Hitting the fourth with Sweet Adelines

The feminine version of barbershop quartet, the classic American art

form, sprung up in 1945 when the wives of barbershop quartet members

decided they’d like to join in the a cappella, four-part harmony.

Chapters exist all over the country, and there are even several in

other countries.

Costa Mesa’s Audrey Taylor, 69, and Newport Beach’s Kathleen

Brennan (who says she stopped keeping track of her age at 70), are

two of 20 members of the OC Sweet Adelines, a chapter right here in

Orange County.

The Daily Pilot’s Lindsay Sandham recently caught up with Taylor

and Brennan to hear about how they got involved in the group.

What exactly is Sweet Adelines?

Kathleen: This is an international singing organization, and this

is a local chapter. We have members coming in from all over Orange

County. This is an American art form -- four-part harmony, barbershop

style, a cappella.

So it’s like a female version of barbershop quartet?

Kathleen: Yes, they started it, then a lot of their wives decided

they wanted to do harmony also, so the ladies’ group got put together

in 1945.

Has it lost any popularity since then?

Kathleen: No, not at all.

Audrey: They have it in different countries.

Kathleen: It’s in all 50 states and other countries -- Germany,

Japan, Australia, Sweden, Netherlands, all of them. But here is the

really interesting thing: When any of them happen to sing in a

competition, they must sing this American art form in English.

How long have you been involved in OC Sweet Adelines?

Kathleen: I have been in since 1983.

Audrey: I’m a newbie. It’s been three years.

How did you get involved?

Audrey: I saw a listing in the Pilot, under the “Getting Involved”

section.

Kathleen: I was in the Newport area and attending a function. They

had entertainment there. There was a barbershop quartet, this was a

long time ago, they were called the Beach Nuts. Well, they knocked my

socks off. And they moved from one corner to another corner of the

room, so I left my seat and I started following them around. So

finally, one of the fellows said to me, “You really like this

singing?” And I said [I was enjoying it so much.] He told me they

have the same thing for the girls too.

So you must have had some singing experience?

Audrey: Well, I sung in church choirs before, but this is quite

different.

Kathleen: I have a degree in music, and I was in musicals, but

that’s totally different from barbershop singing. That can get you

into trouble. There’s a technique to singing barbershop -- the styles

must match perfectly and the diphthong -- instead of singing “I,” you

would sing “ahhh-eee” and we all have got to sing “ahhh-eee” or it’s

not going to be in perfect harmony.

That must be pretty hard to get 20 women all in perfect harmony?

Kathleen: Well, remember, it’s four different harmonies. So that

means lots of sectional work. We have this outstanding director

[Liane Harper] who was born into barbershop singing.

How frequently do you practice?

Kathleen: Well, we all practice at home. We’re supposed to

practice every day. We meet once a week.

Where is your favorite place to practice when you’re on your own?

Audrey: I usually practice in the living room, and I have my tape

recorder -- we have practice tapes -- and I have my piano, so I go

over my part on the piano and then I go over it with the practice

tapes.

Kathleen: I do the same thing. We’re fortunate ... to have tapes.

When I first started, we didn’t. I have a piano also, and I check

myself to make sure.

Do you ever get people who want to participate, but maybe don’t

have a good singing voice?

Kathleen: Well, we have these wonderful methods for helping them

out, for correcting or helping them with their problems.

Audrey: We have coaches that help them with their voice

production.

Kathleen: If they have any singing abilities, even if they have a

problem, we’re going to find a way to help them out.

Audrey: I have had more instruction on vocal production in the

three years that I’ve been with Sweet Adelines than in all the years

that I sung in church choir. Their education is phenomenal.

So, your group works with charities also?

Kathleen: One of the nicest things about Sweet Adelines, once you

get in and get hooked, are the wonderful quality of ladies you meet.

They’re just absolutely delightful and so interesting and have done

so much. At the drop of a hat, we’ll sing anyplace, so if we can help

someone out right now, we’d love to have a charity that we could help

assist with their fundraisers.

Do you have any younger members?

Kathleen: Oh, heavens yes! And we have young women in harmony,

some age 16, I think. Young women are being encouraged to join and

are becoming quite interested. If there’s an appreciation for this

sound, it’s there, and they seek it out.

What is your favorite thing about being involved with OC Sweet

Adelines?

Audrey: I love learning the music, and I just really enjoy the

women, meeting the women. And of course, it’s fun to get all gussied

up.

Kathleen: Of course, the music first, but then the camaraderie

that grows from working together intensely.