The Grand Traverse Chorus was chartered in 1954. The purpose of the Grand Traverse Chorus is to provide an avenue for musical performance and education for women, and to promote and perpetuate the barbershop style of music. The chorus is one of about 25 in Region 2 of Sweet Adelines International, the largest international organization for women singing barbershop music. We are currently a Division AA (mid-sized) chorus;choruses in this division contain 31-60 singers. Our members have ranged in age from 17 to over 80!
Annual shows and regional competitions are a big part of chorus life. Recent show themes have included "The Times of Our Lives", "Where's Addie?" the circus show "Under the Big Top", "Moments To Remember", and "C'est la Vie". Our 2006 Christmas show "Harmonize the Season" was quite a crowd pleaser! But 2007's "Saturday Night at the Movies" and the "TC Idol Contest" drew the biggest audiences ever!
In 1998 under the direction of Merilyn Bryan, the Grand Traverse Chorus placed 2nd in the small chorus division of Region 2's annual competition. Three wins, in '99,'04, and '06, have kept appetites whetted. Since 1998, the chorus has consistently placed in the top 3 of Region 2's small choruses. We were especially pleased to earn the "Most Improved Chorus Award" in 2007 by increasing our score from 2006, by 32 points! Our interim director (now assistant director) Ruth Ann Leibzeit (2006), and our current director Dr. Diane Clark (2007) were each awarded the "Novice Director of the Year Award" for scoring the highest number of points, their first time directing in a Sweet Adelines competition!
Being a member of the chorus is a challenging experience. Each member has the opportunity to grow artistically and personally. There are opportunities for growth in vocal skills and musicianship, as well as various leadership and service opportunities within the organization. Costumes, theatre production, choreography, publicity, and administration are just a few areas where members find both challenges and rewarding experiences.
The Grand Traverse Chorus is primarily a musical organization, providing an opportunity for women to sing and to learn more about music in general, and barbershop and a cappella styles and techniques in particular. Along the way though, it's also a charitable organization. Members support a music scholarship program called The Young Singer's Foundation. The chorus as a whole has supported (with both in kind and cash donations) local breast cancer support groups, The Salvation Army, the Traverse City Public Schools music programs, and local nursing homes and hospitals.
