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HEX
OCTOBER 2019 - ISSUE 343
H ARMO NY EX PRES S
The official publication of The British Association of Barbershop Singers
Page 2 Harmony Express October 2019
The Official Magazine of The British Association of Barbershop Singers
October 2019
Issue 343
Contents
3 From the Chairman, Quartet Prelims
4 Membership Update
5 Tag Corner!
6 BABS Autumn Members’ Meeting Round Up
7 BABS Autumn Members’ Meeting Round Up, Former Telfordaires MD
made Honorary Life Member
8 Here Comes the Youth!
9 HC41 - A Fantastic Event!
10 An Interview with Steve Scott
11 Forge Part Harmony Festival, MaleVox Hosts Midlands Big Sing
12 11 apply for MD post at West London’s Capital Chorus
13 The Locksmiths and theTough Act to Follow
14 Two Great Choruses. One Amazing Show. Two Important Charities.
15 Richard and his Heart Warrior Hero, Max
17 Sing2020 Convention Supplement
22 Resources to Help You Get on with Making Music
23 News from Black Cat Harmony, Cambridge Chord Company at HC41
24 Major Oak Chorus Get Back to their Roots!, Harmony Lincs Time to Sing
Course 2019
25 A Busy Autumn for Grand Central Chorus
26 A Busy 2019 for Thames Valley Chorus, White Rose Chorus -
Recruiting Now!
27 An Update from Internationals
28 Beginner’s Barbershop!
29 Time to Harmonise with the Knights of Harmony, Northern Acchord - 15
Editor Years Young!
Shanna Wells
30 Concert for Prostate Cancer U.K., Surrey Fringe Time to Sing
BABS Marketing Director
marketingdirector@singbarbershop.com 31 The Kentones Come and Sing
32 Ocean City Sound on the Big Screen!, What do you do with your old
Editorial
Please send all articles and photos to: Barbershop Outfits?
harmonyexpress@singbarbershop.com
33 John Wiggins has Hung Up his Pitch Pipe, Granite City News
Advertising
For costs and further information please 34 Obituaries
visit singbarbershop.com or contact: 33 Executive Directors, Diary Dates
harmonyexpress@singbarbershop.com
Change of Email or Club Officers?
Please email:
membershipsecretary@singbarbershop.com
The editor reserves the right to edit any material in
the interest of clarity, accuracy or suitability to fit the
space available, and the decision of the editor as to
the publication of any material is final.
Harmony Express October 2019 Page 3
From The Chairman
In this bonus edition, I’ve Devon and Cornwall Police had rejected my
deliberately only considered application on the basis that I wasn’t tall enough for my
one topic, although plenty weight) and having always sung (Sunday School, through
has been going on (see the all four parts in Chapel Choir as my voice broke, Sixth
next issue for details). Form College Male Voice Group, with my Dad in
Treviscoe Male Voice Choir, the 1956 World Champions,
Thank you to all who have founded by my Grandfather, and Gilbert and Sullivan
shared how you came to barbershop, whether via the productions whilst at Uni) I was already looking for
forum (www.singbarbershop.co.uk/forum), or in somewhere to sing.
conversations with me. I am trying to identify possible
ideas for how we recruit new people from the I rang the landline number on the sticker and a lady told
experiences of those for whom the ‘bug has already me that ‘John’ was at their daughter’s house. Shortly
bitten’, as well as having many interesting conversations after that John Hunt, a founder member of the GWC,
over beverages appropriate to the time of day. came running out of a nearby property and, to cut a long
story short, he never did get that parking ticket! I went
My own way into barbershop was paved like this… with him to that Wednesday’s GWC rehearsal, made fifty
In early 1986, as a just out of basic training mates in an evening and got completely hooked by that
probationary Police Constable, I was sent out on foot to seventh chord!
prove myself and “Get out of the office and find some
process Baglow!” (i.e. discover some offences and I was winning chorus medals within a year and singing in
submit prosecution papers reporting them.) So the car my first quartet before that.
parked on double yellow lines within 50 yards of Filton
Police Station looked like easy meat until I saw the ‘Call Bring back car stickers …?!
John to come and sing barbershop with the Great
In harmony,
Western Chorus’ sticker in its window.
Martin Baglow
Alone, and in a new city (I was Cornish born and bred
Chairman
and had landed in Bristol via London University, after
Quartet Prelims 9th to 10th November 2019
The Octagon Theatre, Sheffield
This year’s quartet prelims return to an old favourite configurations that will accommodate larger audiences
venue, The Octagon Theatre in Sheffield. It’s been a as our event develops. So, watch this space as we make
good few years since we held a prelims event in Sheffield the changes…
and the members of Hallmark of Harmony are eagerly
waiting to welcome you back. Weekend Timetable
Saturday: Youth and Senior championships will
It’s free! Prelims is a free to attend event so why not commence at 14:00
make a weekend of it? Sheffield has a great vibe about Sunday: National qualifications contest will commence at
it, affordable city centre hotels, pedestrianised shopping 10:00
and some great restaurants, so there’s much to occupy
The 2020 chorus contest running orders will be drawn
the time of the non-barbershopper.
live at the end of Sunday’s contest. See you in Sheffield
A strategic aim of BABS is to develop prelims as an and Good luck to all our competitors!
event to replicate the convention experience for both
Derek Parmenter
competitor and supporter. The Octagon Theatre has
Special Events Director
capacity for our event to grow with alternative seating
Page 4 Harmony Express October 2019
An Expanding Organisation – A New
Wave of Growth
together we aim to encourage more individuals to join
BABS, and to enjoy and experience the camaraderie
and harmony that makes singing barbershop so special.
That is why we are planning and investing in a national
campaign, ‘Sing September’, in 2020; a programme that
brings together clubs throughout the country, working in
unison to promote barbershop harmony. The
collective strength, vision and energy of 67 clubs and
At the Autumn Members Meeting, the Board of 2,200 members will make a real impact in your
Directors was pleased to announce that the Growing community. We encourage all clubs to sign up to this
Numbers strategy was back on track, after taking steps and do your bit for growth.
last year to address the recent slight decline from the
Laurie Whittle
peak at the time of our 40th celebration. These steps
BABS Vice Chairman
included: working on the development of new clubs; the
introduction of mixed voice choruses; the Fusion
University Initiative; and the ongoing support for the
Time to Sing programme. BABS Recruitment Champions Award – 2019
This award recognises the efforts made by clubs in the
The outcome is that the Association now has 67 recruitment of new members. It is awarded to the club
registered clubs, as against 61 last year, and has seen the with the most impressive increase in sub-paying
total full membership (excluding dual members) grow members in 2019. New clubs in their first year are
from 2,031 to 2,233, the highest figure since June 2015. excluded. The winner receives a Tony Foster Scholarship
We think this reflects the incredible work being done by to send one of their new members to Harmony College
clubs in their community and the progressive thinking at in 2020. The winner of this award will be announced at
national level, which makes BABS an attractive the AGM next March.
organisation to join. It is the collective and wonderful
spirit that makes this organisation so special. A very
warm welcome to all our new members – we hope you
enjoy the experience.
