And when one member lost a loved one very suddenly, the group, which was united by their love of music, stepped up to help.
“The energy from making music is really what keeps me alive.” I feel like music runs through my veins. “I need it to make a living,” Elaine Corriveau said. “I am sure I could not have done it without them.”
When Corriveau’s adult daughter died of leukemia two years ago, the group she loves helped her get through the hard times. Most people could not understand the mother’s pain, but they only showed her love.
“This group is filled with love.” Debbie Dennis, who leads the chorus’s competition team, said, “We cheer people on when they are going through hard times.”
“We tried to listen to her and give her what she needed, even though she was not always in town. We sent her lots of text messages, emails, videos, and love.”
At the same time that Corriveau was getting better, her singing sisters sent her a beautiful invitation: the Sunshine Show Chorus would be going to their first foreign competition since 2011.
In late October, the group put on their most elaborate Willy Wonka-themed outfits and bright makeup for one last show for family and friends.
At the Kansas City Harmony Classic competition, they came in second place in their class with the same silly show. Dennis said that the group was happy with the outcome and proud of their work.
But Corriveau is happy just sharing her love for singing with the chorus, something she used to do with her late daughter and enjoys doing now too, no matter how the competition turns out.
“Be in my corner and stay in my corner,” she said. “She would not have me cry over here.” “She was full of life and happiness.” That is how I remember her: by always being happy and smiling.