80 YEARS OF CONVENTIONS - HOW ONE WEEK A YEAR AFFECTS THE TRAJECTORY OF BARBERSHOP - Barbershop Harmony Society
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BRINGING BARBERSHOP HARMONY TO LIFE • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020
80 YEARS OF CONVENTIONS
HOW ONE WEEK A YEAR AFFECTS THE TRAJECTORY OF BARBERSHOP
NOTEWORTHY SPOTLIGHT TIP SHEET
VIRTUAL HARMONY UNIVERSITY WHY SKY HARRIS STARTED AN WHAT DO WE DO IN
ENJOYS HISTORIC SUMMER SEASON INTERNATIONAL MEN’S CHORUS DOWNTIME? EMBRACE IT!
barbershop.org | September/October 2020 | The Harmonizer | 1
In This Issue SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020 • VOLUME LXXX • NUMBER 5
18
George Campbell leads community singing during
the 1947 International Convention in Milwaukee.
In Every Issue
4 Starting Pitch + Letters
Survival assumed—aim for serving the world
during a crisis; Reen family story
8 Noteworthy
An historic all-online Harmony University
Kevin Keller, Alan Lamson in BHS Hall of Fame
33 Chapter Eternal
Members reported as deceased between
May 15 and July 15, 2020
34 Member Services Directory
How to contact your leaders, where to get answers
36 The Tag
Features “Gonna Rise Up on Wings of Song”
18 80-year history of BHS conventions
While our contests have always been front and center every July, much of what has happened both
onstage and offstage during every convention has left a lasting impact on our barbershop lives.
Departments
14 Tip Sheet 16 Spotlight
Months into a frustrating online purgatory, the Before Sky Harris could become a Society
time has come to view our forced downtime as a member herself, the former “barbershop
“sabbatical”—a break from the routine that gives brat” had already founded an internationally
us the time and means to rejuvenate our groups. competitive BHS men’s chorus.
On the cover: Conventions past and present, by Eddie Holt main photo by Read Photography 18
Connect with us YouTube: BarbershopHarmony38 Twitter: @barbershopnews
barbershop.org Facebook: barbershopharmonysociety Instagram: @barbershopharmonysociety
2 | The Harmonizer | September/October 2020 | barbershop.org
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE/EDITORIAL
harmonizer@barbershop.org
EDITOR
Lorin May
OUR VISION
Everyone in Harmony
OUR MISSION
To bring people together in harmony and fellowship
to enrich lives through singing.
OUR PURPOSES
To perpetuate the old American institution:
the barbershop quartet and barbershop harmony
To promote appreciation of barbershop harmony
To initiate and maintain a broad program
of musical education, contests, and appreciation in
support of barbershop harmony and the
allied arts
To establish and maintain foundations that support
our vision
To initiate, promote and participate in charitable
projects that support our vision
The Society for the Preservation and Encouragement
of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, Inc.
(DBA Barbershop Harmony Society) is a non-profit
organization operating in the United States and
Canada.
September/October 2020
Volume LXXX Number 5
Complete contact info: pages 34-35
The Harmonizer (ISSN 0017-7849) (USPS 577700) is published bimonthly by the
Barbershop Harmony Society, 110 7th Ave N, Nashville TN 37203-3704.Periodicals
Postage Paid at Nashville TN and at additional mailing offices.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:
The Harmonizer, 110 7th Ave N, Nashville TN 37203-3704
Advertising rates available upon request at harmonizer@barbershop.org.
Publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts or artwork.
Postmaster: Send address changes to editorial offices of The Harmonizer,
110 7th Ave N, Nashville TN 37203-3704 at least 30 days before the next publication
date. (Publications Agreement No. 40886012. Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses
to: Station A, PO Box 54, Windsor ON N9A 6J5. Email: cpcreturns@wdsmail.com)
A portion of each member’s dues is allocated to cover the magazine’s subscription
price. Subscription price to non-members is $25 yearly or $5 per issue; foreign
subscriptions are $35 yearly or $7 per issue (U.S. funds only).
© 2020 The Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop
Quartet Singing in America, Inc. dba The Barbershop Harmony Society.
Printed in the USA
barbershop.org | September/October 2020 | The Harmonizer | 3
STARTING PITCH
A conversation with our President and CEO
Survival
assumed–
aim for
serving the Dick
world
during
a crisis Marty
Maybe the pandemic is the distilling
moment that reveals our true purpose.
BRIAN: To use Marty’s favorite in abundance, online coaching for ing some kind of online meeting are
metaphor, how do we keep the fly- chapters, visits of Society Board and getting that benefit.
wheel spinning during a pandemic? district officials to chapters. We still have lots of work to do to
How do we accept and understand Despite the fears and disruption help the other 40% of chapters who
that things are not going to be the brought by the coronavirus, our are not meeting regularly. It’s my
same as they were in February before communities are healthier and able hope that the chapters having some
this all hit? to cope with the pandemic much success online will reach out to those
DICK: I don’t see the situation we’re better because of barbershop. I think that have not yet tried. Invite them
in as doom and gloom. I see it as an that’s profound, I really do. to your meetings, teach them how
incredible testament to the spirit of MARTY: Our second quarter mem-
Barbershoppers, to the “can-do!” ber survey shows it: more than 80%
attitude they bring to every chal- agree/strongly agree that “when
lenge, to the wondrous things we’ve people facing significant challenges “IT IS THROUGH OUR
learned how to do in the last six SING together, it helps them with
months that have slingshot us into those challenges.” So the many SERVICE TO OTHERS THAT WE
the future. We see online courses chapters (about 60%) that are hold- FULFILL OUR OWN DESTINY
AND RISE ABOVE THE DAILY
TRIALS TO BECOME WHO
Get in Touch WE WERE MEANT TO BE.
Dick Powell, Society President leadsingerdpowell@gmail.com DON’T HOLD ONTO THAT
Marty Monson, CEO/Executive Director CEO@barbershop.org NOURISHING STUFF AND
KEEP IT TO YOURSELF!”
