Flashes November, 2007
CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Annual Barbershop Festivity
Mid-Lakes Chorus of Sweet Adelines International, will be presenting its traditional annual Christmas Concert to ring in the Holiday Season with four-part harmony on Saturday, December 15th, 2007. The men’s Barbershop Harmony Chorus has often joined Mid-Lakes to present their own holiday repertoire. After the two choruses perform together, the audience is invited to sing along with additional Christmas carols, to create a “joyful holiday sound!”
Over the years, barbershoppers have raised thousands of dollars for local charities that have provided for the needs of children, women and men in our area. Our singing brings joy to recipients, to our listeners, and to ourselves.
THIS YEAR OUR CHRISTMAS CONCERT WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2007, 7:00 PM, AT ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1150 W. CENTRE STREET IN PORTAGE. MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW, AND HELP US RING IN THE HOLIDAY SEASON!
IF YOU LOVE TO SING-
FREE VOICE LESSONS AT HOLIDAY TIME
Starting Tuesday, November 6, 2007, Mid-Lakes Chorus invites women and girls who love to sing to join us, free of charge, in preparing for our annual Christmas concert. Our director teaches the art of singing a‘cappella, four-part harmony, and music is provided. While some women stay just through our Christmas program, many choose to join our chorus. They want to further develop their vocal skills, participate in our performances, and be part of our creative, fun-loving Mid-Lakes Chorus. For more information, call Carolyn-269-793-0278 or Lois-269-327-2442, or access our website www.midlakessweetadelines.org
CHORUS EARNS GILMORE GRANT
Allegan County News, May 17, 2007
The voices of the Mid-Lakes Chorus will ring out a little clearer now, thanks to a grant from the Gilmore Foundation.
The foundation's grant bought new risers for the group to use when it sings. The chorus does women's a capella singing in four-part harmony. A part of the Sweet Adelines, it is based in Richland, but has members from Otsego and Plainwell, including past president Cindy Hunt.
"We're very thankful we got the grant because it would have taken us several years to purchase them and our risers are 37 years old", Hunt said. "We just need new risers at this point."
She said the risers would allow for more women to join.
"It'll let us expand, for one thing, and hopefully, it'll better our sound", Hunt said.
She explained that having the singers distributed better would let the chorus sound better.
"You'll be able to detect the difference a little bit", Hunt said. "There are four parts in barbershop singing; we'll have a little more flexibility."
The group recently placed second in the mid-sized chorus division at their regional competition at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids. It had 39 singers for the competition.
The chorus has been singing for 35 years.
"We have three members that just received their 35-year pins', Hunt said.
Women are invited to come to the chorus rehearsals Tuesdays at the Gull Lake Area Community Church, 9292 East CD Avenue in Richland from 7 to 9:30 pm.
SWEET ADELINES TO SING IN REGIONAL CONTEST
Kalamazoo Gazette, April 2007
The Mid-Lakes Chorus of Sweet Adelines will compete with other women barbershop singers next weekend in a regional meet in Grand Rapids.
"Our 40 competing members plan to wow the judges and continue the trend they've set in recent years by raising their scores and improving their placement," said chorus member Lois Snyder.
More than 700 women in 13 choruses and 13 quartets are expected to compete in the Sweet Adelines Lake Michigan Region 3 Competition at DeVos Place, 303 Monroe St. in Grand Rapids. Winners will represent the region at the Sweet Adelines International Convention in Hawaii next year.
The quartet competition begins at 4:30 p.m. Friday, and the chorus competition begins at noon Saturday. Tickets will be available at the door for $30 per day or $55 for both days, or $15 per day for children.
The Mid-Lakes Chorus, most of whose members are from the Kalamazoo area, will sing "If I Give My Heart To You" and "Me And My Baby Medley".
The local organization also will be represented in the quartet contest. Chorus director Denise VanDyken and choreographer Pam Latus, along with two memebers of the Grand Rapids Chorus, will sing in a quartet.
The difference between barbershop and other singing is that "we gals see ourselves as showgirls," Snyder said. "We perform, play a part and convey the character, mood and attitude of a song."
She invited guests and women who love to sing to the Mid-Lakes Chorus rehearsals, held on Tuesday nights at Gull Lake Area Community Church. For more information, call 327-2442.