The Wichita Chorus is part of Sweet Adelines International, an amazing group of women, singing real harmony, and having real fun today! Our Chorus invites women to enrich their lives by realizing their full singing potential. You’ll be amazed by the unlimited experiences and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities you’ll find as a member.
The Wichita Chorus received its charter on April 23, 1951, with 26 members singing under the direction of Jack Midgley. The chorus placed 2nd in their first competition in 1951. In 1953 and 1954, the chorus placed 2nd and 1st, respectively.
In 1956 Wichita hosted the 10th Annual International Convention. While searching our archives in 2011 for our 60th Anniversary, it was found that the chorus hosted the 1961 9th Annual Midwest Region 7 Competition and it was the 4th annual Quartet contest. In 1963, the 1st Novice Quartet competition was held in Wichita. The chorus has been made up of many different sizes of membership through the years (up to 109 members in the 1990’s). Currently, Wichita is a member of Region 25.
We have been directed by several amazing directors over the years:
1951 Jack Midgley
1956 Bill Harper
1958 Kelton (Kelt) Packard
1968 Melodee (Melo) Wright
1999 Judy Alterman
2007 Melodee Wright
2009 Mary Halsig & Melodee Wright
2010 Melodee Wright, Melissa Lindholm & Melynnie Williams
2011 Melynnie Williams
Through the years there have been many costumes, and many songs. Best remembered and loved are probably the following: (1) the ‘Ponyboy’ package performed at the 1980 International contest that featured a rip-away costume for the front row to reveal them wearing jockey outfits. (The Wichita Chorus is proud to be among the first to do a costume change on stage.); and (2) the ‘Irish’ package–the chorus sang their hearts out as Irish lasses with Director, Melodee, dressed as a Leprechaun, with an actual shillelagh and bright orange hair! Both of these packages achieved an International placement of 5th for the Wichita Chorus.
There have been many other wonderful memories for the Wichita Chorus and we look forward to many more!