4 | The Harmonizer | September/October 2020 | barbershop.org
to use the technology, have featured “THIS DISTILLING MOMENT
guest speakers and coaches that
all can enjoy. We’re already seeing
OF THE PANDEMIC BRINGS
well-resourced chapters offering open US TO THE CORE: WHAT ARE
rehearsals. We’re seeing two or more
chapters combining on interchapter
THE ABSOLUTELY IMMUTABLE,
Zoom calls. It feels a bit like getting on UNCHANGING QUALITIES OF OUR
Society Board
the bus and going to a cookie festival BARBERSHOP EXPERIENCE?” Transition planning with
or interchapter quartet night, like we
used to do in the ’70s and ’80s. President-elect John Donehower,
DICK: How do we encourage more of EVP-elect Steve Denino
that versus just always thinking about
ourselves? It is through our service to hold onto that nourishing stuff and
Marty’s virtual meetings
others that we fulfill our own destiny keep it to yourself—enrich yourself and
and rise above the daily trials to be- the world around you! Aug 10, Downeasters Chorus
come who we were meant to be. Don’t MARTY: I think it gives our barber- Aug 20, Acaville Radio Interview
Aug 22&29, Legacy Quartet
Championship
Watch the full State of the Society address Aug 23, EVG District Board
In an address livestreamed as Aug 24, Gulf Coast Harmonizers
part of the annual meeting of Sept 3, BABS interview
the Society Board of Directors,
CEO Marty Monson reflected on Dick’s virtual meetings
the challenges of thriving during Aug 6, Central Florida Chapter
a pandemic. Watch the full
video online, as Marty speaks Aug 6 MAD Board
frankly about controversy, Full Circle virtual choir
hope, hard choices, and great production of “Dream Lover”
new ideas. Some (excerpted) Patapsco Valley BHS virtual
highlights follow. rehearsal (every other Tuesday)
CHANGES: “The changes
Aug 19, Virtual Mixed
we’ve experienced over the last three years pale in comparison to what we’ve experienced
over the last four months as an organization. As a member of the Barbershop Harmony Barbershop Harmony Showcase
Society, you have experienced a lot of change in the last several years.”
TRUST: “To thrive during periods of change, there must exist a trust between the organization Dick is learning
and its members that the decisions being made are with integrity and, ultimately, in the best “Yesterday” (mixed),
interest of our collective future. I recognize the trust you have provided in us has been challenged “Hallelujah” (mixed),
since the launch of our Strategic Plan and our new vision of Everyone in Harmony, especially “Sweet Caroline” (mixed)
the recent frank and honest questions, deep concerns, and passionate dialogue that have been
expressed in public forums, phone calls, meetings between leaders, and emails to me person-
ally around our decision to fund-raise directly, which has also led to some sobering realizations Marty is reading:
regarding the overall change management of the Strategic Plan’s implementation.” Dying to Lead,
APOLOGIES: “True leadership is built on honesty and humility, and though it is hard at Dr. Robert Mckenna
times to do, we would like to take this opportunity to humble ourselves, apologize, and ask for
your forgiveness.”
INCLUSION: “Looking at the heartache that our communities are experiencing today, I can
say… I am so glad that our Society chose to become more inclusive years ago. We may not
have rolled out the vision perfectly, but being more inclusive is always the right thing to do.”
barbershop.org/state-of-society-july-2020
barbershop.org | September/October 2020 | The Harmonizer | 5
STARTING PITCH
A conversation with our President and CEO
“DESPITE THE FEARS AND
DISRUPTION BROUGHT BY
THE CORONAVIRUS, OUR Reader Feedback
COMMUNITIES ARE HEALTHIER Let us know what’s on your mind: Harmonizer@barbershop.org
AND ABLE TO COPE WITH THE
The Reen Family’s story
PANDEMIC MUCH BETTER I always enjoy my Harmonizer, but just like other publications issued on a
BECAUSE OF BARBERSHOP.” recurring basis, some issues are just “better” than others. Take, for instance, your
July/August issue. I had never heard of the Reen Family, or heard them sing. But what a
great story well told. And what a hugely memorable impact!
PW “Bill” Miller
shop community energy to go help their
Columbus, Ohio
own local backyard community. Why
don’t we invite the local community
choirs or church choirs that aren’t get- Super article on the Reens! Lots of moving pieces and a moving
ting together right now and do a virtual piece on a well-known family. It was worth a cover.
choir with them? Talk about unification! Jim Bagby
Our barbershop community can be a Kansas City, Mo.
solution for their local circles of need.
Once you’ve figured out how to feed
Legacy Quartet Contest
yourself, go out and feed others.
The 139th Street Quartet had four leads, all earning medals. To only list Larry as the lead
DICK: Marty, this sounds like trying
to fulfill the entire Maslow Hierarchy is not fully encompassing the longevity of the group from 1976-1996 in competition. It
of Needs. First, we’ve been focusing on would be unfair to not recognize all. Likewise, the Easternaires had multiple members, as did the
survival—our personal survival of not Playtonics and Bank Street and The Roaring 20’s, etc.
being sick, but also our barbershop sur- Dan Jordan
vival. What you’re saying is, now we can 139th Street lead 1991-2010
drive it up that pyramid of needs toward
self-actualization, creativity, reaching To clarify: The committee selected each group’s highest contest placement and/or score, then listed
human potential—through service! the lineup for that year. Contest videos will be primarily drawn from that year. A story about the
MARTY: I wonder if people are going to “champs” and/or “medalists” will appear in a future issue. Members of those groups that were not
read this column and think, “Sure, sure, from the year listed in the July/August issue may be listed in that article.
optimism and hope, but you’re not con-
nected, you’re not seeing reality.” But Speaking of which, the wrong lineup
really, our strategic plan suggests that
for the Easternaires was shown in the
we have a greater duty that goes beyond
July/August 2020 issue. The honored
our present membership and brings our
value to a broader world. Easternaires lineup from 1970 is Dave
DICK: So, this distilling moment of the Mittlestadt (Br), Bob Bohn (Bs), Danny
pandemic brings us to the core: what are Heyburn (L), and Eddy Ryan (T). n
the absolutely immutable, unchanging
qualities of our barbershop experience?
MARTY: It’s not just the harmony sing-
ing. It’s the harmony making in terms
of fellowship that keeps people around,
that gives hope and gives a journey 110 7th Ave N. Harmonizer@ Barbershop.org Facebook.com/
of support. During this pandemic, it’s Nashville, TN, 37203 barbershop.org barbershopharmonysociety
needed more than ever. n
6 | The Harmonizer | September/October 2020 | barbershop.org
Clubs
barbershop.org | September/October 2020 | The Harmonizer | 7
NOTEWORTHY
The latest in the world of Barbershop.
ONLINE EDUCATION
Hundreds learn virtually during
historic Harmony University
There may have been no singing in the stairwells or late-night ice cream, but we
just learned how fun and effective online Harmony University instruction can be!
