet was Hypnotic (#21 champion, 2009), and she also sang with Swingline (#21 champion, 2014). After Swingline, Emo and lead Jennifer Recker (International Champion Moxie Ladies, 2009) formed Lucille with bass Loren Vaughn (Rising Star Champion Footnotes, 2006) and tenor Erin Lavoie (Rising Star Champion Vogue, 2009). In 2019, Lucille came in 11th place, serving as mic testers at their first international competition – and then the COVID-19 pandemic halted performance and competition for the next couple of years. Through it all, Lucille kept in frequent contact, attending virtual regional education events and finding a way to stay together. Lucille has climbed into the International Quartet Finals for the past three years and is our current 4th place medalist. Today, in addition to Lucille, Emo is the visual team leader and sings baritone in the Harborlites Chorus.
A generous donor for many years, Emo was among the first to set up a recurring gift to Sweet Adelines International.
“When I first started donating, it was a bit of a stretch for me to be able to give, so spreading out the donations was really helpful to me,” she says. “I knew the date that my donation would occur, just
like with any other auto-pay bill, it's part of my normal routine, so I don't have to overthink it.”
Emo says the recurring donation actually makes giving easy, and it opens her up to additional donations when she is able to give more.
“Being able to stretch out the payments on my regular donation allows me to do one-off things to help my chorus or quartet, other ensembles, or regional and international programs,” she says. “I can do different kinds of donating in one-time spurts that make sense at the time. I like that the recurring donation is very predictable, so then when I have the ability to help more on occasion, I can also do that.”
Emo cherishes barbershop music and all it has brought to her life.
“Barbershop music is so much fun as a participant when it goes well, and the challenge of getting it to go well is also fun,” she says. “It's just different from any other kind of music. You can do it anytime, anywhere as long as you've got other people with you. It’s super accessible, and almost everywhere you go, you can find Sweet Adelines. For example, I worked in Japan for the last eight years, and the choruses in Tokyo welcomed me. Being able to go to a completely different country and share the same excitement when you get the sound right and it gives you goosebumps is so special to this particular art form.”
She is glad to see the expansion of the diversity of Sweet Adelines and the authentic effort to make all feel welcome.
“We are evolving as an organization, and I've seen a positive shift in the embracing of not only people of diverse cultures, but also diverse ages,” she says. “When I joined at 11, I really worried that I might be a bother to the women who were having their night away from their kids – and here, I was, a kid at their rehearsal, so I tried to be quiet and unobtrusive. I think there's been a mental shift in the organization to embrace younger singers just as much as we value the experience we find within our groups. I think we have jumped leaps and bounds in terms of being inclusive all across the board, and that has been great to be a part of.”
After all this time, Emo says she continues to be inspired by Sweet Adelines.
“I love the camaraderie,” she says. “I just want to keep doing it! In our quartet and as part of the visual team at Harborlites, I like to help make people laugh or feel good about what they're doing. I try to help people feel recognized for how they, as an individual, contribute to the whole picture. I think that feeling can inspire us to do more or to try something different to see if it's more fun. I want to see other people enjoy being a Sweet Adeline as much as I do.”
942
Pronounced
“Nine-Forty-Two”
“942 was the name of our chorus room in high school. It's where we all met, even though we all graduated at different years. That was where we grew up together. We share a lot of really, really great memories in that room from the different musical activities we were a part of. When shuffling through possible namethat had meaning to us, we ultimately decided this would be a great one — because even though other people may not know what it means, it was very sentimental to the four of us.”
– Macenzie Bigness, tenor
Introducing 942 Quartet!
Kristina Valentino (lead)
Catrina Tulowiecki (baritone)
Katie Sheerin (bass)
The 2025 Rising Star Quartet Contest was the first time 942 tenor Macenzie Bigness ever competed with a quartet. She had no reason to worry, though. She was surrounded by singers she’d known since the Scarlet Youth Chorus in high school. There, they sang under the direction of Sky Harris, co-director of Spirit of Syracuse Chorus – where all of 942 are current members. The rest of 942 are former members of Perfect Fourth, a quartet that competed in multiple Rising Star contests and received the “Stars to Watch” award in 2017. Baritone Catrina Tulowiecki won the 2024 Rising Star contest with Cosmic.
But Macenzie’s first quartet contest performance almost didn’t happen!
“Go west!”
Their tale begins in Rome, Italy, where lead Kristina Valentino has been vacationing with her family. She has planned to arrive a day early so she’ll have plenty of time to rest before the Rising Star Quartet Contest on Saturday night. The other three, hoping to be there on Thursday for a full weekend of barbershop, and to attend the Jurassic Chords Quartet Retreat. Now, it’s Friday, and she boards her flight back to the United States. All is well.
Meanwhile, back in Syracuse…
“On Thursday, we go to the airport, get to the gate, and the board just says canceled,” recalls bass Katie Sheerin. “So we go to the desk, and they say they will get us out at 5 a.m. on Friday. This stinks, but we planned to come early for a reason. We thought, ‘We can get there on Friday and still be fine.’ So we get up at 3 a.m. on Friday, go back to the airport, and we aren’t even up to security when Macenzie looks at her phone and just goes, ‘Oh no!’”
Yes. Their second flight was cancelled. They stood in line for over an hour, and asked for any flight out of any airport nearby that could get them to Tulsa. They say there may be one from Rochester, so the quartet drives to that airport to see what they can do. The weather has cancelled all the flights there, too.
“So we sat down on the floor of the Rochester airport for a few minutes and Macenzie joked, ‘We could just rent a car and drive…’” Katie says. “Catrina and I laugh. We were like, ‘18 hours? Absolutely not.’ We got back in the car feeling defeated. And this is all while Kristina was on her flight back from Italy.”
Kristina, in the airplane on her nine-hour flight, gets a long text from her quartet lamenting that they might not make it to Rising Star.
Discouraged, the rest of the quartet starts driving back toward Syracuse.
“All hope was lost,” says Katie.
As the highway diverged, Macenzie said, “If we’re gonna go, you gotta go west…”
“You know what? Go west!” was the response.
So they did exactly that …then they realized if they made it to Oklahoma, Catrina’s car would be stuck there – because they certainly didn’t want to do this drive in the other direction! So they pulled into the next rental car place they came to.
“We walked in there looking like we had just landed off a spaceship from Mars,” says Katie. “We're so mentally and physically exhausted at this point. We're already going on 24
Macenzie Bigness (tenor)
hours of attempting to travel and not getting very far. Shout out to Enterprise in Rochester. They found us a car, and we told them we're going to drive it all the way to Oklahoma, and that's exactly what we did.”
They split up the drive into six hours each, stopping just a few times for gas and snacks.
“We texted some barbershoppers we knew along the way just in case we needed a place to stay, and everybody was very helpful, but we just decided to power through because we knew that if we slept and then woke up and had to drive again, we'd be even more tired.”
At 4 a.m. on Saturday morning, they made it to Tulsa.
“I was very impressed when we got there,” says Katie. “We looked at each other and went, ‘There's no way we just did that.’ The whole way, we're like, ‘If we do this, we're literally going to talk about this for the rest of our lives.”
Meanwhile, up in the air between Italy and the United States…
“The whole time they're driving down, they don't even know if I'm going to make it,” says Kristina. “They could be making this whole drive, and I could not even make it, which is nuts.”
But she did make it.
“I had planned to sleep for those nine hours, but that didn't happen at all. My flight from JFK to Dallas was delayed, so I got to Dallas around midnight. While they're figuring the car stuff out, I was rescheduling my flights,” she says. “I went to a hotel, closed my eyes for two hours, and then went back to the airport at 4 a.m. to get on the flight to Tulsa, and I got there at 8:30 in the morning on Saturday.”
With very short naps, they made it through quartet briefing, photos, hair, makeup, warmup, and, finally, the contest stage – where they looked and sounded fresh and strong, as if they hadn’t just made an epic journey to get there.
Taking the stage…and the gold!
What did it feel like to step onstage after such an odyssey to get there?
