Voices in harmony
They receive standing ovations, move crowds to tears, and love one another as much as their art. Together, they create a beautiful, ever-changing tapestry of color and sound. They’re the all-female Coeur d’Alene Chorus of Sweet Adelines International.
The 35 member group, ages 15 to 86, are part of an international organization of almost 30,000 women, with headquarters in Tulsa, Okla. Sweet Adelines International, whose motto is “Harmonize the World,” boasts more than 600 choruses and over 1,200 quartets, with chapters in Canada, Australia, Finland, Germany, England, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Wales and most of the 50 states of the United States.
And they all sing the same language.
“Because we all sing in English, a member can visit any chorus and pick up music and sing along with them,” says Sally Wallace, director of the Coeur d’Alene Chorus.
Wallace has been pouring her heart and soul into directing Sweet Adeline choruses for 29 years, and began the Coeur d’Alene chorus 20 years ago.
“In 1985 my family and I moved to Coeur d’Alene from Osburn, Idaho, where I directed a chorus for nine years,” she says. “There wasn’t a chorus here, so I put an ad in the newspaper to gain interest. Our first meeting was in March of 1985.”
The chorus has been singing beautiful music together ever since, barbershop-style. Sweet Adeline choruses and quartets perform four-part a cappella harmony.
“There is something very satisfying about the sound,” Wallace says. “The various voices blend together; changing when a new voice joins or someone is absent. When you sing with the chorus, and feel the harmony go right through you. It’s very exciting.”
Judges are excited, too. The chorus consistently finishes as one of the top-three small choruses in the Pacific Northwest. The chorus performs for civic and charitable organizations, community events, fund-raisers, private groups, churches, and produce an annual show featuring top barbershop entertainment along with local talent.
They even give Singing Valentines.
“We surprised a man working at an outdoor construction site, and sang a Valentine to him,” Wallace says. “We were all in costume, but had plastic bags on our feet to keep our shoes clean, because of the mud.”
Once they performed at an auction in Post Falls, singing in between the auction of various items. Another time, they sang for someone at a bowling alley.
“It was noisy and crazy, but everyone had fun,” Wallace says.
Many times, a performance strikes a chord within the chorus members own hearts.
“A few years ago, when singing Christmas carols at the Coeur d’Alene Resort, we were invited to sing to a family in a small meeting room. One of the songs was ‘White Christmas,’ and when we finished, the family told us they were relatives and descendants of Bing Crosby.”
A year after the 9/11 disaster, the chorus was honored to sing at the fire stations throughout the community. Last year, they performed for a group of senior volunteers, and halfway through the song, “Proud to Be an American,” chorus members had tears in their eyes, as the entire audience stood.
The chorus even sang at a naturalization ceremony for 21 new U.S. citizens. “There weren’t many dry eyes in that audience,” Wallace says. One of those new citizens, Atsuko Schlesinger, now sings with the chorus.
Perhaps one of the most memorable moments, Wallace recalls, was performing at beautiful little 8-year old Sarah Callaghan’s birthday party. Callaghan was fighting cancer.
“She’s 15 now, and continues to fight cancer. Last year she joined our chorus. She’s such an inspiration and blessing to us.”
The group also travels. Seventeen-year chorus member Gayle Clayeux, retired city clerk of Dalton Gardens, says she’s traveled with the chorus to Australia, England, Ireland, and New Zealand.
“One of the most memorable experiences I’ve had was performing on stage at the Sydney Opera House,” she says. “It was such a thrill.”
Locally, a favorite project of the chorus is the annual singing of Christmas carols at the Coeur d’Alene Resort. They enjoy the warm family time, the children, and enhancing others’ holidays with favorite carols.
“We’re so fortunate to be able to lift someone’s day, and touch someone’s heart through the beauty of music and harmony,” Wallace says.
Yet, one might wonder what the future holds for barbershop singing, with the popularity of music such as rap and hard rock, among young people. But Wallace is optimistic.
“I think barbershop singing has a bright future with young people. Besides rap and rock, they also enjoy country, jazz, and modern a cappella groups. A cappella music is very popular right now. Young people like to sing harmony; we have three teenagers in our chorus right now.”
Besides performing, the group is active in other ways. They contribute yearly to the Coeur d’Alene Women’s Center; the Children’s Village, where they’ve initiated special fund-raisers; and the Young Singer’s Foundation, granting $2,000 in scholarships annually to enrolled vocal music students maintaining a B+ or better average in vocal music studies. The chorus also donates funds for workshops, performances, after-school programs, festivals, and books.
Further, the chorus sponsors Young Women in Harmony, which offers a variety of musical opportunities for students in junior and senior high schools. The program is endorsed by the Music Educators National Conference
Although Wallace is retiring from her position as director, she plans to sing with the chorus as a baritone. Bianca Perry, of the Spirit of Spokane Chorus, will be the new director of the Coeur d’Alene Chorus.
Wallace encourages any woman interested in singing to join the group.
“The organization is amazing for the level of acceptance and love for everyone regardless of background or age. Our education program allows new singers to progress rapidly, and we have learning tapes available the music.”
Whether someone is a beginning singer, or has extensive singing experience, Sweet Adelines can provide a rich, rewarding experience. Join them any Monday, 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Church of Christ, Fourth and Hanley, in Dalton Gardens.