Chorus History
The Diamond State Chorus was chartered on December 7, 1978 as a result of the consolidation of Wilmington's Blue Hen Chapter and Newark's Colonial Triangle Chapter. As of 2024, there are two charter members still singing with this chapter, Marilyn Ferguson (94 years young) and Pamela Nichols.
Past Directors include:
Membership has been as many as 60 and as low as 16. According to Pam Nichols, our small size hasn't stopped us from growing and developing our singing and performing skills! The chorus has done well in both regional and International competition, holding three First Place Small Chorus medals in regional competition. The chorus was also invited once to compete on the Sweet Adeline International stage where they came in fourth among the small choruses.
Past Directors include:
- Marykaye Morgan (1978-1989)
- Laurie (Wood) Smith (1989-2001)
- Pamela Nichols (Interim Director 2001-2002)
- Kathy McDonald (2002-2003)
- Rick Serpico (Interim Director - 2003)
- Anne Bureau (2004-2005)
- Pamela Nichols (2005-2021)
- Linda Beaver (2021-2024)
- Pamela Nichols - Interim Director (2024-)
Membership has been as many as 60 and as low as 16. According to Pam Nichols, our small size hasn't stopped us from growing and developing our singing and performing skills! The chorus has done well in both regional and International competition, holding three First Place Small Chorus medals in regional competition. The chorus was also invited once to compete on the Sweet Adeline International stage where they came in fourth among the small choruses.
Most recent directors
Linda Beaver 9/2021 - 3/2024
Linda Beaver is a third-generation "barbershopper" who hails from a family of musicians and performers. She made her mark on the barbershop music world singing lead in numerous award-winning quartets:
She was also the musical director of Sweet Adelines Blue Hen Chorus of Wilmington Delaware from 1975 to 1977 and director of The Ringing Hills Chorus from 2017 to 2021. She was director of Diamond State Chorus from September 2021 through March 2024.
She is an accomplished songwriter, arranger of four-part a cappella harmony, and “demo tape” artist. She is a Regional Faculty Member of Region 19 Sweet Adelines International and is sought after for coaching throughout the region. She is well known as a coach for teaching both vocal and performance skills to both male and female singing groups particularly barbershop quartets and choruses. Linda is constantly seeking new knowledge of the barbershop craft and takes every opportunity to attend SAI training programs. She resides in Secane, Pennsylvania.
Pamela T. Nichols, Certified Sweet Adeline Director
Pam has been a Sweet Adeline since 1971. Before serving as director, she served Diamond State as bass section leader,assistant director, and interim director. She has also performed with several quartets including Hear And Now (2nd and 3rd place regional medalists), Accidental Harmony and Vocal Exchange. She has been a musical faculty member for the Atlantic Bay-Mountain Region #19 of Sweet Adelines Int'l and has coached several choruses and quartets. Pam retired from her position as Director of the Diamond State Chorus at the end of August, 2021.
She is retired from the Delaware State Education Association where she worked as its director of Communications, and lives in Galena, MD with her husband Jim. They are proud grandparents of Levi Pileggi!
Linda Beaver is a third-generation "barbershopper" who hails from a family of musicians and performers. She made her mark on the barbershop music world singing lead in numerous award-winning quartets:
- - Neat Arrangement (1972 Region 15 Silver medalist Quartet and International Quarter-Finalist and 1973 Region 15 Championship Quartet and International Semi-Finalist)
- - Double Dare (1997 Region 19 Silver Medalist and International Quarter Finalist and 1998 Region 19 Championship Quartet and International Quarter Finalist)
- - TNT (2001,2002,2003,2005,2006 Region 19 Championship Quartet and International Quarter Finalist)
- - Euphonix 2013 and 2014 Region 19 Silver Medalist Quartet
- - “@LAST” 2016 Harmony Incorporated Region 3 Quartet Champions and International competitors and 2016 International 5th Place Medalists Harmony Inc.
She was also the musical director of Sweet Adelines Blue Hen Chorus of Wilmington Delaware from 1975 to 1977 and director of The Ringing Hills Chorus from 2017 to 2021. She was director of Diamond State Chorus from September 2021 through March 2024.
She is an accomplished songwriter, arranger of four-part a cappella harmony, and “demo tape” artist. She is a Regional Faculty Member of Region 19 Sweet Adelines International and is sought after for coaching throughout the region. She is well known as a coach for teaching both vocal and performance skills to both male and female singing groups particularly barbershop quartets and choruses. Linda is constantly seeking new knowledge of the barbershop craft and takes every opportunity to attend SAI training programs. She resides in Secane, Pennsylvania.
Pamela T. Nichols, Certified Sweet Adeline Director
Pam has been a Sweet Adeline since 1971. Before serving as director, she served Diamond State as bass section leader,assistant director, and interim director. She has also performed with several quartets including Hear And Now (2nd and 3rd place regional medalists), Accidental Harmony and Vocal Exchange. She has been a musical faculty member for the Atlantic Bay-Mountain Region #19 of Sweet Adelines Int'l and has coached several choruses and quartets. Pam retired from her position as Director of the Diamond State Chorus at the end of August, 2021.
She is retired from the Delaware State Education Association where she worked as its director of Communications, and lives in Galena, MD with her husband Jim. They are proud grandparents of Levi Pileggi!