IES 2019: CELEBRATING GOOD TIMES
IN THE UK
Four days of singing, celebrating, and learning in Manchester
O
n July 25, almost 500 Sweet Adelines gathered at Manchester’s Royal Northern College of Music for the Sweet Adelines International Education Symposium (IES). It was the first time IES was held in the UK, and the event lived up to its theme—Sing and Celebrate—from Thursday’s gala dinner to Saturday’s Rising Star Quartet Contest to the closing session on Sunday afternoon. Attendees report that IES 2019 was full of learning, friendship, and bonding. Pat Thompson of Lace City Chorus wrote that “hearing the various languages and accents from around the world” was a standout quality of IES 2019. Co-chair Elaine Hamilton (Forth Valley Chorus) agrees that “meeting people from all over the world with the same passion for singing and Sweet Adelines” was a highlight. “Everyone got on with everyone, and the passion was palpable,” she wrote. Classes with guest educator Deke Sharon, 2019 Queens of Harmony, ClassRing, and SA faculty members Alyson Chaney, Paula Davis, Lynda Keever, Lori Lyford, Judy Pozsgay and Sandy Marron impressed attendees. Glenn Chaney, director of Lace City Chorus, wrote that “the classes were well-prepared and delivered” and that “there was an amazing energy throughout the event from faculty and attendees which seemed to facilitate learning.” Co-chair Alyson Chaney agreed. “The Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester was a fabulous facility, providing us with an excellent concert hall, great classrooms with superb technical support for faculty, delicious food, and a bar where the singing continued long after the last classes in a traditional and very enjoyable afterglow!” For Ellie Blackeby, past Rising Star quartet champion (Luminous, 2007), one class stood out as a special highlight. “Lori Lyford (2019 International Champion Scottsdale Chorus) was incredibly inspirational,” wrote Blackeby. “Her skills as an educator are unparalleled. She shared her knowledge and talent in such a way that you don’t even realise you’re being taught. It’s genuine and honest, yet utterly hilarious to boot!” ClassRing’s performances and classes inspired many attendees. “One of the highlights for me was getting to know ClassRing and experiencing what down-to-earth, caring people they are who love to sing together and help others,” wrote IES Co-Chair and Past International President Paula Davis (Sound of Seattle Chorus). On Saturday night, participants got a glimpse of the future at the 2019 Rising Star Quartet Contest, which was won by Region
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| October 2019
9’s Duly Noted (profiled in this issue of The Pitch Pipe). “The audience was full to capacity and so supportive of each and every one of these fine young performers,” said Hamilton. “The standard was high, and everyone enjoyed it!” The closing session saw a surprising “Q” during the Q&A when one Sweet Adeline asked another to marry her. The response was, “Yes!” amid a roomful of cheering Sweet Adelines (and hardly a dry eye in the house!). “The energy of the closing session with the Q&A, ClassRing’s moving performance, wonderful stories of how Sweet Adelines International fills and takes care of us when needed…then a wedding proposal to top it off! Amazing!” said Davis.
If you missed out on IES this year, never fear! Registration for IES 2020 opens January 2! Next year’s IES will be held July 22–26, at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas (USA). Look for details in The Pitch Pipe and on the Sweet Adelines International website at www.sweetadelines.com/IES2020.
COUNTRIES REPRESENTED AT IES 2019 Åland Islands (FIN) • Australia Belgium • Canada • Denmark England (UK) • France Finland • Germany Ireland • Netherlands New Zealand • Scotland (UK) Sweden • United States • Wales (UK)
