Sweet Adelines International
Sweet Adelines International Inc. (SAI) is a highly respected worldwide organization of women singers, committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony, through education, competitions and performance. SAI was formed in 1945, and its headquarters are now in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA.
Today, the international membership of nearly 27,000 women, all singing in English, includes choruses in most of the fifty United States as well as Australia, Canada, Denmark, England, Finland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland, Sweden and the Netherlands.
Sweet Adelines in Australia
On 6th October 1983, with just 23 members, we were the first Sweet Adelines Chorus to be chartered in Australia under the name ‘Yarra Valley Chapter of Sweet Adelines’.
On 29th October 1983, the Australian flag flew proudly alongside other international flags outside the International headquarters of Sweet Adelines Inc. in Tulsa, USA.
A small passionate group of members were instrumental in spreading the word about the joys of singing barbershop a cappella during those formative years, countrywide.
During the 1986/87 Sweet Adelines year, the Chorus had a name change to ‘The Melbourne Chapter of SAI’. This helped to identify us with Melbourne and the state of Victoria. Choruses were forming in Western Australia, New South Wales and Queensland.
Early on, the Australian (Southern Cross, Region 34) Sweet Adeline national competitions were held every 2 years. This has since changed to an annual event.
Today
In Australia, there are now over 1,200 women singing in 30 choruses spread around the country. Members sing in choruses and quartets, performing regularly in public and competing at regional and international levels.
During our vibrant history, Melbourne Chorus has won many awards. In 2016 we accepted a wildcard invitation from the International body of Sweet Adelines to represent Australia in Las Vegas after placing 1st in mid-size chorus section and second place overall at the Hobart 2015 National Sweet Adeline Championships. We enjoy performing in our own shows, for corporate, community and private events.
