Gina Baker, lead singer of award winning Touche quartet and member of the 100+woman Toast of Tampa Show Chorus (TOT), was crowned 2012 International Queen of Harmony by judges at the 66th annual convention and competition of Sweet Adelines International in Denver on November 2. Winning the gold medal was the achievement of a lifetime for the long distance quartet, whose four singers have only performed and competed together for two years and came in second in 2011. Lead-singer Baker, a resident of Tampa who works as a neonatal intensive care nurse at St Joseph’s Women’s Hospital, is joined by her stepmother, Jan Anton, also of Florida, and friends Patty Baker from Southern California and Kim McCormick of Oregon: www.touchequartet.com.

Tony DeRosa, Master Director of both Tampa-based TOT and the men’s Heralds of Harmony barbershop choruses, and first four-time Men’s International gold medalist, directed a song for Ft. Meyers-based Spirit of the Gulf Chorus, which represented Region 9 in the Mile High City. Nine members of Toast of Tampa who also sang with Spirit of the Gulf came home with 6th place medals. Live Out Loud, a Toast of Tampa quartet with all singers from Central Florida, came in a stellar 13th place. In all, it was a great week for Tampa a cappella singing as Toast continues to celebrate its 25th Anniversary year!

TOT’s talented ladies aged 8 to 80 have consistently represented the Florida region on the International stage in Top Ten showings (including 1st place) in Houston, Nashville, Calgary, Detroit, Phoenix, Orlando, Baltimore, and Indianapolis. Twice the chorus was voted “favorite” of over 500 Sweet Adeline choruses in 15 countries. TOT is excited to return to the 2013 International stage in Honolulu, where Touche will “sing in” next year’s quartet champions. Toast of Tampa Chorus features seven registered quartets.

Toast rehearses on Tuesday nights, 7pm, at Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 304 Druid Hills, Temple Terrace. Bay Area women of all ages are invited to visit. For further information on the chorus, carpooling to rehearsals, or booking a memorable performance, please visit the Chorus’ website at: www.toastoftampa.org.