The Choral-Aires Chorus last weekend secured its 11th championship title in 12 years at the Sweet Adelines International Midwest Harmony Region 3 competition. With the championship, the Chorus earned the right to compete with multiple choruses representing their own regions worldwide in Las Vegas, Nevada, in November 2015.

Two quartets from the Chorus also placed at the regional contest: Roxy took first place, earning a trip to the international contest in Baltimore, Maryland in November 2014; PipeDreams took third place and was chosen by Sweet Adelines International to compete as a wildcard in Baltimore.

This is the Chorus’ first contest with two directors at the helm. Co-directors Bonnie Fedyski and Amy Brinkman, both long-time members of the Choral-Aires, are sisters who grew up singing and performing together. 

“The Chorus has bloomed under the direction of Bonnie and Amy,” says Chorus President Bev Hoffmeister. “Each director brings something different to the table, which has both stretched and strengthened our Chorus members in the past 18 months. They both have a great passion for the music we present and the way in which we present it. Their passion and energy are contagious!”

Women passionate about music are invited to join the Choral-Aires Chorus during weekly rehearsals held each Monday from 7 to 10 p.m., at the Redeemer Lutheran Church Recreation Center (345 S. Kenilworth Avenue, Elmhurst). The Chorus will hold a special guest night for those interested in joining the Choral-Aires during their regularly scheduled rehearsal on June 16. For more information about joining the Chorus, contact Barb Ehst at barbehst@hotmail.com or 630.204.5188. 

More than 100 women from Illinois and Wisconsin sing tight harmonies a cappella (without instrumentation) with the Choral-Aires Chorus, the 2012 Lake Michigan Region 3 Champion, and earned eighth place in the world at the 2013 Sweet Adelines International contest. This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency. More information about the Chorus can be found at their website, http://choral-aires.com.