A Website Article

"I joined for the music and stayed for the friendships!" How many times have you heard a Sweet Adeline or barbershopper say that? Indeed, how many times have you yourself said it?

North Metro recently had two wonderful musical experiences that demonstrated why so many of us love this hobby and why so many of us find that those who participate in it are special people!

In April, the Renaissance Rhythm Chorus in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, not only held a very successful Charter Show, but this small chorus of just over 40 women also transported, housed, fed and feted the 175 member North Metro Chorus who were performing on the show. We could not have had warmer or more friendly hosts! And whether we were amongst those billeting with a Chorus Member, as I was, or those housed in Penn State University, as about 135 of us were, we had a complete blast! My face was aching from laughing so much with my hostess Dee, her friend Helen and the other three North Metro members who roomed with me.

It was joy - from the moment we arrived on the Friday - when the RR Chorus members were waiting with "Goody Bags" for each of us - to the hugs and tearful goodbyes as we left on Sunday…...topped off by the spontaneous leaping onto my bus by Dee and a friend while we all held hands and sang "I'm So Glad We Had This Time Together!" (Gulp!)

A lot more happened that weekend than a Charter show - some wonderful "connections" occurred, and we were delighted when a busload of Renaissance Rhythm Chorus members and their families arrived in Toronto in June to see the MegaCity Charter Show and visit with North Metro Chorus afterwards. They brought gifts and greetings from themselves and others in the chorus and it was a tremendous renewal of some recent friendships! Some of them also plan to try and visit us when we sing at the Buckeye Invitational in August.

If anyone is visiting or lives in the area near this chorus I encourage you to try and get out to a rehearsal. They are a tremendous group of warm, friendly Sweet Adelines who will greet you with open arms! Anyone wishing more information about the chorus could reach them by e-mail at:Bozek@icubed.com or Barbara_Smith@usairways.com

The second richly rewarding experience was guesting on the MegaCity Charter Show in June………and speaking of June………Dale, that is - she also directed both MegaCity and North Metro in some 8-part harmony. The same songs as those featured on our new CD, "Anchors Aweigh."
Needless to say - both choruses had a tremendous time - we are great supporters of each other, and consider ourselves blessed to have June Dale and Erin Howden working with us. The quartets - Sky's The Limit from North Metro and Kindred Spirit and Encore from MegaCity, also outdid themselves, as the audience response proved. In addition, MegaCity came up with some surprise special effects when introducing North Metro's performance which brought the house down. (The special effects that is - not North Metro's performance!)

In looking back at and discussing both these experiences, members of all three choruses, Renaissance Rhythm, MegaCity and North Metro, agree - while it was a joyful time reliving the onstage performances, the applause and laughter, it was the sharing of time together, the friendships, the camaraderie, the mutual respect, encouragement and support of and for each other that made our coming together so memorable.

I hope that everyone out there who shares this unique and increasingly rewarding art form finds it equally as joyful!

Until next time - Stay Safe and Sing Well!

Doreen Pooley
North Metro Chorus

P.S. North Metro would like to take this opportunity to extend congratulations to Toronto's Northern Lights Chorus on their spectacular 5th Place Medal at the S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A. International Chorus Contest. We understand their performance was awesome!

Congratulations as well to our wonderful Coach, Joe Connelly, whose quartet, Platinum, won the International Quartet Trophy with over a 400 point spread! Joe becomes the first man ever to win 3 International Championship medals in different quartets! (1987 - Interstate Rivals; 1992 - Keepsake; 2000 - Platinum)