INSIDE: Get more education at District Conventions New updates to judging rules, language - September/October 2018 - Amazon AWS
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
INSIDE: Get more education at District Conventions • New updates to judging rules, language
September/October 2018
International
September/
October
2018
VOLUME
LXXVIII
NUMBER
5
www.barbershop.org
2018 International Convention www.youtube.com/BarbershopHarmony38
www.facebook.com/barbershopharmonysociety
Twitter: @barbershopnews
The 2018 International Convention is behind us, but Instagram: @barbershopharmonysociety
the recap is just ahead. The best quartets and choruses
competed in three contests over eight sessions, and other
men’s, women’s, and mixed groups showed the growing
varieties of barbershop available. That accounted for
the “watching” parts of the convention—but most of the
10
12 Quartet action took place away from a stage.
Quarterfinals Lorin May, Editor, The Harmonizer
18 Next Generation
Varsity Barbershop
Quartet Contest
24 Quartet
Semifinals
28 Association of
International
Champions Show
30 International
Chorus Contest
47 Saturday Night
Spectacular
48 Quartet Finals
On the rsc:over
After Hou on
ional Champi
2018 InteRErnADatPHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTO BY
Departments
2 9
THE PRESIDENT’S PAGE SHARE THE WEALTH
Two can’t-miss weeks: Convention, Harmony U Let’s help each other build better chapters
3 54
STRAIGHT TALK MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Accepting multiple “hows” to barbershopping How barbershoppers care for their own
5 The 2,400 mile Valentine gig
TEMPO 58
Contest & Judging publishes revisions for 2018 MEMBER SERVICE DIRECTORY
Easternaires, Ray Danley in Hall of Fame Where to find answers
7 60
HARMONY HOW-TO THE TAG
Get great education at district conventions “Everyone in Harmony!” in four or eight parts
September/October 2018 • The HARMONIZER 1
THE PRESIDENT’S PAGE
Skipp Kropp, Society President • Skipp.Kropp@steptoe-johnson.com
Two can’t-miss weeks: Convention, Harmony U
W
hen many of us were in grade school, we would return to ing for the week. It was one of the best barbershop
school every year and tell our teachers what we did over experiences of my life.
the summer. In the summer of 2018 I went to the Inter- Belmont University in Nashville is a beautiful campus,
national Convention in Orlando and also got to attend and the dorms are much nicer than what I inhabited in
Harmony University with my chorus. college. Classes are held in numerous buildings across
campus, and the distance between is very manageable.
International Convention in Orlando The cafeteria was well run and the food was delicious.
Everything was amazing. After Hours scored a re- The traditional Harmony University evening ice cream
cord 94.7% on its way to winning the gold medal, fest was also alive and well.
and The Vocal Majority essentially tied its highest The chorus coaching sessions were nothing short
gold medal score ever (97.1%). The contest sessions of phenomenal. The intense week of coaching, in two
were, as always, a showcase of the best singers in the blocks of two hours every day, allowed our coaches to
barbershop world. We celebrate the skills of those engage with us to depths of the art form that we had
who are fortunate enough to qualify to sing at our not experienced before. We sang, we laughed, and we
International Contest, and congratulate those com- cried every session, and we learned more about what
munities of artists on their achievements. makes Circle City Sound tick than we had ever realized.
They are the best of the best, and every Our coaches became great friends, and we became even
time they perform they prove that the bar- better brothers in harmony to each other that week. I
bershop style is alive and well. believe that Circle City Sound came out of Harmony
The non-contest parts of the convention also University a better chorus and, more important, Greater
feature the best of the best. For example, there Indianapolis Chapter emerged from Harmony Univer-
were a record number of Harmony University sity a better chapter.
classes this year, plus record attendance. If you want your chapter to be a better chapter, how-
Every year, For those unable to attend, we are now ever your chapter defines “better,” and if you want your
we told our able to preserve the content of some Har-
mony U Orlando classes and they will
chorus to sing at the best level that it can sing, I recom-
mend that you put Harmony University high on your
teachers what soon be available online as well. chapter bucket list.
we did over the lando The Harmony University area in Or-
was a buzz of activity all week, a
I hope you all had as great a summer as I did.
summer. Allow testament to HU director Donny Rose
and other staff, and, of course, all of the
me to share talented educators who spent countless
the two biggest hours preparing and delivering their
huge gifts to us. Please thank them any- Skipp.Kropp@steptoe-johnson.com
things I did. time you see them.
