Sweet Adelines International 75th Jubilee Commemorative Album

The first Cruise In A-Chord sailed in 1998 and in the same year the top 10 choruses at international competition presented performance packages. Sweet Adelines International participated in the 1998 America Walks for Strong Women Campaign and an investigation was set into motion to explore the possibility of judges using laptop computers during the contests eliminating the need for judges to fill out score sheets by hand. After offering the Options 2000 program to regions to design their own form of governance, the International Board of Directors approved a change to a management team style in 1999 to take effect in 2000. 1999 was also the first year for our International Education Symposium (IES) held at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas (USA) in July. More than 1,400 attended an array of 158 classes presented by our own faculty. IES also included our first Rising Star Quartet Contest. The Young Singers Foundation provided the prize money for the winning quartet and also paid for the quartet to attend and sing at the 1999 International Convention. The minimum score to receive international awards was raised from 360 to 400 in 1999 and internationally sponsored chorus competitions included small and midsize chorus awards for up to three placements. Regional status was granted to United Kingdom Area #31, the Netherlands Area #31, and New Zealand Area #35 in 1998 and Australia Area #34 in 1999.

Why I Sing

I joined at age 17 in 1998, Region #1. My high school choral director sang barbershop and introduced us to the “hobby.” I left around 2005 because I moved. I joined again just a year ago, Region #12 now. (Just won a 1st Place Harmony Classic AA medal!) I sing because the community I fell in love with as a teenager is still here...and much the same...only better. —Sarah Hodosh, Region #12, member since 1998 Three Sweet Adeline internationaI regions, three continents, five choruses...I sing because it’s the one constant in my life of relocating every five years or so because of my husband’s job. Fortunately, Sweet Adelines has been a ready-made family every time. I’ve been lucky to see the global reach of Sweet Adelines at first hand. If we ever move to a place where there is no Sweet Adeline chorus, I might have to start one! —Sheena Kaighin, Region #31, member since 1999

1999 was also the year the first President’s Lifetime Achievement Award was presented. International President, Karen Breidert (right), presents the award to its first recipient, Renee Craig.

1997 Golden Apple Chorus sings Nabisco's Triscuit cracker commercial.

1998 Karen Breidert composes We Are One In Song, arranged by Marge Bailey, as theme for her term as International President.

1997 Scandinavian Area becomes Nordic Light Region #32.

1998 Sweet Adelines takes part in National Music Education Summit.

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