40
YEARS
IN PERFECT
HARMONY
Greater Harmony Chorus
celebrates four decades of
women’s barbershop singing.
BY NICOLE TAFE
F
or 40 years, Greater Harmony Chorus
has been singing the sweet sounds of
barbershop to audiences all over the
Pittsburgh and surrounding areas.
Greater Harmony Chorus is a chapter of
Sweet
Adelines
BY NICOLE
TAFEInternational, a worldwide
organization of female singers committed to
advancing the musical art form of barbershop
harmony through performance, competition
and education. Sweet Adelines International
is an independent, nonprofit music education
association and one of the world’s largest
singing organizations for women.
20 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | Hampton
In June 1974, a group of Sweet Adelines
came to Zelienople to see if there was
an interest in starting a chapter in the
Cranberry/Pittsburgh area and to spread
their love and passion for barbershopstyle music. They found several interested
women and formed a group, initially naming
it “Prospective Harmony Chapter.” Early
rehearsals were held in the Zelienople/
Harmony area.
As the group grew and things progressed,
the chorus received its charter under the
name Greater Harmony Chorus on Jan. 20,
1976, under the direction of Bonnie Bardash.
Linda Smith was an original charter member
and is still an Emeritus Member today who
lives in the Cranberry area.
In 1979 the chorus officially moved to
Cranberry, and Joan Quatchak took over as
director in 1980. She stayed with the chorus
for 21 years.
In 40 years as an ensemble, Greater
Harmony Chorus has only had four
directors. The group is currently under
the direction of Chuck May, however he is
retiring to devote more time to his family