For more information
Jessica Moser
(501) 258-1839
jess1199@comcast.net
topoftherockchorus@yahoo.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-December 23, 2009
FOR RELEASE TO MEDIA IN CENTRAL ARKANSAS

TOTR OFFERS FREE VOCAL LESSON PROGRAM TO NEWCOMERS IN JANUARY
Singing offers joy and numerous health benefits

LITTLE ROCK- Here is a deal for those who wish to improve their physical, emotional and mental well-being in the New Year: Top of the Rock Chorus offers a free four-week vocal lesson program in January to any interested female singers.

Any Central Arkansas woman who would like to try out for membership with the chorus is invited to attend the weekly rehearsals on Tuesday nights, beginning Jan. 5 and continuing through Jan. 26, and receive special vocal training at no charge. This program is designed to introduce newcomers to the art and methodology of four-part harmony, a cappella singing, including vocal range evaluation, pitch development and breathing techniques. No advance preparation is necessary, but the ability to read music is a plus. There is no obligation to commit to future rehearsals or full-fledged membership.
The chorus meets at 7 p.m. each Tuesday night, at Woolly Auditorium at the Arkansas School for the Blind, 2600 West Markham, Little Rock.

"There is growing evidence that singing improves mental acuity, reduces stress and aides in overall fitness and a general sense of well-being," said Kelly Causey, one of Top of the Rock's directors. "Plus, as chorus members, we have always known that it brings a tremendous amount of joy to both the singers and the audiences. So we like to make this audition window available to any interested female singer who would like to try singing with us."
Top of the Rock Chorus is Central Arkansas's award-winning barbershop chorus for women. Most recently, it earned the number-two spot in the midsize chorus division in the world at the Sweet Adelines International Harmony Classic competition in Nashville, Tenn. Under the long-time directorship of Peggy Gram and Kelly Causey, it has consistently placed among the top five in its region and qualified for international competition six times. Founded in the early 1960's, Top of the Rock is a full-charter member of Sweet Adelines International with more than 60 members.

Sweet Adelines International is the world's largest and most respected women's singing organization with almost 26,000 members in the United States, Canada and 12 other countries. Members of the 600 choruses and 1,200 quartets benefit from superb vocal education, opportunities to perform in concerts, the chance to participate in regional and international competitions and-above all-the privilege of continuing the uniquely American art form of barbershop music.

For additional information, contact Jessica Moser, membership chair at 501-258-1389 or e-mail jess1199@comcast.net. Or visit the website at www.topoftherockchorus.com.

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Contact: Christa Newburg
501-517-0059
topoftherockchorus@yahoo.com

November 2, 2009
For Immediate Release

Top of the Rock Chorus Helps Set Guinness World Record for Largest Singing Lesson

Led by Little Rock's Top of the Rock Chorus director Peggy Gram, Sweet Adelines International set the Guinness World Record for the Largest Singing Lesson on Oct. 24, 2009. The record-setting event coincided with the 63rd annual International Convention and Competition held at the Sommet Center in Nashville, Tenn.

Music professional and past Sweet Adelines International Quartet Champion Peggy Gram led the lesson by demonstrating inspiring techniques for integrating the voice into the art form. The venue was filled with immense sound as 6,651 singers practiced the demonstrated techniques and sang simultaneously for the duration of the 10-minute lesson. Almost 50 chorus members of Top of the Rock, Arkansas's premier a cappella chorus for women, participated in this ambitious feat.

Guinness World Records official adjudicator Danny Girton Jr., presided over the certificate ceremony to validate the record and confirm that the achievement met the criteria set forth by the organization. "We welcome Sweet Adelines International into the Guinness World Records family for its inspirational and fun achievement," said Girton when presenting the award.

Gram called the experience of teaching the largest singing lesson exhilarating. "It was inspiring to demonstrate our unique style of music to thousands of singers from around the globe," Gram commented after accepting the certificate. "While obtaining the world record is terrific, what's even more important is that it allowed us the opportunity to show how rewarding it is to sing barbershop harmony."

Eager for the opportunity to make history, Sweet Adelines members lined up to participate. "The enthusiasm of Sweet Adelines International members and fans was instrumental in achieving this record," said Kelly Kirchhoff, director of communications for Sweet Adelines International. "Instructing thousands of participants simultaneously is an extremely impressive accomplishment."

The Top of the Rock members share a love for music and singing four-part barbershop harmony. The chorus holds weekly rehearsals on Tuesdays at Woolly Auditorium at the Arkansas School for the Blind, 2600 West Markham, Little Rock, and is currently holding auditions through November 17. To learn more about Sweet Adelines International and how to become a member of TOTR, visit www.topoftherockchorus.com or contact Christa Newburg at 501-517-0059.

Sweet Adelines International is a musical force in the United States and throughout the world. This nonprofit music education association is headquartered in Tulsa, Okla., where it was founded in 1945. It is one of the world's largest singing organizations for women, committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education and performance. The membership encompasses nearly 25,000 singers, 1,200 registered quartets and 600 choruses in most of the fifty United States, Australia, Canada, England, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland, Sweden, The Netherlands and Wales.

About Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records is the universally recognized authority on record-breaking achievement. First published in 1955, the annual Guinness World Records book is published in more than 100 countries and 25 languages and is one of the highest-selling books under copyright of all time with more than 3 million copies sold annually across the globe. Guinness World Records celebrated its 50th anniversary edition in 2004, a year after the sale of its 100 millionth copy. Guinness World Records also annually publishes the Gamer's Edition; a records book devoted solely to the world of computer gaming and high score record achievements. The Guinness World Records Web site (www.guinnessworldrecords.com) receives more than 11 million visitors a year. Guinness World Records is part of the Jim Pattison Group, one of Canada's largest privately owned companies which are a conglomerate of interests, including advertising, broadcasting, grocery stores and automotive retailing.