I love the camaraderie at conventions—
it may be the part I most look forward to.
I love that thousands of us gather each year, sometimes
twice a year if we also go to Midwinter, and can pick up
September/October 2018
conversations where they left off a year or so ago. Some Volume LXXVIII Number 5
friends I’ve had for decades I only see at International, Complete contact info: pages 58-59
The Harmonizer (ISSN 0017-7849) (USPS 577700) is published bimonthly by the
but each year we catch up about families and chapters Barbershop Harmony Society, 110 7th Ave N, Nashville TN 37203-3704.
and just socialize. If you haven’t been to an International Periodicals Postage Paid at Nashville TN and at additional mailing offices. POST-
convention, make time to attend the next one. You’ll be MASTER: Send address changes to The Harmonizer, 110 7th Ave N, Nashville TN
37203-3704.
glad you did! 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
Harmony University at Belmont Ave N, Nashville TN 37203-3704 at least 30 days before the next publication date.
My other big activity this summer was attending (Publications Agreement No. 40886012. Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to:
Station A, PO Box 54, Windsor ON N9A 6J5. Email: cpcreturns@wdsmail.com)
Harmony University with my chorus, Circle City A portion of each member’s dues is allocated to cover the magazine’s subscription
Sound from the Greater Indianapolis Chapter. I’m price. Subscription price to non-members is $25 yearly or $5 per issue; foreign subscrip-
so glad that our music team and board decided our tions are $35 yearly or $7 per issue (U.S. funds only).
© 2018 The Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop
entire chorus should participate in the Performing Quartet Singing in America, Inc. dba The Barbershop Harmony Society.
Arts College track that provides daily chorus coach- Printed in the USA
2 The HARMONIZER • September/October 2018 • www.barbershop.org
STRAIGHT TALK
Marty Monson, CEO / Executive Director • CEO@barbershop.org
Accepting multiple “hows” to barbershopping
H
ow are your local discussions going regarding the op- that was my reference point towards impact and grati-
tion to either remain an all-male chapter or to formally fication. However, as the data and feedback flowed
welcome female chapter members in some format? Do in from all of our membership and volunteer leader-
some chapter members want to expand your community ship over the years, I realized I needed to listen to the
singing offerings to include separate male, mixed, and other points of view and recraft my message.
female options under a single chapter umbrella? Are you Once I started listening, I began to realize there
considering the formation of a new mixed quartet? were a lot more ways to barbershop than I imagined.
I believe there are no two chapters, quartets, mem- I’ve always thought I was a good listener (my dad told
bers, or associates in exactly the same place. We all go me we were born with two ears and one mouth) but I
through change differently, and that’s okay. Everyone needed to realize my experiences were different, even
in Harmony does not mandate a deadline by which though the outcomes and impact were the same. The
everyone must make a decision. There is no expecta- “how” doesn’t matter as much as I thought it would.
tion that we all must end up in the same place, let There are too many variables that make up the
alone at the same time. In reality, we (chapters/quar- identity of a chapter or quartet ... I don’t have to tell
tets/members) are all different. This has not changed. you all about that. However, once a group or com-
munity identifies its personal-
The struggle to evolve my own thinking ity, things start to click. Once What’s on Marty’s daytimer?
If you sometimes struggle with change, well, I do, you’ve found that identity, • Sept. 16-17, SBOD
too. I’ve listened to thousands of members since I then you have to allow it to Meeting, Nashville
was first hired as your Executive Director/CEO in breathe and shift as the world • Sept. 20-23, RMD
August 2012. These conversations, combined with shifts around you/us. As the Convention, Colo-
data and formal feedback, have caused me to change saying goes, the only consis- rado Springs
my mindset—sometimes profoundly, and not always tency in life is change. • Sept. 24-25, Boise Idaho
easily—on a number of concepts over these Youth Festival
six years. My mindset around “the how and Find your own version • Sept. 27, DIX Conven-
what” of barbershop has especially needed of Everyone in Harmony tion, Oxford, AL
to evolve. Even with 36 years of experi- • Oct. 16-17, Sweet Ade-
One of my big mental adjustments (and I ence being a part of SPEBS- lines Convention, St. Louis
continue to adjust) is around the culture and QSA, I still have a lot of • Nov. 1 -2, Harmony, Inc.
identity of chapters. I’ve had to come learning and listening to do Convention, Orlando
As the data to terms with the many reasons not from all of you! Everyone goes
What’s Marty learning?
and feedback all members have, or even want to
have, the same view of chapter life
through change differently.