T his year, we celebrated 50 years of
Harmony University, but although
we could not gather in person, hun-
dreds enjoyed the live HU experience
online for the first time ever. Led by
the same world-class faculty as previ-
ous years, Virtual HU (VHU) offered
hours of programming every day for
four weeks in July. Attendees mixed
and matched class types in both full Andrew Rembecki (left) taught “Ear Training Apps”
registrations and à la carte packages. from his home in Germany, while four-time champ
There were 85 faculty members Tony De Rosa (above) taught “Artistic Singing.”
representing seven world-wide barber-
shop organizations teaching some engagement. There were 2,384 hours ist) and Hot Pursuit (2019 Harmony,
portion of VHU, including six core of recorded content produced in Inc. Harmony Queens), all of which
seminars: Arrangers, Directors, Lead- July; there were 100,805 page visits are registered BHS quartets. After re-
ership, Music Educators, Performance, to education.barbershop.org in July. hearsing virtually with Deke Sharon,
and Mechanics of Artistic Singing, The Everyone in Harmony Virtual Virtual Choir members submitted
plus an additional 80+ elective courses. Choir experience with Deke Sharon video and audio recordings for both
Overall, VHU produced 323 differ- moved from LA2020 to VHU and songs, which are being combined into
ent sessions resulting in 378 hours swelled to 351 participants; section online video performances.
of content, with the hundreds of leaders were 2018 International More details about Virtual Har-
registered attendees engaging in live Champion After Hours and women’s mony University will appear in the
content in more than 13,117 points of quartets GQ (2019 SAI bronze medal- November/December issue.
KEVIN KELLER, ALAN LAMSON INDUCTED INTO BARBERSHOP HARMONY SOCIETY HALL OF FAME
Congratulations to the two new members of than 250 songs so far), educator, and as a Barbershopper of
the BHS Hall of Fame. Both will be appropri- highly innovative chairman of Contest and the Decade for the
ately honored online this fall. Judging. He has won gold medals with the 1990s. A profes-
Vocal Majority and the Ambassadors of Harmony, sional architect, he
KEVIN KELLER. A and placed as high as 6th on the International identified the new
Society member quartet stage with Cheers. BHS headquarters
since 1978, Kevin location and made
lives in St. Louis, ALAN LAMSON. Since 1981, Alan has had a major contributions
Mo. and is in high strong impact in a wide variety of leadership to its design. He served as Society President
demand as a coach roles at the chapter, district, and Society in 2011-12, serving for a time as interim
and arranger (more levels. A past NED President, he was also NED CEO, and led the search for the new CEO.
8 | The Harmonizer | September/October 2020 | barbershop.orgTHE ROARING 20’S QUARTET
Nominate for the NAfME/BHS
Music Educator of the Year award
With the National Association for Music
Education (NAfME), the Society annually
honors an exemplary music educator
who inspires students through the power
of music. Nominate educators by Novem-
ber 1. Link at barbershop.org/harmonizer.
Largest-ever Virtual Choir
A lot of Barbershoppers added their
voices to the record 17,572 from 129
Sticking their necks
countries who made up the largest
virtual choir ever assembled. Link to
out for an old friend
the performance of Grammy-winning
composer Eric Whitacre’s “Sing Gently” at
barbershop.org/harmonizer.
M embers of The Roaring 20’s quartet hadn’t been singing in person due to
COVID restrictions, but when they learned that former lead Gerry Kelly
could pass away any day, they assessed the risks and donned their masks in
Gerry’s bedroom on July 15. Despite barely being able to talk, Gerry mouthed
the words during much of the 45-minute performance—a lot of songs to
choose from, considering he started singing with the quartet in 1969 and
earned seven international medals with them from 1976 to 1983. The singing
and tearful goodbyes were none too soon, as the quartet received word the
following day that Gerry had passed away at age 83.
“I think it did us a lot of good for Gerry,” said bari Mike Connelly, “and it
did a lot good for us to be ringing chords after four months.” Above: Mike
Connelly (Br), Ned Comisar (Bs), Tom Rouse (L), Bob Moorehead (T).
Barbershoppers voice song in
animated movie Animal Crackers
Three Nashville Barbershoppers now
share a screen credit with Ian McKellen,
Sylvester Stallone, Emily Blunt, John
Krasinski, and Danny DeVito. Eddie Holt,
James Pennington, and Donny Rose,
plus VeggieTales composer and past HU
Keynote speaker Kurt Heinecke, provided
four-party harmony for Animal Crackers,
a big-budget animated movie recently
released on Netflix because of the CHANGING LIVES
pandemic. It’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it
quartet moment at the 1:03:57 time FRESH TAKE QUARTET A DEAD “RINGER” FOR FOUR FRESHMEN
remaining mark. Fun Fact: Recorded on After The Quarter Tones of Pennsylvania competed in the Junior Quartet Contest
April 11, 2017 (Barbershop Quartet Day)! at Midwinter in January, they were in awe of guests the Four Freshmen and saw a
bit of themselves. The original 1940s Four Freshmen started out as a barbershop
quartet before combining their vocal and instrumental skills to become a famous
2019 Annual Report also online jazz foursome. After a one-member change, these recent high school graduates
The report included in this issue is avail- (they are literally four freshmen!) are now Fresh Take Quartet. The high quality
able online with additional information. of their Freshmen covers—only a few weeks after forming—suggests they should
Go to barbershop.org/2019. keep this up and see where it goes. They’re already making a splash locally and
online. Watch and follow them at facebook.com/FreshTakeQuartet.
barbershop.org | September/October 2020 | The Harmonizer | 9NOTEWORTHY
The latest in the world of Barbershop.
THE PODCAST (NOT THE FACEBOOK GROUP)
Let’s Talk Barbershop Member Center is upgrading
Member Center is getting an upgrade!
BHS staff and a team of volunteers are
Host Nicholas DiLorenzo says it was always intended to be kind of working with partners Cloud for Good
like the International livestream banter, but at your leisure and Salesforce Community Cloud to
improve the functionality and user
experience of Member Center. Watch
W hy a barbershop podcast? We love all the talk during the contest Lives-
tream. We wanted a show like that available year round. It started in
April 2019 to lead up to International in Salt Lake. It is now a regular program
for more information as we get closer to
our target Fall launch!
with 30+ episodes!
What is an episode like? Most are about an hour long. Among other things,
hear about new quartet formations, previews of new albums, interviews with
champs and other well-known Barbershoppers, current events, scores, and
more.
