OUR QUARTETS

Quartet singing is encouraged among our membership. Our local coaches help quartets form and select music. Pam Dorsey and Allen Hatton teach valuable skills and motivate our quartets to achieve a higher level of vocal and performance technique.  These skills in turn enhance Derby City’s performance level. Our quartets perform at local venues and compete regionally and internationally with great success.
 


Grace Wooding - Bass, Pam Ludke - Tenor, Dr. Jean Swigert - Lead, Michelle Evans - Baritone
Contact: Michelle Evans at mevans1@jefferson.k12.ky.us

Topaz

Topaz (sometimes known as the Fiesty 4) was formed in January of 2003 when four women with a interesting blend of personalities and voices decided to learn the art and craft of quartet singing. Short on quartet experience but long on desire, Topaz took stage for the first time in March 2004. As Fiesty 4, the quartet achieved the SAI Region 4 “Ruth Doll Novice Quartet Award” for 2005. Topaz is also very proud to have been invited to International competition in both 2005 and 2006. In November 2007, Topaz will again be on stage, this time in London, Ontario, having earned a place in that International competition.

Dr. Jean Swigert, lead, joined Topaz in 2006. Jean played saxophone for eight years in grade and high school, and has sung most of her life in church choirs. When she joined Derby City Chorus she experienced a new kind of singing and performing and soon became a member of a quartet. She sings lead and baritone in the chorus. Usually quiet and soft spoken, she is an indispensable member of the Board/Management Team. As owner of Derby City Animal Hospital, she is a compassionate and efficient veterinarian, and business person.

Pam Ludke, our tenor, joined Derby City Chorus in 2001.Pam sings baritone and tenor in the chorus. A former professional violinist with orchestras from Missouri to New York, “the arts” is her second love; her husband Dave is number one. Pam is loves retirement because it gives her time for oil painting, playing with her horses and chickens, and of course singing. She brings the group determination, attitude, and fresh eggs.

Michelle, a baritone and member of DCC since 1990, works for the Board of Education doing clerical work in the General Maintenance Department. She brings her ever ready pitch pipe and gentle harmony to the group. Michelle serves as Assistant Treasurer of the Derby City Board/Management Team. When she is not singing, Michelle enjoys crocheting, occasional knitting and cross-stitching projects, is a frequent ribbon winner at State Fair, and enjoys a good book.

Our bass, Mary Spencer, joined Topaz in 2008. Mary discovered barbershop in 2004 when she joined Derby City. She is currently serving as Secretary for the chorus’s Board/Management Team. Mary is active in her church’s music program – assistant choir director, vocal ensemble member, and bass player. In real life, she’s wife to Steve and Mom to Lee and Tim, and she works for an alarm company as Operations Manager. Whenever she has spare time, she likes to do as little as possible.

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Debi Miller - Bass, Mary Rumsey - Tenor, Rosemary Hasch - Lead, Valinda - Baritone

The Twilights

The Twilights officially formed on August 13 2006 when friends Mary Rumsey and Rosemary Hasch asked Valinda Petri to sing with them. We three went on a search for a bass and Jody Zack from Indianapolis joined us. Unfortunately Jody was only with us a short time and we were on the search for another bass. Debi Miller of Indianapolis gladly joined our quartet and we have been having a lot of fun since then. We are four busy women who manage to put singing at the top of our list of favorite things to do along with all of our other commitments.

Debi has been singing barbershop since she was 11 years old. She got stuck singing bass in a quartet in school since no one wanted to sing the "ugly" part. She has sung in a total of nine quartets most recently "Hot Topic' where her quartet won the title of 2003 Harmony Queens. She shares her life with a great man, Dave and 3 lovely doggies! Rosemary has been singing lead since 5th grade followed by singing in the Madrigals and A cappella groups in high school. She sang with the multi-award winning Diamond Girls quartet from 1990-2003. She has been married to David for 7 years. She has a step-daughter Lauren and two lovely 4-legged children Lucy and Annabell. Mary is a natural tenor and says she has been singing since she was 3! She is the assistant director of Derby City Chorus and has sung in 3 other quartets over the years. She has been married to Steve for 7 years and has a 13 year old son. Valinda has always sung the harmony part to songs automatically even to VanHalen so she is a natural baritone. She has sang in 3 other quartets most recently Sapphire Blues from 1998-2006. She has been married to Glenn for 25 years. They have 3 dogs who are totally spoiled.

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