Sweet Adelines 75th Anniversary Celebration
Celebrate Sweet Adelines International’s 75th anniversary with history, trivia, performances, and more during our 2020 virtual celebration!
Everyone is invited to join the fun on Sweet Adelines International’s social media channels — and... right here! From July 13–Oct. 17, visitors will find stories from members (some of whom have been Sweet Adelines for over 50 years!), historical milestones, trivia, performances, and more under the hashtag #SweetAds75.
Sweet Adelines are a diverse community of singers of all ages and abilities who come together through their love of barbershop music and stay together for the enduring friendships that result from singing close harmony. This year’s virtual 75th anniversary is an example of the way Sweet Adelines are using their creativity and resourcefulness to stay together in spirit while they must remain physically distanced for safety. Join in the online celebration and find out what it means to be Sweet Adelines Strong!
Use the drop down below to view* the celebrations divided by category.
*Content will be added daily beginning on Monday, July 13.
Side note: We think you're gonna like it here — and would love to hear your Sweet Adelines stories! Send your story submissions to communications@sweetadelines.com. (For submission ideas, please see drop down below.)
Celebrate 75 years of Sweet Adelines by adding the Facebook frame to your profile picture and using the camera effect with videos and photos you share on our birthday, July 13 -- Barbershop Music Appreciation Day! Remember to include #SweetAdelinesDay in your posts (on July 13) and #SweetAds75 from July 13-October 17 so we can find and re-share on our social media channels! We look forward to celebrating 75 years of Sweet Adelines with you!
Singin’ on Tulsa Time…On July 13, music fans around the world celebrate Barbershop Music Appreciation Day – a day that commemorates the founding of Sweet Adelines International in Tulsa, Oklahoma (USA). On our 75th birthday as an organization, Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum issued a proclamation in honor of Sweet Adelines International. Happy Sweet Adelines Day!
Serving as Sweet Adelines International President requires dedication, vision, and lots of energy! Learn about the leaders who have taken on this important role throughout the years.
Since 1947, quartets have competed for the title of Sweet Adelines International Quartet Champion.
Since 1973, choruses have competed for the title of Sweet Adelines International Champion Chorus.
Throughout our 75th anniversary celebration, we'll post photos on our social media and website of dolls representing all our champion choruses and quartets, each dressed in a handmade replica of the costume the singers wore on the international stage. The dolls are housed and lovingly cared for at Sweet Adelines International Headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma (USA) in the Hughes Gehrke Champion Showcase. We are very grateful for the generosity of Shelly Hughes and Mike Gehrke. Thanks to their philanthropic support, we are able to acknowledge the success of our quartets and choruses over the years in this special way.
Since 2000, small choruses (up to 30 members) have competed for the title of Sweet Adelines International Division A Harmony Classic Champion.
Since 2000, mid-size choruses (31-60 members) have competed for the title of Sweet Adelines International Division AA Harmony Classic Champion.
Since 1999, Sweet Adelines International has encouraged young quartet singers through the Rising Star Quartet Contest.
Sweet Adelines International presents several awards to outstanding members, including the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Ann Gooch Award, and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Award. Learn more about the awards and their recipients here.
Read about unusual gigs, important happenings, and other Sweet Adelines historical highlights — and check out retro costumes and hairdos — in the “Countdown to 75” articles from The Pitch Pipe! Each article is separated by decade, so click on your favorite to find out what was going on in our early years.
It’s Trivia Time, Sweet Adelines! Tuesdays and Thursdays between July 13 and Oct. 17, answer a Sweet Adelines trivia question in the comment section on Facebook. Winners’ names will be listed on the following day. It’s part of our #SweetAds75 virtual celebration!
What’s Sweet Adelines life like? In celebration of our 75th anniversary, Sweet Adelines from around the world shared photos, videos, and memories of the barbershopping life.
That time you lost your shoes backstage and a stranger came to your rescue. The first time you sang onstage with your quartet…in those wild costumes, with that hairstyle that was cool at the time. That time you were star struck at the International Convention when you met your barbershop inspiration in the elevator. We know you have stories, and we want to hear them (with pictures and video)! In honor of Barbershop Music Appreciation Day and the 75th anniversary of Sweet Adelines, send photos or videos, and a short summary to communications@sweetadelines.com. We will share to our social media channels between July 13 and Oct. 17! (Note: members in the photos, videos and story must agree to share the story on Sweet Adelines social media channels.)
