Just not the same without her

Gem City Chorus, my second family for the last 2 years, is going through some changes. Our beloved Jean Barford, Master Director, announced her retirement last night after 40 years of directing Gem City. Jean is very special, and gave me the opportunity to sing again. I hadn't since I graduated college, and it is my passion. She gave me the opportunity to be apart of something great, something big. Gem City will now be going through a transition that will probably involve renaming the chapter, losing a lot of members, and rebuilding. I am so thankful to have been able to sing under Jean Barford for the last 2 years. Lots of people couldn't say that. Jean has a wonderful gift and has coached more chorus and quartet champions than any other director in the whole organization. I am also thankful I was able to compete with THE Gem City Chorus while under the direction of the one and only Jean Barford. I don't know what I will do from here because Gem City as I know it will soon cease to exist. For those of you who don't know what Sweet Adelines International is, you can't begin to understand this. Sweet Adelines has changed my life, Gem City has taught me so much, and Jean Barford ...will always be loved.