Are champions humans too? They pay the same price for gas as
we do, they do laundry (sometimes during the interview),
they work normal jobs, and fangirl or fanboy over the same
quartets as we do. We’ve talked about things like when a Yonge Guns collaborates on
quartet loses its rental car keys, thinks they finished fifth movie tune with ‘70s pop star
then won the whole thing, or what barbershop is like in Yonge Guns quartet worked with Elliot
Australia. Lurie, lead singer of Looking Glass and
songwriter of the 1972 soft rock hit
Who produces the show? Nicholas DiLorenzo from his studio in Raeford, N.C., “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl),” used in
with Rob Roman, Ann McAlexander, and Patrick McAlexander. the opening scenes of Marvel Studio’s
How is it done? Most are via Skype or phone call. Guests call in, it gets record- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Link to the
ed, edited, we add some production elements, and then we publish it. If you’re video at barbershop.org/harmonizer.
subscribed, it comes straight to your phone or computer.
How do I get it? iPhone, iPad, Mac: Open iTunes and search “Let’s Talk Bar- COVID-19 resources for members
bershop,” tap the subscribe button, hit play! On your computer, do the same Go to the COVID-19 Resources for Bar-
at spreaker.com. It is also available via Facebook, iHeart Radio, Spotify, and bershoppers web page for up-to-date
Soundcloud. singing safety research, virtual activity
recommendations (see the “How to Use
Zoom” tutorial), BHS leaders resources,
ASK A CUSTOMER SERVICE REP and Society events and announcements.
Go to barbershop.org/virtualresources.
Reaching 50 years
HOW DO I QUALIFY TO BECOME A HARMONY FELLOW?
Those barbershoppers who have been members of the
Barbershop Harmony Society for 50 years are welcomed
into the status of Harmony Fellow. In recognition of this
loyalty and years of service, Society level dues are no lon-
ger assessed and many districts and chapters also waive
their dues. This year, these folks are being recognized in
Canada knows what’s cool
a virtual way at the Society’s first ever Gala Awards.
Seen on a billboard near the Toronto
– Allison Barrett,
Pearson International Airport
customerservice@barbershop.org
10 | The Harmonizer | September/October 2020 | barbershop.orgWhat’s Happening
2021 International Cleveland
Barbershop Songwriter
Series Published 2022 International Charlotte
September 2020 2023 International Louisville
Arrangements and learning tracks
available for purchase at
shop.barbershop.org
Harmony, Inc. Convention Harmony University
November 4-8, 2020 Belmont U, Nashville
Online Spend a life-changing week
learning from barbershop’s 2022 Midwinter Pasadena
AIC Show best coaches and instructors
December 18, 2020 2023 Midwinter Daytona Beach
• www.barbershop.org/hu
www.aicgold.com 2024 Midwinter New York
CHAMPS BEING CHAMPS
10K streams for
July’s AIC Show
Association of International Champions’ July 3 production so
successful that they’ll be doing a 90-minute one in December
F rom a hotel ballroom in Nashville, the AIC put on a live
show during what would have been our Internation-
al Convention week in Los Angeles. While there was no
audience onsite, more than 10,000 screens connected to 12
live and recorded quartets, as well as a 102-voice virtual
choir. Mike Rowe made a virtual cameo appearance, while
Debbie Cleveland hosted live onsite.
“With the absence of singing, we knew we needed to
put on a show,” said Tim Broersma, tenor of 2005 cham-
pion Realtime. Quartets that did not wish to perform live
offered prerecorded video performances. Live quartets The show was free to all, with considerable production
were tested before arrival, then quarantined from other and travel costs covered by Harmony Foundation Interna-
quartets. Live performances took place on two separate tional. Quartets on the show were (in order) After Hours
stages that were disinfected between quartets, and all (2018), Vocal Spectrum (2006), Masterpiece (2013), OC Times
crew remained masked and distanced. (2008), Interstate Rivals (1987), Crossroads (2009), Instant
Classic (2015), Ringmasters (2012), Forefront (2016), Main
Street (2017), Storm Front (2010) and Signature (2019). The
WATCH ONLINE While the live show will not be rebroadcast, production company owned by Chad and Brandon Guyton
the AIC is gradually re-releasing songs online. Go to YouTube.com (Four Voices, 2002 champion) produced the show, and will
and search for “Association of International Champions.” produce a 90-minute show planned for December. n
barbershop.org | September/October 2020 | The Harmonizer | 11YOUR GIFT CREATES
A WORLD OF HARMONY!
Which area of our work resonates the most with you?
PRESERVE BARBERSHOP
TRANSFORM YOUNG LIVES MUSIC ANOTHER EIGHT
DECADES—AND BEYOND
For young people searching for a sense of Our barbershop predecessors had a
belonging and self, barbershop singing is a vision of preserving the great American
pathway to acceptance, recognition, safety, art form and pastime of singing together,
and artistic expression. but 16 million YouTube views? Today, we
bring barbershop to the whole world
We energize young people of every via publishing, recordings, and contests,
background with amazing events, with more ways to find, hear, and sing
scholarships, music, and performances that barbershop than ever before. We leverage
help them in the here-and-now, while kindling our vast historic archives to preserve the
a lifelong love of singing. past — while creating the future! — for every
generation of singers.
LEARN MORE AT LEARN MORE AT
GIVE.BARBERSHOP.ORG/YOUTH GIVE.BARBERSHOP.ORG/PRESERVE
SUPPORT THE ENTIRE MISSION
The whole is greater than the sum of the parts. We hold major
national and international events, publish thousands of barbershop
arrangements and learning tracks, produce educational programs
and events live and online, produce or fund major youth festivals
across the country, produce content on many different social media
platforms, and collaborate with peer organizations in the choral world.
12 | The Harmonizer | September/October 2020 | barbershop.orgBarbershoppers have a passion for their craft and the lasting bonds of
friendship it builds. Working together, we can build a future where more
people can make harmony together in more ways.
We’ll point your gift in that direction!
FORGE CONNECTION AND
COMMUNITY SUPPORT MUSIC EDUCATORS
The benefits of singing — emotional, Great music educators create a ripple
physical, intellectual — are magnified when effect across hundreds of young people
people sing together. Barbershop singing by hooking them on harmony. Singing
builds unity and cohesion across differences improves overall school participation and
in age, race, gender, orientation, identity, attendance, critical thinking, collaboration,
economics, abilities, and beliefs. We build and creative problem-solving, but school
and strengthen nearly 3,300 barbershop music programs face huge budget
communities, from our original all-male pressures. We support the success of music
groups to the diverse communities that educators through scholarships, destination
have flourished since we welcomed all events, free music and curricula.
people as members in 2018.
