Barbershop harmony has been a mainstay in Sally's life since infancy. In 1956, Sally's father's quartet, The Merrynotes, were the Northeast District Champions. He introduced barbershop to Sally and her 3 siblings on long vacation drives by having them singing in 4-part harmony to such barbershop classics as Down By the Old Mill Stream and I Want a Girl Just Like the Girl that Married Dear Old Dad. Sally enjoyed harmonizing so much she would even harmonize to the hum of the tires as the family drove down the highway! It’s no small wonder that she sings the baritone part.
Sally has been actively involved in Sweet Adelines since 1991, when she joined the Post Road Chorus, in Shrewsbury, MA. She held the position of president of the board of directors for two terms, and she was honored to serve as musical director for three years. Sally has also been an off and on dual member with Harmony on the Sound Chorus from Trumbull, CT and has had the pleasure of competing on the international stage with them four times.
Quartet singing is also one of Sally’s passions. She has sung baritone in numerous quartets. They are Afterglow, Happenstance, Treblesome (earning the Audience Choice Award in 2015), Vocal Mischief (earning 5th and 4th place in 2017 and 2018), and Rhythm Method who earned 2nd place at Regional Competition. Sally is thrilled to being chosen as the new baritone for Phoenix Rising Quartet. This quartet has great drive and high hopes for great success at competition and with performances.
Sally joined the Merrimack Valley A Cappella in 2009. She has served on the music staff as the baritone section leader as well as assistant director. With the onset of COVID Sally and Carol Smolenski (then Associate Director) happily accepted the positions of MVA’s CO-Directors in September 2021. Since that time Sally and Carol have lead MVA to achieving 2nd place at Regional Competition in 2023 and 1sht place Division A (small chorus). The choruses score earned them a berth at Harmony Classic Competition in Kansas City in October 2024!
