Toast of Tampa Show Chorus

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 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] The mission of the chorus is commitment to "musical excellence while promoting barbershop harmony, friendship, education, self-esteem and a sense of belonging among women of all ages, races, creeds or ethnicities." [3]

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.[4]

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.[5]

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[6] 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.[7]

Rehearsals are held in Tampa, and chorus members come from all over the state of Florida.[8]

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.[9]

Awards
  • Sweet Adelines Coastal Harmony Region 9 Annual Competition, Daytona, First Place (2018)
  • Sweet Adelines International Convention and Competition, Las Vegas, Fourth Place (2017)
  • Sweet Adelines Coastal Harmony Region 9 Annual Competition, Daytona, First Place (2016)
  • Sweet Adelines International Convention and Competition, Las Vegas, Third Place (2015)
  • Sweet Adelines Atlantic-Gulf Region 9 Annual Competition, Daytona, First Place, and Region 9’s Deena Tanenblatt Showmanship Award (2014)
  • Sweet Adelines International Convention and Competition, Honolulu, Third Place (2013)
  • Sweet Adelines International Convention and Competition, Houston, Fifth Place (2011)
  • Sweet Adelines International Convention and Competition, Indianapolis, First Place "Best in the World" (1993)

References
  1. Nipps, Emily. "Sweet, sweet melodies". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  2. Barron, Christina. "Toasting Tampa: Women Find Power In Harmony". 83 Degrees. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  3. Malkoff, Amy. "Toast Of Tampa Show Chorus Places At Competition". CASA The Contemporary A Capella Society. Missing or empty |url= (help)
  4. Mckenzie, Joyce. "Toast of Tampa chorus wins 3rd place at women's competition". TBO. The Tampa Tribune. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  5. Patterson, Kimberly. "Toast Of Tampa Offers To Sing To Your Valentine". 83degrees. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  6. "Bio: Tony De Rosa". MaxQ. Archived from the original on 22 August 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  7. Edwards, Benjamin. "Tony De Rosa Achieves Master Director 700 Status". BarbershopHistory.com. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  8. Ide, Lora. "Local singer shines in Sweet Adeline group". Ocala.com. Ocala StarBanner. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  9. "Harmony Roundups". MyEmags.Biz. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
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