Chorus History

It all began when Dolores Garcia, a Sweet Adeline since 1967, moved to Florida from Ohio in 1984.  She and her daughter, Dana, and her sister, Carol King, decided that the Pasco County area needed a women's barbershop chorus.  Soon they found more women who wanted to sing in that wonderful style, and after a two-year growth period, Floridian Gulf Chorus was chartered on October 24, 1986, with twenty-three members.

The bond, formed from singing together, builds strong friendships.  Although none of these charter members remain in the chorus, a few who call themselves  "The Originals"  still get together for monthly luncheons and strongly support the chorus, now known as Suncoast Harmony.

The fledgling chorus staged its first show, "Harmony Express", November 8, 1986, at the Pasco Hernando Community College Auditorium with Dolores Garcia directing.  Two quartets had formed wthin the chorus by that time.  One of them included Dana (now Hitt), singing bairtone to her Mother's bass.  Dana later was crowned a 1994 Queen of Harmony, singing bass with "Showtime."

Joe DeRosa and Dolores Garcia were co-directors when the chorus held its second show December 3, 1988.  At that time Joe also directed a championship SPEBSQSA chorus.  Carol Burgett became director in early 1989.  Carol was an experienced coach, an accomplished pianist, and a Sweet Adeline since 1969.  She had been assisting Joe and Dolores.  Phyllis Dean Baker co-directed with Carol Burgett for a time.

When Carol returned to Nashville in 1996, we were fortunate to find Amy Riddle after an extensive search headed by the Chorus President, Chris Becker.  Amy holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music from the University of South Florida.  She soon became a Cerfified Director in the Sweet Adeline organization.  She is currently the Assistant Principle at Land O Lakes High School.

Suncoast Harmony Chorus has been fortunate to have been coached by many distinguished educators in the barbershop world, including Nancy Lewis, Holly St. John, Sylvia Alsbury and Gail Jencik.  Advancing our musical education is a top proirity with us. 

SALY AWARD WINNERS

 Cindy 2008 Diane and Marge 2009 Betty 2010

 Lee 2011