Countdown to 75 years
1970-1979: BUILDING AND GROWING It seems we have arrived as an Organization at a very appropriate time in our history. Women are taking on different roles, exercising more freedoms than ever before. — International President Ruth Uglow, The Pitch Pipe, Fall 1979 The stories in this article are gleaned from past issues of The Pitch Pipe magazine. All issues can be found in the archives at Sweet Adelines International Headquarters in Tulsa, Okla.
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A Change of Song: “Sweet Adeline” was retired as the organizational song at the May 1969 International Board of Directors (IBOD) meeting, taking effect in 1970. President Judy Rowell wrote in The Pitch Pipe, “In digging through our archives, we are reminded that this now mature organization was conceived amid an atmosphere of extreme good humor and camaraderie,” but now the IBOD felt “that the Organizational Theme Song should contain lyrics more reflective of our present and future aspirations.”
(Medley)” and “There’s a New Gang on the Corner.” The chorus had 64 members onstage, and they were directed by the legendary Jarmela Speta who, along with coach Lyle Pilcher, also arranged the competition music. Racine member Hazel Tabar (who was also on the IBOD) wrote in the Winter 1974 issue of The Pitch Pipe, “The girls were determined to give our best, we gave our best, and we worked hard for the championship. Competition was stiff, and we were thrilled to hear RACINE CHAPTER’s name called as First Place. And proud!”
Sweet Adelines International Headquarters building in 1968.
Working Up a Storm in New Headquarters: We built a brand-new headquarters building in 1968, and in 1972, thanks to donations from members, we literally burned its mortgage at our Silver Anniversary convention in Salt Lake City, Utah (USA). The same year, President Norma Moore authorized construction of a second floor, which was completed in 1974…just in time for Tulsa to be hit by a large tornado while the city hosted the Sweet Adelines Regents’ Conference! Regents, staff, and a few strangers who rushed in out of the storm stayed safe in the basement, where International Vice President Ann Gooch led singing, in four-part harmony, naturally. First Chorus Competition: The first-ever Sweet Adelines International Chorus Competition was held at the 1973 Convention in Washington, D.C. (USA). Racine Chapter (Wisconsin, USA) became our first International Champion Chorus, singing “Heart of My Heart,” “That Old Gang of Mine
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The Vietnam War: Many Sweet Adelines served in or had family members who served in the military during the Vietnam War, which continued until 1975. Bob Schweitzer, baritone of Aloha Chapter of SPEBSQSA and the husband of Gwen Schweitzer, became a prisoner of war when his plane was shot down in 1968. Gwen was a founding member of the Honolulu Chapter and later joined various chapters during the family’s military moves. In a Spring 1971 story from The Pitch Pipe, she said, “My activity in Sweet Adelines has helped me maintain my sanity.” Bob was released during Operation Homecoming on March 14, 1973. During the war, nine Sweet Adelines quartets took part in the USO Pacific Hospital Command Tour. A report written after