National Barbershopper of the Year – 2019
This is a national award to recognise an outstanding
individual contribution at club or local level. There is
Membership Growth Headlines
no set criteria, just tell us why the nominated individual
!! New members are, on average, 14 years younger
deserves to receive this accolade. The winner gets a free
than ALL members
place (Friday to Sunday) at Harmony College 2020.
!! The average age of all full members is lower by one
Previous winners are Steve Morris from Wight Harmony
whole year at 61.8
(2017) and Jack Bridges from Hull (2018).
!! Membership has grown in every age band, except
16 and under
Nominations need to be received by the 20th December
!! There has been a 27% increase in the 17 to 44 year
and should be sent to
age band
membershipdirector@singbarbershop.com, and the
!! There are now 122 full sub-paying female members
winner is announced at the AGM next March.
!! We now have 67 registered clubs
!! Full membership reaches 2,233
So who is your local barbershop hero?
Sing Barbershop – It’s the Harmony that Makes the
Difference
We hope that this growth pattern continues, and
Harmony Express October 2019 Page 5
Tag Corner!
Welcome back to Tag Corner!, the place where we want
to encourage you to sing a tag or two, to try new music
and to showcase the amazing arranging talent we have
within our society. This issue, Zac Booles has sent us one
of his fantastic tags for you to try.
Zac provided the first tag for Tag Corner! in the
February issue of HEX and has been in BABS since the
age of 16, joining the Grand Central Chorus on their
journey to Gold in 2003. Since then, he has had the
and in my opinion, be written as though it ends a whole
pleasure of directing the chorus for six years and
arrangement. Members of my chorus will confirm that
winning gold twice in quartet with Monkey Magic (2008)
most of our recent contest repertoire started with the
and The Locksmiths (2018). He was also a member of the
tag!
NBYC and is thrilled it is coming back!
If you are interested in learning some of the old classic
Here are a few words from Zac: “Tags were where I
tags, drop me an email at
started applying my barbershop/a cappella knowledge
zacboolesarranging@gmail.com. If you have a song or
as a short and sweet way to test my ideas on
lyric you think would make a great tag, feel free to get in
unsuspecting singers! It definitely gave me a better
touch and I’ll see what I can do.”
understanding of singable music in four parts, making
this accessible to all. This, for me, is key (no pun Zac’s tag for this issue is called ‘I Dream of You’.
intended). A tag should be as accessible as possible Enjoy!
I Dream of You
Recommended Ladies Key: G Zac Booles
you know it's true. On ly you.
4
Tenor
Lead 4
I dream of you.
4
Baritone
Bass 4
you know it's true. On ly you.
"I Dream of You" was written by Marjorie Goetschius and Edna Osser in 1944 and has been recorded by artists such as
Frank Sinatra, Perry Como and Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra. This tag suits a slight stress on the words "dream" and
"know". The lead has the option to release the post after the word "true" to sing the final "only you" with the other parts.
If you are an arranger and would be interested in
becoming part of the ‘Tag Team’ please email Shanna Join in the online conversation
Wells, Marketing Director, on
marketingdirector@singbarbershop.com facebook.com/singbarbershop
instagram.com/singBABS
twitter.com/singBABS
Download the BABS App: singbarbershop
Page 6 Harmony Express October 2019
BABS Autumn Members’ Meeting Round Up
by two other US judges, David Zimmerman (Music) and
Brian O’Dell (Performance).
From next year (for 2021), the International Quartet
Qualifying Contest will be held over the Prelims
weekend, instead of at Convention. In European
Barbershop Contests, we will be nominating the highest
scoring groups from BABS contests held since the
previous European contest.
Shanna Wells, Marketing Director, reported on
considerable activity that had taken place across a wide
The Board of BABS welcomed appointed Members from number of fronts. There was much general approval for
clubs to the half-yearly meeting in Coventry on Sunday the work that had been done on the Singbarbershop
15th September 2019: app and by the new BABS Social Media team.
Members were encouraged to make full use of the
Martin Baglow, Chairman, welcomed all, and announced marketing team.
the names of new Board members for 2020, subject to
the ratification of the meeting. Next year, Alan Hughes For the future, there will be a particular focus on BABS
becomes Vice Chairman, Dale Kynaston takes over rebranding and the development of a new website.
Alan’s current role, Music Services Director, and There would be full support for the Sing September
Peter Bryant becomes Membership Services Director. initiative, with clubs asked to participate through Time to
Martin, Pat Perridge (Administration), Shanna Wells Sing recruitment programmes, open rehearsals,
(Marketing) and Pippa Goodall (Finance) were all performances (busking, open mic nights, shows, flash
proposed to stand again next year. Laurie Whittle, mobs), etc. More details on this fantastic initiative to
leaving the Board after a remarkable 25 years, Derek come soon!
Parmenter and Colin Roper were all thanked for their
Colin Roper, Membership Director, was unable to be
service.
at the meeting, and his report was delivered by Laurie
A strategic meeting of the Board earlier in the year had Whittle. Read the Membership Update for more
targeted Youth membership for additional focus, as well information on all the exciting membership news!
as a proposal for a ‘Sing September’ month next year. It The launch of next year’s Recruitment Champions and
had been agreed that the awards for the Mixed Chorus Barbershopper of the Year (nominations to be received
competition would in future be fully aligned with the by 20th December) were announced.
Male Chorus competition. A Big City initiative would
Derek Parmenter, Special Events Director, reported on
focus on key conurbations, under-represented by BABS
numerous innovations that had been behind the
clubs.
successful 2019 Bournemouth Convention. Planning for
Alan Hughes, Music Services Director, focussed on our Sing2020 Harrogate was well under way. The box office
performance statistics, which showed pleasing growth would open for general sales on 1st November.
in performance standards in our competitions. All the
Quartet contest entries closed at the end of
fantastic stats are available in the meeting slides which
September, and chorus contest entries close on 27th
your club representative has access to.
