TULSA, Okla., Oct. 25, 2005 — Sweet Adelines International hosted the 59th annual convention and competition at the Cobo Conference and Exhibition Center in Detroit, Mich., October 4-8, 2005. Originally scheduled for New Orleans, La., more than 7,300 four-part harmony singers and guests from around the world moved their unique style of music to Detroit's Cobo Arena. Sweet Adelines International members are women who excel in singing the distinctive musical art form of barbershop harmony.
"Sweet Adelines International was deeply saddened by the tragic events caused by Hurricane Katrina. Upon approval from the Internal Revenue Service for 501(c)(3) organizations, such as ours, we were able to conduct fund-raising efforts, not previously allowed, to benefit another qualified disaster relief organization exempt from federal taxation under section 501(c)(3). Sweet Adelines from all over the world came together at the convention to help raise $7,800 in cash donations for hurricane relief," stated Kelly Kirchhoff, Director of Communications.
Additionally, the Coronet Club, a prestigious group of past Sweet Adelines International champion quartets, organized and sold 2,500 compilation CDs to raise funds for the Katrina Relief Fund. After production costs, more than $58,000 will be donated to the hurricane relief fund through the American Red Cross.
Jon Petersen Photography, the official photographer of Sweet Adelines International, raised $5,000 from the sale of chorus and quartet photographs taken during competition. For every 4×6 candid photograph sold at convention, $.75 is being donated to the American Red Cross. Jon Petersen Photography is located at 628 E. Third St., Tulsa, OK 74120. For more information call 918-585-2509 or visit his Web site at http://jonbpetersen.photoreflect.com.
Many Sweet Adelines International Exhibitors also contributed a portion of sales from their New Orleans oriented products or novelties sold.
In total, Sweet Adelines International members and vendors will donate approximately $75,000 to hurricane relief.
Sweet Adelines International is headquartered in Tulsa, Okla., where it was founded in 1945. It is one of the largest women's singing organizations in the world, committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education and performance. The international membership of nearly 30,000 women, all singing in English, includes choruses in most of the fifty United States as well as in Australia, Canada, England, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland, Sweden, Wales and the Netherlands. There are also prospective choruses in Denmark, Greece and United Arab Emirates. The organization encompasses more than 1,200 registered quartets and 600 choruses. This year marks Sweet Adelines International's 60th anniversary.
Contact:
Kelly Kirchhoff, Director of Communications
Sherree Murray, Communications Assistant
800/992.7464; Email