LEARN MORE AT LEARN MORE AT
GIVE.BARBERSHOP.ORG/COMMUNITY GIVE.BARBERSHOP.ORG/EDUCATE
● Focus your gift more precisely on specific ● Easily set up an employer match
programs that resonate with you — or choose to
support our overall work and vision. ● Make a tribute gift or a memorial on
behalf of someone who has passed
● Direct a portion of your gift — up to 85% in total —
to your local chapter or district
GIVE TODAY AT GIVE.BARBERSHOP.ORG
Your generosity can go to work directly on the programs you care about most.
development@barbershop.org (800) 876-SING
barbershop.org | September/October 2020 | The Harmonizer | 13TIP SHEET
Nate Ogg, BHS Chapter Success Manager
nogg@barbershop.org
What do we do with
downtime? We embrace it!
Months into a frustrating online purgatory, the time has come to view our forced downtime as a
“sabbatical”—a break from the routine that gives us the time and means to rejuvenate our groups
I n music, there’s a notation known as
a caesura, a metrical pause or break
in a verse where one phrase ends and
another phrase begins. In barbershop
music, it can be expressed by a com-
ma or two lines, either slashed (//) or
upright (||) and often referred to as
“railroad tracks.” In time value, this
break may vary between the slightest
perception of silence all the way up to a
full pause. When we, as performers, see
this notated, the duration of the pause
is entirely up to the conductor or indi-
vidual performers. While this pause
can help build tension and suspense, it most of us have not settled into know- When The Alliance (Greater Central Ohio Chapter)
can also give the listener (and the per- ing what to do with extended caesu- went through a change in directors, the chorus
former) a well-needed rest and reprieve ras or downtime. took a year off competition and attended Harmony
from a busy or challenging piece. University as an ensemble in 2019.
This spring, all 781 of our BHS THE PURPOSE OF A “SABBATICAL”
choruses, from the casual, social Among university professors and in
chorus to the gold medal chorus, some professions, it can be common or call “creative disruption” can have
were plunged into new territory, even encouraged for those with senior- meaningful benefits both for the leader
not knowing immediately how to ity to take off up to a yearlong sabbat- and the organization itself.
keep their singers engaged and not ical from work. The idea is to prevent In their 2009 study on “Sabbati-
knowing the duration. Suddenly, out burnout or stagnation by allowing time cals for Capacity Building & Leader-
the window went all plans for social to attain professional goals, develop ship Development in the Nonprofit
events, local concerts, new music, additional skills, write a book, or simply Sector,” Deborah S. Linnell and Tim
conventions, and world travel. While take some well-needed rest from a Wolfred state: “The stresses and de-
the emotional toll on many of us is relentlessly stressful career. What some mands of leadership make intellectual,
lasting, the impression on our orga- emotional, creative, and even phys-
nizations could be indefinite if not ical burnout all too common among
used proactively. nonprofit leaders. A ‘time away’ from
BHS staff have been busy visiting
hundreds of chapters’ virtual rehears-
WHAT SOME CALL “CREATIVE the daily grind of high-pressure work
routines can rejuvenate body, mind,
als to provide organizational guid- DISRUPTION” CAN HAVE and spirit. It can also bring a leader to
ance and musical enrichment. Even MEANINGFUL BENEFITS FOR new perceptions and re-framings that
though some are excelling at provid- ultimately create greater leadership
ing content and keeping engaged, it’s BOTH THE LEADER AND THE capacity in his or her organization.”
clear that to one degree or another, ORGANIZATION ITSELF. What sabbaticals can do for an indi-
14 | The Harmonizer | September/October 2020 | barbershop.orgDURING A REST, GAIN operational “business as usual.” plan for members (or your community
as an outreach project), build a leader
ORGANIZATIONAL AND UTILIZING YOUR FORCED SABBATICAL succession plan, and ensure that lead-
PERSONAL CLARITY ON HOW A break like this—either by choice
or by necessity—can be disruptive
ers’ heirs apparent are trained/men-
tored effectively. Reach out and connect
TO BE THE BEST VERSION OF to an organization, but often sparks virtually with past members.
YOURSELF YOU CAN BE. creativity and establishes new per- Most important, don’t be afraid to
spectives regarding a group’s work, rest and invest back in yourselves.
organization, and leadership style. Enrichment for yourself and your
The disruption may also show leaders members might benefit the organiza-
vidual, they can do exponentially for that they need to take on, delegate, tion in the long run, but it has a value
an organization as a whole. or outsource additional responsibil- all to itself. In that “rest,” you can find
Although uncommon, an “organi- ities—sometimes permanently—and personal and organizational clarity
zational sabbatical” can happen even allow board members to examine on how to be the best version of your-
without pandemics and other “acts of their own roles from a new, produc- self you can be. n
God.” From 1935 to 1987, the sto- tive perspective.
ried Handel Choir of Baltimore was Such was the case for the Concord,
known for its unbroken annual tradi- Mass. Chapter (Vocal Revolution) and
tion of performing Handel’s “Messi- Greater Central Ohio Chapter (Alliance BY THE NUMBERS
ah.” Then they took an unprecedent- Chorus). Both followed up director
ed 10 months off to reevaluate their turnover with a year off of contest, Here’s more about the quoted Linnell
bylaws, merge/reorganize their board followed by taking the entire chorus to and Wolfred study that analyzed the
structure (to include members of the Harmony University for leadership and sabbaticals and business models of 120
singing chorus) and launch aggressive musical development. organizational leaders. The responses
educational outreach programs. In a recent example, the Hilltop, demonstrate that as a result of the
The leadership took a proactive ap- Minn. Chapter (Great Northern planning and learning surrounding
proach to address some issues they’d Union), took advantage of the time, this kind of “break,” the organizations
been hearing about among the singers now in abundance, to invest in their underwent significant post-sabbatical
and patrons regarding a lack of con- members. After five months of virtual changes. The leaders reported:
nection to their changing community. rehearsals, an online music theo-
They made the best of the time, and
the shifts they made would have been
impossible while trying to maintain
ry and education program, and an
aggressive online coaching sched-
ule, they saw the opportunity to dig
85 % Shared a greater amount
of decision-making with
other leaders
84%
deeper when it was announced that Were more comfortable
Harmony University was going virtu- delegating major
After months of online meetings, Great Northern al this past July. Instead of continuing responsibilities
Union took a few weeks off to help send members to bring in only a couple of coaches,
83%
to Virtual Harmony University. “This also gave the they thought “Why not go where Felt that employees/
music team time to fill their well and focus on all the coaches are and let everyone volunteers had become
long-term items of musical strategy,” said GNU enjoy their own path to becoming a more skilled
Director Mo Field. musician for the month?” The chapter
invested in their members’ devel-
opment by underwriting half of the
cost for their members to attend the
69% Restructured the
management team
64%
hundreds of available sessions. Restructured their job and
delegated some of their
WHAT CAN YOU DO NOW? duties to others
Now is the time to create a new founda-
60%
tional base, refine and realign mission Reported that their board
and vision statements, raise local funds, of directors became more
apply for grants, or make any necessary effective
personnel changes. Build an education
barbershop.org | September/October 2020 | The Harmonizer | 15SPOTLIGHT
David Lunden, President of Liverpool, N.Y. Chapter
dlunden@nscsd.org
Flying high with Sky Harris
Before she could become a Society member
herself, the former “barbershop brat”
had already founded an internationally
competitive BHS men’s chorus. Sky Harris
discusses what she’s learned as a music
educator and in her experience within both
men’s and women’s barbershop.
