News Summary
The Sunshine City Chorus from St. Petersburg, Florida, emerged victorious as the Barbershop Harmony Champions for Florida in their second year of competition. Under the direction of Lance Lubin, the chorus, consisting of just ten members, delivered an emotionally captivating performance at the championship, outperforming larger groups. The win underscores the chorus’s dedication to music and sets the stage for their return next year to defend their title, inspiring local singers to join their community.
St. Petersburg, Florida – The Sunshine City Chorus has achieved a remarkable feat by being crowned the 2025 Barbershop Harmony Champions for Florida. This victory comes in just their second year of competition, marking a significant accomplishment for the small chorus.
Under the direction of Lance Lubin, the Sunshine City Chorus consists of ten dedicated members who managed to outperform larger choruses during the championship held recently. Despite being the smallest group in the competition, they competed against ten other choruses, many of which boasted 20 to 30 members and represented various cities, including Orlando, Jacksonville, Sarasota, and Tampa.
During the championship, the Sunshine City Chorus had 11 members perform and delivered an outstanding set that included emotionally charged renditions of songs such as “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from The Lion King and “I Will Go Sailing No More” from Toy Story. Their powerful performance resonated with the audience and judges alike, contributing to their overall success in the event.
Chorus member Bill Levengood described participating in the competition as one of the most enjoyable experiences he has had. He emphasized the joy of singing as a fundamental part of their experience. Fellow member Jonathan Dacres echoed this sentiment, stating that singing allowed him to escape from the stresses of everyday life, highlighting the emotional and therapeutic aspects of their musical endeavors.
Lubin expressed his astonishment at the win, calling it “unbelievable.” His pride in the accomplishment reflects the hard work and dedication that the chorus members put into their preparation for the competition. The chorus’s victory illustrates that success in musical competitions does not rely solely on the size of the group, but rather on performance quality and the emotional connection created with the audience.
Looking ahead, the Sunshine City Chorus plans to return next year to defend their championship title. Their victory serves as motivation not only for the current members but also to inspire additional local singers to join their ranks. The chorus intends to build on this achievement, fostering a larger community of barbershop quartet enthusiasts in St. Petersburg.
This remarkable accomplishment shines a spotlight on the barbershop harmony genre while also proving that passion, talent, and dedication can lead to significant achievements, regardless of the number of members in a chorus. The Sunshine City Chorus’s success story will undoubtedly encourage other small ensembles to strive for excellence in their musical pursuits.
The journey of the Sunshine City Chorus underscores the essence of competition: it is not only about winning but also about the joy of creating music and the connections formed among its members. As they prepare to defend their title in the upcoming year, the chorus remains focused on their love for singing and the memories made along the way.
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Additional Resources
- Fox 13 News: St. Pete Chorus Achieves Top Honors
- Wikipedia: Barbershop Harmony
- Suncoast News: Things to Do Around Pinellas
- Google Search: Barbershop Harmony Competition
- I Love the Burg: St. Pete Kids Music and Art Programs
- Google Scholar: Barbershop Singing
- The Gabber: Things to Do in Gulfport and St. Pete
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Chorus
