In October 2009, three members of Lustre will travel to Nashville, TN with the Harbor City Music Company (HCMC) Show Chorus to compete in the 2009 Sweet Adelines International (SAI) Chorus Competition. Lori, Lori and Jenny, all members of and leaders within HCMC, will step on stage with 55 of their closest “sisters in song” in an attempt to win the 2009 SAI Chorus Championship.
The chorus will perform in the Semi-Finals round on Thursday Oct 22, singing two songs for evaluation. Eight judges, all having completed extremely rigorous training and certification through the SAI organization, will score the chorus on its merits in the categories of Sound, Music, Expression, and Showmanship. HCMC will be one of 33 choruses from around the world invited to take the stage in Nashville in the Semi-Finals round. Only ten will make it to the Finals round on Saturday Oct 24. Of these top ten choruses, only one will win the coveted gold medal strung on a blue ribbon signifying the 2009 SAI Chorus Champion.
Lustre Baritone Lori Dreyer has a long history with the chorus, having joined in 1991 when it was then known as Elkridge Chorus. Lori D. has since become a central figure in HCMC, serving as the Choreography Coordinator, spearheading the costuming committee, and serving in numerous other committees and teams. “I was looking for something musical to do to get me out of the house,” she says. “I found fun, friendship and family.”
Newer to the HCMC scene, Lori Crouter and Jenny Harris find themselves also deep in the thick of things in the chorus. Jenny serves as the section leader for the Bass section, assisting singers with learning music and improving their vocal skills. Lori C. serves as the Lead section leader in the chorus. In addition, Lori C. serves as chorus manager, booking performances throughout the Central Maryland region for audiences of all types. She also participates on a wide variety of other committees and teams, helping to keep the chorus running and bringing fresh and creative ideas to the unit’s performances.
The trio are thrilled with the opportunity for HCMC to once again head to the international competition. HCMC has been invited to the international chorus competition more than a dozen times in the past, finishing as high as 8th place. This is quite an honor – there are over 600 Sweet Adelines choruses throughout the world, all vying for the right to compete in this exciting venue.
Check back with us in the coming weeks to read more news and information about the upcoming event in Nashville.