All Points North - The Sweet Adelines of Champlain Valley

The Sweet Adelines of Champlain Valley

Make a loved one's day extra special

Melinda Lawrence was at work one afternoon on Valentine's Day. Hard at work and minding her own business, she would soon receive one of the best Valentine's Day presents ever. Four singers, dressed in festive red, came marching into the room and began to sing in four-part barbershop harmony.

"I would recommend them to anyone who would like to make anybody’s day special"

"I was delightfully surprised," Melinda Lawrence remembers. "It was the best Valentine's Day ever."

Whether it's Christmas, Valentine's Day, or even someone's birthday, most people choose to show their love through a nice gift and a card. Birthday cards are known for putting a smile on someone's face with a joke or some flattering words.

The Champlain Valley Chorus of Sweet Adeline International, Inc. takes everything to a different level. They sing barber shop harmony, where they send real-life singers to someone's house, work, or anywhere you want to surprise somebody to show how much you love them.

The chorus was established in 1968, and is celebrating their 40th anniversary this year.

"I am very proud of this chorus," President Diana Lawrence says. "I am very proud of each and every member for their strength, endurance, and the fact that we've made it this far."

Lawrence has been in the chorus for about four years now and loves singing acapella for her own enjoyment and others' as well.

The Champlain Valley Chorus of Sweet Adelines competing in the Region One Competition in Springfield, MA

"You have to harmonize with all four parts," Lawrence says. "You have to see if you’re fitting in or see if someone else is out of tune."

In barber shop harmony, there are four parts to the four person chorus:The tenor, the lead, the bass, and the baritone.

"You need a certain voice for each part," Phil Bernard, a long-time member, says. "I love the four part harmony, you find more voices to sing with."

Bernard was one of the founding members of the Champlain Valley Chorus and has been with the group since the first day.

The group is known for their surprise visits where they sing for someone's birthday, Valentine's Day, or any special occasion.

"People do get very embarrassed," Bernard says. "But at the same time, they're always very pleased."

"I am very proud of each and every member for their strength, endurance and the fact that we've made it this far"

Not only does the chorus sing for special occasions, but they also sing in numerous competitions around the country and internationally. They compete every spring in a large, Region One competition in Springfield, MA. The competition is always between six states, which include Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York.

It usually has twenty-five to thirty different chapters, and the winner goes off to the International contest. The groups are judged by their sound, accuracy, stage presence, and the music they are singing.

"I love getting ready for the contests," Bernard says. "Coaches come from out of state to help us. These competitions show us how well we are doing against other choruses."

The chorus also sings for many fundraisers. They have volunteered to sing at nursing homes, churches, and hospitals.

"The thing that touches me the most is when we're able to go to the nursing homes and hospitals," Lawrence says. "It's for the people that have no way of going out and listening to this music on their own. It's a very touching and heart-warming feeling."

The chorus has touched many hearts for years now and plan on continuing for many years to come.

"We have had a number of memories," Bernard says. "One was when we came in fourth in the regional competition out of twenty-four in Saratoga. It was quite exciting."

The Champlain Valley Chorus is always looking for new members and encourages anyone who loves to sing to join. They have about twenty members active in the chorus and are always holding rehearsals every Wednesday night from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the North Alliance Church on 7 Northern Avenue in Plattsburgh.

However, if you're not going to join, surprise somebody special. "I would recommend them to anyone who would like to make anybody’s day special," Lawrence finished off.

Have you ever had the Sweet Adelines show up to your door step or office?

The Champlain Valley Chorus is a female barbershop singing group who are affiliated with Sweet Adelines International, Inc. They perform small songs for people on special occasions, usually birthdays and holidays. They have a reputation for surprising people out of nowhere, whether it is at school, work, or home. They're also known for singing in hospitals and churches voluntarily and have even held non-profit fundraisers.

After, a busy week of performing because of Valentine's Day, the women of the Champlain Valley Chorus will begin the preparation for their Region One competition held in Springfield, MA, this upcoming May. Choruses from all over the Northeast will partake in the competition. The women are hoping to take first place this year, which would place them in the International competition. For more information about the chorus, you can visit their website at champlainvalleychorus.org. The website will give some history and information about the chorus and also includes photos of a few shows they have performed over the years.