Most often, when you think of stop and drop you will add roll and recognize this as a process used to help survive a fire. Did you know that some women in our area are using a similar approach to their hobby? They stop, drop and sing after hearing one note blown on a pitch pipe. It could be said that this approach helps them SURVIVE the winter blahs.

Members of the Harbor City Music Company Show Chorus (HCMC) believe that the group offers them opportunities beyond description. That being said, let’s try to describe what causes a woman to stop and drop what she’s doing in this day and age of limited time and many demands. Imagine joining together with a group of women weekly to lift your voice in song, making music that has left audiences commenting “What a gift you gave last night!  Our audience loved you; we loved you!”

If you had an opportunity to “tune in” to the new reality show that was recently on NBC television, the SING OFF, you saw a “snippet” of this wonderful hobby. One of the competitors was from our area and their roots were in singing Sweet Adeline a cappella music. The foursome, Maxx Factor, were able to give a few of those “hip-hopping college kids” a run for the championship. These talented women came together as a result of Sweet Adelines and barbershop music.

Affiliating with HCMC or Sweet Adelines isn’t just about performing, however. It also is a chance to learn how to sing a cappella on a weekly basis, think of it as a voice lesson. During the year, the women will also meet over a weekend or two, bringing in high-caliber coaches to help them with their singing and performing (some call it a retreat. Others like to think of it more as renewal or a time to focus on YOU 24/7!)

In 2009, Harbor City Music Company members had an opportunity to share their love of music in a variety of venues. Sixty-eight of the members journeyed to Nashville, Tennessee to compete in the Sweet Adeline International Contest and brought home the Harmony Achievement Award. During the Christmas holidays, the chorus shared their love of barbershop at the Maryland State House and the Mormon Temple Visitor Center entertaining over 1,000 audience members. Both contacts at these performances want to book the chorus again in 2010!

And, some of our members form quartets, and sing in a number of venues, the most popular of which is our singing Valentines, singing love songs to folks’ loved ones – at their work, at home, at restaurants, etc.  

After a few months of hibernating, Maryland style (in 2010 that may mean reality television, Facebook or virtual games), it may be that you are ready for a little more excitement in your life. Perhaps you will consider stopping and dropping what you are doing, only to come sing with a group that is on a roll – singing!

To find out more about the chorus, call 800.856.9868 OR visit us on the web at www.harborcitymusiccompany.org/