Virginia Coast Origin Story
How did Virginia Coast become Virginia Coast? We looked for the helpers, the Charter members, and VCC’s 38-year Origin Story was quickly found!
Virginia Coast Chorus was the vision of a quartet called the Virginia Gems.Two members of the quartet, Kathi Herring and Virginia Sivils (who now sings with Greater Richmond Chorus), provided insight for this historcal account.
Let's first tell the story of The Virginia Gems. The Virginia Gems were a pick-up quartet and began singing together in 1976 and continued as a quartet for 10 years. There were about 9 tenors over the years (originating with Miriam and their final Tenor Kathi). Virginia Sivils shares that the quartet competed in their first Regional competition in 1977 despite "Many nerves...we managed to get through it with no injuries!"
At the time of their vision back in 1985, the Virginia Gems(l. r.) Virginia Sivils-Baritone, Ina Bryant-Bass, Sheila Austin-Lead (also the 1st director of VCC) and Kathi Herring - Tenor was with Greater Tidewater chorus (GTC). They wanted to start a new chorus with the goal of focusing on quality of music and vocal production.
(The Virginia Gems)
Some members from GTC followed the Virginia Gems to the prospective chorus, and boots to the ground recruitment started! Soon enough, they were on their way to establishing a new chorus in Region 14. Kathi Herring recalls many choruses in the Region were a big support (Vienna Falls Chorus, Publik Times Chorus (now Magic of Harmony Show Chorus), and Potomac Harmony). In true Sweet Adelines (SAI) family style, they provided guidance and insight on costumes, make-up and everything else that is SAI. Bev Chambers of Potomoc Harmony Chorus was Virginia Sivils liason. For Kathi and Virginia, they recall the biggest challenge was getting through the mountain of paperwork that was required when chartering a new chorus.
The second challenge was finding a name – the winning entry, Virginia Coast, was submitted by Robin Fatjo (beating out Dockside Dollies).
Soon enough, 22 singers became Charter members of Virginia Coast Chorus: Sheila Austin, Ina Bryant, Patricia Conner, Janice Eaton, Adele Falardeau, Robin Fatjo, Rosemary Gilodeau, Diane Green, Kathleen Herring, Novella Hicks, Carol Hockey, Susan Huff, Gloria Hull, Edi Koss, Jeanette Meekins, Rhonda Santos, Virginia Sivils, Lenise Stimmel, Rose Vosler, Sharlene Waugh, Dorene Wensman, and Lisa Woodall.
On February 24, 1986, Virginia Coast Chorus was official! They kicked things off by hosting a Charter Party at the 1986 Region 14 competition held in Virginia Beach that year (VCC could not compete because they had not been a Chapter long enough). All in the Region were invited, including a new candidate for Virginia Beach Mayor, Meyera Oberndorf, showed up with her husband, invited by Virginia. Meyera Oberndorf was Mayor of Virginia Beach, VA for many years. Virginia recalls "It was a good thing all Regional members did not show up for the breakfast/luncheon as it was paid for by the members of the new VCC!" At the luncheon, Bev Chambers presented the charter for the Virginia Coast Chapter.
The chorus held their first membership drive that April with the "Ready, Set, Grow manual' created by Sweet Adeline International. From that membership drive they recruited nine new members!
Virginia Coast Chorus is proud to have a Charter member still singing Lead with us today, Susan Huff. Susan was a kindergarten teacher and assistant director of a daycare when she joined the chorus. Her friend Kathi Herring asked her to attend rehearsals. Susan had met Kathi years earlier during a military move to Guam and kept in touch. Susan recalls her biggest challenge when she joined was reading sheet music again. What keeps her coming back? “I enjoy the friendships and camaraderie. I enjoy keeping my mind active learning new music. It keeps me in touch with people.”
(Susan Huff)
VCC’s first guest outside of the original chartering group was none other than our Master Director Cheri Danner! Cheri joined VCC in 1986, began co-directing in 1996, then became Director in 1997. Cheri had just graduated with a degree in Music Education and Special Education and was working at Hofheimer’s shoe store when a woman (Virginia Sivils) came in buying four pairs of bright blue sequined high-heeled pumps in four different sizes. Naturally, Cheri had to ask why. Virgnia shared about her quartet and the chorus, and Cheri mentioned that she also sang. Virginia invited her to rehearsal.Cheri shares, “I really wasn't quite sure I wanted to attend a rehearsal, but she continued to call multiple times with invites. I finally decided that I would visit just one time to stop her from calling! After visiting the first time, I was hooked."
(Cheri Danner)
What a great story and example of good old-fashioned recruiting (and Virginia’s determination) that turned into a ‘gem’ for Virginia Coast all these years!
The very first Regional competition that Virginia Coast attended they finished in the top five. The vision was successful and the rest, as they say, continues to be VCC history in the making!
This story was written by Jill Motcheck (Baritone)
Administrative/Communications Manager and Historian (2022-2024)
Member of Virginia Coast/SAI since 2017
Submitted for consideration to the Pitch Pipe