I watched Sky Harris introduce my
kids to barbershop as their choral
director, and then my kids brought
me back to barbershop after 35 years. Harmonic Collective started in 2016 as a youth
The passion and persistence of Sky, WHAT DO YOU WISH YOUR BARBERSHOP chorus composed mostly of Sky’s students and
now my chorus director in Harmonic AND MUSIC EDUCATION COMMUNITIES alumni from Liverpool, N.Y. In 2017, the group
Collective (SLD), gave me the gift KNEW ABOUT EACH OTHER? became a BHS chapter open to all ages and won
of singing with my son on chapter I want music educators to learn the Seneca Land District Chorus Contest. The
shows and on the International Cho- from the inclusive, accessible family chorus competed in the International Chorus
rus stage. I sat down with Sky to let experience that barbershop can be and Contest in 2018 and 2019. From the beginning,
her share a little of her past, present, embrace it for all its musical, vocal, Sky has been the central figure in the formation
and perspective with everyone. and social value. I want Barbershop- and musical direction of the chorus.
pers to take the time to embrace all
WHAT ARE SOME LESSONS YOU’VE the music-making going on in schools
TAKEN AWAY FROM GROWING UP AS A already, with no strings attached. the women in SOS. They chaperoned
“BARBERSHOP BRAT”? Sometimes barbershop music isn’t the youth chorus to the Youth Chorus
Staying to watch every quartet necessarily the answer, but the barber- Festival at Midwinter, threw us a party
in the Quarterfinals with my dad shop community can always be. when we got our BHS charter, invit-
taught me that every voice has value. ed us to be on shows, and we’re still
Volunteering at his chapter shows, WHY START A MEN’S CHORUS? learning from and cheering for each
I learned you don’t have to win a In all my time growing up around other today. As an educator, I know the
medal to make a difference—you just the men’s barbershop world, my dad treble/bass choral experience can be
have to care about people. At after- always treated me like just another invaluable on so many levels, just like
glows, I learned it’s okay to make a Barbershopper, and so everyone else mixed experiences. I’m grateful to so
mistake—just ask the group to sing did, too. When I started teaching, my many that my kids have access to both.
the line again and keep trying. Sing- brother and I took kids to barbershop
ing tags with the guys in my dad’s camps. He’s always my partner in OUT OF HUNDREDS OF PERFORMANCES AS
chorus taught me that reaching out crime. When the girls got bitten by A SINGER OR DIRECTOR, WHAT IS YOUR
and including people in your circle “the bug,” I could bring them to Spirit BEST MOMENT ON STAGE—OR WORST?
can change lives. When Dad pulled of Syracuse (Sweet Adelines). But my Being on stage at International
my brother and me up on stage to guys didn’t have an equitable opportu- with my brother and father had been
sing “Keep the Whole World Sing- nity, so we created one with the help of a dream since my first International
ing” at every chapter show, I learned
your “hobby” can become a calling if
WATCH ONLINE See Sky Harris direct Harmonic Collective at Midwinter and International
you believe in its power to make the
Contests 2016-19 at youtube.com/BarbershopHarmony38.
world a better place.
16 | The Harmonizer | September/October 2020 | barbershop.orgcontest in 1998. The first time, my but- WITH YOUR EXPERIENCES, WHAT
terflies were fully deployed. But when PERSPECTIVE DO YOU MOST WANT
I turned back to my guys, I wasn’t BARBERSHOPPERS TO HEAR AND KNOW?
afraid anymore—just in awe of their Last summer, I was the only female
greatness. director to cross the contest stage.
The most awkward things have There were five of us in Orlando. My ABOUT SKY HARRIS
happened after performances. After fear is for my guys to be judged by BHS member since 2018 (Associate
my Sweet Adeline quartet’s second one trait that I cannot and would not 2015-18), 17 Persons of Note
contest ever, we had a great hit, won change. I’m humbled and proud to be
most improved, and then we got our one of the few women in the Society CHORUS DIRECTOR
scoresheet. It included a comment currently directing at that level, and • Harmonic Collective (Founding
about how unflattering our outfits I’m grateful my guys value me both Director, 2016-Present)
were. Very deflating. Another was af- as a Barbershopper and a woman. In- • Spirit of Syracuse Sweet Adelines,
ter directing Harmonic Collective in tersectionality and understanding the International (Associate Director,
a BHS contest. A gentleman told me, value in all our pieces matters. Making 2010-Present)
“Those guys are amazing! How are music together has the potential to • Scarlet YWIH Chorus (Founding
you not married yet?” I laughed and make us all better humans—that’s Director, 2017-Present)
tried to change the subject. His re- why I became a music teacher. Use • Liverpool High School Concert Chorale
sponse? “I could be the one!” I know your platform, your passion, and your (2014-Present)
he meant it as a compliment, but it felt privilege to amplify others and make • Chestnut Hill Middle School Chorus
like being reduced to a commodity the world a better place. I’m grateful (2008-Present)
instead of the powerhouse I had felt I have the chance to still learn how to
like moments before. Words matter. do that every day from my family and QUARTET TENOR
from my singers of all ages. • Revolution Quartet Sweet Adelines,
International (2010-Present)
IF YOU COULD JOIN BOTH A GOLD MEDAL • Sky and the Guys Mixed Quartet
QUARTET AND A COMEDY QUARTET, (2020-Present)
WHICH QUARTETS AND WHY?