October. Competitor convention registrations are
Alan reported on a good outcome again this year from required by 31st March (30th April for university
Harmony College, and that Dr Jay Butterfield, guest competitors). There will be new trophies, medals and
educator from the US, would be presenting at Directors’ awards for the Mixed Chorus contest.
Academy in January. Dr Butterfield returns for next year’s
Headlining the Saturday show will be US quartets Instant
Harrogate convention as a Singing judge, accompanied
Classic and Forefront, as well as Voices of California, a
Harmony Express October 2019 Page 7
visiting chorus from the US.
Former Telfordaires MD made
Pippa Goodall, Finance Director, spoke about work done
this year including new payment and invoicing systems. Honorary Life Member
A new accounting system, Xero, had been introduced. Did Dale Kynaston really think when he took up
barbershop singing in 1984 that three decades later
Fusion had mailshot 138 universities, and so far had
he would end up as an Honorary Life Member of the
three positive expressions of interest in a three-hour
Telfordaires?
workshop. An event for universities, Fusion 2020, is
planned for 14th March. The NBYC is to be rebooted First, Dale is a fantastic singer, being a member of no
(woop); for more details read the ‘Here Comes the fewer than three British champion quartets. ‘Reckless’
Youth’ article. was the first British Quartet to achieve top 20 position at
the BHS International competition in Las Vegas in 2017.
Pat Perridge, Administration Director, reported on the
He is also an arranger, vocal teacher, producer of teach
activities of the BABS Charity (formerly Harmony
tracks, runs his own community choir (Sing4Fun with his
Foundation). There had been 19 applicants for six places
wife Heather) and has directed the Telfordaires not once
at Harmony College. Additional places were awarded
but twice over many years. His inspirational direction
to the Barbershopper of the Year and the Recruitment
and humorous choreography took Shropshire’s premier
Champions club. Scholarship winners reported a high
barbershop chorus to a top five ranking at the 2010
degree of satisfaction with the educational and social
BABS convention. So after 35 years in barbershop, Dale’s
content of Harmony College. The retirement of Steve
contribution has now been recognised with this
Dumble, Grants Secretary was announced, and he was
prestigious award.
warmly thanked for his service. He is replaced by Alistair
Lamyman, from Hull. Dale told us he is “honoured and delighted to receive
this award and ... will continue to support the chorus”.
Pat reported on ongoing work on converting the BABS
Current Telfordaires MD Liz Garnett said: “Barbershop
corporate body to that of a CIO, and on much
needs talented and dedicated people like Dale and the
recruitment work that had gone on during the year. With
Telfordaires have been very lucky to have had his support
the exception of Special Events Director, all roles had
over many years.”
now been filled.
Dale is MC-ing a 10th anniversary concert for Severn
Future diary dates were the AGM on 29th March 2020
Harmony on 16 November this year (details below).
and AMM on 20th September.
The Telfordaires will be there singing with their close-
Pippa Goodall then introduced the Budget 2020 which harmony cousins and rumour has it that Dale might just
would be cost neutral, in spite of advantageous pricing make a guest appearance on baritone!
to Youth members and new initiatives. All costs had
www.telfordaires.co.uk/
had a line-by-line analysis and had been reduced or
severnharmony.co.uk/come-and-listen-to-us/
not increased wherever possible. An increase in fees
www.sing4fun.biz
from £48 to £50 was recommended. It was hoped that
the upturn in membership would soon have a positive Simon Broad
impact on our income.
Resolutions to increase fees to £50pa and to appoint the
new Board were all carried unanimously or by a large
majority, as was a recommendation to accept a new club,
the De Montfort University Barbershop Singers (Demon
Barbers).
Pat Perridge
Administrative Director
Liz and Dale
Page 8 Harmony Express October 2019
Here Comes the Youth!
The AMM was an exciting time for announcements, Our annual FUSE event is returning once again next year
youth included! BABS is working on a number of for the third time running. FUSE 2020 will take place
initiatives to help get people aged 25 and under on Saturday 14th March 2020, and the venue will be
involved in barbershop singing. decided mid-October and announced shortly thereafter.
This is a full day event that encourages university-aged
students to sing together and meet other like-minded
young barbershoppers. Perhaps also a chance to put
together a youth quartet! Previously we have circulated
two songs beforehand, but next year we shall circulate
one song and add an educational aspect to the day, as
requested by attendees in feedback from FUSE 2019.
More information about the day, including song learning
materials and a timetable of events, will be released over
the coming months.
Barbershop, as we all know, is an expensive hobby,
We are bringing back the NBYC (National Barbershop and being a young person in today’s economic climate
Youth Chorus) - but with a twist! As well as a national is very difficult. It is usually the fun things that are cut
male youth chorus, we will be starting a national mixed out of budgets, so that rent can be paid and food can
youth chorus as well, as we are a mixed society, after all. be bought. During the Board’s discussion for the 2020
Each chorus will rehearse four times per year and have at budget, we talked about how else we could invest in
least one performance opportunity each year: for 2020, the young people of today, and make our hobby more
the male youth chorus will mic warm for the National accessible to them. To this end, we agreed to slash the
Male Chorus Contest at Convention in May, and the pricing for both membership and convention prices to
mixed youth chorus will sing at the bumper weekend 25% of the adult price for 2020. We hope that this will
that is Prelims 2020. We are pleased to announce that help young people afford this wonderful hobby, and
the male youth chorus’ first rehearsal will take place on inspire them to continue to be members and give back
Saturday 23rd November 2019 at Hallé at St Michael’s to the society in the future.
in Manchester, and you can find out more info by going
to facebook.com/fusionbabs/events and clicking on Well, there you have it - the youth round up! If you want
the event. The male youth chorus will be directed by to keep up with the latest BABS youth barbershop news,
the talented Tim Briggs, current director of Hallmark of you can follow us on social media using the below links:
Harmony (2019 National Chorus Champions) and Lead of facebook.com/fusionbabs
The Emerald Guard (2013 National Male Quartet instagram.com/fusionbabs/
Champions). The mixed youth chorus’ first rehearsal twitter.com/fusionbabs
will happen along with the male youth chorus’ second
The Fusion Team
rehearsal in Spring 2020, and more information about it
will be released in due course.
