Spirit of the Gulf, a top-ranked women’s a cappella chorus, is gearing up to bring holiday harmony to Southwest Florida. The chorus, part of the international group Sweet Adelines, includes singers from across the state and beyond, united by their love for music.
“We’ve got women that are close to 90, and we’ve got women that have been, you know, high school age and college age, and we all get along. It’s a sisterhood,” said Julie Todaro, a singer and show chair.
Tracy Ferdman, another singer, shared her experience joining the group. “That’s the wonderful thing about Sweet Adelines, is that we are all over the place, all over the world. And I come from Texas, originally, and when I moved to Florida, I knew I could find a chorus. And I went, hey, you know, this really great one is right here in my backyard,” she said.
For more than 20 years, Spirit of the Gulf has grown and evolved, consistently ranking among the world’s best.
“So last year, international competition for Sweet Adelines was in Columbus, Ohio. The year before that was Kansas City, where we won eighth place in the world. Two years before that was in Phoenix, Arizona, where we won fifth place in the world,” said Todaro.
The directors attribute the chorus’s success to a supportive culture that fosters a sense of family among its members.
“Most people think so in some groups, yes, there are difficulties, but we are so lucky. I feel like we’re an enigma. This is an amazing group of women who actually work very well together,” said co-directors Gina Baker and Deanna Kastler.
This weekend, the chorus will perform their holiday show featuring the full chorus, small ensembles, and women’s quartets.
“You know, it starts out as a hobby, but it’s just not. It’s a lifestyle, honestly,” said Ferdman.
Spirit of the Gulf is set to take the stage this Sunday at South Fort Myers High School at 2 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase online or at the door.