“Honestly, I think the craziness of the travel really grounded us,” says Catrina. “We were just so grateful to be there and singing on stage. We were kind of going crazy in the pattern… We were delusional, running around sleep-deprived. Honestly, I think we were all just like, ‘You know what? Let's just have fun. Let's entertain the audience. Let's enjoy each other's company.’ And then I think something snapped into all of us the minute we stepped on stage, some survival instinct that kicked in.”
Survival instinct, experience, training, hard work, and the support of a roomful of Sweet Adelines and barbershop fans!
When they heard their name announced as winners, emotions were all over the place.
“Kristina and Catrina just immediately burst into tears,” says Katie. “I couldn't even cry. I was just so numb. I just felt a big weight get lifted off my shoulders. I really didn't process it until probably the next day.”
“All of us have been singing barbershop together since we were 15, 16, 17 years old in choruses and quartets,” Kristina adds.”It was a big dream for all of us to one day be a part of the Starlettes and be a part of the Rising Star journey. We know we want to go on to advocate, and do things for other young singers, too. So it was a really big deal to have that title of Rising Star champion, to take home and share our love for barbershop with other people.”
“It was really inspiring to see the younger quartets there, having been in that position,” says Katie. “We're only ten years into barbershopping, but it was exciting to know that we were once the same very young barbershoppers and now we have this experience and opportunity to pass the torch.”
2025 Rising Star Results
2nd Place
Counterpoint!
Region #8 Rocky Mountain
Tenor: Molly Rymes
Lead: Jamie McIntyre
4th Place
Baritone: Rhianna Spong
Bass: Holly Vose
Decibelles Fort Smith, Arkansas, USA
Tenor: Alexandra Townley
Lead: Ava Russell
Baritone: Madelyn Maxey
Bass: Alee Thongprachanh
3rd Place
Plausible Deniabililty
Note-Ably North Texas Chorus, Rich-Tone Chorus, and Region #25 Heart of America
Meghan McClafferty
Lead: Katie Purdin
5th Place
The Augusta Starlettes Augusta High School Augusta, Kansas, USA
Raegan Stillwell
Lead: Mikaela Tymony
2026 Rising Star Quartet Contest July 10, 2026 • Tulsa, OK Contest Entry Opens January 2026
Tenor:
Baritone: Alexandria Mobley Bass: Jaiden Means
Tenor:
Baritone: Diane McGuire Bass: Kianna Montanez
Regale Quartet almost needs no introduction. Tenor Patty Cobb-Baker (Touché, 2013 and Viva!, 2020) and bass Patti Britz-Stensaker (Spotlight, 2006) are international quartet champions. Lead Kerri Mauney is an Approved Candidate Judge in the Expression Category. Baritone Denise Tazumi is baritone section leader, a member of the music team, and a front row performer in The Woodlands Show Chorus (#10), which Kerri directs.
When they stepped onto the Diamond Division stage, the audience knew they were in for some incredible singing from these experienced quartetters, and they got it!
Meet the Members of Regale!
Patty Cobb-Baker (tenor)
Harborlites Chorus, Hot Note Quartet, International Champion Quartets Touché (2013) and Viva! (2020). Past-International President (2018-2020), Approved Candidate Judge in Sound Category
Kerri Mauney (lead)
Director, The Woodlands Show Chorus (#10), previous quartets 5 O’Clock Somewhere and Live It Up (both #10). Approved Candidate Judge in Expression Category.
registration ended, Kerri texted us the deadline and said, so “On a serious note, would you guys be interested in doing this? Today's the last day to register!’ And we all just went, ‘Sure, why not?’ It really was a very impetuous decision!”
It normally takes a long time for a quartet to come up with a name, but this quartet didn’t have a long time.
“We said, ‘Okay, here's how much it is to enroll, and now we need a name,” recalls Patti. “I was in a quartet when I first became a Sweet Adeline. It was just four members of my chorus in Michigan, and the name was Regale. The dictionary says Regale means, ‘to entertain or delight.’ I always wondered why nobody took that name because it was a great name! So I said to the girls, ‘Hey, there's this name I've had for 30 years…’ And they said, ‘Sounds good!’’
Immediately, these experienced – and excited! – quartetters leapt into action on the next most important part.
“Within five minutes of having a name and being registered, pictures of outfits were flying across our emails,” says Patty. “I was going to Australia for in-region training, so I was up in the air, bored, looking for outfits! We agreed on one almost immediately and ordered it. I ordered mine from 35,000 feet in the air on my way to Australia! Then within about five minutes, Kerri found the earrings and Denise found the shoes.”
“We were registered, we had a name, and within a week, we had an outfit, earrings and shoes, and we didn't even have music and hadn't sung a note together,” says Kerri. “We were ready to roll in every category, but music!”
Denise Tazumi (baritone)
Baritone section leader in The Woodlands Show Chorus (#10), previous quartet Momentum (#10)
After some trial and error, they settled on their contest songs, including a well-known ballad, Once Upon a Time, as sung by a quartet they all love, 2004 Queens of Harmony, “the BUZZ.” By that time, it was May…and then Denise’s mother became ill, so she traveled to Trinidad and Tobago to be with her before she passed, then with her family for the funeral. Her quartet supported her, and when she returned, Regale had just a few rehearsals before it was time to take the stage.
The Lessons of Diamond Division
Patti Britz-Stensaker (bass)
Member-at-Large, 2006 International Champion Spotlight Quartet
An Impetuous Decision
Kerri and Denise are members of The Woodlands Show Chorus, which was directed for many years by the legendary Betty Clipman. Patti is a previous member of the chorus and now a member-at-large. In December 2024, Betty retired and Kerri took over as director.
“When Betty retired, the chorus had a party for her,” recalls Patti. “At the party, we were just messing around, trying to sing tags over a karaoke machine. It was raucous to be sure, but Gina Baker (lead of Touché, 2013 and Viva!, 2020) came up to us and said, ‘Hey, this looks like a quartet!’ We laughed, but we didn't do anything about it. Then the day before Diamond Division
“It was a wild ride,” says Patty. “I've never felt so unprepared for a contest. Every night I was going to bed and I was just running through songs in my head, and every day I was getting up and I was doing bubbling vocal exercises so that I could practice, and oh my gosh, it was nuts.”
None of them had sung seriously in a quartet in several years, and to add to the pressure, Diamond Division took place in front of a roomful of judges in town for Judge Training!
“Not going to lie, I was a little bit taken aback when I found out that there would be 50 judges with clipboards in the audience, and every judge would be writing!” says Patti.
Judge-filled audience and all, Diamond Division changed their perspective.
“We’ve all competed at high levels, and we enjoy competition, but Diamond Division is a different vibe,” says Kerri. “Honestly, I will take that feeling and experience into anything that I compete with in the future.”
Patty agrees.
“We are all over 60, and we have a lot of people who are 55 and over who are very, very competitive at the regional and international levels,” says Patty. “I won my first international quartet gold medal at 55 and my second one at 62, but I admit when I was on the stage for the call-off when Viva! won, I was looking around the stage and thought to myself, ‘I need to get off the stage. I am too old to compete against these young voices.’ I
really had that thought at such a moment, and I have a feeling a lot of women get that thought. A lot is in our heads about what we can and cannot do. I am just so pleased that we have this place for the older voice to go and feel welcome and comfortable and do what we love to do, and that thought never has to enter our minds. It’s a really wonderful experience.”
