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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.
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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 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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