Tag Archives: Sweet Adelines

Grand Rapids’ Sweet Adelines are Hawaii-bound to perform in 80th anniversary Pearl Harbor program

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The Grand Rapids Chapter of the Sweet Adelines performed at the WKTV studio. (WKTV)

By Colleen Pierson
WKTV Community Contributor

This December, the Grand Rapids Chapter of Sweet Adelines will be singing to honor those who lost their lives 80 years ago during the attack on Pearl Harbor. The West Michigan based group, under the direction of Master Director Denise VanDyken, was the only musical singing group from Michigan to be chosen to perform at the 80th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Commemoration Concerts Series in Hawaii set for Dec. 7, 2021.

“We are thrilled to be part of this historic event,” VanDyken said. “A once in a lifetime experience, it will be very emotional and such an honor to perform.”

The performance also helps mark a special anniversary for the 60-member chorus.

Master Director Denise VanDyken gets the chorus ready for its performance. (WKTV)

“Our chorus is one of the longest running barbershop singing groups in the world,” she said. “We just celebrated our 70th anniversary. To be named as the official representatives of the state of Michigan to sing at the Pearl Harbor 80th Anniversary Commemoration is indeed a true hour.”

The Grand Rapids Chapter of Sweet Adelines is one of 10 nationwide chorus groups to be featured in this historic commemoration to honor America’s heroes who fought on the “date which will live in infamy.,” as so coined by then President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The surprise military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service against the base on Dec. 7, 1941 was what pulled America into World War II. Eight American battleships sank at Pearl Harbor with 188 American aircraft destroyed. Around 2,403 Americans died in the attack and another 1,178 were injured.

Of the eight battleships, only two were never repaired or returned to duty: the USS Arizona and the USS Oklahoma. The USS Arizona still lies in the Pearl Harbor waters. As part of its commemorative activities, the Sweet Adelines will take part in an Official Military Wreath-laying Ceremony at the USS Arizona Memorial and an Official Flag-Folding Ceremony at the USS Missouri Memorial. The USS Missouri was the last battleship commissioned by the United States and is best remember as the site of the surrender of the Empire of Japan, which ended World War II. The USS Missouri was retired to Pearl Harbor in the late 1990s.

The opportunity to perform at the 80th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Commemoration Concerts Series is just one of many accolades the award-winning group has received in the past few years. In 2019, the Sweet Adelines Grand Rapids was named fifth in the world at the Sweet Adelines International’s Harmony Class Competition.

For more about the Sweet Adelines Grand Rapids or to join the group, visit their website, www.grsa.net. To see a sneak peek of the group’s performance check out WKTV Channel 25 at 7:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. and WKTV Channel 26 6:30 and 9:30 p.m., all of which air on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11, or head over WKTV’s on-demand.

Kentwood resident honored with Sweet Adeline of the Year Award

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By Colleen Pierson
WKTV Community Contributor

Kentwood resident Pattee Bender received the Sweet Adeline of the Year Award. (Supplied)

It was an award well deserved. This year’s Sweet Adeline of the Year Award went to Pattee Bender, who has been a contributing member for 24 years. Her strong work ethic, and superior knowledge of the barbershop art form, and the many roles she plays within the group led to the honor.

So, what exactly went through her mind when her name was announced as the winner?

“Whaattttt? They called my name?,” she said. “I didn’t think it would be me. I truly am so surprised, grateful and humbled.”

Bender serves as choreographer, is the showmanship leader and oversees costume and makeup teams for the Grand Rapids Chapter of Sweet Adelines. In addition, she serves as the coordinator of the singing group’s upcoming travels.

“Almost a year ago, with optimism and excitement, our chorus accepted the invitation to sing at Pearl Harbor for the 80th commemorative anniversary,” Bender said. “I have been the point person with our music tour company, and am responsible for coordinating registrations, hotel information, forms, payment schedules and communicating information to our performers and travelers.”

 

It may seem a bit overwhelming, but that is one of the reasons why Bender received her award. She goes about every task with unbridled enthusiasm, attention to details and immense talent.

  • Pattee Bender’s reaction when her name was announced.
  • Bender receives her award.

Master Director Denise VanDyken agrees.

“I was surprised at the number of candidates that were nominated for this award. They are all so talented,” VanDyken said. “Pattee is very deserving of this prestigious award and we are all very proud of her.”

The Grand Rapids Chapter of Sweet Adelines is an a cappella group that sings in four-part harmony. The group just marked its 70th anniversary, making it one of the longest running barbershop singing groups in the world.

For more about the Sweet Adelines Grand Rapids or to join the group, visit their website, www.grsa.net. 

Former WKTV editor wins Sweet Adeline of the Year Award

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Colleen Pierson (right) receives the Sweet Adeline of the Year Award

WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

The Grand Rapids Chapter of Sweet Adelines presented the highly prestigious award of Sweet Adeline of the Year Award to Rockford resident and former WKTV Editor Colleen Pierson.  The singing group is composed of 60 women who sing four-part harmony in acapella style.

