WE ARE THE AZALEA COAST CHORUS, a diverse group of women who share a love of singing, growing together as we meet the challenge of performing acapella Barbershop harmony. We are members of Sweet Adelines International. Our quest toward musical excellence includes personal growth, education and competition while providing the most exciting entertainment in our community. Our chorus is part of Region 14, the Blueridge Region. We make new friendships that last a lifetime!
WHAT IS BARBERSHOP HARMONY? The style is 4 part accapella "barbershop" singing, which means that we have four parts making up the harmony, and it's without any instrumental accompaniment. Lead voices sing the melody line. Bass voices sing the foundation of each chord, Tenors generally sing the highest note of the chord, and Baritones sing the note that completes the barbershop chord. When all voices in the chorus sing in key and with the same pronunciation of words, a chord will "lock" and overtones of the chord will "ring." We do contemporary as well as songs from the 20's through the 60's that are arranged for four parts. It's FUN!!
OUR DIRECTOR - Joan Obernesser
We are extremely proud to introduce this amazing and energetic woman to you!
Joan was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin many years ago. She became interested in music at the age of eight when she attended a private school. There she learned to play the xylophone. Interest in the piano led her to eight years of piano lessons. While in High School, she was the student director of the Glee Club. She has been involved in music IN some form for many years. In Milwaukee, she sang with the Milwaukee Accapella Choir. A move to Columbus Indiana introduced her to Barbershop Harmony. It was love at first listen. . ..
She has been a member of Sweet Adelines for 39 years. She has sung in numerous quartets {seven to be exact) and sang in choruses in Indiana, Chicago, Mobile Alabama, Simsbury Ct. She has been assistant director in the Mobile Chapter, and the Farmington Valley Chorus in Simsbury. She started a chapter in Jacksonville, NC, and has directed the Azalea Chorus Chapter on and off for many years.
Joan graduated from UNCW in 1983 with a BA in Psychology and, in December of 2006, she received her BA in Music from UNCW. She teaches piano lessons in her home, and has been the pianist and organist at St Judes Catholic Church for 12 years. She also is the accompanist for the Hampstead Community Chorus.
Joan’s 38 year marriage to a devoted husband ended in 1994 due to cancer. She boasts of five children, two daughters-in-law, one son-in-law, seven grandchildren, and three great grand children. Her two boxers, seen above, are considered her four legged children.
Come and sing with the Azalea Coast Chorus Sweet Adelines
in Wilmington NC, or call to have us sing for you!
Contact us at 910-791-3846.
or email asassysing@earthlink.net
