Students in the Hills-Beaver Creek Community Education Singers Edition had a rare opportunity to sing in front of a large paying audience when they performed as part of the Sweet Adelines Divas and Desserts concert in Brandon on Sunday, Oct. 11.

Choir director Jodi Ackerman and 14 fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students have been working together for the past month to prepare for their performance. They were invited to participate in the concert, organized by the Sound Cascade, an area chapter of the international Sweet Adelines. The Singers Edition sang with the group on their closing number, “Fun in Just One Lifetime,” as well as singing three pieces on their own.

Sweet Adelines International

This worldwide singing organization is based out of Tulsa, Okla., and is named after the classic barbershop song, “Sweet Adeline.” 

Rock County singer Doreen Rollag has been with the group for 35 years and, at 84, is proud to be the oldest member. She said there are about 30,000 singers involved worldwide.

Song Cascade, the local chapter, is comprised of 20 members from Worthington, Beaver Creek, Flandreau, S.D., Brandon, Alcester, S.D., and Sioux Falls. 

Rollag, who lives in Beaver Creek, and Betty Elbers of Hills are local members. 

Song Cascade singers range in age from the 20s up to 84. 

Rollag, who turned 84 on Sept. 30, is the most experienced member, having sung baritone for the Song Cascades for 35 years. 

The group practices every Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Prairie Creek retirement center, Good Samaritan Society in Sioux Falls. Rollag said practices are similar to having weekly voice lessons, complete with voice warm-ups, breathing exercises, singing vowels and such. 

“You have to use it or lose it,” Rollag said. 

If interested in joining the Sweet Adelines, call Rollag at (507) 597-6288.