The Sweet Adelines all-female barbershop choir will perform its annual holiday concert tonight and Saturday in the Pioneer Park Theatre. The group has performed its holiday production for more than 40 years. - Photo courtesy Myrna McGhie
The Sweet Adelines have championed their four-part a capella harmony in unique style for the past 44 years. The annual holiday concert, a statewide favorite among music enthusiasts, has drawn crowds from all over the country every season since its inception in 1965.
Though singers have come and gone over the years, the group’s mission has remained the same, according to Sweet Adelines veteran Myrna McGhie.
“Our mission has always been to spread harmony and good will through music,” she said. The group has also made great strides in preserving the longstanding American folk art of barbershop singing.“It’s been a wonderful journey as we aim for that goal,” she said.
This year’s holiday concert, titled “The Sounds of Music,” includes a combination of secular and sacred holiday music, ballads and up-beat tunes, a little jazz and even some calypso. But the variety of music is only the beginning. This year’s production includes a long list of local talent of all ages.
Joining the Sweet Adelines on stage will be the Lathrop Ballroom Dancers, as well as a variety of local quartets from both the men’s and women’s choruses around town, and also Hello, Bella, a group of young female barbershop singers.
Emcee Bruce Hansen will also direct the North Pole High School Treble Choir in a series of holiday music alongside the Sweet Adelines. Members of the Northland Youth Choir, directed by Melissa Downes, will also perform.
“I think people really love the show and return year after year because of the variety we offer and the energy on stage,” McGhie said. “It’s a great way to get into the holiday spirit.”
McGhie said she gets calls from out-of-towners every year asking about the concert.
“People actually plan their holiday vacations into town around our concert,” she said.
The Sweet Adelines are always looking for women who enjoy singing to join their membership, McGhie mentioned.
“If singing an exciting variety of pop and swing style music arranged in four-part harmony sounds appealing, then we encourage anyone interested to come and visit our rehearsals,” she said.
The Sweet Adelines rehearse at 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays at the University Community Presbyterian Church on College Road.
For more information on the Sweet Adelines, contact McGhie at 479-3624.
Contact staff writer Rebecca George at 459-7504.
IF YOU GO:
What: Sweet Adelines Holiday Concert
Information: 456-6094
The Sweet Adelines and Great Land Sounds present their holiday performance tonight at 7:30 p.m. and at 4 p.m. Saturday in the Pioneer Park Theatre. Tickets for adults are $12. Seniors, military and student tickets cost $10. Time and cost of the performance was incorrect in Friday's Latitude 65.
The Sweet Adelines will also perform alongside Great Land Sounds. Their name was not included in the Latitudes article in Friday's paper.
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