I love so many quartets—The Gas YOUTH ADVOCATE
House Gang, Vocal Spectrum, GQ, • Lakeside A cappella Camp
and all the youth quartets I’ve ever (Founding Director, 2014-Present)
gotten to love, but in both cases I’d • SAYacaFEST (Founding Director,
choose Storm Front (2010 champi- 2015-Present)
on). I love their mission with young • SAI Region 15 YWIH Co-
people, and that they can make you Coordinator (2015-Present)
laugh and cry in the same set. Hav-
ing had the honor to learn from them FAMILY
in person, I feel their quartet culture • Sagan (brother), Mary (mother),
is one I could always buy into—help Richard (father)
each other, work hard for each other, • “All my ‘kids’ at school”
and do something out there that
makes people think and feel. I sing EDUCATION
tenor, so that would mean kicking • B.M. and M.M. in Music
out Jeff Selano ... sorry! n Education, Syracuse University
OCCUPATION
Left, top two photos: With her father and
brother at a 2011 Carolinas District Convention,
Music Educator, Liverpool Central
competing with her mother in New Orleans with
School District (N.Y.)
Spirit of Syracuse. Bottom two photos, both at
Lakeside A cappella Camp: serving as Camp
Director, singing tenor with Revolution quartet.
barbershop.org | September/October 2020 | The Harmonizer | 17International
ConventionS A partial look at 80 years of impact
By Lorin May, editor of The Harmonizer. With contributions by Kevin Keller (KK),
David Wright (DW), Jim Bagby (JB), Brian Lynch (BL), Terry Reynolds (TR),
Eddie Holt (EH), Rob Hopkins, Ken Buckner, John Schneider, Dusty Schleier,
Henrik Rosenberg, Anthony Scardillo, Doug Miller, Bill Biffle, Chad Bennett, and Tim
Brooks. With thanks also to the late BHS historians Grady Kerr and Val Hicks.
St. Louis 1941, O.C. Cash is bottom left
18 | The Harmonizer | September/October 2020 | barbershop.org25th Anniversary, Toronto 1963
1930s
Tulsa 1939 Tulsa’s
Bartlesville Barflies tops 23
Even if you have never attended other quartets to become our
first champion. Lead Harry
International Conventions Hall, a native of the United
in person, they have impacted Kingdom, is the first foreign-
born champion.
your barbershop life
O.C. Cash polls membership
about whether to include
popular actress Ann
T
he first convention was meticulously Championship Barber Shop Quartet” were Sheridan as a celebrity judge.
planned by O.C. Cash. Always the held Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. She doesn’t attend, but O.C.
showman, Cash had crafted an Being the first contest, there were very Cash is 80 years ahead in
agenda of events that included a few rules. The ones that were observed seeking women judges! (KK)
business session, luncheon and, of course, included: “Competition restricted
the quartet competition. In the program, to Quartets (male) with or without
Cash wrote this about the registration accompaniment”; “Each quartet will be
process on the Mezzanine floor: “Barber permitted to sing two numbers of own
Shoppers will be vaccinated, ear-tagged choosing in qualifying and final rounds”;
and tattooed so they can be returned to and finally “Quartets will be known to the
the herd if lost, strayed or stolen.” The cost judges by number only.”
of registration was “a mere $3.00,” which Speaking of judges, none would qualify as
covered the cost of the “Official Songbook, a judge today. The panel included a doctor,
badge, luncheon and dinners.” the Lieutenant Governor, an American
Among the competitors at that Legion commander and local educators.
convention were the Capitol City Four from The Bartlesville Barflies won singing “By
Canton, Ill. Folklore has it that on the first the Light of the Silvery Moon” and “Just a
day of the convention, the quartet entered Dream of You.” Incidentally, the second-
the lobby of the Hotel Tulsa and “were place quartet was the Capitol City Four—the
overwhelmed by the singing of the Flat Foot quartet that had been overwhelmed by the
Four” (eventual 1940 champs) who were Flat Foot Four!
there performing. As the third-place quartet, the Flat Foot
The first qualifying rounds took place on Four were awarded a “Consolation Title”
Friday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. with quartets and a “commission to each member as
being scheduled “as they arrived” that ‘Little Colonel.’” The “Also Rans” were
afternoon. The second round of qualifying awarded “A box of throat lozenges and best
took place on Saturday morning at 8:00 wishes for the next convention.”
a.m. Cash wrote in the program “Those The contest—and the publicity it
who blew a tonsil or made it to the finals garnered—created an instant hit for the
can play golf, if they want to waste their young society and by early 1940, new
time that way. The more serious artists chapters were springing up across the
will serenade the townsfolk from pillar to country.
post.” The “Grand Finals” for the “World’s – Anthony Scardillo1941’s NYC Parks Contest quartet
champion The Grand Central Red
Caps were denied the chance to
compete in the 1941 contest because
they were not white. The quartet
members were honored at the 2017
Vegas International Convention with
posthumous Society memberships.
(See Nov/Dec 2017 issue)
1940s
is only open to white men. Cleveland 1946 Of the 31 Oklahoma City 1948 Mistrust
(Onsite, the Society Board quartets, 19 perform with of the judging system comes
makes the whites-only canes. Rules and brief to a head after crowd favorite
New York City 1940 The rule official.) The Society descriptions of the judging The Mid-States Four wins
Quartet Contest is held at is excoriated in national categories are first published silver. Accusations of bias
New York City’s World’s Fair. media, and the exclusionary for public viewing. had circled for years due to
One of the celebrity judges is policy profoundly affects the lack of training offered
reportedly overheard telling the musical, cultural, and Milwaukee 1947 With two to each year’s famous and/
Al Smith, “Gee, Al, they all demographic future of competing “Keep America or knowledgeable judges. A
sound the same to me!” From the Society. At the 2017 Singing” compositions to robust and more objective
1941 on, only SPEBSQSA Convention, Society leaders choose from, Arrangements system, including trained
members are judges. (KK) formally apologize and bestow Committee Chairman and certified judges, begins
posthumous memberships to Phil Embury prioritizes development. (KK)
St. Louis 1941 Joe Stern writes the four Red Caps members, Frank Thorne’s at the
the first contest rules, which while debuting a new policy convention due to personal Buffalo 1949 Highly
included that no instruments to actively foster inclusion. respect for Thorne. But it influential comedy quartet
were permitted. (None had (DW) is Bill Diekema’s superior The Mid-States Four (singing
been used before.) (KK) version that becomes our non-comedy sets) receives
Grand Rapids 1942 Sacred unofficial anthem (official the first-ever quartet trophy,
Prior to the convention, NYC and patriotic numbers are after 1988), its popularity later called the Landino
Mayor La Guardia wires O.C. officially barred as contest assured after Bill has the Trophy. It is presented
Cash that he intends to send repertoire. Milwaukee Chapter perform in person by creator Ben
as New York’s representative his composition on the grand Landino, who had spent 600
the Grand Central Red Detroit 1944 Chord Busters staircase of the HQ hotel and hours crafting it without
Caps, a top-level African tenor Doc Enmeier organizes has copies distributed in the being asked or informing
American quartet that won past champions into what lobby. Bill disapproves of the anyone. The Society Board
1941’s prestigious NYC Parks would eventually become the later alteration to “Keep the had been inclined to reject
contest. Cash responds Association of International Whole World Singing.” (DW) the gesture until seeing the
that only members can Champions (AIC). trophy.
