| Director Martha Eiter | Director Emeritus Julie Brennan | Assistant Director Connie Drake |
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Director Biography:
Martha joined her first Sweet Adelines chorus in Decatur, IL in 1979 and hit the ground running. At her first competition that spring, she competed both in the chorus and in a quartet. Since that time, she has been active in Sweet Adelines singing in 2 chorus' and at least 8 different quartets. She is now, and has been for the past 6 years, the bass in the 3 time regional championship quartet "Main Attraction".
She has served as president, choreographer, program chairman and, of course, section leader. She has been assistant director at both Decatur and Springfield and in 2004 she became the front line director for the Sound Celebration Chorus here in Springfield.
Martha has been married to her husband Art for over 40 years and is the mother of 2 wonderful boys who have presented her with 6 of the smartest and most wonderful grandchildren a grandmother could hope for. In her "real life", before retiring in 2004, Martha was a chemistry teacher at Eisenhower High School. It was her music that kept her sane.
Music has always been a part of Martha's life. "My Dad always sings around the house or anywhere. My mother had the most beautiful soprano voice. I couldn't help but be involved in music. It's in my soul!"
Julie first joined Sweet Adelines in April 1973 and became Assistant Director in 1979 and subsequently served under Liz Hardcastle, Gena Sommer, Bill Helton, and Cathy Kopel. In January 1994, she became Front-line Director and Director Emeritus in March 2001.
Julie works for the Illinois Chamber of Commerce as Executive Administrative Assistant and as Grant Administrator for the Drug-Free Illinois Workplace program in the Springfield, Illinois office.
Some of her favorite things are: shopping, collecting, reading and getting together with friends. She has one daughter, Jenni, in Knoxville TN. Two grandchildren Olivia 9/18/96 and Evan 6/10/99.
A note from Julie - It's exciting to be a part of such a progressive, member-oriented organization that is comprised of so many talented people. Not only do we enjoy the barbershop style of singing as a unique art form, but also I personally count as priceless the friendship's I've formed over the years. My whole Sweet Adelines experience, past and present, has been a wonderful and rewarding one and I feel the future has even more to offer.
Connie joined Sweet Adelines in March 1998, in Sound Celebration Chorus. She has sung in two quartets, four years with Sapphire Swing who won the Novice Award at the Regional contest, and two years with Spree!. Connie sang two years at the Buckeye Invitational, one year with Heart of Illinois Chorus from Peoria, and one year with Vermilion Valley Chorus from Pontiac.
Connie's singing experience includes a wide variety of groups. In high school, she sang for two years in a girl's trio. She sang in auditioned choruses for four years in college and three years in local community choruses. She directed a church youth choir for four years, and currently sings in a women's gospel trio.
Connie has a Bachelor of Art's degree in Christian Education from Lincoln Christian College. She has been a Library Assistant at Lincoln Christian University for 12 years.
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