Sharon HolmesI started my music career at age six, with a borrowed, too-big accordion labeled “RALPH.” I had really wanted to learn piano but the local piano teacher, who had already tried in vain to teach my older brothers, refused to take on another kid from the Smith family.
At the age of eight, I traded “Ralph” in on a red model labeled “SHARON,” more suitable for my TV debut on Chicago’s Morris B. Sachs Amateur Hour. I won with “Lady of Spain,” shaking my bellows with a vengeance, and became the darling of the local polka festivals.
Finally, at age 10 I found a piano teacher—a wonderful old gentleman quite disabled with Parkinsons, but full of warmth and joy in his heart. He helped me understand that real music is not just the notes you are performing, but also the feeling wrapped up in that music—AND your ability to capture your audience and help them feel the same thing. He changed my life, and I cried when I was sent off to boarding school and had to leave him.
While I adored boarding school, leaving home derailed my one real shot at fame: all my hometown friends went to high school with the UnaBomber—yes, good old Ted and I would have graduated from Evergreen Park High School in the same class. I might have known him well…maybe kissed him at the prom….I could have been on “Geraldo!” (or dead)
When college came around, Mom said “ladies” didn’t go to medical school. So I majored in music and loved it all—the traveling choirs, musical theatre (I was Daisy Mae in Lil’Abner—now THAT required some major work by the make-up and costume crews!) And Music Theory—I loved that too, so I began composing and arranging music. (At that point, however, I was not restricted to the 11 “Barbershop” chords!)
While raising two husbands, four children and two step-children, I clung to music to maintain my sanity (well, most of it), by performing, teaching and arranging vocal and keyboard music.
Then 10 years ago I found Sweet Adelines—an epiphany! A whole new realm of opportunities opened up, I have found dozens of wonderful, zany singing friends, and life will never be the same, thank God!
I have become a Certified Music Arranger for the "Sweet Adelines, International" organization, and I’d LOVE to arrange something for YOU!
I have been in three SAI choruses, learning a great deal in each of them….but Millennium Magic is the BEST!