compete, and membership1951 champion The Schmitt Brothers
were extremely active during their
career. In 1952, they made a two-week Necessity, accident,
USO tour of military installations in
Alaska, and at the 1966 convention and purpose:
in Chicago, the four brothers rented
a bus and loaded their wives and 32 How Conventions
incubate change
children aboard. All 40 appeared on
stage at the AIC show. (EH)
Without an annual international convention, what
kind of organization and culture would we have
today? Time and again, circumstances arising
1950s
Washington, D.C. 1954 The around the yearly gathering have shaped the
72-man Singing Capital traditions and practices of our Society.
Chorus tops 22 others in the It’s easy to mythologize the earliest years of
Omaha 1950 The Buffalo Bills’ first official chorus contest. SPEBSQSA as an era of predominantly casual
winning sound helps them (1953 winner Great Lakes quartet singing, with contests and chorus singing
become a top-tier show Chorus was unofficial because mere afterthoughts. But from the first convention in
quartet and later the Society’s not all Society Districts 1939, a contest was at the center, and time and again
most famous quartet, starring were represented.) The that has resulted in secondary effects that have
on Broadway and in the film Society enjoys outstanding shaped our culture. Barring The Grand Central Red
The Music Man. nationwide convention Caps from the 1941 contest reflected the widespread
exposure as the top five segregationist practice of fraternal groups of the day
Toledo 1951 The first quartets are recorded and and helped institutionalize it in the young Society.
systematic judging system is broadcast by CBS Radio, with Moving from ear harmonizing in contests to written
used, with certified judges in recordings provided to local arrangements codified the style and spread the
Harmony Accuracy, Balance stations. Some past champs “standardized” sound more broadly—at the expense
and Blend, Voice Expression, are included. of a richer, wider tapestry of sounds and styles,
Stage Presence, and Song to the point where there was understood to be a
Arrangement. The system Los Angeles 1957 The past definite division between “contest barbershop” and
lasts through 1970. (KK) champions stage their first “show barbershop.”
convention show. An emergency decision eliminating racial
The last quartet of the first exclusion in membership eligibility salvaged the 1963
round, The Schmitt Brothers, Columbus 1958 All 13 Convention, and with the stroke of a pen resolved
faced a worn-out audience competing choruses perform (on paper, at least) a contentious issue that had raged
fanning themselves with together on the Ohio State for years. The actual impact on making barbershop
programs in a hot auditorium. Capitol steps. welcoming to non-whites was glacially slow, but
The quartet belted its another convention innovation, the 1992 College
famous “Hello” bell chord Chicago 1959 Illinois’ small, Quartet Contest, grew to become an important entry
intro. Everyone forgot how stunningly precise Pekin point for younger singers who came from a broader
miserable they were and Chorus wins gold with demographic mix than the Society as a whole. Today,
rewarded the Schmitts with a director Jim Moses. They’d those singers lead our chapters, quartets, and Society
rousing ovation. They would win again in 1963 and 1968. and enrich our thinking and art.
go on to win gold. (DW) Expanding the array of offerings and appealing
free events for host city residents has been a
springboard for better awareness in each market
we visit. Looking to the future, an international
Dinner show, Miami 1955 contest that welcomes men’s, women’s, and mixed
ensembles will undoubtedly engage more people
in the pursuit of the biggest stage in barbershop.
It will be neither an accident nor an unforeseen
circumstance. It will reflect purposeful inclusion.
Its effects on our Society may not be seen for several
years, and they may be wildly different from what
we expect. What happens in Vegas may stay in
Vegas, but what happens in conventions ripples
outward for years to follow.
– Brian Lynch
barbershop.org | September/October 2020 | The Harmonizer | 2125th Anniversary, Toronto 1963
1960s
Osmond Brothers Quartet, standing ovation for their Chicago 1966 Joe Wise
special guests at ages 7-13, next-level arrangements and and Jim Miller lead the
makes the audience swoon sound. They later perform Thoroughbreds’ stunning
Dallas 1960 The Evans shortly before its star-making over 200 shows and sell four introduction of chorus
Quartet, among the first appearances on The Andy popular LPs. choreography with the
quartets to use extensive Williams Show. “Mardi Gras March.” Wild
choreography, sees its San Antonio 1964 Avid applause and a win follow—
announcement as winner Toronto 1963 Early in the quartetter and wealthy golf “My watch flew off my arm,
tarnished by audible protests week, the Society’s most course designer Hal Purdy I was applauding so hard”
from audience members controversial policy is thrust starts the invitation-only quipped Jim Bagby—although
who are angry that the to the top of the agenda hospitality room Purdy’s not all cheer. After the Pekin
crowd-favorite Nighthawks after the Province of Ontario Corral. Plentiful food, top Chorus wins its third gold
were shut out from the informs the Board that quartets, and an open bar in 1968, director Jim Moses
medals. Mal Purdy (son of events that exclude on the are behind an often well- declares, “Just proves singing
Hal) reportedly stands and basis of race are illegal, and guarded door. The tradition is better than dancing!” (JB)
dramatically tears up his that the convention would continues under Hal through
Society membership card therefore be shut down. (See 2001. Others, including Los Angeles 1967 Minutes
before storming out. p. 21 sidebar.) The Society AIC members, continue to after the Potomachords
Board immediately amends sponsor it after Hal passes perform the popular Four
Philadelphia 1961 The Bylaws to remove the word away in 2002. (JB) Renegades ballad “This is All
Suntones win in style, later “white” from qualification for I Ask,” it is announced from
becoming popular outside of membership in the Society. Boston 1965 With a packed the stage that the quartet
the Society and going down (DW) main venue, the Society sells has been disqualified for
as one of our most beloved tickets to a room with closed violations of barbershop
and well-known champions. In a non-contest circuit TVs, where many style rules. This is very
performance, Rudy Hart and watch the Four Renegades’ poorly received. While
Kansas City 1962 The the 15-to-20-man Hartsmen diverse sets foreshadow its it is the last time such an
Thoroughbreds win the first from Michigan City, Ind. career as an all-time popular on-stage announcement is
of seven championships. The receive a five-minute show quartet. (JB) made, it likely acceleratesYou can also read
