Toast of Tampa Show Chorus

Toast of Tampa Show Chorus is an a cappella, female-only chorus, composed of 140 women singers of all ages. The non-profit group, a part of Sweet Adelines International, competes and performs around the world, and is considered to be among the best known barbershop music choruses in the state of Florida.[1]

History

Toast of Tampa was founded in 1987 as a vehicle for women to sing in four part harmony and express their love of music.[2] The mission of the chorus is commitment to "musical excellence while promoting barbershop harmony, friendship, education, self-esteem and a sense of belonging among women of all ages, races, creeds or ethnicities." [3]

Chorus Overview

Originally the group was composed of stay-at-home-mothers, career women and retirees. Today there are also students,and although musical training is not a pre-requisite, auditions are required to join.[4]

While the entire chorus sings and dances together, there are also several quartets performing within the group, including Touche' (Sweet Adelines International 2013 Champions). On Valentine's Day, many of the quartets deliver singing telegrams.[5]

The group's current director is Tony DeRosa, a former two-time gold medalist who sang baritone with 1992 champions Keepsake and 2000 champions Platinum.[6] He is also director for the Big Orange Chorus and the Heralds of Harmony, and in 2013 was named a level Master 700 Director in the Director Certification Program (DCP) of Sweet Adelines.[7]

Rehearsals are held in Tampa, however chorus members come from all over the state.[8]

In October, 2014, several chorus members joined fellow singers from the Big Orange Chorus, and Heralds of Harmony, on a trip to Great Britain where they performed at the Bath Abby, Cambridge University, and numerous other churches.[9]

Awards

References

  1. ↑ Nipps, Emily. "Sweet, sweet melodies". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  2. ↑ Barron, Christina. "Toasting Tampa: Women Find Power In Harmony". 83 Degrees. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  3. ↑ Malkoff, Amy. "Toast Of Tampa Show Chorus Places At Competition". CASA The Contemporary A Capella Society.
  4. ↑ Mckenzie, Joyce. "Toast of Tampa chorus wins 3rd place at women’s competition". TBO. The Tampa Tribune. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  5. ↑ Patterson, Kimberly. "Toast Of Tampa Offers To Sing To Your Valentine". 83degrees. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  6. ↑ "Bio: Tony DeRosa". MaxQ. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  7. ↑ Edwards, Benjamin. "Tony DeRosa Achieves Master Director 700 Status". BarbershopHistory.com. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  8. ↑ Ide, Lora. "Local singer shines in Sweet Adeline group". Ocala.com. Ocala StarBanner. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  9. ↑ "Harmony Roundups". MyEmags.Biz. Retrieved 29 June 2015.

External Links

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