tidelanders HISTORY
1980 - 1999
Introduction
This page chronicles the period from 1980 – 1999. This time period can be characterized as rich in competition history. These two decades represent the most District and Internation competitions than any other point in the Tidelanders history.
More Contests
In 1980, under Jim Sikorski, the Tidelanders placed 5th in Salt Lake City. In 1981 (Detroit), 1983 (Seattle), and 1984 (St. Louis), with John Devine directing, Houston placed 4th, 4th, and 5th, respectively. 1984 marked the beginning of a long dry spell for the Houston Tidelanders. Houston placed second in District competition, to either the Dallas Vocal Majority or Oklahoma City’s OK Chorale, for nine of the next ten years, once placing 3rd.
Betty Tracy, Director
Betty Tracy was the Tidelander’s historic first female Director. She led the Tides to the 1994 District competition in Tulsa. THere were 75 men on the stage. She brought home Tidelanders’ first SWD Chorus Championship since 1984.
International Contest
In 1995, the Tidelanders went to Miami Beach for their first International Contest in eleven years. With 88 men on stage, they finished 11th. In October 1995, the Tides repeated as SWD Chorus Champions. The chapter returned to the International Contest in Salt Lake City, placing 11th for the second year in a row.
Competition Hiatus
The Tidelanders decided not to compete in the 1996 contest cycle because it was obvious that there were so many diverse opinions in the chapter that reaching consensus and pleasing everyone would be impossible.
Performing Chorus
On October 14, 1996, the “Futures Committee” Chairman and 1998 President-elect, Wayne Hardin, mailed a new Tidelanders’ Mission Statement, a Statement of Values and a Chapter Code of Regulations to supplement the by-laws to members. The new, improved Tidelanders were modeled from a “best practices survey” of the most successful chapters in the Society. The Alexandria Harmonizers provided some of the “best” ideas.
Key changes included a new entity called the “Performing Chorus”. All members would have to audition and maintain chorus repertoire competency. On going audio-taping and demonstration of visual plan mastery was required for everyone. Chapter members wishing to be a part of the Performing Chorus were requested to execute a Membership Expectation Contract. The contract listed the commitments everyone was expected to meet. Auditions began in January 1997, under the leadership of Tracy Shirk.
Downsizing
The Tidelanders experienced a very difficult year in 1997. Even though relatively few members who elected to audition for the Performing Chorus failed their auditions, many opted to become inactive or drop their membership. From 82 men on the 1996 International stage in Salt Lake City, only 35 were in the new Performing Chorus for the Division contest in August 1997. The Spring Show lost money for the first time in history. These were difficult times but those who believed in the new Tidelanders, the “CORE”, as they became known, worked for the survival of the Chapter. The vision was a return to its previous level of achievement.
First Show CD
The rejuvenated Tidelanders won the Division Chorus Contest, scoring just a few points ahead of the newly-formed Heart of Texas Chorus. Forty-two Tides went to Little Rock for the SWD competition in October and came in 2nd, by only one point to Heart of Texas. The Tidelanders ended 1997 in an upbeat fashion with our 14th Christmas Show, MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS, at the Wortham Center. We released our first CD recording at this show.
Membership Growth
Membership growth continued, with 19 new members added to the Performing Chorus during the first six months. Emphasis on quality singing, described in the Tidelanders’ VISION STATEMENT, continued. The 1998 Spring Show, our 48th, entitled “Phantom of the Music Hall”, was held at the Music Hall. Past International Quartet Champions, GAS HOUSE GANG, were the headliner quartet. Sadly, this was the last time the Tidelanders performed in the great old Music Hall. It was demolished in June, 1998, to make way for a new Theatre for the Performing Arts.
Another District Win
In August 1998, the Tidelanders again won the Division Chorus Contest in San Marcos and headed for the SWD contest in New Orleans. Unfortunately, the Tidelanders only placed 3rd, by a few points, behind the Heart of Texas and Central Cities (OK), who tied for 1st place.
Annual Spring Show
The Annual Spring Show at the Wortham was entitled “Grandpa’s Attic”. The Tidelanders placed 3rd in Tulsa at the annual SWD Contest after winning the Division Contest. The year concluded with another Christmas Show, our 16th, at the Wortham.
