Golden Memories  Tidelanders        Chapters ..The lnnsiders performed on Tidelander shows and traveled across the country and the world for many years, despite losing Mike Cox to ajob transfer in 1978. The Innsiders stayed together until 1986, smging with replacement tenors Ken Litman, Jim Sikorski, and for many years with Lloyd Erickson. John Devine and Dr. Tom Pearson still live in Houston, Guy McShan lives in Bryan, Texas, and Mike Cox lives in Oregon. The Tidelanders would return to International competition five times in the next eight years. In 1977, under the direction of George Howe, they placed 6th in Philadelphia. In 1980, under the direction of Jim Sikorski, they placed 5th in Salt Lake City. In 1981, 1983, and 1984, under the direction of John Devine, Houston placed 4th, 4th, and 5th, in Detroit, Seattle, and St. Louis, respectively. Unfortunately, 1984 marked the beginning of a long dry spell for the Houston Tidelanders. Houston placed second at district nine of ten years (once placing third) to either Dallas Vocal Majority or the OK Chorale. Devine decided to step down as director in 1988, and Rick Serpico directed the chorus from 1988 through 1991. In 1992, Tracy Shirk served as interim director until the chorus found Its current director. In 1993, as the Tidelanders were searching for a director, one choice became obvious. There happened to be an individual in Houston who was a recognized "A" level chorus coach, who owned a quartet gold medal,  who directed a chorus to a gold medal, who was currently the director of a 4th place international chorus, and who served as president of a barbershop singing organization of approximately 30,000 members. Our dilemma? -the barbershop singing organization was the Sweet Adelines, the quartet and choruses were Sweet Adelines, and the Individual we are talking about is, of course, a non-member, scratch that, a very special woman named Betty Tracy. The Houston chapter, recognizing the incredible talent available decided to hire her as director even though the current rules did not allow women to direct a male choruses in competition. Fortunately, through the tireless efforts of several Tidelanders, including international board member John Schneider, and several international board members such as Joe Liles, interested in improving the society and all of its individual choruses, the previous rules were changed, allowing non-member directors. By doing this, the society would retain its identity as an all-male singing society, but still allow individual choruses to take advantage of all available leadership talent, regardless of gender. And by the way, the next time you see a Tidelander, ask him what he thinks of winning his first District contest in 11 years, and placing 11th at his first international contest in as many years. Chances are, you will hear Betty Tracy's name mentioned more than once! Houston Tidelanders Chorus, 1995 - Betty Tracy, Director Previous Page Table of Contents Next  Page Sections: How It All Began   Chapters    Chapter  Histories   International Quartet Champions   ChorusesAdministration Contests and Conventions   Registered Quartets   Publications   Recognitions   In Conclusion