In 1979, the Mountain Shadows Chorus was chartered in Greeley. Under the direction of Lurlene Unruh, the chorus had 48 singers in their first competition and wore black tuxedos with pink jabots...and wigs. In 1988, the chorus combined forces with the Poudre River Chorus (then under the direction of Jenger Smith and Cheryl Morgan) and became Centennial Blend, under the direction of Julie Palagi. In 2009, the chorus was proud to compete at the Harmony Classic at the Sweet Adelines International Competition in Nashville, where they placed fourth in the world in the AA Small Chorus Division. Since 2010, the chorus has been directed by Laura Lewis, who is proud to have been present (though too young to actually join) at the start of the chorus in 1979.
Throughout the over 40 years The Blend has been in existence, the chorus has sung dozens of songs and rung hundreds of barbershop chords. They've worn everything from elegant evening gowns to dusters to clown costumes (and let's forget the maroon dresses). They've sung songs by ABBA, John Denver, Katherine Lee Bates, and Ludwig von Beethoven, as well as many classic barbershop favorites. And they've taken their music all over the Front Range, from pubs and pizzerias to churches and theaters to street festivals and bus stops. But most of all, they’ve made friends. Women of all ages from pre‐teen to octogenarians have graced our stages and filled our chords: sisters have sung with sisters; mothers have sung with daughters; great‐grandmothers have sung with great‐granddaughters! And each new singer added a special spice to our musical mix.
