Toast of Tampa Show Chorus
Toast of Tampa Show Chorus is an a cappella, female-only chorus, composed of 100 women singers of all ages. The non-profit group, a chapter of Sweet Adelines International, competes and performs around the world, and is considered to be among the best barbershop music choruses in the world.[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
The chorus is composed of women from a variety of personal and professional backgrounds, from working women, stay-at-home mothers, students, and retirees. Some are professional musicians, though most are passionate amateurs. Musical training is not a pre-requisite, auditions are required to join.[4]
The chorus sings and dances together, and some members also perform in quartets, including Viva! (Sweet Adelines International 2019 2nd place medalist). On Valentine's Day, many quartets deliver singing telegrams.[5]
Tony De Rosa, is the chorus's Master 700 Director. He is a four-time Barbershop Harmony Society International Gold Medalist who sang with 1992 champion Keepsake, 2000 champion Platinum, 2007 champion Max Q, and (currently) 2017 champion Main Street[6] He also directs the Barbershop Harmony Society's Tampa Bay Heralds of Harmony. In 2013 was named a level Master 700 Director in the Director Certification Program (DCP) of Sweet Adelines.[7]
Rehearsals are held in Tampa, and chorus members come from all over the state of Florida.[8]
In October, 2014, several chorus members joined fellow singers from the Big Orange Chorus, and Tampa Bay Heralds of Harmony, on a trip to Great Britain where they performed at Bath Abbey, King's College Cambridge University, and numerous other churches.[9]
Awards
- Sweet Adelines Coastal Harmony Region 9 Annual Competition, Daytona, First Place (2018)
- Sweet Adelines International Convention and Competition, Las Vegas, Fourth Place (2017)
- Sweet Adelines Coastal Harmony Region 9 Annual Competition, Daytona, First Place (2016)
- Sweet Adelines International Convention and Competition, Las Vegas, Third Place (2015)
- Sweet Adelines Atlantic-Gulf Region 9 Annual Competition, Daytona, First Place, and Region 9’s Deena Tanenblatt Showmanship Award (2014)
- Sweet Adelines International Convention and Competition, Honolulu, Third Place (2013)
- Sweet Adelines International Convention and Competition, Houston, Fifth Place (2011)
- Sweet Adelines International Convention and Competition, Indianapolis, First Place "Best in the World" (1993)
References
- ^ Nipps, Emily. "Sweet, sweet melodies". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
- ^ Barron, Christina. "Toasting Tampa: Women Find Power In Harmony". 83 Degrees. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
- ^ Malkoff, Amy. "Toast Of Tampa Show Chorus Places At Competition". CASA The Contemporary A Capella Society.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|url=(help) - ^ Mckenzie, Joyce. "Toast of Tampa chorus wins 3rd place at women's competition". TBO. The Tampa Tribune. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
- ^ Patterson, Kimberly. "Toast Of Tampa Offers To Sing To Your Valentine". 83degrees. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
- ^ "Bio: Tony De Rosa". MaxQ. Archived from the original on 22 August 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
- ^ Edwards, Benjamin. "Tony De Rosa Achieves Master Director 700 Status". BarbershopHistory.com. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
- ^ Ide, Lora. "Local singer shines in Sweet Adeline group". Ocala.com. Ocala StarBanner. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
- ^ "Harmony Roundups". MyEmags.Biz. Retrieved 29 June 2015.