Page 3 - Winter 2024 Tags and Swipes Newsletter

Tags and Swipes, Winter 2024

From our Team Coordinator

We come for the music but stay for the friendships. How many times have you said or heard that? And its
so true. But I believe there is more to it than that. The friendships we have found are priceless but there
are so many other reasons we stay.

Have you discovered that your vocal production and/or performing skills have improved? When you
came to Sweet Adelines, most of us never thought of improving our skills but rather just finding a place
to sing. But now that you know we can and have improved our skills, would you like to continue to better
those skills? The Region and our choruses offer great opportunities for learning and expanding your
skills. Are you taking advantage of them as best you can? You are already paying dues which often allow
you to take advantage of these opportunities. So why not make a plan to participate in the educational
offerings?
Are you a competitive person? Do you enjoy the excitement of contest season? Again, when we came to
Sweet Adelines, we came to sing and most never realized the competition aspect of Sweet Adelines. Yet
for many, it is an exciting time, the focus on singing and performing skills, the costumes, coaching
sessions and those few minutes on stage are a large part of what makes the Sweet Adeline experience so
fulfilling. Do you go into contest season looking forward to that excitement? What can you do to make it
a positive experience for yourself and members of your group?

What has been your favorite performance? Was it when during the performance of the national anthem,
audience members spontaneously stood and placed their hands over their hearts? Was it in a memory care
unit when residents sang the words to their favorite songs right along with you? Maybe it was at a
wedding or remembrance service when family members were so touched by the performance you could
feel the emotion in the room. Each of us has experienced a performance that touched the audience and
filled our own hearts. Make this year one where you can commit to being present at more performances.

What about opportunities to sing in amazing locations or with truly wonderful other performers? Has
your group collaborated with a local symphony orchestra or a youth performing group? Have you sung in
beautiful chapels or gardens or far away places? There are many opportunities out there, you may have to
go looking for them and not wait to be asked so if this appeals to you, why not investigate these types of
events?

So yes, we stay for the friendships, but why not make this year a time to focus on the other reasons why
we love Sweet Adelines? What can you do for yourself and the other members of your group to make this
year even better for the other reasons we stay. Let’s all work on making and keeping Sweet Adelines
strong!

In harmony,

Becky King
teamcoord@sai-region1.org
Region 1 Team Coordinator

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North Atlantic Region 1 Sweet Adelines