May 14, 2003

Chorus sweet singers

Local Sweet Adeline Chorus takes second at Canadian contest

By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Making beautiful music together, 31 best friends showcased their act last Tuesday evening at the UAW Hall to a packed house of family and friends.
Members of the Grand Traverse Sweet Adeline Chorus wowed the crowd with their energetic renditions of classic barbershop harmonies. With dazzling smiles and sparkling costumes, the group performed their annual dress rehearsal and send off concert before heading to regional competition last weekend in London, Ontario, Canada.

Herald photo by Carol South
Members of the Grand Traverse Sweet Adelines Chorus perform for family and friends last Tuesday evening at the UAW Hall

"This is a special time for me after we get to sing for all of you friends, family and acquaintances who came her tonight," said Merilyn Brian of Burt Lake, chorus director for eight years. "It really does help us get rid of those last-minute jitters and get the feel of singing in front of an audience."
The chorus returned with second place ribbons, a bittersweet placement for members who were hoping to reprise their first-place blue ribbons. The competition featured 18 choruses from Michigan and Ontario. The Grand Traverse Sweet Adelines Chorus was one of 13 choruses in the small chorus category of fewer than 40 members.
"We wanted to come in first, but didn't make it," said Evelyn Harper of Empire. "It was a real good competition. We had a marvelous time and went by bus and it was just an absolute blast."
Susan Jarboe of Traverse City is a new singer with the group and was very excited to travel to the competition and see other choruses and perform with the group. She joined the Grand Traverse Sweet Adelines Chorus after participating in the organization's Ready Set Grow program. This program offers free singing lessons to area women as a way to spread the joy of barbershop music and recruit members. Drawn to learn how to sing Christmas songs in four-part harmony, Jarboe surprised herself by signing up after the holidays.
"They were so warm and welcoming, just the nicest people, and that kept me coming back," she said. "I was hooked by the second week."
Jarboe had not sung for years and worked to overcome some shyness and feel comfortable on stage again. She also had to master some basic choreography moves that the chorus uses to accompany and illustrate their songs.
"That's the hardest thing for me, learning how to sing and smile and move at the same time," Jarboe noted.
Singers in the Grand Traverse Sweet Adelines come from around northern Michigan, from Petoskey to Empire to Boyne City. They meet every Tuesday night in Traverse City to rehearse their songs, choreography and harmonies.
The chorus will celebrate its 50th anniversary next April. The program last Tuesday evening acknowledged some of the group's longtime members, giving them a pin in recognition of their loyalty. In addition to some ten- and 13-year members, the group also includes one women with 37 years under her belt and another with 41 years.
Director Merilyn Bryan has the greatest seniority, having first joined the chorus in 1955 while in high school.
"She is the crown jewel of our chorus," noted Lynn Robison, president of the group.
Bryan was prompted to join by her father, a longtime barbershop singer who encouraged his daughter to try out for the Sweet Adelines.
"My father introduced me to it and I have been singing ever since," Bryan noted. "It has been an integral part of my life."