The workshop initiative has started up again for the new
university year. I was pleased to report at the AMM that
we have three interested universities with whom we are
working to organise 2-3 hour workshops which introduce
the barbershop style to students. These will happen
around October/November, and we hope that these
initial workshops will spark interest in someone to start
up a chorus or society, and additionally generate further
interest for workshops from universities across the UK.
Harmony Express October 2019 Page 9
HC41 - A Fantastic Event!
Over the August Bank ““ It felt as though the event was planned with learning
Holiday weekend, 276 in mind, as I’m sure it was - not remotely self-serving
barbershoppers but unselfish accommodating of learning needs.”
descended upon the ““ Had so much fun, learned so much, met so many
University of wonderful people and made lots of friends.”
Nottingham’s Jubilee ““ So much good stuff that I want to do everything!!
Campus for BABS’ 41st Annual Harmony College. It was I want to come back next week and do the other
always going to be hard to beat the extra special 40th streams!”
Anniversary event in the year prior, however feedback
2019 Harmony College Scholarship Winners
from delegates suggests that this year’s event was just as
special, with some saying it was the best one ever!
The outstanding faculty of in-house BABS expertise
were augmented by two extra-special guest educators,
Sally McLean and Steve Scott, who were incredible, and
helped our delegates make excellent progress in their
barbershop knowledge and expertise.
Sally McLean is a familiar face in the UK as she is the
Musical Director of the award-winning White Rosettes
Congratulations, again, to our Scholarship Winners who
chorus from Leeds, as well as a multi-gold medal
all had a fantastic weekend:
winning quartet singer. She directed the Audition Chorus
Bethany Lowe (Ocean City Sound)
- a stream where all delegates have to submit a
Donald Linegar (Tuxedo Junction)
recording beforehand to ensure they meet the high
Mark Jessop (Anvil)
standards expected. Steve Scott works in the Music
Jo Stevenson (Endeavour)
Education Department for the Barbershop Harmony
David Gill (Ouse Valley)
Society, and is well known for his encyclopaedic
Fred Tyrrell (Don Amos)
knowledge of vocal pedagogy, and his sense of humour!
Jack Bridges (Hull Harmony, BOTY)
He visited all six streams over the course of the weekend
David Piper (Hereward Harmony, Recruitment
to share his wisdom, as well as delivering packed-to-the-
Champions)
rafters breakout sessions.
Every year people say that Harmony College is their
favourite weekend of the year, and this summer’s event
was no exception! Plans for our 42nd Harmony College
are already underway, so if you’ve never been before (or
even if you have) do try and get to it next year!
Alan Hughes
Music Services Director
The Atrium
Feedback from the weekend was gratefully received, and
hugely positive on the whole, with the majority of
delegates giving their overall experience the highest
rating possible. Some highlights are listed below:
““ One of the most enjoyable and inspirational week-
ends of my life” The Audition Chorus with Sally McLean
Page 10 Harmony Express October 2019
An Interview with Steve Scott
Over the weekend of the 23rd to 25th August 2019, barbershop singing has developed over the years. The
nearly 300 barbershoppers descended upon the class that seemed to be the most popular was the
University of Nottingham’s Jubilee Campus for Harmony breakout session called Diagnosis and Correction of
College - a weekend long residential education event Vocal Inefficiencies, which trained listeners to develop a
with barbershop at its core. The special guest educator keener sense of what is happening vocally during
was Steve Scott, who works in the Music Education singing so that they might be more effective when
Department for the Barbershop Harmony Society in helping others in their vocal journeys.
Nashville, USA. On Sunday morning, we caught up with
Steve to find out more about his experiences and his How have the delegates responded to your sessions?
thoughts on the weekend... The delegates were very keen. There was never a session
when we didn’t have lively conversation as delegates
Firstly, can you tell us a little more about your barbershop sought to understand. The singing voice has historically
experience and educational background? been shrouded in mystery and delegates seemed to
I started singing barbershop when I was 11 years old in jump at the opportunity for clarity on this subject. I was
the chorus that my dad directed in our little town a few pleased that the interest in healthy singing was so high
hours from Las Vegas. I sang barbershop all through that most classes were close to full or overflowing.
school and this experience cemented my desire to study
music at university. I received a bachelor’s degree in What do you hope the delegates will take away from the
choral music education, but knew my education had weekend?
holes. I decided to pursue a master’s degree in choral That everyone can sing. We all have different experience
conducting and a master’s degree in vocal pedagogy. levels, but singing is a fine motor skill and everyone has
Whilst in this program, I also obtained a Singing Health the opportunity to develop that coordination. Further,
Specialisation. After teaching university for a few years, I singers are very strongly influenced by Western
took coursework for a PhD in vocal pedagogy, a Civilization’s preconception about what singing should
programme which I’m still in the process of finishing. be, which causes a lot of fear to explore just what each
While in Kansas City, I sang with the Central human is capable of doing. Delegates should feel
Standard Chorus and served as Voice Coach for them. I empowered to realise their potential and embrace the
was fortunate to achieve a two 3rd-place bronze medals fullness of joy that using their entire instrument can
and one 2nd-place silver medal in the four years com- bring. This isn’t a future state of singing, it can happen
peting with them. Currently I sing with and am Voice today.
Coach for the Music City Chorus in Nashville, where we
placed 5th last year and 7th this year. I’ve been em-
Overall, did you enjoy teaching at the college? Would you
ployed by the Barbershop Harmony Society since 2017 recommend that people attend?
as the Music Education Curriculum and Online Learning I enjoyed meeting wonderful, earnest singers,
Manager, which oversees all of the teaching at Harmony passionate instructors, and experiencing truly healthy
University, as well as being the main driver for the online and engaged singing. Harmony College was very well
education courses and videos that the BHS offers. organised and the location in Nottingham was excellent
to provide all of our needs, from dorms and meals to
education and performing spaces and, especially, a
So what topics did you cover over the weekend?
place to unwind each night and socialise. This was one
I got to teach some of my favourite classes at Harmony
of my favourite barbershop experiences, especially as
College this year! I taught a class on vocal pedagogy,
an educator and am honoured to have been able to
resonance matching, as well as classes that discussed
take part. If you’ve been on the fence about attending
how the whole body contributes to sound production.
as a delegate or as an ensemble to get coached, please
One class that was offered was one that I developed
come! You won’t regret it.
especially for BABS Harmony College: Barbershop
Singing Through the Ages. This was a particularly fun
Steve Scott
class to teach as it combined my love of barbershop
Barbershop Harmony Society
singing and barbershop history as we explored howHarmony Express October 2019 Page 11
Forge Part Harmony Festival
On the 23rd July 2019, The Merlin Theatre in Sheffield After nearly three hours of singing, the contest finished
was the scene of the second edition of the Forge Part on time, expertly orchestrated by Mr Steve Holden.
