From the very beginning Bluewater Chorus of Sweet Adelines has had an undeniable special spirit that has continued to exist for over 25 years. It all started on a summer evening in June of 1978. A few of us responded to an advertisement in the paper to start a Sweet Adeline Chorus. Doreen Glasgow, who put the ad in the paper, was the wife of a barber-shop-per. She became our founding member. During the two years that we were a prospective chorus we enjoyed sing-outs, a show, learning lots of songs, and that spirit started to grow.
We were extremely lucky to have Becky Daniels come to Owen Sound and become our Director. She was Director of the Scarborough Chorus and a very experience Sweet Adeline. She gave us such a good start. We had no difficulty getting our charter with Becky at he helm. In 1980 we charted with 36 members. Out first year of competing we won the novice chorus award. Becky is forever in our hearts as a most gracious and talented lady who left Bluewater with her own special spirit.
We worked very hard to build our chorus, sewing costumes, raising money for risers, competing, putting on mega shows. Were not sure how we did it all now that we are 25 years older. But we are sure it had a lot to do with the Bluewater Espirit Dcorp. We actually had a committee with this name that kept moral high and members motivated.
After Becky left us her protégé Doris Waite, a talented energetic lady, became our director. Doris directed us through two fist place small chorus awards and several great shows. She was always bubbling with Bluewater spirits. Doris moved on to direct Harmony North Chorus in Region 16.
For the last 8 years, Bluewater has been under the direction of Sue Murdoch. Sue is an original charter member with more than forty years of vocal experience. Always a big part of the spirit of this group, she puts her heart and soul into the growth of the chorus. Sues comments about Bluewater: Im so proud to be the musical leader of a chorus who are not only fantastic performers, they are also my best friends.
Over the years we have grown and learned together musically. We all started out as mainly young mothers and retired ladies. Now in 2005, we are small but dynamic group of busy women who love the excitement of singing hour-part harmony barbershop style. A core of charter and long-term members have kept the chorus strong through the ups and downs of 25 years of singing. But as we have evolved, our newer members, our music and our friendships have kept us strong.
After 25 years Bluewater Espirit Dcorp is alive and well living in the hearts of this very special group of singers.