Volusia County singers join Orlando Award Winning Chorus

Ready to compete with the O-Town Sound Chorus are its newest members. Pictured from left, front row: Sara Barnett of Ocoee, Mary Sarah Johnson of DeBary, Membership Chair Pat Feverston of Sanford, and Ruth Silas of Winter Haven. Back row, from left; Linda Groner of Pine Ridge, Rebekah Mallekoote of Apopka, Cheryl McDonald of Lake Mary and Christine Garrott of Deltona. Not pictured is Joan Homokay of Leesburg.

By Liz Flynn
Special to the Beacon

posted Mar 19, 2013 - 4:21:35pm

Among the eight newest members of the award wining O-Town Sound Chorus of Orlando, are two Volusia County residents.

Mary Sarah Johnson of DeBary and Christine Garrott of Deltona, will be among the 41-member chorus competing at the annual Sweet Adelines International (SAI) Region 9 Competition in Daytona Beach on April 20th.

Johnson, a Florida resident since 1995, is a seasoned performer with a Vocal Performance Music degree from Trinity Baptist College in Jacksonville. She has performed at the Holy Land Experience in Orlando, with Sight & Sound in Lancaster, PA. and most recently with the Voices of Liberty Singers at Disney World.

“I love the challenge of singing barbershop music and this chorus makes it fun,” commented the 28-year old native of Norcross, GA.

A SAI member since 2001, Garrott has sung with several choruses, including the Greater Harrisburg Chorus that competed internationally in Las Vegas in 2006. She has directed choruses as well, most recently, Song of the Coast Chorus in Ormond Beach.

Garrott, a former Harpers Ferry, WV resident, and her husband Steve have been Deltona residents since July 2010. Christine is a Project Manager in Winter Park for a government contractor that supports training and simulation efforts for the military. She sought out a new chorus when she began her new job because traveling back and forth to Ormond Beach had become a challenge.

“I had first heard about OTS more or less through the grapevine. At the Winter Regional in 2012 though, I had an opportunity to hear the chorus sing, and I loved the energy! When I needed to make a move, OTS was the first chorus I thought of,” remarked Garrott. “I’ve been warmly embraced by everyone at OTS and I’m truly happy I’ve made the choice to join the family!”

Other Volusia County members include; Judy Ogden and Pat Marino of New Smyrna Beach and Patty Williams of Oak Hill.

OTS, under the direction of Kay Webb has only been a chartered SAI chorus for less than two years. They competed for the first time last April at the SAI Atlantic-Gulf Region 9 Regional competition where over 1000 women in 15 choruses were judged for their sound, music, expression and showmanship. OTS captured a second place finish in the small group category. However overall, OTS tied for 3rd in the music category and 5th in the sound category.

The chorus consists of women from 12 counties, coast to coast, with some women driving as long as 2.5 hours to rehearse every Monday from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church on S. Hiawassee Road in SW Orlando.

For further information about membership or booking the chorus, visit www.otschorus.com or call Doris at 407-415-1939.

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