Musical Director & Assistant Director

Cheryl Wilcox & Cathy Saunders

Cheryl Wilcox – Director

Cheryl Wilcox became the director of Farmington Valley Chorus in 2002. Her background in music, including over 40 years as a Sweet Adeline, has given Cheryl a strong foundation for her skills as a director. Her knowledge, enthusiasm, and love of barbershop are inspiring and exhilarating!

Cheryl received her musical "basic training" at Hartford Conservatory of Music. Her love of barbershop began as she watched her mother sing with FVC, and it grew stronger as she sang as a young member of the chorus herself. Cheryl became an accomplished quartet singer, placing as high as 11th at the International level. 

Under Cheryl's direction, FVC has competed in the 2007, 2015, and 2017 Harmony Classic, an international competition of the top five midsize (30-60 members) Sweet Adeline choruses in the world. In 2012, the chorus placed first in its regional competition, making them eligible to compete globally in Hawaii against 34 other choruses from around the world. In 2019, Cheryl's expert direction brought them the highest score to date and most improved chorus status, earning them a wildcard placement at the international competition in Phoenix AZ in the fall of 2022. 

Cheryl is a proud mother of two daughters and five cherished grandchildren, who keep her on her toes. She lives in Harwinton, CT with her husband, where she grows amazing tomatoes during the summer.


Cathy Saunders - Assistant Director

Cathy Saunders is FVC’s Assistant Director. She has been a member of SAI since 1985, when she began her barbershop career in Region 15 with Evergreen Chorus, before moving back to CT and joining FVC in 1987. 

Cathy and Cheryl have been friends, chorus members, and quarteters together since 1991. They have sung in several award-winning quartets, becoming regional Quartet Champions and earning 11^th place with Encore Quartet at the International Competition. She has also competed with FVC at the International Chorus Competition and at Harmony Classic. Cathy is a member of the Region 1 Inner Circle.

Cathy is FVC’s Bass section leader and Visual Performance Coordinator, responsible for all visual aspects. She is also the Coach coordinator, contacting our coaches and assuring that their visits to our chorus go smoothly. She also helps with emcee work and scripting for our sing-outs/performances. She is part of our Music staff, assisting Cheryl in her vision of making and coordinating the path for the future of the chorus. In addition, she coordinates visual and vocal warmups when needed and does classes and events, helping with our visual performance and vocal production. And she is currently taking part in the Sweet Adelines Director’s Certification Program.

Cathy loves FVC and cannot imagine singing anywhere else or with any other group of women. She is the mother of 3 amazing children and has had her heart stolen by three beautiful grand babies.