The Toast of Tampa Show Chorus placed fourth at the Sweet Adelines International 71st annual Convention & Competition, which wrapped up on Oct. 14, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
This was the 13th time the group has competed on the international stage, and the group’s success is consistent with its past performances.
In 2015 and in 2013, it took third-place at the international level, in 1993 it won the top prize, and in between it had a number of top-10 finishes.
“We took 108 ladies on stage,” Beth Bosserman Curts said, via email.
“All choruses sing a 6-minute semifinals compulsory ballad and uptune,” she said. This year, there were 33 choruses representing the best of regions in 15 countries in the competition.
Those who finished in the top 10 proceeded to the finals, Curts added.
In the finals, competing choruses present a 15-minute show package.
Of the 10, the winner and second place choruses were from opposite sides of Canada, Curts said. The ninth-place winner was from Stockholm, Sweden, and the other top finishers were from Chicago, Florida, Ohio, Baltimore, California and New Jersey.
“The top five choruses sang at very, very high levels,” Curts said.
“Of the quartets, four chapter and one regional quartets sang,” Curts added.
They, too, turned in excellent performances. Windsor placed third and GQ placed fifth.
Toast of Tampa is a group of female a cappella singers that performs in four-part harmony. Its members range from age 10 to 85.
They sing under the direction of internationally recognized Tony De Rosa, performing modern, complex arrangements.
Chorus members come from throughout Tampa Bay and other parts of Florida, including Jacksonville, The Villages, Sarasota, Bradenton, Fort Myers, Orlando, Melbourne and Crystal River.
Toast of Tampa draws members from all walks of life, including military veterans, new moms, grandmothers, real estate agents, accountants and others.
Members audition to join the group and are expected to meet high expectations.
Toast of Tampa practices on Tuesdays, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., with occasional weeks off. The sessions are at the TPepin’s Hospitality Centre, at 4121 N. 50th St., in Tampa.
Those interested are welcome to come to a rehearsal to see if joining the chorus is something they wish to pursue.
Anyone wanting to know more about the group should call Toast of Tampa Show Chorus at (813) 963-7464, or email .
Toast of Tampa Show Chorus presents Standing Room Only, featuring special guest Voctive
Where: University of South Florida Music Concert Hall, 3755 Holly Drive in Tampa
When: Nov. 4, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Cost: $40 patron; $25 regular
Details: The Toast of Tampa Show Chorus is an internationally recognized female chorus that performs four-part a cappella singing. As they perform, they sing and move with emotion and precision.
Published October 25, 2017