The award is given to a member who exemplifies the ideal qualities shown through leadership, successes, progress and dedication.

“To be nominated was extraordinary, to win was a dream come true. I felt like I won an Academy Award,” Pierson said enthusiastically.  

Master Director Denise Van Dyken was happy for Pierson.  “Colleen brings so much enthusiasm, talents and humor to our group.  It is a well-deserved honor.”

The Grand Rapids Chapter of Sweet Adelines are Regional Champions and will compete on the International Stage in New Orleans in September.  They perform at community events, concerts, competitions, charity functions and sing the National Anthem at sporting games.

“The only thing better than singing, is more singing,” joked Pierson.  “One of my best life decisions was getting involved with this talented group of women.” 

The group is always looking for new members who love to sing and perform.  They practice every Monday night. For more information, please visit https://www.grsa.net.  

Snapshots: Wyoming, Kentwood weekend news you want to know — end-of-year edition

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By WKTV Staff

victoria@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

"It doesn't matter where you came from. All that matters is where you are going.”

                                                     -- Brian Tracy                                          

It’s been an interesting year.
Let’s take a look back.

Grand Rapids Sweet Adelines Chorus rehearses its holiday music.

Managing editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma has rounded up the most popular stories of 2018 and corralled them into one spot. Go here to see what readers read the most.

Everybody has a profile.
Even Kent County.

Cool, fun graphic

Counties have profiles? You bet! Thanks to the Kent County Administration and their most excellent bilingual survey, the secret is out: Kent County’s median age of 34.9 years old is more than five years younger than Michigan as a whole and 50 percent of the population of about 648,594 is 35-years-old or younger. Go here for the cool details.

Get ahead of the game.

Wouldn’t it be fun to pay your tax bill with Monopoly money?

You know that big tax cut we’ve all been hearing about? The one that has corporations so excited? Well, there’s a tiny bit of relief for single people and families, too. Standard deductions for single taxpayers nearly double from $6,350 for 2017 taxes to $12,000 for 2018 taxes (the ones you file in 2019). It might get confusing, but there’s free tax help here. Take advantage of it.


Fun fact:

April 11, 1954 

According to Cambridge computer scientist William Tunstall-Pedoe and his search engine project, ‘True Knowledge’, that’s the ‘Most Boring Day in History‘. After sifting through and analyzing 300 million facts, ‘True Knowledge’ divined that on April 11, 1954, a general election was held in Belgium, Turkish academic Professor Abdullah Atalar was born, and an Oldham Athletic footballer by the name of Jack Shufflebotham died. That’s it. Nothing else that matters happened.

Hey, kudos, dude.

Award-winning Sweet Adelines set to take the stage Saturday, Dec. 15

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

For Denise VanDyken, her Sweet Adelines adventure started when members of her family, who loved to harmonize, decided to join a Sweet Adelines group so at to get some “real” barbershop arrangements.

 

“So we were going to join and get some arrangements and we didn’t plan on staying and that was nearly forty years ago,” VanDyken said. “I just fell in love with the organization and with the music.”

 

She is the music director for the Grand Rapids Sweet Adelines Chorus. Under her leadership, the local group has won three regional titles and been named first place midsize choir which has allowed the chapter to participate in the international competition four times in six years. Before VanDyken taking the helm, the group had only attended international a few times in its sixty-plus history.

 

“We became champions of Region 17, which is a five-state region, Michigan through to Ohio and into Pennsylvania,” said VanDyken talking about the group’s May 2018 win in Cleveland, Ohio. “We competed against about 20 other choruses and we won the championship and that entitles us to go to New Orleans next September.”

 

The Grand Rapids Sweet Adelines Chorus at the WKTV studio. The group is set to perform on Saturday, Dec. 15..

For now, the group is focused on its upcoming holiday concert, “Sounds of the Season,” set for Saturday, Dec. 15. The performance is with the men’s group, the Great Lakes Chorus, and will feature an array of holiday selections, some of which can be seen on a recent WKTV holiday special featuring the Grand Rapids Sweet Adelines Chorus, which is currently airing.

 

“We sing four-part harmony, a cappella, barbershop-style and we perform,” VanDyken said. “We are a show choir. We do choreography and staging and it is much more than just singing.”

 

In fact, guests may join the choir for its holiday show, giving them an opportunity to see what the choir is about and all that is involved. 

 

“You don’t need professional experience to join,” VanDyken said. “You have to sing and have the ability to sing and there is a lot of performance to it. As I said, it is not just standing there and singing. You have to be able to memorize the music and sing without accompaniment, harmonize with other voices, blend with other voices and do choreography and dance at the same time.”

 

Established in 1945, Sweet Adelines International is the oldest and largest international women’s barbershop organization in the world. According to the organization’s website it has 23,000 members on five continents who belong to more than 500 choruses and 1,200 quartets. One of those choruses happens to be right in the Grand Rapids area, the Grand Rapids Sweet Adelines Chorus, which is made up of members from around West Michigan including the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming. The Grand Rapids chapter was founded in 1951.

