Tag Archives: Grand Rapids Chorus of Sweet Adelines

Sweet Adelines place second in regional contest; advance to International competition in Seattle

June 4, 20262-row, Citizen Journalism, Kent County, West MichiganChorus, Grand Rapids Chorus of Sweet Adelines, Sweet AdelinesCris Greer

Grand Rapids Chorus of Sweet Adelines. (Photo: WKTV/Colleen Pierson)

By Colleen Pierson
Wyoming-Kentwood News Today Contributor
greer@wktv.org

The Grand Rapids Chorus of Sweet Adelines brought home second place at the SAI Border Lakes Region 2 Contest in early May in Kalamazoo with a score of 629—their highest score ever in their 75th year as a chorus.

That high score advances the local Sweet Adelines to the International Competition in Oct. 2027 in Seattle. And that makes some singers from Kentwood and Wyoming extremely happy.

“I was elated that we had a higher score than ever before,” said Kentwood resident Sandy Cheeseman. “We have a 75-year history. Our contests scores and chorus approach can be compared to a track runner’s philosophy. Sure, there is a competition going on, but the competition is really about improvement and looking for that personal best.”

Trish Young has been singing her heart out as a Sweet Adeline for almost 48 years.

“I enjoy the beautiful musical harmony, the focus on learning and improving, the fun of performing together and the camaraderie,” Young explained.

Wyoming Resident Elizabeth Kremer had another huge success at the competition with her newly formed quartet Hidden Gems. They took home third place, as well as the Novice Quartet trophy.

Hidden Gems Quartet.(Photo: WKTV/Colleen Pierson)

“We feel incredibly blessed and honored to have received both of these awards and the warmest of all welcomes,” Kremer said. “For two of us, this was our first time stepping onto the contest stage, and it was absolutely filled with emotion. It was an experience that none of us will forget, and we can’t wait to do it again.”

Imagine being a brand new Sweet Adeline and taking the competition stage for the first time. Such was the case for Kentwood resident Heather Hill.

“Whole experience was absolutely amazing”

“ I am one of the newest members of the chorus and I was beyond nervous for my first competition,” Hill said. “The whole experience was absolutely amazing and exciting in part of the practice and the rehearsals, but mostly the camaraderie of my sisters.”

There was so much screaming and cheering going on when the contest results were announced. Kentwood Resident Pattee Bender described being thrilled and motivated from being part of it all.

“I enjoy working as a group to make something entertaining and beautiful through singing,” Bender explained. “It’s great to watch and hear newer members learn the style of barbershop singing.”

Shoutout to Director Holli Houtz

All chorus members agree on one important person that deserves huge recognition. A special shoutout to the Grand Rapids Chorus of Sweet Adelines Director Holli Houtz, who has now achieved Master Director status after leading them to this record-breaking score.

“It’s amazing how much time and love we put into preparing for just a moment onstage,” Houtz said. “I’m so proud of the chorus for not only our excellent performance and score, but also the many, many hours each person dedicated to make that moment possible.”

Top stories of 2019 for Wyoming, Kentwood

January 6, 20203-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of WyomingBrena Band, Grand Rapids Chorus of Sweet Adelines, Jock Ambrose, Maura LamoreauxJoanne

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Well the calendar flipped to a new decade — it you start at zero to mark the decade — and with the changing of the calendar, we thought we would take a look at some of the most popular WKTV stories of 2019.

In compiling this list, I took a look at both page views on a story, which indicates the number of people who clicked on the article, and also social media statistics. The result is a mix of both most read and shared articles from the WKTV Journal website.

Ranking Number One

All we can say about the top 2019 story is that everyone must love a good mystery as the “Mystery billboards along US-131 revealed” was the WKTV’s most read story for 2019. The billboards which featured the words “abuse, lonely, neglect, fear, trauma, abandonment” got people talking which according to officials from D.A. Blodgett-St. John’s was the purpose in raising awareness about April’s National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Raising awareness was a huge theme in 2019 as we had a number of stories focused on that topic from a group of Grand Valley State University’s students’ efforts to raise awareness and money for Multiple Sclerosis to Crystal Lettinga’s effort to help raise awareness about Autism. An Allegan family continued its efforts to raise awareness about Richard, “Richie” Hitchcock in hopes of finding answers to what happened to Richie who disappeared 28 years ago.

A Kentwood filmmaker created a film around an idea he had to help the hungry and State Rep. Tommy Brann and U.S. Senator Gary Peters had victories in helping domestic survivors and family pets.

On the election front, concerns over preventing outside forces from tampering with the U.S. elections still remained an important topic as the Secretary of State’s office announced plans to upgrade election computers.

The spiral tower of Notre Dame. (WKTV/2004)

From the world stage, while millions watched as Notre Dame burned, members from Kentwood’s St. Mary Magdalen reflected on the 2012 fire that destroyed their church. Readers sent photos in of the famed Notre Dame and Bishop Walkowiak reflected on what the fire meant to the Catholic community.

Top 2018 stories for the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming

There was a lot of anticipation of special events, the City of Wyoming’s annual Spring Carnival, and all of the redevelopment activity at Woodland Mall which included the addition of Von Maur and The Cheesecake Factory.

Taking on cabin fever, the City of Kentwood hosted the Great Lakes Disc and Freeze Fest along with its Winter Concert Series. Another popular Kentwood story was the opening of the volleyball and football bowling courts. Also, after accepting a position on the city commission, Kentwood City Commissioner Maurice Groce made a stop to the WKTV station to discuss his continuing commitment to the city he calls home and the Detroit Tigers made a special stop to the Kentwood Police Department to help celebrate the department’s 50th anniversary.

There was a lot of activity in the City of Wyoming for 2019. The city saw the Studio 28 Flea market close after more than 50 years. In its place is the area’s first-ever workforce-dedicated housing, HOM Flats. The City of Wyoming also started the process of a new master plan.

Other top 2019 city and community stories were:

Wyoming City Council takes its meetings on the road for the summer

Kelloggsville, Kentwood Public Schools seek renewals in May special election

County’s successful courthouse therapy dogs coming to Wyoming’s district court

East Kentwood to host the largest scholastic marching band competition in Michigan

Lee High building update, County strategic plan on latest WKTV Journal In Focus

Stone Fox Ventures set to move new acquisition to Wyoming

Metro Health – University of Michigan Health becomes first GR hospital to receive HIMSS Level 7 status

From the closing of a 50-year-old market to billboards along US 131, these were the top WKTV Journal stories from

On the Playing Field

East Kentwood swim coach Jock Ambrose was certainly a popular figure in the community. The story of his retirement,“WKTV sports features retiring East Kentwood swim coach, who talks memories, gratitude,” was the the top sports story for 2019.

Former WKTV editor wins Sweet Adeline of the Year Award

June 4, 20193-bottom, Citizen JournalismColleen Pierson, Grand Rapids Chorus of Sweet Adelines, Sweet Adelines, WKTVJoanne

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.

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

August 21, 20183-bottom, City of KentwoodGrand Rapids Chorus of Sweet Adelines, Grandville High School, Queens of Harmony, Speed of Sound, Sweet AdelinesJoanne

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.