October 26- 31, 2026 Columbus, Ohio USA
2nd Place
2025 Diamond Division Results
Tenor: Donna Adams
Lead: Shamane Fernandez
4th Place
Baritone: Kelli Chou
Bass: Su Hallenbeck
Tenor: Deidra Brown
Lead: Susan Zura
Baritone: Gwen Smith
Bass: Roxanne Holmsen
3rd Place
Lead:
5th Place
Tenor: LaRee Eckman
Lead: Karen Randall
2026 Diamond Division Quartet Contest
July 9, 2026 • Tulsa, OK
Contest Entry Opens January 2026
No Curfew • Coastal Harmony #9
OPQ • Heart of America, #25
BrassKey • Spirit of the Midwest, #5
Vocal Audacity • Heart of America, #25
Baritone: Linda Larson Bass: Donna Heyen
Tenor: Jan Fisher
Teresa Totty
Baritone: JoAnn Lemley Bass: Jeree Gilman
“Stagecraft” is a new element/term used in the Visual Communication Category and in the Entertainment criteria used in the Open Division, Harmony Classic, and International Quartet and Chorus Finals. Stagecraft significantly impacts musical performances by shaping the atmosphere, enhancing storytelling, and creating a more immersive experience for the audience. Stagecraft impacts musical performances by sculpting the audience’s experiences, making the performance more memorable.
raphy. It should be an emotional extension of the music. A lift of the hand, a shift of the head, a pause, when charged with genuine feeling, can say more than a thousand dance steps. Every movement must be infused with purpose, planted in the emotional landscape of the song.
Costuming, makeup, props, lighting, sound effects, and set design can help provide visual clues that contribute to the audience experience. Singers’ body language, voice inflection, and the way they interact with other characters contribute to the emotional impact and engage the audience’s imagination. All of these are elements of stagecraft.
Start With “Who” and “Why”
Before deciding what to wear or how to move, ask yourself: Who are we on stage? What do we want to say? Your identity as a quartet/chorus is the foundation of both visual and emotional connection. When you have a clear artistic identity, your visual choices gain meaning and singers are more confident. A costume is no longer just a look; it becomes part of the character or emotional world you’re inviting the audience into. A gesture is no longer just body parts moving; it becomes part of the storytelling. Whether you're delivering a heartfelt ballad or a comedic uptune, every decision should reinforce your message.
It’s easy to focus on making the visuals impressive — big smiles, dramatic moves, sparkling costumes — but if the feeling behind it isn’t real, the audience won’t connect. Expression is the heart of it all. Without emotional truth, visuals become empty. Your choreography should never be just choreog-
“Send in the elephants!”
A common trap in Stagecraft is believing that more is better: more movement, more sparkle, more energy. But “more” without meaning becomes messy. Strong Stagecraft isn’t about adding everything; it’s about choosing the right things. It’s not about having ten costume changes; it’s about having one costume that says everything. It’s not about having the most complex choreography; it’s about having movement that feels true to the story. Even silence or stillness, when chosen intentionally, can be a powerful element of Stagecraft.
Stagecraft is not decoration
Stagecraft is not decoration. It’s communication. It is the place where Expression (how we feel and sing) and Visual Communication (how we look and move) come together to serve the ultimate purpose of performance: emotional connection.
When performers know who they are, when they have something to say, and when every visual choice supports and reflects that message, something magical happens. The audience doesn’t just see a performance — they experience it.
And that is what barbershop is all about.
Vickie J. Maybury is an Expression Category Judge Specialist and Certified Expression Judge. Anna Rosenberg is a Visual Communication Category Judge Specialist and Certified Visual Communication Judge.
Watch this YouTube video of King George performing “You’ll Be Back” in Hamilton as an example of brilliant stagecraft performance.
Amplifying Harmony Bringing Chorus Life Online with Technology
In an increasingly connected world, choruses are embracing technology not just out of necessity, but to elevate education, connection, and creativity. From livestreamed rehearsals and Zoom coaching sessions to interactive member groups, technology is enhancing chorus life far beyond the risers.
Westcoast Harmony Chorus, based in Vancouver, BC, Canada, and led by Master Director Anne Downton, shares how technology has transformed their chorus for the better.
Creating a virtual home: Our members-only Facebook group
Westcoast established a private, members-only Facebook group in 2017. It has now become an essential part of chorus culture and serves as a hub for communication, engagement and education.
New members are added to the group as soon as they join, giving them immediate access to recorded rehearsals, updates, and a welcoming online community. Some members use Facebook for this purpose only, and the benefits of centralizing chorus updates, educational content, and communication between rehearsals make it worthwhile. Westcoast has also found this platform especially valuable for building a sense of connection beyond weekly rehearsals.
Rehearsals on demand: Livestreaming and video archives
One of the most impactful uses of technology in chorus life has been livestreaming rehearsals through Facebook Live. Whether it's an out-of-town member or someone feeling under the weather or juggling life’s other commitments, members stay in tune—literally and figuratively—and in real time. Recordings of rehearsals are also available so all members can return to specific moments for personal review and learning.
PRO TIP 1
Go live after your physical warmup or any played music to avoid copyright claims that could shut down your livestream.
PRO TIP 2
When watching the playback, members can comment when certain songs are being worked (e.g. “1:18:37 – new notes for ballad key change”), which makes it easier for others to watch specific sections.
Note: Facebook has now limited the time a live video remains posted. For important sessions we want to keep, we upload the recording afterwards.
Simple to sophisticated: Streaming setups for every skill level
Westcoast’s approach to technology was built on years of trial, learning, and support from passionate members like tech leads Erica Yan and Jennifer Low.
“None of us were experts or even experienced with streaming,” says Erica. “But we had a dream, a wish, and a little bit of tech knowledge between us.” That spirit of curiosity and collaboration led to a setup that is both functional and flexible—a system that now keeps distance members connected and the learning momentum going, even off the risers. “And... it was pretty fun to figure it all out!” Erica adds.
STARTING SIMPLE
When our tech team was beginning to explore streaming, a phone or tablet mounted on a music stand or ring light was a perfectly functional solution. It was affordable, easy to set up, and required no special technical knowledge. This setup is also effective today for section work, duets or quick updates from the musical director.
GOING DEEPER
As our needs have evolved, so too has the technology. Our current mid-level setup includes the following:
• A laptop running OBS Studio
• A quality USB microphone (e.g., Blue Snowball and RODE lapel mics)
• A webcam with a wide-angle lens
• External speakers/Bluetooth speaker for playback
• A stable Wi-Fi connection
OBS allows simultaneous recording and livestreaming, which protects against internet disruptions. Audio can be independently managed through an interface. We use the Steinberg 2-input system. The key to our success is having tech-savvy members who are always willing to experiment and learn. Trial and error—and free product returns—are our friends!
Beyond rehearsal:
Technology as a teaching tool
The learning doesn’t stop when rehearsal ends. Our director uses Facebook for mini education sessions—short, casual videos addressing specific skills or musical passages. These spontaneous edu-clips provide focused reinforcement and are especially helpful leading up to Regional and International competition.
We also use engagement posts so everyone is involved in education. Here are some of our favourites:
• Reviewing recordings of other choruses—watching, listening, learning, and sharing feedback.
• Finding chorus rehearsal or contest videos and inviting members to watch and note improvements. Taking note of improvements is especially helpful when preparing for a major event—like contest—when it’s easy to fall into the quest for perfection. In this case, focusing on what’s going well is not only encouraging but instructional.
• Sharing videos of the chorus—group recordings or close-ups. We usually set up several phones.
Our front row has its own separate Facebook group to share notes on choreography or unity of movement. Front row members post screenshots and make notes on visual inconsistencies like mismatched focal points, reinforcing accountability and shared growth.
Bringing coaches to the screen:
Online coaching sessions
Westcoast has hosted online coaching sessions using Zoom and high-quality microphones. Coaches were projected into the rehearsal space in real time, allowing them to hear, see, and respond to the chorus live. Sessions like this offer flexibility for our coaches, increased access to quality education for Westcoast, and major cost savings.
TIPS FOR BUILDING A TECH-FORWARD CHORUS CULTURE
Integrating technology into your chorus life doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are a few tips to help you get started and grow with confidence:
1. START SMALL
Use what you have. A smartphone and a Facebook group or unlisted YouTube channel can go a long way. Build as you go.
2. BUILD A TECH TEAM
Identify curious and creative members who are willing to learn. No one needs to be a pro. Most tools have excellent tutorials online.
3. INVEST IN SOUND QUALITY
Good audio makes all the difference. A reliable USB microphone can dramatically improve the rehearsal exprience for remote viewers.
