Curt and Judy Kimball Windsong Chorus Music Scholarship

The Windsong Chorus of Sweet Adelines International has been singing those words and harmonizing the Sterling community for over 50 years now. They created this scholarship in 2023 to show gratitude to charter members Curt and Judy Kimball.

Noted for their artistic presentation of barbershop singing, the group, which includes members from Colorado, Nebraska and Kansas, has been a mainstay of the Sterling community since they received their charter in 1971. When Judy and Dr. Curt Kimball came to Sterling from Phoenix that year, they brought with them their love of barbershop and soon began a group here. Judy served as the first president of the chorus, and today is the only remaining charter member, and Curt was musical director. “It’s great fellowship of women and we met with a purpose, we are friends and we also had a purpose,” Judy said about what’s made Windsong so successful. She also credits the audience, “we couldn’t do it without the people.”

The chorus has been under the leadership of four different directors. Dr. Kimball, who had never directed before but had plenty of barbershop experience, served as director from 1971 to 1982 and Neala Carmichael, who had been assistant director for a number of years, began directing in 1982 and after 27 years she retired in 2009. In Jan. 2010, Susan Brown (Gunnels) stepped down off the risers after singing in the chorus for 22 years to direct and in 2013, Annette Lambrecht took over as director.

Windsong’s annual show is a source of pride to each and every member. Every member is involved in the show – from selling program ads, to designing props and constructing those props, to writing the script and planning the costumes, the chorus members each have an important part to play even before they get on stage.

In 1993, Windsong Chorus and Centennial State Chorus joined together to give their first Christmas show. This beautiful tradition invites members from the community to share their talents during the Christmas season, even if they are not able to be members of the chorus. Over the years this show has raised thousands of dollars and tons of food items that are donated to Cooperating Ministry of Logan County and scholarships to Northeastern Junior College students.