Some people will do anything for a bargain. Joyce Brandt of Stirling recently quipped that she was staying in Sweet Adelines International until she had fifty years of continuous membership so she could take advantage of the organization’s free Lifetime Membership awarded to members who reach that milestone.
“When I was about to reach 25 years, I briefly considered leaving Sweet Adelines,” says Joyce, “I mean, that’s a long time! But my son told me, ‘aw you have to stay and get your 25-year pin.’ I stayed and never looked back.”
Joyce was one of 18 women recognized for 50 years of membership on-stage October 21 at the 64th annual Sweet Adelines International convention in Seattle, Washington. Each received a commemorative pin, an engraved membership card, and lifetime membership in the women’s world-wide singing organization.
“Each year we recognize more and more members celebrating 50-plus years of membership,” says Carol Schwartz, Sweet Adelines International Director of Music Services.
Like Joyce, many of these women are still very active in the organization.
“Without Sweet Adelines International, I don’t know if I’d be as active as I am. Singing and performing is great exercise,” observes Joyce.
As a child, Joyce sang with her father in their church choir, but in high school chose playing drums over singing. When she graduated college in 1960, she joined a chorus in Union.
“My sister claimed I couldn’t sing, but I sang anyway. I competed in a quartet my first year. We placed 12th out of about 50 quartets. Not bad!” says Joyce.
That same year, she met Bob Brandt. They married a year later and will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary next August.
Joyce claims that one of the first arguments she and Bob had was over her involvement in Sweet Adelines.
“He thought I’d leave. I straightened him out right away and he’s been good to me since,” says Joyce.
Bob recalls the discussion a little differently.
“I specifically remember telling her that I did not want her to quit. I knew how important it was to her, but I did ask her to slow down, especially when we had children,” says Bob, adding, “I knew right away this was going to be part of our collective lives.”
Joyce and Bob have three children, Christopher, Jonathan and Jessica. Christopher and Bob are also active with Sweet Adelines, most notably with the backstage crew that keeps the annual competition of the Greater New York Region #15 humming.
“I’m very happy with what I do for the organization,” says Bob, adding, “and I don’t have to pay dues or wear make-up!”
Since 1974, Joyce has been singing and dancing with the New Providence-based Hickory Tree Chorus chapter, and will perform on the chorus’s annual show, November 20 at West Morris Mendham High School.
She has always been involved in the administration of the organization, both at the chapter and regional levels, including stints as Chapter President, Treasurer, Show Chair, Costume Chair, Regional Secretary, Regent, and Regional Competition Coordinator. Joyce is the current Chairman of the Regional Competition, overseeing the weekend events featuring chorus and quartet competitions which determine who represents the Region in International competition.
In her life outside of Sweet Adelines, Joyce is an Administrative Assistant at Central Presbyterian Church in Summit, and worked previously as a fifth grade teacher and at AT&T.
“What’s kept me with Sweet Adelines for 50 years? The organization is always growing, musically, administratively. I stay because I will never know all there is to know. I attend many Regional and International educational events and I always learn something.”
Sweet Adelines International is a world-wide organization of women singers dedicated to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education and performance. The independent, non-profit music education association is one of the world’s largest singing organizations for women. More at sweetadelineintl.org and hickorytreechorus.org.
Photo: Joyce (center) takes the Sweet Adelines International stage in Seattle, WA, October 21, to accept her 50-year-membership award.