4.KEEP CONTENT SEARCHABLE
Title videos consistently (e.g., “Rehearsal – June 12, 2025”) and use tags like @everyone or pinned posts to highlight important material.
5. ENCOURAGE ENGAGEMENT
Ask members to comment, timestamp, and react to content. Over time, engagement builds a participatory learning culture that supports all voice parts and learning styles.
6. USE TECHNOLOGY FOR MORE THAN MUSIC
Whether it’s sharing good news, polling for feedback, or organizing non-musical meetups like walking groups, virtual connection via a members-only Facebook group or other online platform strengthens in-person bonds.
A Final Note
Technology isn’t just a lifeline—it’s an opportunity. At Westcoast Harmony Chorus and in choruses around the world, digital tools are reinforcing learning, enhancing access, and deepening community. Whether you’re livestreaming a coaching session or reviewing a ballad tag on your lunch break, technology makes it possible for music and connection to happen anytime, anywhere.
It’s not about replacing in-person harmony—it’s about enhancing it. With the right tools and a willingness to explore, we’ve found that technology empowers us to sing smarter, rehearse better, and stay connected no matter where life takes us.
Joanne Lacroix is the communications coordinator of Westcoast Harmony Chorus.
Let us know what your chorus or quartet has been doing in your community. Email your submissions and photos to communications@sweetadelines.com.
Where We Sang
Singing the U.S. national anthem were Idaho Falls Chorus (#8) at an Idaho Chukars baseball game; Royal River Chorus (#1) at the Yarmouth Clam Festival bike race; Singcerely Quartet (#14) at a Forest City Owls baseball game; Yahara River Chorus (#3) at a Madison Night Mares softball game; Sticky Notes Quartet (#17) at a West Michigan Whitecaps baseball game; Rich-Tone Chorus (#25) at a Dallas Wings WNBA basketball game; Gem City Chorus (#4) at a Dayton Dragons baseball game; Capital Accord Chorus (#19) at a Bethesda Big Train Baseball game; Siren Song Quartet (#17) at a Cleveland Soccer Club match; Fox Valley Chorus (#6) at a Wisconsin Timber Rattlers baseball game; Heart of Columbia (#14) at a Soda City Fireflies baseball game; and Indi-Anna Chorus (#17) at the final summer baseball game for the Miracle League of Indiana County, a league for athletes with disabilities.
Greater Auckland Chorus (#35) performed at the Auckland Town Hall in the annual Voice Community Concert (VoCo), one of the largest community singing concerts in New Zealand.
Several Talk of Tulsa Chorus (#25) members and their spouses spent a week in France participating in celebrations for the 81st anniversary of D-Day and the libération of France. As part of a nationwide choir, they performed in Normandy, Ste. Mere Eglise and Paris, with featured sets of chorus members in three of the venues.
Boston Skyline Chorus (#1) performed at Wilson Farm’s Strawberry Fest in Lexington, Massachusetts (USA).
Real Time Quartet of Capital
Sound
City
Chorus (#13) sang the U.S. national anthem at a Boise Hawks baseball game.
Vocal Dimension Chorus (#31) sang for attendees of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries ‘Cultivating Careers’ evening run by the Women Actuaries Committee at Staple Inn Hall in London.
Chesapeake Harmony Chorus (#19) participated in the Golden Anniversary 4th of July Parade in Severna Park (Maryland, USA).
The Choral-Aires Chorus (#3) sang the U.S. national anthem at a Schaumburg Boomers baseball game.
Jet Cities Chorus (#13) sang at the Federal Way Performing Arts & Event Center Chalk Art Festival.
Royal River Chorus (#1) kicked off the Yarmouth Clam Festival by singing the U.S. national anthem.
An ensemble from Royal River Chorus (#1) kicked off the Yarmouth Clam Festival by singing the U.S. national anthem.
Forth Valley Chorus (#31) performed at the Foodies Festival in Edinburgh.
Members of Wollongong Harmony Chorus (#34) held a rehearsal dinner that raised over $500 AUD for the Cancer Council.
Scioto Valley Chorus (#4) received a grant from the Columbus Foundation to help with chorus expenses.
2024 Rising Star Champion Radiant Quartet (#9) took first place in the Barbershop Harmony Society Next Gen Quartet Contest.
Rewind Quartet (#13) sang the U.S. national anthem at an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) conference.
Oregon Coast Chorus (#12) performed at the Yachats Pride Festival dinner in Yachats, Oregon (USA).
Vibes
received an equipment grant from the Maroondah City Council.
Showtime Chorus
performed at their local T1D Diabetes
Members of Top of the Rock Chorus (#25) donated over 300 books, coloring books, and crayons to the Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock as part of their Christmas in July celebration.
Sounds of Superior Chorus (#6) President Carol Jeans and Lana Bullough, co-chair of their Life in Song Concert, were pleased to present a cheque in the amount of $2,131 CAD to Deb Sweep, executive director of the Faye Peterson House, a shelter for women and children survivors of domestic abuse.
Vocal
Chorus (#34)
Canadian
(#16)
Walk.
VOCE Quartet (#1) performed on opening night at the Marblehead Festival of Arts in Marblehead, Massachusetts (USA).
Members of Pearls of the Sound (#32) represented their hometown, Helsingborg, at a special performance in Lübeck, Germany. Helsingborg was named a BSR Cultural Pearl. BSR Cultural Pearls recognize small and medium-sized towns and cities and provides support for culture to build social resilience.
The Harmonix Chorus (Satellite Region, Japan) participated in the Sendai Barbershop Festival.
Pride of West Texas Show Chorus (#25) sang at the South Plains Mall in Lubbock to raise money for the Central Texas flood victims. Members collect $500 USD. (Pictured are Director Annette Gary and Treasurer Pat Brazell)
This spring, Vocal Matrix Chorus (#14) paused to reflect on and celebrate our incredible 20-year journey with an anniversary party. We were overjoyed to welcome 24 former members to join us in honoring our two much-loved past directors: Peggy James, who created the chorus, and Nancy Field who first took us onto the international stage (where we will be again this October!). We celebrated all “member leaders” in attendance, inducted three emeritus members, laughed through a parade of costumes, reminisced, hugged, cried, and of course sang. Dr. Kimberly Graham, a founding member and our esteemed director, led us in Sing and Celebrate!, the first song the chorus ever learned. What a great reaction we received when we performed some of our current repertoire for our friends and former members! Sweet Adelines experiences bond people forever, no matter what the age, ethnicity, or background, and in the most positive way. Now we continue our forward journey, warmed, energized, and refocused. –Susan Kelley is a founding member of Vocal Matrix Chorus. She sings baritone in the chorus and in RipChords Quartet
Greater Kingston Chorus Celebrates 65 Years!
On May 2, 1960, Greater Kingston Chorus (GKC) became a charter member of Sweet Adelines International. GKC is part of Lake Ontario Region 16, which spans along the Southern Ontario/Quebec border west from Waterloo all the way to Montreal in the east and also includes a chorus from Potsdam, New York (USA).
GKC currently has around 50 members ranging from 14 to over 80 years of age, led by co-directors Sue Marriott and Andria Coward. We celebrated our 65-year milestone on May 24, 2025 with over 110 people in attendance, including former members. The festive event began with the Kingston Town Crier ringing his trademark bell and reading the May oral proclamation that “May 24, 2025 be Greater Kingston Chorus Day in the City of Kingston”. Dignitaries sharing congratulatory remarks included Kingston City Councillor Paul Chaves, Sweet Adelines International President-Elect, JD Crowe, and Region 16 Team Coordinator Christine Yorke.
The day’s events included tables of photo displays of GKC’s history, a slide show, a fashion show of costumes worn over the years, a performance by the chorus, and remarks from long-time GKC members including Faye Dennison (founding member) and former music directors Paula Allen (55-year member), Elaine Gain (50-year member), and Nancy Watson (48-year member). We ended wth alumni and current members singing regional songs.
Paula said, “This event provided an opportunity to share memories and reflect on past singing successes. For all in attendance, it was a realization that lasting friendships and performance excellence have both continued to be in existence for 65 years.”