 

As to why people join, VanDyken said there is a number of reasons, the love of the sound of voices harmonizing, the music, barbershop-style, the camaraderie, and making friends with people from around the globe.

 

Grand Rapids Sweet Adelines Chorus rehearses its holiday music.

“I sat next to a woman from Sweden at a recent International competition,” VanDyken said. “We had a lovely conversation and felt that we had a relationship immediately because we shared this hobby, or cult as some might call it.”

 

With 40 years of participating, VanDyken said there are a lot of good memories and experiences with the joy of being part of the Sweet Adelines coming through the group’s performances.

 

“I think for me, it’s the fact that I could have done this for forty years and still be excited,” VanDyken said, “ still learning things and just as much in love with it as I was forty years ago.”

 

The Grand Rapids Sweet Adelines Chorus performs with the  Great Lakes Chorus in the “Sounds of the Season” set for Saturday, Dec. 15, at 3 pm. at the Grandville High School Auditorium, 4700 Canal Ave. SW. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $12 for students 8-18 and seniors 60 and older. For more information, visit gras.net. 

The Grand Rapids Chorus of Sweet Adelines brings in international winning quartet ‘Speed of Sound’

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By Colleen Pierson

WKTV Contributor

 

What does it take to be named the best female singing quartet in the world?  Witness for yourself as International Award winners “Speed of Sound” will be featured along with The Grand Rapids Chorus of Sweet Adelines.

 

The Harmony Quest performance takes place at Hudsonville Freshman Campus, 3370 Allen St., Hudsonville, on Saturday, Sept. 8, at 7 p.m. The night will be filled with extraordinary music, talents and humor.

 

Speed of Sound is a long-distance quartet, from all over the country, with more than 60 years of barbershop experience. They have been together for nearly five years and have achieved major accomplishments in the Sweet Adeline world.  In 2016, the group was crowned Queens of Harmony in Las Vegas!

 

They love singing cutting-edge arrangements.  But most of all, their wish is to spread their love for this art form called barbershop. It’s important to all four of them that they play a part in keeping barbershop alive and well for the coming generations.

 

The group is looking forward to traveling to West Michigan to share their talents.

 

“It will be so exciting to take the stage along with our sisters in harmony-The Grand Rapids Sweet Adelines,” said Carter Maysilles, baritone for Speed of Sound.  “We will all put on a fantastic show.”

 

Tickets for the Sept. 8 show are $20/general admission and $15/seniors/students. Group ticket prices also are available.

 

Go to www.grsa.netfor tickets/information or call (616)710-1765 for “will call” tickets.

 

Local Sweet Adelines group snag first in regional competition, heading to international in 2019

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By Colleen Pierson

 

The Grand Rapids Chorus of Sweet Adelines won first place overall and first place midsize chorus at the Regional Competition held in Cleveland, Ohio on May 17-20.  This enables them to compete Internationally in New Orleans in 2019. The group is a four-part acappella singing group with members ranging from 21-years of age on up.

 

Master Director Denise VanDyken

“I felt pure joy when they announced our name as the contest winners,” said Denise Van Dyken, Master Director of the group.  “Lots of brains and talents with these women. We competed against a five-state region and we are all so proud and honored to represent the Grand Rapids Area and bring home the awards.”

 

Eighty-five-year-old Beverly Noirot drives three hours every Monday from Gaylord, Michigan, to practice with the group at its rehearsal facility in Kentwood.  It’s her 33rd year with the group. “I love to sing with the best,” she explained with a huge smile on her face.

 

Beth Herrington has sung with the group for 42 years. “I have so many lifelong friends and it is like having 65 sisters. The challenging music and friendships are what keep me performing.”

 

The group is no stranger to being champion harmonizers. They have been competing both regionally and internationally since their beginning 65 years ago. Numerous second place Regional designations as well as six first place medals have been collected. They have been on the International Stage six times and have traveled worldwide to shared their musical gifts.

 

“We have had the thrill of singing in Washington D.C. to help with the inauguration of the World War II memorial,” said Management Team Coordinator Diane Thompson. “And we have been privileged to be able to sing in other countries, like Italy, Germany, Russia, and Paris.”

 

An award worth sleeping with.

The Sweet Adelines also has quartets that represented the group as well. The best novice quartet award was given to Sticky Notes and fourth place awards went to the quartet Sublime.

 

Upcoming events include a performance at Festival of the Arts on the Calder Stage from 4:15-5 p.m. on Sunday, June 3, WhiteCaps on Labor Day weekend, September 2, and the group’s Fall show at Grandville High School on September 8.

 

Visitors and singers interested in auditioning are always welcome. The group rehearses every Monday from 7-9:30 p.m. at 1800 44thStreet SE, Kentwood.