The Grand Olympics Chorus, the local chapter of the international women’s barbershop organization Sweet Adelines International, won Most Improved Chorus at the region 13 annual competition in Spokane in May.
“Winning this was a really big deal,” said Connie Alward, musical director, who joined the group with her mother at age 14 when it began in 1979.
The chorus that wins Most Improved has the largest increase in points compared to their score at the previous year’s competition.
Grand Olympics sings four-part a cappella barbershop harmony: tenor, lead, baritone and bass.
At the competition each chorus sings two songs, “a ballad and an uptune,” according to member Joyce DeVries.
The chorus sang “I Love You For Sentimental Reasons,” and “The Moment I Saw Your Eyes,” with 16 singers on stage. Alward said there are currently 19 members.
The mission of Sweet Adelines International “is to elevate women singers worldwide through education, performance, and competition in barbershop harmony and a cappella music,” according to region 13’s website, sairegion13.org.
Region 13 is made up of 25 chapters in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.
Alward explained that due to COVID Grand Olympics Chorus had a lot of turnover and the official recognition of their progress means a lot to them.
Members of the chorus said that they worked hard all year to improve, referencing their 2024 performance and taking the 2024 judges comments, criticism and advice to heart.
“We’re hoping to do it again (next year),” said Jennifer Calhoun, acting director while Alward is on a brief leave of absence, preparing for an international competition.
Members of the group said they are blessed to have Alward as a director, with her 43 years of experience and high caliber of vocal skills. They said she shares techniques and educational opportunities as she learns of them. They described her as fun and caring.
“It makes it so you want to do your best for her and your group,” said Nancy McLaughlin. “It makes it so you do not want to miss a week.”
About the group
The Grand Olympic Chorus was chartered in 1981 and originally met in Port Angeles. These days it meets in Sequim on Mondays from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 990 E. Washington St. Suite E102, near QFC.
Alward has been the director of the Grand Olympics Chorus since 2016. Some of the events where they sing regularly are the Coast Guard Station on Veteran’s Day, Christmas concerts and Lefties’ baseball games, where they sing both the American and Canadian national anthems.
Alward said that meetings include a physical and vocal warm-up, working on specific songs and vocal skills to continually improve, a break and a short business meeting.
At the end everyone joins hands and sings the organization’s theme song, “How we sang today.”
The Chorus is very welcoming, extending an invitation to singers and would-be-singers who want to improve their vocal abilities while having a joyful time.
Those curious about the group are encouraged to come as a visitor to their brightly painted rehearsal room and either join in the singing or observe.
“There is always room for more,” said Alward. “All voices will find a place. Come to any rehearsals on Monday nights to check it out.”
She noted that teenagers are welcome as well as adults.
“You don’t have to know how to read music” to join the chorus was a statement repeated by many of the members. Some people come in knowing how; others don’t.
The audition is low pressure and private, with an emphasis on voice placement within the choir.
“We are looking for your ability to carry a tune, and even better, to carry your part with the other parts singing around you,” said Alward.
Alward believes, reiterated by others in the chorus, that almost everyone can learn how to sing, and can improve.
“Some of the best singers in the music industry were told that they weren’t good singers” in childhood, she said, adding that it is unfortunate when a person is told such a thing.
Sweet Adelines “is an educational organization,” said Alward. “We’re always teaching, learning and improving.”
Improvement opportunities beyond the Monday night rehearsals include online and in-person classes and lessons, both as a group or privately and competitions.
Last weekend Alward and five members went to the Harmony College at University of Puget Sound in Tacoma for classes.
“There’s a real physical benefit to singing,” said Alward. “It releases endorphins. It’s good for your cardiovascular system. It helps physically and mentally.”
She said that quite often people, including herself, will drag themselves to a practice after a long, exhausting day and “by the time you leave the rehearsal you feel so much better.
“We make it as fun as possible, loving and inclusive,” she said. “Many friendships are started.”
Alward said that with barbershop singing, it is often said that people come for the music and stay for the friendships. That sentiment is true, she said.
“There are supportive women in the community all over the country and the world and lots of opportunities for growth: personally, musically and in leadership,” she said.
For more information, visit: https://grandolympicschorus.org/ or contact: info@grandolympicschorus.org
Photo by Emily Matthiessen Singers with the Grand Olympics Chorus rehearse under the guidance of acting director Jennifer Calhoun June 9 in their cheerfully painted headquarters at 990 E. Washington St. Suite E102. They are a friendly, welcoming and joyful group who have “always have room for more,” according to musical director Connie Alward.
Photo by Emily Matthiessen/ The Grand Olympics Chorus, Sequim’s local chapter of Sweet Adelines International, won for the “Most Improved Chorus” at the region 13 competition in Spokane this May. Region 13 encompasses 5 states and 25 chapters.