– Lee Campbell, GKC marketing coordinator
2026 Wildcard Choruses
These choruses have been invited to compete at the 78th Sweet Adelines International Convention and Competition, Oct. 26–Oct. 31, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio (USA).
Region #21
San Diego Chorus
Kathleen Hansen, Director Score: 659 • 64 on stage
Songs: I Will Never Pass This Way Again (Clay Hine, Melody Hine) A Wonderful Day Like Today (Joey Minshall)
Songs: When I Fall in Love (David Wright) I Can't Give you Anything but Love (Nancy Bergman)
Region #26
Rhythm of the Rockies Chorus
Jo-Anne Killips, Director Score: 634 • 49 on stage
Songs: All The Things You Are (Joey Minshall) Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart (Joey Minshall)
Region #17
Greater Harmony Chorus
Michael Hengelsberg, Director Score: 618 • 39 on stage
Songs: What'll I Do (Ed Waesche, Renee Craig) The Old Piano Roll Blues (Moe Rector, Join Bescos, Brian Beck)
Region #9
Sound of Sunshine Chorus
Gayle Burton, Director Score: 617 • 34 on stage
Songs: How Many Hearts Have You Broken? (Jim Arns) Cheer Up, Charlie (Sharon Holmes)
San Diego Chorus
Greater Harmony Chorus
Sound of Sunshine Chorus
Rhythm of the Rockies Chorus
Spirit of Syracuse Chorus
Midwest Crossroad
Greater Harrisburg
York Harmony Chorus
Region #1
Merrimack Valley Chorus
Carol Smolenski, Sally Jeffery, Directors Score: 613 • 35 on stage
Songs: No Strings (L. Wright, S. Jeffery, M. Minnich, K. Rourke) In Your Eyes (L. Wright)
Mission Valley Chorus
Region #3
Midwest Crossroad Chorus
Tori Hicks, Director Score: 611 • 48 on stage
Songs: May I Never Love Again (Renee Craig) A Wonderful Day Like Today (Joey Minshall)
Region #19
Greater Harrisburg Chorus
Claire Domenick, Director Score: 606 • 35 on stage
Songs: Somewhere Over The Rainbow (Clay Hine)
Don't Break the Heart that Loves You (Greg Volk)
Region #16
York Harmony Chorus
Martha DeClerq, Director Score: 606 • 41 on stage
Songs: All The Things You Are (Joey Minshall) Oh! Look At Me Now ( Aaron Dale)
Region #12
Mission Valley Chorus
Angela Suraci, Director Score: 598 • 33 on stage
Songs: All The Things You Are (Joey Minshall)
This Could Be the Start of Something Big (Larry Wright)
Merrimack Valley Chorus
A Chorus Steps Up to the Plate for a Song and Gains aNew Connection
Voices in Harmony (VIH) of Great Lakes Harmony Region 17 knocked it out of the park with a show package themed around the beloved 1992 movie A League of Their Own, based on the history of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL).
When we qualified to compete in the 2023 Harmony Classic, the VIH Creative Team developed a theme that resonated with our chorus, A League of Their Own. We saw so many great parallels between the AAGPBL and Sweet Adelines International: a women’s organization playing a sport that started as “men only”, pitches, slides, coaches…and of course, bases/basses. It was a perfect fit!
VIH delved deeply into the theme. We designed red-and-pink uniforms straight out of the movie. Chorus members ran baseball drills for physical warm-ups. Some chorus members visited the All-American Professional Girls Baseball League museum in South
But we had one major obstacle: getting the rights to use the beloved AAGPBL theme song, Victory Song aka The All American Baseball League, that starts… “Batter up, hear that call. The time has come for one and all to play ball.” VIH contacted music clearing publishers but had no luck as the only copyright was from 1988 and the composer of the song, Pepper Paire Davis, a member of the AAGPBL, was now deceased. The leadership team tried to contact the composer’s son via phone as well as the AAGPBL via email and Facebook but struck out.
VIH Director Jennifer Jones then reached out directly to the President of the AAGPBL Players Association, and in May 2023, after a phone call and email, the chorus was finally granted permission to arrange and perform the song!
VIH holds our annual friends and family concert before heading
autographs, stories, and memorabilia from the AAGPBL, having written letters to over 300 of the players. He had recently organized his collection and was showing it at the local library.
Knowing the chorus would officially be retiring their uniforms in one week’s time, and seeing this connection to the AAGPBL, the chorus sent an email to this collector and shared the story they’d been telling about the AAGPBL. Ultimately, we invited him to our concert which was titled, “We’re getting the team back together!”
Leigh drove two hours to attend the concert and brought three others: his wife Nikki, Carol Sheldon (vice president of the AAGPBL Players Association), and George Chapman (treasurer of the AAGPBL Players Association). George’s mother played in the AAGPBL! The guests were introduced to the chorus before the concert, told the chorus about themselves, and made themselves
available after the concert for conversation. As our group chatted with George, the team learned that his brother, Richard, was the president of the organization who had given us permission to use the song.
For over two and a half years, the chorus spent hours perfecting the musical story of the women who participated in the AAGPBL. We participated in two regional contests and Harmony Classic, where our performance earned the “Most Entertaining Chorus” award and third-place medals. We hung up our uniforms after the 2025 Region 17 competition, but the core values of talent, teamwork, and tenacity we learned from the experience will live on in the chorus members’ hearts. The journey of this theme was a grand slam!
Voices in Harmony’s experience shows the lengths some choruses and quartets will go for just the right song! If your ensemble is searching for copyright information, start your search by clicking below. SEARCH!
Learn more about music copyright in “The Particulars of Purchasing Music” by Region #34 copyright and licensing advisor Glenda Lloyd (Master Director of Brindabella Chorus), located on page 12 of the July 2024 issue of The Pitch Pipe magazine.
Batter Up, Hear TatCall!
Cassie Reed is a member of Voices of Harmony Chorus (#17).
Mission Retention and the path to
Strengthening the future of our choruses.
We love to perform, don’t we? Don’t we?!
As we reflect on a transformative year of Mission: Retention, one thing is clear: member retention isn't just a strategy it’s the heartbeat of a thriving chorus. This past year, we’ve seen choruses reexamine their culture, rekindle their values, and rekindle that essential sense of belonging that keeps members engaged and inspired.
What we learned from Mission: Retention
The Mission Retention Playbook became our guidebook for creating lasting connection. It’s about a cultural deep dive, exploring chorus framework, personality, values, and vision. This simple yet powerful practice helped many choruses align their purpose with their practices, clarifying not just who they are, but who they want to become.
Some key takeaways
• Member Feedback matters: exit interviews, annual surveys, and onboarding feedback have shaped real-time improvements.
• The first year is critical: successful choruses invested in tailored onboarding, buddy systems, and mentorship to build lasting bonds.
• Leadership is everything: strong, empathetic, and intentional leaders created the cultures where members choose to stay.
In the words of one regional leader, “We realized retention is not about fixing a problem, it's about creating a chorus where people feel seen, heard, and wanted from day one.”
Spotlight on success: Real stories from the field
We’ll be sharing chorus success stories in upcoming issues of The Pitch Pipe, and we encourage all choruses to share their wins so we can learn from one another.
From Retention to THRIVE
As we turned the page on Mission: Retention, a bold new initiative launched on May 1, 2025: the THRIVE program— To Help Regions Increase Vibrant Engagement. This two-year
pilot marks a new approach to chorus support that goes beyond music, tackling the root causes of member loss: leadership gaps, administrative overload, and unclear culture.
Why THRIVE?
Why THRIVE? Because only 3% of past coaching visits addressed membership challenges. Chorus members told us loud and clear that they’re not leaving because of music. They’re leaving because they feel lost, unsupported, or overwhelmed. We want to make sure Sweet Adelines have the training they need to be strong leaders who can prevent or address the reasons that members leave.
