Mission Statement

The Great Lakes Chorus is dedicated to the musical education and growth of each member, sharing and promoting the love of four-part harmony through performances, shows, and competitions to bring each member, valued for her individual voice and talents, into a circle of supportive friendship.

Our Story

An award-winning show chorus, Great Lakes has entertained people in the Metro-Detroit area with its classy brand of barbershop harmony for over 46 years. Some may call us 'dreamers' but the vision of excellence and outreach we have pursued has inspired many and has rewarded us in countless ways.
   
We have traveled the United States representing Border Lakes Region #2 Sweet Adelines  in eight International Competitions, placing in the "Top Ten” three times! We have also had the privilege of sharing our music as 'Ambassadors of Harmony'. Our travels include a 19-day adventure to Great Britain, Scotland and the Netherlands, a performance at Carnegie Hall in New York, a 4th of July celebration in Washington, D.C., participation in the Buckeye Invitational in Columbus, Ohio and singing at the Goombay Festival on the island of Bermuda and on the cruise ship that took us there. Other moving performances were singing at the Fox Theater, Detroit during the Christmas season, a very moving experience at the tribute for 9/11 victims at Freedom Hill County Park, and singing for President George W. Bush also at Freedom Hill.

    Great Lakes members come from very diverse walks of life from over 35 communities in and around Metro-Detroit.  We are not professional singers.  Our members come for the fun, camaraderie and the joy of making music come alive . . . barbershop style.  These amazing ladies bring with them a wide variety of talents above and beyond vocal ability.  Because of this deep talent base, our shows have been described as “highly entertaining and fun!”  We are known for using interesting, involved sets, wearing superb costumes, and incorporating exhilarating choreography - making for visually exciting and memorable performances.  But what always seems to come across is that we are having a ball!

    In addition to producing shows, performing at many civic events all throughout the year and participating in chorus competition, the Great Lakes Chorus is dedicated to introducing a capella four-part harmony to a younger generation of singers. Great Lakes has presented educational workshops in Macomb and St. Clair Counties to teach the art of singing barbershop style harmony to young women and students at area high schools.  This effort was funded by grants from the 'Young Singers Foundation' of Sweet Adelines International. The success of this outreach is easy to understand. Women of all ages appreciate challenge and opportunity especially when participating in the support network our organization provides!

    We take great pride in being a part of Border Lakes Region #2 which includes choruses from all over South-East Michigan and Western Ontario.  As with all Sweet Adelines, we happily and proudly can say that because of our involvement in this organization, we have dear and close friends here and all over the world.