Where They Are Now — International Champion Quartet Members, Part II

By Joni Bescos, Coronet Club Board of Directors

There are only a few members of past-champion quartets whose whereabouts are unknown to us. Perhaps a reader has information we lack. If you know where any of these women are, please share that information with the Coronet Club so that we can get in touch: Marge Axelson, who replaced Diane Pauley as the baritone in the 1961 champion Lyrics; Nancy Calay, original tenor in the 1967 champion Hurricane Honeys; Mona Warren (Goshen), bass in the 1969 champion Metropolitans; Jeannette McLaughlin, baritone, and Betty Robinson, lead in the 1950 champion Harmony Belles; and Susie Russell, tenor in the 1981 champion All Star Jubilee. That’s only six missing “queens” out of 232 women who have won the championship or stepped in as replacement members.

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The 1951 champion Quarternotes won their floral crowns with baritone Lois Dominick. Legend has it that the travel expected of quartet champions was not compatible with Lois’ family situation, so she and another baritone in the chorus simply traded quartets. The replacement baritone, Kaye Poulsen Jensen, went on to sing with the Quarternotes for more than 25 years, and Kaye is still a regular on the Coronet Club show. She won a chorus gold medal with Racine, the first international chorus champion, and last year earned a second-place chorus medal with Melodeers.

The 1953 champion Big Four were, for many years, an entertainment fixture at international convention. Originally four basses, they billed themselves as 800 pounds of harmony. Replacement tenor, Mary Waters, can still be seen on stage with the Coronet Club at most conventions. Mary produced a recording of the Big Four and a book about their years as champions, both of which are available at the Queens’ Court in Harmony Bazaar during international convention.

The 1954 champion Mississippi Misses are reportedly the first quartet to include a dance routine in their performance. Nancy Bergman, tenor, and Marcy Paul, baritone, live in Arizona and both can still be found on the risers at the Coronet Club show. Nancy is still active on the International Faculty, is a Lifetime Achievement Award winner, and, as a master arranger, still creates some of Sweet Adelines’ most artistic musical arrangements.

Jarmela Speta is the only remaining member of the 1955 champion Nota-Belles. Jarm was also the first individual to win a second gold medal (Rarities 1970). During their championship year the Nota-Belles entertained U.S. armed forces in Korea. Jarm is active on the International Faculty and is still a regular on the annual Coronet Club show.

The 2007 Coronet Club Show will honor our 1957 champions, the Cracker Jills. In the words of Kim Hulbert, many of us cut our barbershop teeth listening to recordings of the Cracker Jills, and we look forward to singing some of their music. Tenor Bobbie Bostick clicked her heels together and ended up in Kansas. Lead Renee Craig was the first to be awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award, and is the musical director of the Coronet Club. Baritone Judy Rowell served as international president from 1964-66. Bass Jan Saundry can still be seen at convention each year. When asked to name the quartet most influential in helping to develop the musical style of Sweet Adelines, the name Cracker Jills comes to mind immediately.

The 1970 champion Rarities have reorganized with a new bass, Gail Derringer. Original bass Carol Schoenning is no longer active due to health problems. Sisters Connie Milestone (lead) and Chris Huebschen (baritone) are still active members of Opus 2000 Chorus (formerly Racine), singing for their tenor, Jarmela Speta. You might be able to catch the Rarities in a performance at the Coronet Clubhouse in Calgary! Connie is a dual member with Choral-Aires, and plans to be on the risers with them in Calgary.
The 1974 champion Sounds of Music are best remembered for their performance of I Am Woman. They last performed that arrangement for us at the 1993 convention in Indianapolis. Since 1993 we lost bass Judy St. John. Lead Gloria Laquaglia has retired from singing but still attends chorus functions. Baritone Edie Moorehead is still active as one of the musical leaders in the Gem City Chorus. And of course tenor, Jean Barford, fought a battle with non-Hodgkins lymphoma and emerged victorious. Jean is still active as a judge, coach, and faculty member. What Jean doesn’t do is e-mail (she asked why the quartet wasn’t mentioned in the last issue and was told it was because she didn’t answer the e-mail).

All four members of the 1977 champion Shondells are still active in the organization and can be found on the risers at most Coronet Club shows. Baritone Teresa Reed moved to Tennessee and directs Memphis City Sound Chorus. Virginia Fitzpatrick, lead, moved to Texas and sings with Rich-Tone Chorus. Tenor Melodee Wright retired after many years of directing the Wichita Chorus, while bass Donna Graham sings with the O.K. City Chorus. Perhaps we can coax a 30th anniversary song out of them at the Coronet Clubhouse in Calgary.

The 1996 champion Weekend Edition is the only quartet among the 60 past champs that wears golden crowns, selected to commemorate Sweet Adelines International’s 50th anniversary. Tenor Penny Mensik is very active in her church, teaching voice lessons, and directing the Young Women’s Chorus at The Buckeye Harmony Camp each summer. Lead Susan Martin continues to work as a speech pathologist with stroke victims, assists Diane Huber with The River Blender Chorus, and coaches Sweet Adelines throughout the U.S. on weekends. Baritone Donna Kleinschmidt sings bass in the City Voices Chorus and will retire next year as a high school math teacher. Bass Nancy Shumard moved to Knoxville, Tenn. where she chartered and has directed The Smoky Mountain Harmony Chorus. Nancy works for HGTV in Knoxville’s Home Office, and is singing in a new quartet, Standing Room Only.

*Watch future issues for more Where Are They Now stories.

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