Since 1980 when I went to my first Sweet Adelines rehearsal I have been �hooked� on barbershop harmony! I discovered this international 30,000-member women�s a cappella singing organization promotes the artform of four-part barbershop harmony through education and performance, which really appealed to me.
Over the years I�ve sung with three choruses and seven quartets. There were plenty of opportunities to serve in both administrative and musical leadership roles, including the directing of two award-winning choruses � Mt Sugarloaf Chorus (South Deerfield) and Wayside Chorus (Sudbury/ Framingham).
Last year I retired from directing the Wayside Chorus and now sing with the 110+ member Liberty Belle Chorus based in Arlington, MA. This talented group can really ring those barbershop chords! Locally, I often perform with my current quartet, �In Sync� (not to be confused with the popular �boy band� � we actually have had the name since 1996!).
Both choruses and quartets love to perform in a variety of venues � shows, competitions, shopping malls, banquets, holiday events � wherever entertainment is appropriate! Two of the most memorable performances include competing at the 1981 International Chorus Competition in San Antonio with the Wayside Chorus and joining over 13,000 Sweet Adelines in song in 1996 at the Superdome in New Orleans to celebrate the organization�s 50th anniversary. But the absolutely most thrilling experience was directing Wayside in the �Star Spangled Banner� at the 1999 CPCU Annual Convention at the Hynes Auditorium, with General Colin Powell standing only a few feet from me! Talk about a lump in the throat!
Lois lives in Auburn, Massachusetts and is a Project Manager in the Information Systems department at Commerce Insurance Company.
