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It's been a long time coming.

With a quarter-century of experience under its belt, the Yampa Valley chorus of Sweet Adelines International finally has something to sing about -- a first-place finish at the regional competition.

"It's just the weekend that we've dreamt about for quite a long time," 11-year member Ivy Davis said. "We've been riding this wave of euphoria for several days."

The group, which boasts 17 singers, including a few Denver women, placed first in its 15- to 30-member division Saturday at the Region 8 competition and convention in Colorado Springs.

"This is the first time this chorus has ever won first place," member Jeanne Stalcar said. "It's pretty exciting. It was unreal."

The chorus, a four-part a cappella women's group, competed against others from Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska, South Dakota and Montana.

The Yampa Valley chorus placed sixth overall and won the Most Improved Chorus, Most Improved Showmanship and Watch Us Grow awards for the entire region. Watch Us Grow is based on the percentage of new members in the chorus.

"It feels incredible, just incredible. What an evening," chorus director Denise Whitney said. "Then to get all these other awards on top of (first place) was like, ‘Oh my gosh.' It was almost hard to believe."

Whitney, who's directed the choir for 20 years, said the chorus goes to competition nearly every year, even if it does not have the required 15 members to compete. The judges' comments are important to the chorus' growth.

"It really helps us know what we need to work on," Whitney said. "The judges' comments are very helpful, and it gives us some goals. It also tells us what we're doing well so we can keep honing those skills."

The same is true for the High on Harmony quartet, which also performed, but did not place, Saturday. Whitney, Ivy, Stalcar and Karla Watson comprise the quartet.

So what's next for the Sweet Adelines?

A couple of weeks off then back to the grindstone.

"We actually are going to keep working to improve our score," Whitney said. "Our goal every year is mostly just to beat ourselves. So that's what we'll work on next."

Davis said she most enjoys participating in the chorus because of the exhilaration of competing and the community's encouragement of the group's shows and fundraisers.

"All the love and support we receive from the community is just so appreciated," she said.

But the group always needs more members. Currently, members range in age from 10 to 58, and everyone is welcome.

"We just want people who love to sing and can come to our rehearsals on Thursday nights," Whitney said. "If nothing else, just come and try us out."

For more information on joining Sweet Adelines, call Whitney at 824-8326.