The date was November 24, 1958 when 30 members of the newly formed Columbus Chorus, founded by Marge Maher, received its charter as a chorus of Sweet Adelines International. A special celebration of this momentous occasion was held April 2, 1959 at the Maennerchor.
Little did this new group of singers realize what the next 66 years would bring. The chorus began performing regularly in the central Ohio area at a variety of venues, and this has continued through the years. Especially memorable are performances at the Park of Roses, the Ohio State Fair, Easton Town Center, the Franklin Park Conservatory and the Lancaster Music Festival.
Presenting an annual show has been high on the list of priorities. Shows have been presented at a variety of locations in the area, including the OSU Mershon Auditorium, the Ohio Theatre, the Palace Theatre, the Capitol Theatre at the Riffe Center, The Bluestone (formerly BoMA), and the Historic Valley Dale Ballroom.
Another essential facet of the Sweet Adeline world is competition, which helps all choruses to improve in their craft of singing barbershop harmony. Competition is an integral part of the Sweet Adeline year, where choruses compete to represent their regions at the annual International Convention & Competition. Columbus participated every year, and for most of those contests, the chorus was among the top scorers. Twice, Columbus finished in first place, and had the honor of representing our region on the international stage.
In 2014, Sweet Adelines International rolled out a new regional contest category, Open Division. We jumped in with ALL of our feet, because we get to sing three songs instead of two, and work them into a 10-minute package. The Open Division doesn't get us to the international stage, but the joy we receive from performing these packages is all the reward we need.
The years have provided many memorable events for Columbus Chorus to enjoy. The chorus loves to sing, work, and laugh together, to enjoy each other’s company and friendship, and to perform and to entertain.
Here are all the women and men that have successfully led Columbus Chorus through many, many years of harmony!
| Bill Oursler | Novemer 1958—August 1962 |
| Kay Ingraham | August 1962—June 1963 |
| Charlie Hummel | 1963 |
| Dean Porter | Directed 1966 contest |
| Charlie Hummel | September 1966—January 1969 |
| Cam Karau | January 1969—August 1969 |
| Charlie Hummel | September 1969—August 1970 |
| Mary Ellen Guntzelman | September 1970—January 2012 |
| Kathy Larkins | March 2011—present |
