Toast of Tampa Show Chorus explained

Toast of Tampa Show Chorus is an a cappella, female-only chorus, composed of 100 women singers of all ages. The non-profit group, a chapter of Sweet Adelines International, competes and performs around the world, and is considered locally to be among the best barbershop music choruses in the world.[1]

History

Toast of Tampa was founded in 1987 as a vehicle for women to sing in four part harmony and express their love of music.[2]

Chorus overview

The chorus is composed of women from a variety of personal and professional backgrounds, from working women, stay-at-home mothers, students, and retirees. Some are professional musicians, though most are passionate amateurs. Musical training is not a pre-requisite, auditions are required to join.[3]

The chorus sings and dances together, and some members also perform in quartets, including Viva! (Sweet Adelines International 2019 2nd place medalist). On Valentine's Day, many quartets deliver singing telegrams.[4]

Tony De Rosa, is the chorus's Master 700 Director. He is a four-time Barbershop Harmony Society International Gold Medalist who sang with 1992 champion Keepsake, 2000 champion Platinum, 2007 champion Max Q, and (currently) 2017 champion Main Street[5] He also directs the Barbershop Harmony Society's Tampa Bay Heralds of Harmony. In 2013 was named a level Master 700 Director in the Director Certification Program (DCP) of Sweet Adelines.[6]

Rehearsals are held in Tampa, and chorus members come from all over the state of Florida.[7]

In October, 2014, several chorus members joined fellow singers from the Big Orange Chorus, and Tampa Bay Heralds of Harmony, on a trip to Great Britain where they performed at Bath Abbey, King's College Cambridge University, and numerous other churches.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Nipps. Emily. Sweet, sweet melodies. Tampa Bay Times. 29 June 2015.
  2. Web site: Barron. Christina. Toasting Tampa: Women Find Power In Harmony. 83 Degrees. 29 June 2015.
  3. Web site: Mckenzie. Joyce. Toast of Tampa chorus wins 3rd place at women's competition. TBO. The Tampa Tribune. 29 June 2015.
  4. Web site: Patterson. Kimberly. Toast Of Tampa Offers To Sing To Your Valentine. 83degrees. 29 June 2015.
  5. Web site: Bio: Tony De Rosa. MaxQ. 29 June 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150822111251/http://www.maxquartet.com/bio_tony. 22 August 2015.
  6. Web site: Edwards. Benjamin. Tony De Rosa Achieves Master Director 700 Status. BarbershopHistory.com. 29 June 2015.
  7. Web site: Ide. Lora. Local singer shines in Sweet Adeline group. Ocala.com. Ocala StarBanner. 29 June 2015.
  8. Web site: Harmony Roundups. MyEmags.Biz. 29 June 2015.