THRIVE provides…
• Flexible regional funding
• Custom support in areas like administration, marketing/ communications, leadership development, and recruitment
• Mentorship for boards and directors
• Health checks and improvement plans
• A chance to build strength before a crisis hits
This is our chance to be proactive, to move from surviving to thriving, and to work together in building a resilient, connected, and inspired choral community.
Final note to members
We want our members to stay not because they feel obligated, but because they feel they belong. The work of Mission: Retention is never done, but with tools like the Playbook and forward-focused initiatives like THRIVE, our community has every reason to be hopeful.
Let’s grow. Let’s lead. Let’s thrive together.
Annika Christensen is chair of The Mission Retention Committee, which also includes Molly Huffman, Mary Teed, and Phyllis Quast.
To learn more about THRIVE and access the resource library, visit www.sweetadelines. com/THRIVE (Remember to log in!)
Sweet Adelines International Donor Kay Bromert A Continuous Thread
Kay Bromert is passionate about Sweet Adelines International’s arranger education programs. As a Certified Arranger, she has produced many arrangements for choruses and quartets, including Kansas City Chorus, where she leads the baritone section. Kay served on the committee that developed the Arranger Certification Program (ACP), and as a donor, she is committed to making sure other arrangers have the support she’s had on her own musical journey.
Kay became an arranger even before she became a Sweet Adeline! Her husband was a barbershopper and school principal in a small town in Iowa (USA). One day, a paper salesman came through who wanted to start a barbershop chorus in the area. Like Kay, her husband had a degree in music, and he became a charter member of that new chorus.
“At that point, I had no clue about Sweet Adelines, but I remember thinking, ‘I wonder if there's a women's group that does this,’ but there was nothing like that in the area,” Kay says.
When her husband’s quartet found a piece of sheet music in a piano bench, they asked her to arrange it.
“I wrote an arrangement, and I'm sure it was terrible, but they sang it,” she recalls.
A few years later, the couple moved, and Kay visited a Sweet Adelines chorus which she saw in a local paper.
“I came back and said to my husband, ‘Okay, you’ve had five years in your chorus, and now it's my turn!’ And he agreed. So with a 6-week-old baby and a 2-and-a-half-year-old toddler, I joined that chorus. My husband took care of the kids on those nights, and that baby turned 49 in August!”
After she’d been in the chorus for about a year, she attended a regional music school, where she met Certified Arranger Jean Shook.
“She was awesome,” says Kay. “ She only lived a couple of hours from me, so I could go down and sit with her on the piano bench, and she would teach me. She helped me develop into the arranger that I am today.”
Kay has paid that mentorship forward, helping develop the current Arranger Certification Program. She received her own certification via a scholarship in the early 2000s, and then she worked with Jean, to create a regional arranger curriculum that ultimately helped shape what is now the Arranger Certification Program (ACP). Kay was on the task force that created the ACP
and wrote the curriculum, and she has been the moderator of the ACP Coordinators Committee since it started in 2019. With the advent of the Song Assessment Tool (SAT), ACP materials needed to be assessed and revised, and she has also been part of that work – all in service of inspiring, encouraging, and educating new barbershop arrangers through mentorship like she received as a new arranger.
“If you think back to the times of Bach and Beethoven, that's how they learned,” Kay explains. “They studied with a master. You learn from the people who can already do it, so it only makes sense for the ACP to be designed that way. I just was on a Zoom call yesterday with a chorus director who wanted to put a new intro on a song. She isn’t an arranger, but I was helping her put together this new intro. Most arrangers are very willing to share their time and their knowledge. It's an ongoing cycle, learning from experienced arrangers. All of that knowledge comes down through each generation as it's passed along.”
Reverence for that process and for the art of arranging is why Kay chooses to direct her gifts to the ACP.
“Arranging is where my passion is,” Kay says. “That's my heart. So if I'm going to donate to Sweet Adelines, I want to help continue the process of developing arrangers.”
Arranging, singing, and now, working on becoming a Certified Judge in the Music Category…all that she’s done and continues to do in Sweet Adelines has meant the world to her.
“Sweet Adelines saved my life after my husband died in 2024,” Kay explains. My husband was sick with dementia for a long time, and there was a big void when he passed because I'd been his caregiver, in charge of everything. Barbershop music was something we shared all through our marriage. We'd go to international competitions, our two choruses would do Christmas shows jointly…Once I found Sweet Airlines, for 49 years, it was a continuous thread for us, and then it was still there for me after he died. The songs speak to me, the music speaks to me, and I just feel proud that we are preserving the barbershop art form.”
She wants to make sure other singers have the same support.
“I donate to Sweet Adelines as a way of giving back, or paying it forward, for all the education, training, and friendships that have been so generously given to me,” she says. “We need to perpetuate that for our future generations.”
We had a blast at Jurassic Chords with 2025 International Champion Quartet Clever Girl! From quartet education to dinosaur selfies, the weekend was full of laughter, learning, and the spine-tingling ring of barbershop chords.
Access the class recordings on the Sweet Adelines Learning Management System (LMS) for only $10!
Nikola Worrall-Bader, Regional Membership Coordinator
Julie Earl, Regional Team Coordinator
Texas Harmony Chorus welcomes a record number of new singers. Open Hearts Through Open Auditions
Every year, Texas Harmony Chorus holds open auditions to attract new members. We use several social media platforms to promote the event such as Facebook and MeetUp. This time, we had a big turnout in comparison to previous events, with 31 singers coming to our open audition! Of the 31 singers, 24 found the courage to share their talents, blowing the audition judges away by passing their auditions – and since then, we’ve had even more singers join! We’ve learned a lot, and we’d love to share how we did it with other choruses.
The Role of the Director
New member Tonya Barnes says she knew she'd found where she was meant to be when everyone, including Director Karla Callaway, greeted her warmly right when she walked into rehearsal. Karla is an integral part of the experience at every point.
“As I prepare for Open Auditions, I am involved in the process from the beginning,” she says. “I receive their registrations, send out emails of acknowledgement, send them their audition times, address fears and concerns, and engage with them via text or email if there are any issues. I am developing a connection of sorts with them from the beginning, so, for me, it is like we are already friends. When I meet them in person, it is easy to embrace them right into the chorus.”
Creating a Welcoming Environment
When the doors open for auditions, we feel excitement from both current Texas Harmony members and the new singers hoping to join us. We understand how intimidating auditions can be, so our goal is to create an environment of encouragement and support that extends throughout our chorus culture.
The minute they step in the door, each auditionee is greeted by friendly chorus members to engage with them, answer their questions, and guide them through the process. The excitement in the room is tangible from that moment on through the night.
The Audition
Auditionees are seated in the waiting area to do a little light paperwork, then a chorus member will escort each one to a private room and introduce them to the judges. Auditionees must come prepared with a song of their choice, with only one minute to show their stuff! They have a choice to use their phone to play a backing track, or they can accompany themselves on an instrument. Of course, they always have the option to sing their selection a cappella.
In the moments that follow the audition, singers are provided encouraging feedback from the judges about their audition. We hope to never turn anyone away, but when we must, the judges are prepared to first be encouraging and then advise them to keep practicing and try out again in the future.
Voice Placement and Introduction to Chorus
Approved auditionees are reunited with their escort, who takes them to the next phase, which is vocal placement. Voice placement is a continued opportunity for our team to get to know the possible new member, find out what inspires or motivates them to sing, whether they prefer singing harmony or melody, as well as run them up and down the vocal scale. All the positives related to their voice and skills are reinforced and praised in this process as their voice part is determined. Their next step is to learn more about our chorus and its processes, financial commitments, dates, and so on. Our members cheer them on when they exit the voice placement room with wild applause and encouragement. This year, we even had a photo booth to celebrate as each singer passed her audition!
Sharing the Enthusiasm
When asked about the experience, new member Crystal Jordan said "Everyone really was cheering me on from the very beginning, and the positive feedback I received helped me believe in my vocal ability again." Cathy Kearns agreed, saying “Everyone was very welcoming and went out of their way to make those auditioning comfortable."
