Author: mirandakufs

Once in a blue moon, the stars align, and you’re blessed with an opportunity like no other, so you throw caution (and doubt, and fear, and logic…) to the wind and dive right in.

May 1, 2023 marks the first official performance by the brand new quartet, Dressy Blues, all of whom are members of the Olympia Chorus, and all of whom are military spouses. All four women are new to the barbershop a cappella style of singing, and all became official members of Sweet Adelines International (SAI) between April 2022 and January 2023. They all have spouses stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, which is just a short jaunt down I-5 from Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, where the Olympia Chorus practices weekly. 

What started as a lark during a chorus Christmas party, “Wouldn’t it be fun to start a milspo [military spouse] quartet?” quickly became a serious endeavor, “Why don’t we compete at Regionals in May?” One husband has been in Korea since July 2022, and the other three were continually gone for days and weeks at a time, but these four managed to finagle windows of time each week to practice. The unending love and support from their chorus director, Margaret, section leaders Jan, Sally, Patty, and really every member of the chorus fueled the ladies’ drive to persevere through odd schedules, time away from family, and the additional costs of everything that comes with competing as a quartet. These ladies are SO ready to show everyone at the Region 13 Convention in May, what the indefatigable energy of military spouses is capable of achieving.

As with all sweet friendships cultivated amongst spouses within the military – the Dressy Blues knew their time together could be short lived: both the lead and tenor’s spouses received orders to the East Coast, so they will be leaving Washington state mere weeks after Region 13’s Convention.

That’s where SAI and the military lifestyle seem to work hand in hand. Scrolling through these side-by-side images of SAI choruses and US Military duty stations, there appears to be quite a bit of similarity. Dressy Blues’ lead and tenor have already found what SAI chorus they’ll be joining once they relocate. Military spouses know that forming connections when they first move to a new duty station benefits their family’s support system and their overall mental health. For spouses (and active duty!) who are passionate about singing, SAI offers an accessible outlet for these connections to be made. Once you are a member of SAI, you will find a family ready to welcome you almost wherever the military may take you!

Singing spouses and active duty women based at JBLM are highly encouraged to come check out the Olympia Chorus, and find the comfort and warmth of this extended family.