Page 29 - Fall 2022 Tags and Swipes

Tags and Swipes, Fall 2022

Sound of New England Chorus

Greetings from Sound of New England Chorus! Summer is nearly over and it's time to reflect on what we
accomplished over these past months. We worked many weeks to get our two contest songs in shape for
our contest video submission. On April 26 our three newest members, Marinka Koenis, Andrea Sokolowski
and Laura Towles were presented with their butterfly - wings pin. This is a tradition established by Marion
several years ago and recognizes members on their first competition with SONE. WINGS is an
anachronym for Wonderful, Inspiring, New, Great Singers and commemorates our love for these newbies
who have brought their skills and enthusiasm to our chorus. The video was completed on May
3rd. Producing the video was definitely a very emotional experience for all of us since we had not done
anything simulating an actual competition or performance for over two years! We closed the evening by
clasping hands and singing "How We Sang Today". Tears flowed freely!

Many of us watched the Region 1 contest in person or via computer and cheered for dual member, Laura
Towles (Farmington Valley) and Val Reynolds, the bari for SAFFRON. We were thrilled to hear Harmony
on the Sound broke all sorts of records with an amazing 662 score. Go HOTS! Congratulations to
SAFFRON for their first place win and to Millenium Magic and Royal River for their stellar
performances. Kudos to all participants of this first post COVID contest! Well done!

In June we had installation of the management team: Marion Devokaitas, Angie Levine, Laura Pienkowski,
Sue Sidewater and Andrea Sokolowski. We are grateful these women have committed themselves to
leading our chorus through the coming year. Later in the evening we had a surprise farewell party for
Marinka who will be returning to her home in the Netherlands as her post graduate work has been completed
here in the USA. She has been a welcome addition to SONE with her spontaneity and verve. And none of
us will ever forget her flexibility!! She could have been a contortionist !! We will truly miss Marinka and
wish her all the best as she returns to her homeland.

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North Atlantic Region 1 Sweet Adelines