While guiding singers through the process, we loved sharing in their moments of triumph, like with Tonya Barnes, who took to social media to announce, "LOOK MA! I MADE IT! I just tried out for and MADE it into the group Texas Harmony Chorus!!!! Ahhhhh it feels like I’m right at home!" She also expressed gratitude for the singers in her life who have impacted her musical journey. “Everyone was cheering me on from the very beginning!” she says.
Visiting the Chorus
Singers who passed auditions were invited to visit our rehearsal on the following Monday to watch and sing with the chorus as we practiced for an upcoming event. The singers participated in our vocal warm-ups, learned the Saints Go Marching In tag, and were delighted with a mini-performance by the chorus, where they offered feedback about what they heard and saw. They shared that they were excited to see dancing incorporated in our routines, how everyone on the risers was so engaged, and how our wonderfully blended harmonies reminded them of their love for singing.
From Our New Members
What we do in Texas Harmony Chorus and Sweet Adelines International goes way beyond a hobby. We are a family, a place where singers who love music can find a sense of belonging. That's why Crystal, Cathy, and Tonya were so excited to join the chorus after passing their auditions!
Cathy, who sought to rekindle her passion for music in retirement says, "I am thrilled to have found Texas Harmony. Everyone has been very kind and warm," and looks forward to the joy of "making lots of great music" and forging lasting friendships. Crystal says she was so moved during her first rehearsal by hearing a group of "ladies who were having a blast doing what they loved" that, "In that moment, I knew I was home."
Sweet Adelines International is a global organisation that connects singers from different countries and cultures through our shared love of harmony singing. We are one of the largest women’s singing organisations in the world, with a global presence in New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the USA. In addition to our 24 regions around the world, we also have a Satellite Area that includes chapters and quartets in locations not covered by a specific region.
For many years, Sweet Adelines International has had a Worldwide Team in place to support chapters, prospective chapters, and quartets based outside of North America. This committee has now evolved into the Worldwide Expansion Committee (WWEC), with a more future-focused agenda. The WWEC’s mandate is to oversee, monitor, and facilitate the activities of emerging Satellite Areas and chapters (both prospective and chartered), providing them with advice and mentoring to encourage growth worldwide and foster a sense of belonging to the Sweet Adelines global family, regardless of their location.
We believe it is critical to build connections and provide support to new groups who wish to be Sweet Adelines members. Although Sweet Adelines as an organisation has many documented resources, initially it is also important to connect with new choruses personally, providing an avenue for questions and discussing ideas. One of our key duties is to establish and maintain relationships with chartered and prospective choruses in Satellite Areas, and provide support and advice to their chorus directors, leadership teams, and general members. We provide choruses with educational materials, music, and coaching opportunities. Another key feature of the WWEC is our capacity to link choruses and quartets in Satellite Areas with appropriate mentors.
In the WWEC, we have a chair, two coordinators and one combined coordinator/mentor lead. We work closely with Sweet Adelines International Membership Manager Laura Crockett as our liaison.
One of our most important roles is to be a resource for guiding prospective chapters through the Steps Toward Chartering program. We also share information about Sweet Adelines International events in all regions and encourage participation in these events. In May 2025, we were very
excited to have a Japanese quartet, Ultra L, at the Region 35 Convention and Competition. They were welcomed with open arms, and Region 35 competitors and audience members were thrilled to have them there.
Another responsibility of the WWEC is to inform the International Board of Directors (IBOD) and other Sweet Adelines International committees of any pertinent findings that might assist with the transfer of skills and/or learnings to benefit the organisation as a whole. We are available to provide support in differentiating and exploring cultural differences in various Satellite Areas and offer tailored support as required.
For the present one-year term, the WWEC is made up of the following members:
Annika Dellås, WWEC Chair
Annika is a member of the IBOD and sings with Rönninge Show Chorus (#32). This year, she is also a member of the Executive Committee, serving as the treasurer. Previously, she has also held regional positions. Annika’s vision and drive is for us to continue to develop the organisation for the future, find ways to collaborate, and continue to build the network around the world. We are Sweet Adelines strong together!
Lori Britt Horvath, Worldwide Coordinator/Mentor Lead
Lori is a member of Greater Nassau Chorus in Region 15 (Greater New York/New Jersey) and has been a member of Sweet Adelines for 16 years. She served as Region 15 Team Coordinator for five years, and was on the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Council for five years, the first two as chair of the inaugural council team. Lori is deeply committed to supporting an environment where every voice matters and all members and prospective members feel welcomed and valued.
Debra Griffiths, Worldwide Coordinator:
Debra is musical director of Bathurst Panorama Chorus in New South Wales, Australia. She has been a member of Sweet Adelines for 27 years and has held roles in Region 34 as events coordinator on the RMT, competition coordinator and regional education faculty member, and she has been on the Worldwide Committee since 2021. Debra believes our global nature is our greatest strength and that together, across borders, we can ensure the future of our organisation by enabling all members to contribute and participate in its growth.
Michelle Neller, Worldwide Coordinator:
Michelle is a member of Blue Sky Harmony in Brisbane, Australia. She was Region 34 Team Coordinator for five years and has been singing in Sweet Adelines choruses and quartets for more than 17 years. Michelle is passionate about sharing the message of the benefits of harmony singing and membership of our organisation.
As a newly restructured committee, the WWEC is actively shaping how we can provide the most value. We recognise that while many challenges are shared across all regions — like recruitment, leadership development, and retention — Satellite Areas often face unique obstacles, including navigating language and currency differences, long-distance travel to events, and participating in meetings and educational events outside of their time zone.
As our work continues, we aim to evolve alongside the organisation to ensure all members and prospective members feel supported, inspired, and connected — regardless of where in the world they sing.
The WWEC is keen to support the growth of our organisation and would love to hear from you if you have any ideas you’d like to share. Please contact Annika Dellås via: tc.barbershop2017@gmail.com.
Worldwide Expansion Committee (WWEC) members are Annika Dellås, (chair), Lori Britt Horvath, Debra Griffiths, and Michelle Neller.
Our Choruses Span the Globe!
Sweet Adelines International Grant Cycle 1 Recipients
Congratulations to Grant Cycle 1 2025-2026 Awardees!
For this cycle, we awarded a total of $12,050 USD to the following projects and programs:
2025 Region 12 Mountain Harmony Camp
Since 2012, Region 12 has hosted the Mountain Harmony Camp. Over the three-day event, Pacific Shores Region aims to host approximately 40 young singers (ages 13+). They will teach them two barbershop songs, including choreography. Cyndi Sharp will serve as clinician, 2014 International Champion Quartet LoveNotes as song teachers, and Sarah Hodosh as visual coach/choreographer.
Harborlites Diva Day 2026
On January 31, 2026, the Harborlites Chorus will sponsor its 20th Diva Day Festival. From across the Southern California area, approximately 150 high school girls will experience and learn the joy of a cappella singing and continue the very successful annual event. This year’s festival will be led by Harborlites Director Pam Pieson.
Mid-Florida Youth Harmony Workshops
The award-winning Toast of Tampa Chorus will host their Mid-Florida Youth Harmony Workshop. The culmination of this workshop across three separate events in Palm Beach, University of Southern Florida (Tampa), and Hillsborough County gives young women the opportunity to experience the artform of barbershop for the first time.
Young Singers in HarmonySummer Vocal Music Exploration Camp
Over the course of one week, young women ages 8-16 will learn the artform of barbershop performance and also its history in this fun and engaging event held by the Heart of the Valley Chorus (Region 1). Attendees are invited to showcase their art, science, and singing for friends and family under the direction of Stephanie Flinker.
Young Women in Harmony Butterfly Chorus and Quartet Workshop
The Young Women in Harmony Butterfly Chorus and Quartet Workshop will be held in conjunction with Great Lakes Harmony Region 17 Winter Harmony Weekend. It features education and rehearsals for young women as well as general sessions and sessions for chorus singers, directors, and quartet singers. International Faculty Members Debbie Cleveland, Karen Breidert, and Diane Porsch will lead sessions.
