You attend monthly rehearsals and coaching sessions with the chorus with the aim to increasing their chorus size for International competition. It also gives those that wouldn’t normally get to, the chance to sing with the large chorus and compete on International stage in Vegas! American choruses do this often but it is the first time that this initiative has been used in the UK and we are very proud to be a part of this exciting venture.

Since auditioning and being accepted as “ooters” we have had an exciting, exhausting and fun packed past four months; We have learnt both contest songs and choreography, been taped and videoed, attended monthly rehearsals and been a part of Surrey’s retreat weekend in January where we were coached by Jim Arns. This weekend was absolutely packed with education, coaching and laughter that left you wanting more. Awesome, and this is just the beginning. We can’t wait for the next few months; coaching with Ase Hagerman, Di Porsch and the opportunity to compete for Evaluation with the chorus in Plymouth with the contest in Vegas being the end goal that we are all aiming for.

The experience is enabling us to do and learn so many wonderful things. Not only are we able sing with a chorus of 90+, we get to compete on International stage in Las Vegas, we get to improve as individual singers and we are able to take the education we have learnt back to our own chorus to help improve them too! We would like to thank each and every member of Surrey Harmony for asking “ooters” to join them.

Everyone has made us feel so welcome, been so encouraging and friendly that we feel very honoured to be a part of your chorus for Las Vegas.

Thank you. Becky, Sally, Debbie, Jenni, Ann.  Coastline Harmony
 

This article originally appeared in the 'Harmony Rag' on the Sweet Adelines UK web site.