The Wichita Chorus had many performances during the Holiday Season of 2010 some of which
have become an annual event such as singing at The Botanica and ‘Lights on the Lake’ event at
Heartspring in Wichita. We held our annual “Cookies, Cocoa, Carols & Crafts fundraiser on
December 4, 2010 at our (then) rehearsal location, the Midtown Community Resource Center.
Guests were able to shop at holiday vendors’ booths while enjoying musical selections from the
chorus and our guest singers. As in past years, women from the local community were invited to
join us to learn Christmas carols and participate in performances for the Christmas season. In
2010, we partnered with the local DECCCA organization by inviting their clients to come visit
Santa, shop and share in the Holiday event enjoying Cookies, Cocoa & Carols. Thanks to Pam
Williams and her committee for putting this all together.
We greatly missed not competing this past spring but have been spending the time and resources
in rebuilding, revamping and renewing our chorus as we have moved into our 60th Anniversary
year. We are proud to welcome Melynnie Williams, (Bass of Zing! 2010 Queens of Harmony) as
one of three Directors. Melynnie is an inspiration to the chorus and demands us to step up and do
our best. Melodee Wright continues to direct and support the Wichita Chorus as does Melissa
Lindholm.
We welcomed a ‘future’ Sweet Adeline to our chorus family with the July 18 birth of Chloe,
daughter of Director Melissa and hubby Josh Lindholm. The chorus looks forward to Melissa’s
return to directing, and being able to watch Chloe grow as we have watched her big brother Eli.
The summer of 2011 found us with show preparations, reunion events, finding a new rehearsal
location, and an executing, aggressive membership drive.
On August 20, 2011 the Wichita Chorus presented “Diamond Jubilee-60 Years of Harmony” at
Mary Jane Teall Theater at Century II in Wichita. We once again extended the invitation to local
women to learn several numbers as part of our “Sing for the Summer” program and we are
gleaning several new members from this project. We featured such numbers as “When I Lift Up My
Head” and “Lion Sleeps Tonight” with these ladies.
We learned several 8-part songs with our singing gentlemen friends again this year and we were
excited to have our very own 1977 Queens of Harmony, “The Shondells” reunite to perform on the
show.
A 60th Anniversary luncheon was held at noon Aug 20, attended by approximately 55 current and
former members of WCSA. Invitations were sent to all former members, and some who could not
attend the festivities sent letters of update. We were glad to hear from each of them, and of
course delighted to see former members.
Pictures of highlights of each decade of the chorus were displayed as were competition costumes
of years gone by. It was a wonderful time to share many memories with past members and a good
time was had by all.
have become an annual event such as singing at The Botanica and ‘Lights on the Lake’ event at
Heartspring in Wichita. We held our annual “Cookies, Cocoa, Carols & Crafts fundraiser on
December 4, 2010 at our (then) rehearsal location, the Midtown Community Resource Center.
Guests were able to shop at holiday vendors’ booths while enjoying musical selections from the
chorus and our guest singers. As in past years, women from the local community were invited to
join us to learn Christmas carols and participate in performances for the Christmas season. In
2010, we partnered with the local DECCCA organization by inviting their clients to come visit
Santa, shop and share in the Holiday event enjoying Cookies, Cocoa & Carols. Thanks to Pam
Williams and her committee for putting this all together.
We greatly missed not competing this past spring but have been spending the time and resources
in rebuilding, revamping and renewing our chorus as we have moved into our 60th Anniversary
year. We are proud to welcome Melynnie Williams, (Bass of Zing! 2010 Queens of Harmony) as
one of three Directors. Melynnie is an inspiration to the chorus and demands us to step up and do
our best. Melodee Wright continues to direct and support the Wichita Chorus as does Melissa
Lindholm.
We welcomed a ‘future’ Sweet Adeline to our chorus family with the July 18 birth of Chloe,
daughter of Director Melissa and hubby Josh Lindholm. The chorus looks forward to Melissa’s
return to directing, and being able to watch Chloe grow as we have watched her big brother Eli.
The summer of 2011 found us with show preparations, reunion events, finding a new rehearsal
location, and an executing, aggressive membership drive.
On August 20, 2011 the Wichita Chorus presented “Diamond Jubilee-60 Years of Harmony” at
Mary Jane Teall Theater at Century II in Wichita. We once again extended the invitation to local
women to learn several numbers as part of our “Sing for the Summer” program and we are
gleaning several new members from this project. We featured such numbers as “When I Lift Up My
Head” and “Lion Sleeps Tonight” with these ladies.
We learned several 8-part songs with our singing gentlemen friends again this year and we were
excited to have our very own 1977 Queens of Harmony, “The Shondells” reunite to perform on the
show.
A 60th Anniversary luncheon was held at noon Aug 20, attended by approximately 55 current and
former members of WCSA. Invitations were sent to all former members, and some who could not
attend the festivities sent letters of update. We were glad to hear from each of them, and of
course delighted to see former members.
Pictures of highlights of each decade of the chorus were displayed as were competition costumes
of years gone by. It was a wonderful time to share many memories with past members and a good
time was had by all.
Ila Wright, (mother of Melodee Wright), a 60 Year Lifetime member of
WCSA passed away in late February 2011. She had served as Public
Relations Chair and Chorus Manager for many years as well as
numerous other committees. As we prepared for our Reunion and the
Show, Melodee found many items of memorabilia that Ila had collected
over the years. Many of her chorus ‘treasures’ were displayed at the
reunion happenings.
NEW REHEARSAL SITE
We moved to a larger facility for rehearsals as of September 8th. The Forum, at 147 S. Hillside, is a work in progress and a real ‘Diamond in
the Rough”. It has provided dedicated space for us to call home and allow us to keep our risers set up all of the time. We look forward to being
a part of this new Arts and Entertainment facility in Wichita
.
MEMBERSHIP AND RETENTION ACTIVITIES
Our membership chair has presented us with an aggressive goal of 30 new members by summer 2012. The chorus hosted a special guest
night with 19 guests attending; local news releases have increased, and increased follow-up to prospective members has kept the Membership
and Retention Committee busy. Recently bumper stickers with a catchy phrase and contact information have been made available . Our
website has also been the source of numerous inquiries about WCSA. The chorus has placed a strong emphasis on acknowledging and
promoting current members so everyone knows how important each is to the success and growth of our chorus.
We are looking forward to many performance opportunities for the Christmas Season and are making plans for next spring’s Regional Chorus
Contest.
The Wichita Chorus is “ON THE MOVE”!
We moved to a larger facility for rehearsals as of September 8th. The Forum, at 147 S. Hillside, is a work in progress and a real ‘Diamond in
the Rough”. It has provided dedicated space for us to call home and allow us to keep our risers set up all of the time. We look forward to being
a part of this new Arts and Entertainment facility in Wichita
.
MEMBERSHIP AND RETENTION ACTIVITIES
Our membership chair has presented us with an aggressive goal of 30 new members by summer 2012. The chorus hosted a special guest
night with 19 guests attending; local news releases have increased, and increased follow-up to prospective members has kept the Membership
and Retention Committee busy. Recently bumper stickers with a catchy phrase and contact information have been made available . Our
website has also been the source of numerous inquiries about WCSA. The chorus has placed a strong emphasis on acknowledging and
promoting current members so everyone knows how important each is to the success and growth of our chorus.
We are looking forward to many performance opportunities for the Christmas Season and are making plans for next spring’s Regional Chorus
Contest.
The Wichita Chorus is “ON THE MOVE”!
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