Brooke * Barnes * Alsbury

In 1980, Karen Brooke, Patty Barnes and Sylvia Alsbury, all members of Sweet Adelines, International, combined their talents to write and arrange original music for women to sing in the barbershop style.  They saw a need for music that would be appropriate for and appealing to the emerging independent woman.  The first collaboration of Karen’s melody, Patty’s lyric and Sylvia’s arrangement,  was My Mother’s Rocking Chair.  It was introduced by All Star Jubilee as part of their championship performance at the Sweet Adelines International Convention in Phoenix in 1981.  What a way to start! This success propelled them to continue and in the last 23 years, their body of work has grown to include over fifty original songs, both competition and non-competition material. 

 In addition to writing original music, The Music Group also sponsors The Gathering.    Every other year, since 1982, they have offered an intensive, hands-on learning experience for members of Sweet Adelines, International.  Experienced Master Teachers work with small classes of 6 - 20 students at The Gathering, covering  a variety of subjects:  singing, directing, arranging, creativity, choreography, stress management and other areas of interest for the Sweet Adeline performer.