Harmony Festival.
Monkey Magic crowned the Bakewell Tarts 2019 Forge
Organised by Hallmark of Harmony to encourage the Masters, marking the end of a night of celebration of
practice of quartet singing within its ranks, this event barbershop singing in Sheffield.
also opened its doors to the singers from the other two
barbershop choruses based in Sheffield, Sheffield Jérémy Jacomet
Harmony (Sweet Adelines Region 31) and Steel City Hallmark of Harmony
Voices (LABBS).
The Bakewell Tarts with Monkey Magic
In total, over 80 singers crossed the stage singing in
no fewer than 38 quartets, mainly scratch but also
established. The aim was primarily for the singers
to enjoy their time on stage, get some experience
quartetting (some for the first time) and also to get a
video feedback from one of the four guest judges and
newly BABS Hall of Famers, Monkey Magic.
MaleVox Hosts Midlands Big Sing
were all amazed at how well we remembered a complete
The Big Sing Chorus
song taught to us this way in less than an hour!
A special shout out to the 24 brave individuals who
volunteered towards the end of the day to perform in
octets in front of us all; they did a great job.
We rounded off a hugely enjoyable day with a
performance of both songs, but only after we’d been
Following the success of last year’s Big Sing, MaleVox entertained by Fifth Element and Double Bass quartets –
was delighted to host the day this year, which was held a real treat.
at the CBSO Centre in central Birmingham.
The Big Sing days are a great opportunity for us all to
We welcomed over 100 singers from around 20 BABS get together and have fun, but they’re also a really good
and LABBS choruses to the event, including some way of introducing singers from other choirs to
members of a local choir, SO Vocal, all of whom were barbershop: “I just wanted to say what a great time I
new to barbershop. had yesterday. I have never sung barbershop before, but
really enjoyed it, although it was hard work!! I’ll see if
The song of the day was an arrangement of ‘Anthem’ there’s a group near me!”
from the musical Chess, and what a fabulous sound
the mixed chorus produced! But the day wasn’t just A big thank you to everyone who came to the day and
about the song, although it was particularly rewarding to those who worked so hard to make it such a success.
to be able to spend time working in detail under Doug We’d particularly like to thank the CBSO for allowing us
Harrington’s expert coaching. There were tags to be to use their fantastic facilities, and, of course, Doug
learned and an opportunity for Doug to teach us a Harrington for his inspirational coaching and directing.
beautiful short song called ‘Butterfly, Caught in the Rain’.
David Roper
There was no music for this and there were no teach
MaleVox
tracks, so we learned this the traditional way – by ear. WePage 12 Harmony Express October 2019
11 apply for MD post at West London’s Capital Chorus
Stay focussed. Those were the watchwords we adopted invaluable parting gift; a new song which we began to
when, the day after convention our MD, Pippa learn just before she left. Aidan and Tom have been able
Goodall, told us she’d be leaving Capital Chorus later in to continue coaching us on this song, which has helped
the summer. During her four-and-a-half years in charge, foster a sense of continuity and the feeling that we’re still
Pippa had transformed the fortunes, and in many ways able to learn and improve.
the culture, of our chorus. Our numbers, our confidence
as singers, and our ambition had grown under Pippa’s Of course, not everything has been plain sailing. The
leadership, and though we parted on the best of terms chorus has had to put on hold plans for further open
her decision to go felt like losing a wise and valued evenings until a new MD is in place. We’re also not
member of the family. As we exchanged our thoughts on certain where or when our annual retreat next year will
WhatsApp and pondered what to do next, many of us happen. This, too, will have to wait for the appointment
felt bereft. of our next director. But we are hopeful this won’t take
too much longer. Over the next few weeks our remaining
Within three days, the Chorus Exec and Music Team candidates will be invited to take charge of the chorus
were meeting to draw up a plan. Fuelled by pizza and on a Monday evening for an hour, and work on a song
bottled beer we agreed twin priorities. On the one hand with us. Then they’ll be asked to field 45 minutes of
we needed to find a high-calibre successor, who would questions from chorus members. At the end of the
build on the progress the chorus had made with Pippa. process each member will cast a vote for their favoured
Good directors are hard to find and it was likely we’d candidate, with successive ballots until one person
need to look beyond the confines of the barbershop achieves more than 50 per cent. The wheels of
world. In all probability the search would be a long democracy grind slow at Capital Chorus, but at least
one, and there was a risk that as time went by chorus we can say we remain united and optimistic about the
members could become less motivated, disheartened, future. As other popular votes have taught us in recent
and begin to drift away. This brought us to our second times, that’s something to be thankful for.
priority; keeping the chorus engaged and focussed on
the future. John Beesley
PRO – Capital Chorus
The post was advertised widely. Our friends at BABS,
LABBS and Sweet Adelines all helped us spread the
news, on their websites, in their magazines and on social
media. In addition we placed ads with Making Music and
two other choral websites, Choirs on the Net and the
Association of British Choral Directors. In all, 11 people
have responded to date, and after initial discussions with
them four were invited to meet the chorus. Not all have
barbershop experience, but crucially, those without it
have all expressed an enthusiasm for the sound of close
harmony and a willingness to learn the ropes. Caretaker; Capital Chorus performing under stand-in
director Aidan Brand
The level of interest has certainly buoyed the morale of
the men on the risers. Our chairman, Paul Gordon, is
keeping the whole chorus in touch with developments Share Your Story Through
Harmony Express
through regular emails and verbal updates at our
Monday night rehearsals. These are currently being
taken by Aidan Brand, a former MD who’s stepped back
into the role as a caretaker. Aidan is assisted by Tom Next Issue: 9th December 2019
Copy Date: 10th November 2019
Fitch, a tenor section leader and one of several people
whose interest in directing was encouraged by Pippa
during her time in charge. Our last MD also left us anHarmony Express October 2019 Page 13
The Locksmiths and the Tough Act to Follow
It was a mundane mid-spring morning, when something fundraiser in Sheffield. It included a memorable eight-
fairly unusual happened. Things started ringing. It began part performance of ‘A Whole New World’. It was all to
with the phone… support their magic carpet ride to the 2019 international
competition in New Orleans (they did us proud, by the
On the other end of the line, a familiar sound – the way)!
