In one year, Diane Clark has guided the Grand Traverse Chorus to status as fifth in the world out of 330 small Sweet Adelines choruses.
The dynamic new director retired from her position as professor at Rhodes College in Memphis specifically to lead, challenge and motivate the 30 singers. After more than three decades teaching young adults, Clark had decided that a perfect retirement would be working with dedicated singers of all ages who love the harmonizing sound of barbershop.
Clark's search intersected with the three-year quest of the Grand Traverse Chorus for a new director. They had long advertised in "Pitch Pipe,” the international magazine for Sweet Adelines choruses, and finally struck gold with Clark.
"She came up to visit us, loved the area, loved the fact that Interlochen was here and there was a strong music program in the schools,” recalled Evelyn Harper, a Sweet Adelines singer since the 1970s. "She retired and the next thing she did was move up here lock, stock and barrel.”
The focus and determination of the chorus intrigued Clark, proving so tantalizing that she was willing to make major life changes. She appreciated the 53-year history of the organization as well as the small but determined membership striving for the top.
"I felt that our goals were similar, we had three months of interviews before we actually got together in person and I felt that our aims were similar,” she recalled. "I felt like I might be the person who could do for them what they wanted, and they might be the chorus who could keep me excited and challenged.”
Moving to northern Michigan was a big step as Clark had never lived out of the South before but she tackled the change with characteristic grace and determination. She has grown to love her new home despite the snowy winters, which stretch much longer and are far colder than Memphis winters, and distance from family and friends.
"This is a delightful new adventure and I'm having a wonderful time so far,” she enthused.
Harper terms Clark's Tuesday evening rehearsals at the Grand Traverse Heritage Center as "music class 101,” a fast-paced two hours packed with college-level instruction and professional expectations. Clark assigns homework to members and also required mastery of nine new songs in a short time — typifying her high octane pace.
"She won't take anything less than what she expects,” said Harper. "You have to be word and note perfect — that's a huge order. If you're not, you have to get off the risers.”
For more information on the Grand Traverse Chorus, see their web site at www.grandtraversechorus.org.