about us
Our History and Mission
Brazos Crossing Chorus was formed in April 1985 and became a chartered chapter of Sweet Adelines International in December 1988. The chorus is part of the Great Gulf Coast Region 10 and has won many honors over the years in the small chorus category in regional competition.
We are part of Sweet Adelines International, a large worldwide organization made up of nearly 30,000 women from all walks of life who share the love of barbershop harmony. The organization encompasses more than 600 choruses and more than 1,200 registered quartets. Our organization is divided into regions. Brazos Crossing Chorus is part of the Great Gulf Coast Region 10, which includes parts of Texas and Louisiana.
Our mission is to advance the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education and performance.
Our director
June Yagiela became the musical director of Brazos Crossing Chorus in August 2009.
June, a native of Detroit, Michigan, brought 34 years of Sweet Adelines experience with her in 2005 when she relocated to the warmer Houston area. In Michigan, she led the Downriver Chorus and the Farmington Hills "Daytrippers." June says she enjoys leading smaller choruses and has eagerly embraced the warmth and charm of the Brazos Crossing Chorus.
June lost her beloved husband while the youngest of her five children was a teenager. She now dotes on eight grandchildren, including some in the Houston area. Upon relocating to Houston, she found a musical home in the larger Houston Horizon Chorus where she sings with a quartet, Entourage .
June doesn't let the grass grow under her feet! When she's not singing or directing, she helps families in the north Houston area with babysitting and house and dog sitting.
Our Music Committee
Music committee members include June Yagiela, Musical Director; Faye Ludwig, Assistant Director and tenor section leader; Ann Pavliska, bass section leader; Emma Kueck, lead section leader, and Carol Roberts, choreography leader.
Management Team
All Sweet Adelines choruses are governed by a board of directors or management team, elected annually by the membership. Brazos Crossing's management team consists of the chorus director and an elected management team. The team has monthly meetings to handle all chorus business, including setting policies and budgets.
Brazos Crossing Chorus has non-profit status and is run like a small business. Careful planning and follow through makes for a smooth operating organization so we can enjoy the fun part of our hobby – singing!
Our 2010 Management Team
June Yagiela, Musical Director; Emma Kueck, Team Coordinator/Performance Coordinator; Mary Cook, Finance Coordinator; and Kitty Zilliox, Membership Coordinator.
© 2010 Brazos Crossing Chorus