Local Women's Chorus Sweeps Area Competition

 
Kirkwood: St. Louis Vocal Project, a women's a cappella chorus based in Kirkwood, brought home several awards from the Harmony, Incorporated competition in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois on June 10 and 11.
 
Appearing in only their second contest ever, this chorus of 30 singers won First Place along with Most Improved Score for their performance of "Hopelessly Devoted To You" from the musical Grease and the Motown hit "Dancing In The Street". In addition, the chorus's three quartets, Take 4, Fierce, and Great Day, won first, second, and third place respectively in the quartet contest. The annual competition--held after a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19--includes choruses from all over the upper Midwest who belong to Area 4 of Harmony Incorporated, an international organization of women barbershop singers.
 
"Our goal was just to beat our previous score," said director Sandi Wright. "I was surprised and so proud when we won. Our determination to rise above Covid really paid off." Early in the pandemic the chorus had to move to virtual rehearsals. "You can't sing together on Zoom," Wright said. "We tried; it was pretty funny."  Instead they used the time for education and social bonding. When weather permitted they met outdoors to sing. When vaccines became available they met indoors, vaccinated, with masks. "All choruses have struggled to survive during the pandemic, after it became known that singing is about the most dangerous thing you can do," said chorus president Susie Slavney. "We are lucky to have such a close-knit, dedicated group of singers that have stuck together and met the challenges."
 
St. Louis Vocal Project is planning on giving more local performances and growing its membership. Women singers from anywhere in the St. Louis area are invited to an open rehearsal and guest night on Wednesday, August 10, 7:00 pm, at the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 S. Geyer Road. For more information, see https://stlvocalproject.com/guestnight, or ask info@stlvocalproject.com.
 
Susie Slavney
president@stlvocalproject.com
314-443-4584
 
St. Louis Vocal Project is a nonprofit women's a cappella chorus that promotes vocal music education, community performances, and friendship. The chorus is affiliated with Harmony, Incorporated, an international organization of women barbershop singers. https://stlvocalproject.com.
 
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