dulcet tones of my MD (Tuxedo Junction), Simon
Lubkowski, with some news. The incredibly talented The diary is filling up, including quartet prelims
tenor of The Locksmiths, Richard Fisher (aka ‘Fish’) weekend (9th to 10th November, Sheffield) and a special
needed to hang up his pitch pipe (because of the day Christmas show, with Sound Hypothesis, Grand Central
job). The hunt was on for a replacement. Somewhat Chorus and Tuxedo Junction Chorus, in Leicester (14th
surprisingly (to me, as a person who tends to doubt December). I hope to sing for you soon!
himself far too often*), I was asked try out for the team.
*A message to all barbershoppers: our association is full of
So, as birds warbled in the late-spring warmth, I too selfless souls. We are lucky. If you doubt your potential, others
chirped as I auditioned in Simon’s ‘shed’ (aka deluxe will show you how good you can be.
wooden-clad, garden-based chorditorium). A fifth ear **The Locksmiths, a democratic bunch, voted to skip the 2020
was present (in the form of the fabulous Emerald Guard’s international competition. We will gel in our new formation
baritone – Mr Andy Allen). More ringing occurred, and and look towards 2021.
the rest is history – I was in. ***Apologies to audience members in front of me in the
convention auditorium who got tear-soaked backs!
In Bournemouth, later that month, the original line-up
secured a qualifying score for the international Jason Pole
competition** (nice one, guys!), followed by a fitting An ordinary barbershopper, with an extraordinary tale
swansong set. Sworn to secrecy about my new
appointment, as I watched the guys perform, I could not
hold back the tears***. Fish is a tough act to follow. VACANCY
In June, the new line up was announced on Facebook FOR A MUSICAL DIRECTOR
(@TheLocksmithsQuartet, by the way) and rehearsals MAGNA CARTA CHORUS - Paid position
commenced. To work with these guys is such an honour, We are a male barbershop chorus
their CVs are intimidating! Yet, they are not. It’s a quartet based in Hampton, Middlesex TW12 3RN
full of kind, passionate and caring hearts. Meeting once
We are currently15 singers with an on-going recruitment
a month, we (I) soon had a repertoire. programme. We have a varied repertoire and now
have a vacancy for a new Musical Director (male or
female) to progress the chorus. The position requires
someone with a firm understanding of harmony singing
and an enthusiastic approach. You could be an
aspiring MD and this position would present
an ideal opportunity.
We rehearse each Thursday at the White House
Community Centre in Hampton between 7.30pm
-10pm. Apart from rehearsals, attendance at our sing
out performances would also be required. These vary
between 6 - 8 during the year and are mostly within 10
miles of Hampton and occasionally a little further out.
It is a paid position.
The Locksmiths If you would like to discuss and find out more
please contact:
In summer, a demanding (yet, supportive) Harmony Richard Hudspith (Chairman)
College audience heard us sing Come Fly With Me richard_hudspith@hotmail.com or
(complete with ‘crazy’ intro). Then, in early autumn, Telephone 07305 541370
we performed several songs for Nightfall quartet’s
(Sweet Adelines Region 31 barbershop champions)Page 14 Harmony Express October 2019
Two Great Choruses. One Amazing Show. Two Important Charities.
It is often said that music can change people’s lives and
Thursday 8th August saw a concert that will do just that.
The UK’s Cottontown Chorus welcomed the USA’s
magnificent Alexandria Harmonizers to its home turf in
the North West and they put on a joint show at
Stockport Town Hall as part of Cottontown’s 40th
anniversary year celebrations. All the funds raised from
the evening were donated to support two tremendous Cottontown Chorus and
local organisations which both work to enrich the lives Alexandria Harmonizers together
of young people through music. Brighter Sound (www. on stage
brightersound.com) are a Manchester-based charity choruses. Their set was wonderfully varied and
delivering exciting, relevant projects and events to performed with intensity, soul and professionalism. It
support young and emerging musicians. Amongst other culminated in a fantastic performance of ‘Circle of Life’
things, Stockport Symphony Orchestra from The Lion King - complete with tremendous
(www.stockportsymphony.co.uk ) run the Stockport choreography and African drums!
International Young Musician Competition towards
which funds from the concert were also destined. The concert concluded with Cottontown joining the
Alexandria Harmonizers on stage for a rousing 120-man
rendition of ‘I’m The Music Man’. It certainly was an
unforgettable evening.
Over £1,250 was raised for the two charities, and after
the event Laura McGregor from Brighter Sound said
“We are so grateful for your nomination and for this
tremendous donation”. She explained that with matched
funding from the Arts Council the donation would be
Joe Cerutti from Alexandria Harmonizers in full flow during
enough to fund two young people to attend a weekly,
the afternoon workshop
free-of-charge songwriting masterclass workshop for a
The event kicked-off in the afternoon with a workshop whole year! Lesley Selby, Chair of Stockport Symphony
led by Joe Cerutti, the Musical Director of Alexandria Orchestra said, “Thanks for such a wonderful concert.
Harmonizers. Titled ‘From Rehearsal to Showtime’, it It was my first experience of live barbershop singing:
provided intriguing and useful insights into some of the amazing singing, brilliant music and brimming with
ways the world’s best choruses practise and prepare in exuberance and joy.”
order to give their best on stage. The workshop was
attended by choral singers from many different genres The event was a great success and one with which
who I’m sure would have returned to their groups with Cottontown were pleased to be involved as part of its
new techniques to explore. 40th birthday year celebrations.
Cottontown opened the evening show with a varied John Kelsey
40-minute set covering songs from musicals such as Chairman, Cottontown Chorus
West Side Story, previous gold medal-winning songs
such as ‘Young and Foolish’, popular songs like Justin
Timberlake’s ‘Can’t Stop The Feeling’ and the beautiful
Billy Joel song ‘Lullabye’. The rousing reception which
the set received indicated that the audience loved it –
always a good thing!
