Oregon Spirit Chorus gets international attention

Salem's musical organizations continue to excel.

In April, the Oregon Spirit Chorus won the Division A chorus championship at the Sweet Adelines International Region 12 Chorus Contest in Reno, Nev. Recently, the chorus learned that its competition score finished in the top five Division A scores internationally. This qualifies the group to compete in the 2015 Harmony Classic, an international competition showcasing the top 10 small and mid-sized choruses in Sweet Adelines International.

"We were stunned," Tammy Roberson, the chorus' membership coordinator, said about the news. "We're this little chorus. We didn't think of ourselves in terms of national competition."

"I think most of the chorus doesn't realize how special they are and how unusual it is for a chorus this young to do so well," Master Director Kathy Scheel said.

Scheel has directed the chorus since a group of women gathered to sing during the 2005 holiday season. Afterward, they decided to pursue membership in Sweet Adelines International, an organization of women that advances barbershop harmony through performance, education and competition. The Oregon Spirit Chorus was chartered in 2007 and has won five regional division championships.

This is their first Harmony Classic qualification. They celebrated with cake and champagne. Then they began preparing for the international competition, which will be October 2015 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

"We know that it's a possibility that some members won't be able to afford to go, so our big push this year will be fundraising," Sheel said.

The chorus needs to find sponsors. Members will be fundraising to pay for their travel, lodging, costumes and other competition costs. They'll attend weekly rehearsals and weekend retreats as they learn and polish their music. They also will perform their regular season and its repertoire. The dates for these performances have yet to be determined.

"It's not just going and singing. It's representing our region," Sheel said. "We're the first chorus in the state that has ever gone to the Harmony Classic."

TRastrelli@StatesmanJournal.com, (503) 983-6030 or follow on Twitter @RastrelliSJNotes

For more information about the Oregon Spirit Chorus and future performances, go to oregonspirit.org.