Your Letters

Sound of Sunshine Chorus Walks for the Cure
Sweet Adelines has given all of us in the Sound of Sunshine Chorus a second family. We glean satisfaction from entertaining others and improving ourselves. Recently, Sound of Sunshine members experienced a different kind of satisfaction. On September 9, 2007, we participated in the Susan G. Komen Walk for the Cure.

Participating in this event was an extension of that warm fuzzy feeling that Sweet Adelines gives us. Those of us who participated came away with a sense of pride, cohesiveness, and accomplishment.  We have a whole new definition of strength. We are extremely proud to have represented Sound of Sunshine and Sweet Adelines in this capacity. We will do this again next year and we urge everyone to participate in your area. It's an emotionally moving event that everyone should have the chance to experience.

Paula Barnett
Sound of Sunshine Chorus
Region 9

Hennessey Goes International 
Just one short year ago, I came home from Sweet Adelines International Competition in Las Vegas as an observer and opened the results of my PET/CT scans. My world was rocked. I was diagnosed with stage four metastatic melanoma, a form of skin cancer. I was told I had six to nine months to live. I’m still seeking a cure.

After much thought, I decided I wanted to be an active participant on the International stage doing what has brought me so much joy over the last 10 years, singing and performing. Thank goodness for Ozzi Mask, director of Potomac Harmony Chorus (PHC), and about 85 of my new best friends. PHC graciously changed the rules to accommodate my treatment schedule. I learned new songs, new choreography, got a new costume and trimmings, and booked a flight to Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

On Oct. 11, I took the stage and sang the smartest bass and danced the best choreography I could muster. It was the fastest six minutes of my life - but it was also the most joyous six minutes of my life.

I couldn't have been more proud to stand and sing with these wonderful friends who took me in and treated me with such kindness and compassion.

Debbie Hennessy
Publick Times Chorus
Region 14

City of Roses Chorus Needs Your Vote
The City of Roses Chorus in Region 31 is in a competition being run by Debenhams, a nationwide department store in the UK. We decided it would be a great opportunity to increase our chorus profile locally and at the same time promote Sweet Adelines nationally. We are doing very well so far but we need the help of all Sweet Adelines everywhere.

It is a competition to find the UK’s best club as voted for by the general public. The competition is open to all clubs through the UK and Ireland and any club may enter. Of all the clubs taking part, the City of Roses is the only Sweet Adelines chorus. We have worked very hard to get into the top 10 but we need your vote before Nov. 30 to secure our place. The competition is online, please vote for us by clicking here and then click on the Rate Us Now icons.

Being in the top 10 would certainly be of interest to our local press and that would help promote our membership significantly. We would also have a chance to win four possible prizes, including a shopping spree, make-over and a photo-shoot. For more information on the Debenhams Competition go to the Web site at http://clubs.debenhams.com. You can also see our photos and read our entry details explaining who we are and what we do.

It would be fantastic if a Sweet Adelines chorus won a UK all-clubs competition. Thank you.

Sarah Hopkins
City of Roses Chorus
Region 31

Convention Brings New Life
Once upon a time there was a little chorus from Kentucky that went to an International Competition and came back with the greatest prize of all - a little baby boy, born 10:30 Sunday morning, Oct. 14 in Calgary, weighing five pounds 12 ounces!

The proud mom and dad are Melissa and Bob Sanders and big sister, Abby.

Melissa was a real trooper on the stage for both contest sessions. Talk about dedication!

Betty Lou Coleman
Pride of Kentucky Chorus
Region 4

Features

2007 International Convention and Competition

That's a Wrap
As with every convention, the 2007 competition seemed to start and end in the blink of an eye. Still, it never fails to leave a lasting impression on all who participate. We would like to thank all of our members and guests who attended the 2007 Sweet Adelines International Convention and Competition in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. This year's convention brought in more then 7,000 attendees from around the world.

Showcase
On Tuesday evening the week kicked off with Showcase, where audience members witnessed side-splitting humor during the hilarious performance of the comedy a cappella group, Heebee-jeebees. The audience was thrilled with spectacular performances by the 2004 International Quartet BRAVA!, the 2005 Barbershop Harmony Society Champion Quartet REALTIME, the 2007 International Chorus Champions Rich-Tone, and the 2007 Young Women in Harmony Festival Chorus.

Webcast
The convention was packed with four full days of exciting quartet and chorus competitions all captured on a live webcast. The International webcast was a huge success with more than 23,000 viewers tuning in. Thank you to all of the members and friends that generously donated to the webcast and to the fantastic commentary by Kathy Carmody, Diane Porsch, Susan Martin and Pam Royle.

And the Winners Are:
The International Quartet and Chorus competitors gave spectacular performances throughout the week. The judges and audience were wowed when the new 2008 International Quartet Champion, FOUR BETTYS, gave a nearly flawless performance, including breathtaking barbershop harmony and witty sidebars throughout the entertainment package. The 2008 International Chorus Champion, Harborlites gave the audience and judges something to cheer about when 128 chorus members delivered an exceptionally creative and captivating presentation. Audience choice awards were presented to the most entertaining chorus, Toast of Tampa Show Chorus, and the most entertaining quartet, CAPRI. This year's Harmony Achievement award recipient, Spirit of Detroit Chorus, was also presented with its medals.

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners!

International Quartet Competition Champions: FOUR BETTYS, Region 3, Elmhurst, Ill.
2nd Place: JACKPOT!, Region 9, Winter Springs, Fla.
3rd Place: RAZZCALS, Regions 12, 21 and 24, Roseville, Calif.


International Chorus Competition Champions: Harborlites Chorus, Region 21, Anaheim, Calif.
2nd Place: Pride of Baltimore Chorus, Region 19, Baltimore, Md.
3rd Place: Lions Gate Chorus, Region 26, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Young Singers Foundation
One of the organizations that has benefited from grants awarded by the Young Singers Foundation is the Colorado Springs Children's Chorale. The Chorale has taken its programs into the inner city and exposed hundreds of students to a variety of musical art forms. It also provides for summer music camps, where children from all walks of life are able to live and learn together, and experience the joy that only comes from performing.

The executive director, Marcia Hendricks, of the Colorado Springs Children's Chorale expressed appreciation by saying, "Thank you for believing in the dreams of the Colorado Springs Children's Chorale. Because of the Foundation, we help our children to nurture their dreams, make life-long friends, and deeply move their audiences!" 

You can help talented young people obtain a quality music education! Please visit http://www.youngsingersfoundation.org