The second half of the show demonstrated why the Representatives of Brighter Sound and Stockport Symphony
Alexandria Harmonizers are one of the world’s best Orchestra are introduced to the audienceHarmony Express October 2019 Page 15
Richard and his Heart Warrior Hero, Max
dealing with the issues surrounding children born
with HLHS and other congenital heart defects (CHDs).
Little Hearts Matter has a small but dedicated and
hardworking team that works tirelessly researching,
educating, supporting and, sometimes, consoling
families such as ours; they produce invaluable booklets
on the subject ranging from coping with the diagnosis
of a heart condition through early years, school, teenage
issues and beyond; in addition they produce videos
featuring youngsters with CHD that are aimed at
I educating teachers and support staff. The charity has no
high profile celebrity endorsements and relies entirely on
fundraising events.
One of the grandparents on our Facebook page who
Richard and Jan with our Heart Warrior Hero, Max
has been fundraising for quite some time suggested that
I’ve been singing barbershop now for over 25 years - I’ve a few like-minded fools might get together and tackle,
been a member of Harmony Revival in Stockport for as a group, the Great Birmingham Run, but with a slight
quite a while having started singing with Anvil Chorus in difference in that rather than run we instead walk the
Birmingham, my wife Jan is a former member of Anvil’s half marathon distance that the event covers. Having
sister chorus Second City Sound, although she doesn’t thought it over for a few seconds we decided to join in
currently sing barbershop, and we both sing with Dave and so, on 13 October, we will descend on Birmingham
King’s Monday Mondays. and (hips, knees, ankles and backs permitting) join with
our friends in ‘A Bunch Of Old F/Hearts’ to walk 13 and a
Just over 11 years ago, our first grandchild Max was bit miles, and hopefully raise some much needed funds.
born with a condition called Hypoplastic Left Heart Our story can be found on Facebook under ‘A Bunch of
Syndrome (HLHS) which means, in simple terms, that he Old F/Hearts’ where there is also a link to a Just Giving
only has half a working heart - the left side of his heart account and we hope that our friends in the barbershop
is undeveloped. His condition was diagnosed at one of community will support us.
his mom’s routine prenatal scans which was only a matter
of weeks after we had received the news that we were I will probably end up walking much of the route on my
to become grandparents. Our rollercoaster ride has got own as I will most likely be firmly plugged into my teach
bumpier and bumpier as time has gone on. tracks as I try and learn my new songs for convention but
hey ho - if those around me don’t like the sweet sound
Over the course of the next few years, starting at just five of barbershop baritone then they’re probably not alone
days old, Max had three open heart operations to and I can’t help them!
reconstruct his little heart and rearrange the plumbing
of his blood supply, along with a few minor ops to deal And what about Max? Well, he has just embarked on
with associated issues - some of the procedures were another chapter of his life having recently started
straightforward, some most certainly weren’t. As can be secondary school, where he is working hard to be like
imagined this has been a highly traumatic experience, everyone else - not easy when your oxygen saturation
not just for Max but for his parents, siblings and further levels are often only 75% of those around you and which
family, matters being further complicated by the fact that means that your energy and concentration levels can
HLHS is a pretty rare condition for which surgeons are drop like a stone. But hey - he’s an 11 year old Heart
still developing techniques. Warrior who just gets on with it!
Fortunately there is a small charity based in Birmingham Richard Barley
that has provided not just for us, but for many, many BABS Hero
other families, information, support and advice onPage 16 Harmony Express October 2019
Grand Central Chorus is looking for a
new Chorus Director!
After seven very successful and happy years, our Chorus Director, Zac Booles is
moving on after the next BABS Convention in May 2020 and so Grand Central
Chorus is now looking for someone to take up his baton and continue the growth
and development of the chorus.
The Grand Central Chorus is an enthusiastic group of sixty men from across the
East Midlands who love singing together in four-part close
harmony, in barbershop style.
We therefore want to find another collaborative, dynamic and motivational musical
leader, who shares our ambitions and can offer a strategy to further develop our
singing and performance skills. Please see our website for full details:
www.grandcentralchorus.com
Chorus rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings, from 7.15 pm, at Harrington
Junior School, Derby Road, Long Eaton, Nottinghamshire, NG10 4BJ (5 mins
from J25, M1)
Expressions of interest should be sent by email to Alan Goldsmith at
chairman@grandcentralchorus.com by 31st October 2019.
For further information or an informal discussion, please contact
Alan on 07842 125138Harmony Express October 2019 Page 21
Let us cross the boring stuff off your to-do list.
Advice, support and resources where you need it, when you
need it, on whatever gets in your way of making music;
all available as part of your BABS membership.
020 7939 6030 | makingmusic.org.ukPage 22 Harmony Express October 2019
Resources to Help You Get on with Making Music
Did you know, as a member of BABS you also have membership structures, to ideas for performing in
membership with Making Music, the organisation prisons or care homes.
supporting and championing leisure-time music? As a
member, you have access to a wealth of additional Services to lighten your load
advice, support and resources to help you run your club. Online Health Check - we review your website and social
Making Music’s Director of Membership, Ben Saffell, tells media platforms and give feedback on how to maximise
us more below. them
DBS checks - available online at special member rates
Who is Making Music? PRS - pay royalty fees for live performances through us
Since 1935, Making Music has championed leisure-time Charity registration – we manage the whole application
music groups across the UK, providing practical services, process for you
opportunities and a collective voice for its members. We
now represent over 3,600 groups made up of around Guidance and networking events: 40+ free events
200,000 musicians of all types, genres and abilities. across the UK each year, giving music groups of all types
and genres the chance to pick up tips and insights, as
While we are not barbershop specialists, we can help well as share ideas and experiences.
with numerous aspects of running a group, from data
protection to poster design, helping you cross things off Handy discounts: on sheet music, music tours, music
your to-do list! technology, online ticketing, music lessons and more
through our corporate members and partners.
This year we also launched Making Music Platform, a
fantastic all-in-one online system providing everything
you need to run your group. It combines a website, a
member login area and admin tools to manage your
activities; take card payments, share learning tracks,
monitor attendance, create riser plans and much more.
How do you access the resources?
What do we offer? Anyone in your club can access all the benefits by
Alongside your club’s insurance, which comes as part registering on the Making Music website:
of your membership with us, we offer a host of advice, www.makingmusic.org.uk . If you don’t already have a
events, services and discounts: login your club secretary will be able to invite you – or
you can just contact us to arrange access on
Over 200 resources packed with information on what is info@makingmusic.org.uk or 020 7939 6030 (Monday to
…Need to know. Whether its charity governance or Friday 9am to 5pm). We look forward to helping you get
GDPR, we cut through the red tape and distil the reams on with making music!
of information into what you need to know, and how it
will affect you. Clear guidance, real life examples and
template documents are all available on our website.
