Jan Dunning

It was 1985 and Jan Dunning decided she needed to find an activity that would get her out of the house and provide her with something to do that was ‘different.’ So she attended the weekly rehearsal of the Reading Pagoda Chapter of Sweet Adelines International.

At that time, no one had any idea of what a ‘gem’ had entered the world of women’s barbershop harmony. Not only was her name added to the roster of members, but she also brought her own sisters to that chorus and today, 30 years later, Jan continues to be one of the most loyal and dedicated members of Ringing Hills Chorus, Atlantic Bay Mountain Region 19, and Sweet Adelines International.

When it was decided to start a new chapter of Sweet Adelines in the Pottstown area, Jan was actively encouraging this. In fact, she won the chorus contest to name the chorus as well as the contest to design our banner. This was the birth of Ringing Hills Chorus and understandably why Jan refers to us as “her chorus” and why we can call her “Mom!”

What makes Jan such a special Sweet Adeline? She truly ‘lives and breathes’ women’s barbershop harmony. This can be proven easily by making a phone call to her house because 99% of the time this unique art form WILL be playing in the background. It may be the music she is learning/rehearsing for our chorus or it may be from her extensive collection of tapes and CDs from International Competition. She knows her music as soon as it is distributed and is willing to help others with the notes.

She has attended many Sweet Adelines International Competitions across the United States and shares her advice such as eating lunch in your assigned seat so as not to miss a single contestant or making sure you are in the front row at a ‘mass sing’ so that you are included in many pictures which will be on the pages of SAI’s magazine, The Pitch Pipe.

Jan is a very special member of Ringing Hills Chorus and we are so proud of her and her 30 years of membership.