Gem City’s Incredible 35 Year History!

Gem City was formed in 1970 when two local chapters merged.  Since the beginning the Gem City chorus has been dedicated to the education and preservation of the ‘barbershop style’ - one of the four American musical art forms 

As a member of Sweet Adelines International Region 4 Gem City has won regional competition and appeared at international competition thirteen times since 1972 - winning five gold, five silver, one third, one fourth place and our current fifth place International medal - a feat achieved by no other Sweet Adeline chorus!   Our recent second place regional placement qualified us for a wildcard invitation to the 2009 International Competition to be held in Nashville, Tennessee.  Check out our chorus accomplishments.

We also perform in the our community and provide musical education for our potential new and existing members.  We are fortunate to work with excellent director and coaches to help us hone our craft.

Gem City is proud to have two members who are Queens of Harmony - Jean Barford, our director, and Edie Moorehead, our baritone sound leader.  Both talented ladies were members of the 1974 quartet champions The Sounds of Music. 

 Enjoy a bit of Gem City costume trivia with the doll display (Adobe slideshow).  Each doll and it’s competition costume was hand crafted by our own Donna Gewertz!  

Gem City Chorus on stage in Las Vegas, NV October 2006 © Jon Peterson