Prairie Echoes Chorus of DeKalb, an award-winning women’s a cappella chorus of Sweet Adelines International, participated in the Youth in Harmony Festival last month, sponsored by the Rock River Valley Barbershop Chorus.

High school girls and boys from two school in the Sterling area and their teachers participated in this singing workshop held at Sterling High School. There were 105 girls and 50 boys.

During the day, five members of Prairie Echos Chorus, Cara Ebersole, Karen Stuedemann, Charleen McCracken, Sue Dirks and director Donna Bates, reviewed a cappella and vocal techniques in the barbershop style and the girls even learned a little choreography. That evening, everyone, including the teachers, shared their talents singing four-part harmony with a women’s group, singing “Swing Down Chariot,” and a men’s group, singing “A Wink and a Smile.”