…Good to know. We cover all the things you wish you
had time for but somehow never quite get around to
such as marketing, financial planning, recruitment and
strategy. You’ll find practical, simple and realistic advice
on key topics that you can actually implement.
…Nice to know. More inspirational, these range from
different approaches to youth engagement andHarmony Express October 2019 Page 23
News from Black Cat Harmony
It’s an exciting time for us at Black Cat Harmony, a mixed to next year’s contest in Harrogate which is bound to be
voice chorus based in Bedfordshire, as we look forward the best yet!
to the imminent arrival of our new Musical Director,
Graham Davies (pictured). Graham has over thirty years’ If you’d like to find out more about us, or to come along
experience in the barbershop world as a singer and a and try out one of our friendly and fun rehearsals, please
director and has several gold medals in his collection. contact our Chairperson, Jill Foskett, at
He currently directs ladies’ chorus Rhapsody, so we were jill.foskett@blackcat-harmony.org.uk.
delighted that he was able to find time for a second
Laura Elvin
chorus as well.
Black Cat Harmony
Cambridge Chord Company at HC41
Black Cat Harmony at Sing2019
Graham takes over the reins from Cliff Rowe, who had
been our MD since the inception of Black Cat Harmony
in 2017. Formed by a group of friends who had met
Cambridge Chord Company at HC41
through barbershop and who wanted to try out mixed
voice singing, the chorus currently numbers 23 members,
Cambridge Chord Company had a great time at
although we recently welcomed 11 visiting singers at a
Harmony College, being coached in the “quartet”
very enjoyable Open Day and hope that some of them
stream by Rod Butcher, Gaynor Schofield and Dale
will be joining us permanently. We have several couples
Kynaston. Working on three songs, the chorus received
in the chorus (as well as a father and daughter), proving
coaching on various aspects of performance and singing.
that mixed voice singing is a hobby to be enjoyed
Coaching was also individual as Dale was able to give
together.
1:1 sessions which proved popular and insightful for
Our other news is that we are moving our rehearsal members looking to improve their personal performance
venue to Cardington, close to Bedford, which makes us and vocal production.
even more accessible to major roads such as the A421
We also had the pleasure of a one hour dedicated
and A1. It’s a complete coincidence (*cough*) that the
session with Steve Scott. This was a lot of fun and as
new venue is also very close to a wonderful pub… let’s
we all witnessed on the Sunday with Sound Hypothesis,
hope the regulars enjoy a bit of barbershop!
completely changed the sound of every singer and that
We generally rehearse on the first Saturday of every of the group as a whole.
month and, while our focus is of course the mixed voice
chorus contest at BABS Convention, we also like to We were disappointed not to compete this year and
take part in music festivals, concerts and other local Harmony College went a long way to filling the gap.
events throughout the year. To be the mic warmers at We benefitted greatly from being coached as a group
a local Rock Festival this summer was certainly a new and each bringing the nuggets of knowledge home.
experience! We are joined regularly by Bob Croft of The social side of the weekend was also enjoyed by all
BABS for his expert coaching. Bob is pictured with us on of us (thanks to those who joined us on Saturday night’s
stage in Bournemouth last May. afterglow!)
We are so delighted to be part of the growing mixed Thank you the the #HC19 team for a memorable
voice barbershop scene and are already looking forward weekend from Cambridge Chord Company.Page 24 Harmony Express October 2019
Major Oak Chorus Get Back to their Roots!
The merry men of Nottingham’s Major Oak Chorus Christmas period. Woolly green tights all-round, guys?
recently paid a visit to their namesake, the Major Oak in
Sherwood Forest. As well as some impromptu singing in Brian Platts
front of the over-800 year old tree, the chorus performed Major Oak Chorus
two sets in the outdoor amphitheatre that is part of the
new Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre, run by the RSPB.
The chorus all wore Robin Hood caps, in honour of the
fabled forest fugitive, and declared their intention to
maintain their links with the mighty oak. The Sheriff of
Nottingham made himself scarce on the day but the rest
of the crowd all enjoyed the performance. Management
at the Visitor Centre were similarly impressed and have Members of the Major Oak Chorus in front of the Major Oak,
already invited the chorus to perform again over the with Musical Director Andy Salter far right
Harmony Lincs Time to Sing Course 2019
Mr Geoff Calvert of the Harmony Lincs chorus folder containing notes, course structure and CDs of
volunteered to lead the campaign for the 2019 Learn to two polecats and the song which had been selected for
Sing course for would-be singers to join the chorus. The learning (‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’). The membership
chorus members had been given notice that they were secretary kept a record of chorus members and visitors.
all expected to contribute in some way. It was apparent We had 35 chorus members and 15 visitors attending on
from earlier courses that we had carried out leaflet the first night. We hope they will continue through the
distribution which was successful. Members were also whole four week course.
asked to invite colleagues and friends along - this was
equally effective. The evening was then in the hands of the Chorus
Director Tony Chapman and Music Director Alan
We ordered the 1,000 free leaflets from BABS in good Goldsmith, who are both vastly experienced in this
time, and they were received almost by return post, department. The evening evening was a great success,
which was very impressive. All members were given with lots of positive feedback from visitors and chorus
20 leaflets to distribute to supermarkets, staff rooms, members alike. We are hoping to recruit all 15 new
takeaways, doctors surgeries, libraries and so on. Most members at the end, and maybe achieve the award
had done it before, and so knew where they would be again for the most new members.
well received. Some were very enthusiastic and came
back for more leaflets. Gary Wilson
Harmony Lincs PRO
The Publicity Officers dealt with all advertising which
included the local BBC radio station, who asked us Harmony Lincs Chorus with their New Members
to sing live on air to advertise our course. We placed
adverts in the local paper for two weeks with links
through Twitter and Instagram, plus adverts in local
magazines. We had a designated member, Richard
Marriott, to take all bookings by email or phone.
On the first night of the course we had signs and
banners to show the way, and members to meet and
greet. We had registration forms, but most on the course
had pre-registered. All guests were given a proper
barbershop meeting welcome. Guests were given aYou can also read