Are you inspired to host an educational program or event for young singers? Grant Cycle 2 is open from May 1 to April 30, 2027, to support activities beginning no sooner than May 2025. For information, visit www.sweetadelines.com/education/scholarships-and-grants.
Our Mission: Retention initiative wrapped up in July with 318 choruses participating in monthly challenges and submitted 2,443 total entries!
Every chorus that participated was entered into the grand prize drawing, and 12 choruses each won $1,000 USD!
Thank you to every chorus that participated in this exciting initiative!
Find MISSION: RETENTION materials archived at www. sweetadelines.com/missionretention
2025 Ch a m 2025 Ch a m
2025 International Champion Quartet Clever Girl
Sharon Hammer (Rich-Tone Chorus) has made several championship dolls over the years, including dolls for 2023 International Champions Rich-Tone Chorus and The Ladies Quartet. Here’s what she had to say about making the this year’s champion quartet doll:
“The quartet had chosen the doll they wanted to represent their bass, Taylor Daniels, and then they gave me a bit of free rein on the costume. They wanted everyone represented, so the doll is wearing the baritone’s pants, the lead’s portrait collar, and the tenor’s velvet. I made all of the jewelry as well. The crown was a little tricky, but I cut apart lots of different pieces of jewelry and trimming to piece it together. And she has the most darling little shoes on! They started out hot pink, and I painted them black.Then I found this cute little raptor and added that to her outfit to reflect their quartet name. Originally, this doll had really long hair, so I trimmed it and tried to style it the way Taylor typically wears her hair. I made the box Neyla [Pekarek, tenor] was hiding in onstage, and the QR code actually goes to their website. Neyla made the backpack and the cute little antennae. Clever Girl had a lot of fun onstage, and we wanted to show that with the doll. It was an honor to make her!”
Taylor Daniels is our first Black international champion quartet singer, making Clever Girl’s doll our first Black quartet champion doll. Our first Black chorus champion doll is that of 2019 International Champion Scottsdale Chorus. Learn more about the Scottsdale doll on page 22 of the July 2019 issue of The Pitch Pipe.
pi o
D olls
D olls
2025 International Champion North Metro Chorus
Sandra MacDonald (North Metro Chorus) has designed three North Metro Chorus champion dolls – 2013, 2018, and now, 2025. She has also designed several personal dolls to commemorate barbershop singers, and she made the 2014 International Champion Quartet LoveNotes doll. Sharon reflected on making this year’s chorus championship doll:
“Our Les Misérables set had four different costumes. It would have been a difficult deci sion to choose just one, so I decided to dress the doll like our director, Erin Howden. All fabrics used on all of our North Metro Chorus dolls are from our costumes (including those made by our previous chorus dollmaker). The 2025 costume is as close as possible to Erin's. The props were made from miniature dollhouse furnishings. Since Erin stood on barrels on stage, I glued the doll’s boots to miniature barrels. I also added the violin and case to reflect that part of our set. I think the hardest part of making these costumes is that it’s done without a pattern. It is trial and error, but it’s definitely a labour of love and a real honor. I look forward to someday visiting Tulsa, to see them all in person.”
See the performance that inspired the 2025 Clever Girl doll!
See the performance that inspired the 2025 North Metro Chorus doll!
Visit a virtual gallery of all the champion dolls on our website!
Friday, October 24, 2025 in Columbus OH
Friday, October 24, 2025 in Columbus OH
FFeaturing: eaturing:
The Coronet Club Chorus
The Coronet Club Chorus
The Starlettes The Starlettes
Our Special Guests - Our Special Guests - 3 ½ Men, 2024 3 ½ Men, 2024
BHS International Quartet Champions
BHS International Quartet Champions And Your Favorite Queen Quartets! And Your Favorite Queen Quartets!
Virtual Memorial Wall
Honor the memory of a Sweet Adeline by having their name added to the new Sweet Adelines International Virtual Memorial Wall. Memorial donations help continue the legacy of our beloved members by providing funds for the events, education, and other programs that keep our organization thriving.
To find out how to give a memorial gift in the name of a Sweet Adeline, visit www.SweetAdelines.com/Give or email Becky Duncan, Assistant Director of Philanthropy at becky@sweetadelines.com.
In Memory • May-September 2025
Robbie Lariviere Heart of Essex Chapter, #2
Stormie Zalokar Grand Rapids Chapter, #17
Carol Wiersema City of Lakes Chapter, #6
Jeannie Vercillo Verdugo Hills Chapter, #11
Janet Downing
Tucson Desert Harmony Chapter, #21
Glenna Howard OK City Chapter, #25
Kay Davis High Country Chapter, #8
Susan Howell Scioto Valley Chapter, #4
Memorial Gifts
Denny Price Allegheny Sounds
Marlene Larson
Acapella Express
Gloria Perryman
Greater Harrisburg Chapter, #19
Carla Chadwick Bridges of Harmony, #9
Anna-Greta Strömberg Rönninge Show Chapter, #32
Melody Lowe Greater Auckland Chapter, #35
Sweet Adelines honored with a Memorial Gift
Janey DuRoss Great Lakes
Claudia Engstran Lake Country
Barbara Laukaitis Chapter at Large, #3
Bron Dixon Member at Large
Janice Teale Helena Xpress Singers
Alaska Sound Celebration Chorus
Alaska Sound Celebratio Seeks New Dire
Alaska Sound Celebration Chorus
Seeks New Director
Alaska Sound Celebration Chorus
Alaska Sound Celebration Chorus
Seeks New Director
Seeks New Director
Seeks New Director
We are a thriving, inclusive Sweet Adelines chorus achieving musical excellence and bringing joy to the community through inspired members, leaders and quar tets; and our director is retiring after 28 wonderful years. We are seeking a talented director to begin November of 2025. Please send in a resume and letter of interest to Quar tetQT@yahoo.com by July 31, 2025.
We are a thriving, inclusive Sweet Adelines chorus ac and bringing joy to the community through inspired m quar tets; and our director is retiring after 28 wonder talented director to begin November of 2025. Please of interest to Quar tetQT@yahoo.com by July 31, 202
We are a thriving, inclusive Sweet Adelines chorus achieving musical excellence and bringing joy to the community through inspired members, leaders and quar tets; and our director is retiring after 28 wonderful years. We are seeking a talented director to begin November of 2025. Please send in a resume and letter of interest to Quar tetQT@yahoo.com by July 31, 2025.
Transforming lives, one song at a time .
We are a thriving, inclusive Sweet Adelines chorus achieving musical excellence and bringing joy to the community through inspired members, leaders and quar tets; and our director is retiring after 28 wonderful years. We are seeking a talented director to begin November of 2025. Please send in a resume and letter of interest to Quar tetQT@yahoo.com by July 31, 2025.
We are a thriving, inclusive Sweet Adelines chorus achieving musical excellence and bringing joy to the community through inspired members, leaders and quar tets; and our director is retiring after 28 wonderful years. We are seeking a talented director to begin November of 2025. Please send in a resume and letter of interest to Quar tetQT@yahoo.com by July 31, 2025.
Transforming lives, one song at a time .
Transforming lives, one song at a time .
Transforming lives, one song at a time .
Advanced to Certified Director
Amy Ringley, Greater Cleveland Chapter, #17
Helen Timotheatos, Acappella Sounds Chapter, #1
Shannon Lange, Greater Cleveland Chapter, #17
Chelsea Selvaggio, Greater Cleveland Chapter, #17
Transforming lives, one song at a time .
CORRECTIONS
Corrections submitted from the July Issue:
• On page 53 of the July issue of The Pitch Pipe Sirens of Gotham's second contest song, Some Like It Hot, had the incorrect arranger listed. It should have been A.Bock, not M.Hine.
• Foveaux Harmony, Division A Champion, Region 35 had their second song incorrectly listed. It should have read The Moment I Saw Your Eyes.
• Most Improved Chorus should have been listed as both Nelson Bays Harmony and Foveaux Harmony.
• Jenni Pyefinch was listed under the Director 500 rather than Master Director section.
