By Katrina Grant
The Jersey Sound Chorus of Sweet Adelines International, the largest women’s organization in the world, will be bringing its music to Burlington County in an interesting game of Jeopardy. The “Jersey Sound in Jeopardy” event will feature the chorus answering trivia questions in four-part a cappella harmony, barbershop-style singing.
The Medford Lakes chapter, which has members from Shamong, Tabernacle and other surrounding areas, of the Jersey Sound Chorus of Sweet Adelines International has 55 members and will be celebrating its 50th anniversary next year.
“Everyone’s heard of the men’s barbershop quartets,” Chris Slusser, public relations chairperson said. “Everyone heard their dads singing in them. The wives of the barbers said that they could sing to, so they started their own chapter.”
Slusser’s mother helped start the chapter, and it has grown ever since. The chorus performs one annual show and smaller shows two to three times a month.
“We perform a lot more around the holidays,” Slusser said. “Some people or groups will hire us to do shows. We do singing Valentines. We performed at a beef and beer and spaghetti dinners. We have also sung the national anthem at Eagles’ and Riversharks’ games.”
In addition to performing at local events, the choir also competes in out-of-state competitions.
“There are 26 choruses in our region,” Slusser said. “We just competed in Ocean City, Maryland, and placed fifth out of 26. The international competition was in Dallas. You have to place first in order to be able to compete there. Sweden actually has a real good choir. They place high.”
Any woman over the age of 18 is able to join the choir; the group practices every Wednesday.
“We do want people that can sing, but we will teach you to sing,” Slusser said. “The mission of our group is to educate women on how to be better singers.”
This year, Slusser is in charge of the show. She originally wanted the choir to perform in a Great Race style show, but ultimately decided it probably wouldn’t work.
“I just didn’t think the logistics of it would work,” Slusser said. “Game shows are popular, so that’s why I picked Jeopardy.”
In addition to performing, the choir also supports charities and has a scholarship.
“We have a charity for a woman’s abuse shelter,” Slusser said. “Our scholarship is for any high school girl pursuing a career in music.”
The show will take place at the Burlington County Institute of Technology, 695 Woodlane Road, Westampton on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. General Admission: $15; student/senior: $12; group rate (10 or more): $10.To purchase tickets or for more information, contact Natalie Mitchell at (856) 753–0680 or edandnat@comcast.net or visit www.jerseysound.org.
