Page 42 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2024 - Online Magazine

Sing!
Sing!
Sing!
he Pride of West Texas Show
Chorus (PWTSC) celebrated
T55 years of singing in the
Lubbock area in 2024. You may have
known us as the "Prairie Winds"
from 1969 to 2011. Today we have a
new name, and 25 ladies in the show
chorus, and we would love to have
more gals join our team.
Even though our group size has
varied over the years, our love for
four-part a cappella harmony has
never wavered. We are an energetic,
confident team that strives to
produce a strong and wonderful
musical sound, performing with
pride and unified spirit. We may
seem professional and sophisticated,
but underneath, we are fun-loving
and youthful, and we aim to
entertain. We join in celebration
of the original art form of singing
known as barbershop music. We are
one of many chapters in the USA
and across the world affiliated with
Sweet Adelines International.
Annette Gary, chorus director,
shared her insight as a longtime
member of the PWTSC. "I've been a
Sweet Adeline for almost 30 years,
and I wouldn't trade my time as
a member of this organization for
anything. I'm not a professional
singer ... if you heard me sing alone,
you'd know that, for sure, but
42 Lubbock Senior Link
by Tina Bilberry
something happens when a group help members know that I believe
of motivated a cappella singers get they can do anything they make up
together, and it's just magic! Sweet their mind to do. Members work
Adelines is so much more than exceptionally hard at our weekly
just a singing organization. In fact, rehearsals, but we try to make
there's a saying written on the Sweet everything FUN! We laugh a lot and
Adelines website front page, ‘You'll genuinely enjoy learning music and
come for the harmony, but you'll singing harmony together."
stay for the friendships’ ... and that
sums it up for most of us. I've made Our newest member, Karen Boggs,
friends, so many friends, REAL was asked what motivated her to
friends who will be there to support join the Pride of West Texas Show
you no matter what happens. Sure, Chorus. She stated, "I was a vocal
our primary purpose is ‘singing,’ performance major in college and
but there is so much more to the have been singing all of my life. I
organization than just making a had sung with the Lubbock Chorale
beautiful sound! Most people come in the past, and I wanted to be more
into chorus because they like to sing, personally involved with some
but they are not musically trained or ladies. I work from home, and my
even ‘accomplished’ singers. Many husband is a truck driver, so it's
people don't read music at all, but just me and the dogs. I needed to
there are lots of opportunities to network and meet some people. I
learn. As the director of the chorus, had a friend and former member
I know the part I play in helping of PWTSC who suggested that I
members realize their goals for join years ago when my son was at
performance, leadership, friendship, home. I remembered what fun the
whatever it is they want to try to gals in her chorus had, so I decided
do. The voice is a personal and to check it out, and I'm glad I did."
precious thing, and I realize the The Pride of West Texas Show
role I play in helping members Chorus performs year-round in
feel good about their voices while Lubbock and the surrounding area
they are learning about music and for civic and charitable events and
harmony. I also know I have to be a private organization celebrations.
positive influence and inspire self- We have two annual shows, one in
confidence in others, even when the the very early Fall and one during
work is challenging. It's my goal to the winter holidays.