Sweet Adelines International 75th Jubilee Commemorative Album

Our membership reached 30,000 again in 1996 with 619 chapters and 78 prospective chapters. One chartered German chapter and two prospective chapters requested permission to compete in the Netherlands contest. We voted to recognize the 30,000th member and the 30,704th member (highest number yet). In 1997, the first boom camera was seen swooping around with projections on the “jumbotrons” at the international convention in Salt Lake City, Utah (USA). and all performances were videotaped. In subsequent years, four of the top 10 quartets in this contest went on to be champions! Dual membership was established this year but only allowed when in two different regions. The entire idea was born of our membership who move to spend winter in a warmer climate and summer in a cooler climate.

Why I Sing

I’ve always loved to sing, but I’m not a soloist. Always having three other parts with me is wonderful, but I stay because of the sisterhood. I lost my daughter four years after joining. My director asked my husband if they could sing at the memorial service. Over 50 members drove an hour away to sing, then turned around to drive back to sing at a member’s wedding that afternoon. Devoted friends like that is what Sweet Adelines is about. Patti Lavernoich, Region #1, member since 1996 They say some people are hooked when they hear their first barbershop seventh. That’s me in 1989 at the U.S. Marine Ball on posting in New Delhi, India. I loved the chords, the ring, and no accompaniment in the way! But I was told that only men sang it — and there were no choruses there! Eventually, in Dubai, a friend invited me to her singing group — she thought I’d enjoy it. Two years with Dubai Harmony Chorus and more than twenty with Canadian Showtime Chorus, I love the sisterhood and I’ve never tired of singing and hearing the music! —Belinda Boekhoven, Region #16, member since 1997

Ready, Set, Grow membership growth plan proves huge success throughout the organization.

1997 Crystal Chimes and Top of the Rock choruses perform in benefit for a mental health organization.

1997 Members of Forth Valley Chorus (Edinburgh, Scotland) act as nuns singing in Latin in production of The Sound of Music.

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