One Voice, One Message Across the Globe

One Voice, One Message Across the Globe

The Great Lakes Chorus is one of the 500 choruses worldwide participating in Sweet Adelines International's ``Global One Voice, One Message Membership Event`` to tell women of all ages about the music education organization.

At any given time, the Sterling Heights-based a cappella chorus has several women in the process of learning one song to audition and become part of the four-part harmony group. The global event begins on Jan. 21, (weather cancellation date: Jan. 28) with a special guest night.

However, visitors are welcome at 7 p.m. at every Tuesday rehearsal at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, 8771 E. 15 Mile Road in Sterling Heights. For more information, see www.glcsing.org or contact Donna Brichta at 248-887-6038 or at dreamchaser1951@comcast.net

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From Sterling Heights to New Zealand women are visiting to see and hear what it takes to sing with a four-part harmony chorus. The aim is to spread harmony and share the joy of singing by opening our doors to women across the globe and tightening bonds between members – no matter the distance – and uplifting spirits.

What it takes to become a Sweet Adeline is the ability to sing in tune. While some Sweet Adelines have advanced college degrees in music, some do not read music, so there is a place for every ability and voice range. Many Sweet Adelines also sing with their church and community choirs and participate in community theater but they crave the unique close harmonies that they find in Sweet Adelines. It is a sound that originated in the United States.

Some women come just to sing songs from every era. Some are interested in preserving a uniquely American music art form, and some wish to sing and dance in the front row. There are opportunities to produce shows, write scripts, create costuming and scenery, arrange music, direct, work with youth choruses, and much more.

The Great Lakes Chorus, a regional champion heading for an international competition in Baltimore, Md. in the fall, has about 70 energetic, enthusiastic, committed members of all ages who come from all over the metropolitan Detroit area to sing under the direction of Sylvia Karpinsky.

Besides the Baltimore competition songs, the chorus is currently working on a package of Broadway numbers to entertain other Sweet Adelines at the regional competition in Dearborn in April as outgoing regional champs. When members go to international competitions, they meet and can sing songs they know in common with women from all over the world.

``I came for the music, but I stayed for the friendships,`` is a common reason why so many Sweet Adelines remain in the organization for many years. Others would remark about how a chorus can accomplish so much in an evening while having so much fun. Part of the reason is that Karpinsky, a retired teacher, keeps rehearsals interesting and progressive.

There are choruses in the U.S., Australia, Canada, England, Finland, Germany, Japan, Scotland, Sweden, New Zealand, The Netherlands and Wales. There are also 1,200 quartets in the organization. Everyone sings in English. See sweetadelineintl.org for further information.

Groups hire the chorus to entertain. Great Lakes performed recently at holiday parties, at McLaren Macomb’s Girls Day Out, libraries, and the Christmas tree lighting in St. Clair Shores. The City of Sterling Heights engages the chorus for its annual Sterling Heights Memorial Day Parade. The Great Lakes Chorus plans to have a holiday music show after the Baltimore contest.

Members carpool from Algonac, Center Line, Chesterfield Township, China Township, Clay Township, Clarkston, Clawson, Clinton Township, Fair Haven, Flint, Fraser, Harper Woods, Highland, Hazel Park, Lake Orion, Macomb, Marysville, Mount Clemens, Orion Township, Richmond, Rochester Hills, Roseville, Royal Oak, St. Clair Shores, Shelby Township, Sterling Heights, Troy, Utica, Warren, Washington, Waterford, West Bloomfield and Whitmore Lake.