There is no change deadline
• Magic in Harmony
Song book
flowed in from that I’ve held for decades. for you; our wish is for ev-
My chapter experiences (and quite eryone to find their own how
our membership frankly my choral/singing experi- of “Everyone in Harmony,”
What’s Marty listening to?
• Smile, Main Street
over the years, I ences) have been a way of life, not a whatever that may be. • How Can I Keep
hobby. (I bet we could have a lively Now, if I can just find a bet- From Singing,
realized I needed discussion on this topic.) In fact, one ter understanding as to why Crossroads
to listen to the of my first days on the job, I told the
staff that I didn’t want to hear the
our world believes “singing” is
a noun instead of an activity. Follow Marty
other points of word “hobby” used within Harmony In my opinion, this is a much bit.ly/martyfacebook
view and recraft Hall because we were accountable
to the entire organization, which is
bigger societal barrier to our
future to influence a whole
twitter.com/Marty_Monson
my message. not a hobby. For a long time I found new blue ocean of barbershop harmony. But that’s a
myself trying to convince everyone whole ‘nother story for another time!
regarding the ideal way of life within a chapter. But Cheers,
that was just my personal bias. In reality, while barber-
shopping is a way of life for some of us, for others it is
truly “just” a hobby.
Until the Society Vision Statement change in June
2017, I was convinced I could get everyone to under-
stand that barbershopping is a way of life, because CEO@barbershop.org
September/October 2018 • The HARMONIZER 3
4 The HARMONIZER • September/October 2018 • www.barbershop.org
TEMPO
Timely news
Contest & Judging publishes revisions for 2018
A
s part of its regular review process, the BHS Contest ken. This ensures event teams can bring all needed
& Judging Committee recently updated its Hand- awards in advance, no matter the outcome. Addi-
book and the Official BHS Contest Rules. None tionally, most competitors say they don’t like ties.
of the changes alter the definition of barbershop The tiebreaker will continue to be the higher Sing-
harmony, the methods of judging, or ensemble ing score, and now the second tie-breaker will be the
performance or preparation. However, these regular Performance score rather than the Music score. As
revisions correct technical errors, reflect evolving before, any scores that persist across all three catego-
changes in practice, and enact instructions of the ries will remain a tie.
BHS Board of Directors or BHS Executive Director.
Here are some highlights: Clarification of “Four-Part Texture.” In chorus per-
formance, the presence of more than four parts will
Minimum invitations increases to 50. Due to the now be adjudicated by the Music category as a rule
increasing numbers of high-caliber qualifiers, 50 violation, rather than simply an element that low-
BHS quartets, at minimum, will be invited to in- ers the Music score. This clarification does not alter
ternational contests, up from the previous 45. Ad- how ensembles are judged or how they perform.
ditional affiliate quartet invitations are not included
in this number. This change only applies to how More precise technical terminology. In the interest
many potential “wildcard” qualifiers may be invited of accuracy in music terminology, the “Definition
to contest. As before, a 76% qualifying score or the of Barbershop Harmony” has replaced the word
top district score always qualify a quartet, even if this “homophonic” with the word “homorhythmic.” This
number exceeds 50. clarification does not alter the way in which songs are
judged or performed. The passage now reads: “Bar-
Competing in multiple quartets. Unlike at Inter- bershop harmony is a style of unaccompanied vocal
national contests, division and district competitors music characterized by consonant four-part chords
may compete in multiple quartets. A rule update for every melody note in a primarily homorhythmic
clarifies that additional quartets must be comprised texture. The melody is consistently sung by the lead,
of at least two different members. with the tenor harmonizing above the melody, the
bass singing the lowest harmonizing notes, and the
For now, only male singers have contest options. baritone completing the chord. Occasional brief pas-
While gender considerations for membership were sages may be sung by fewer than four voice parts.”
removed in June of 2018, to preserve the current
contest system the Handbook was amended to state:
“The terms ‘member’ or ‘members’ within these
rules for official BHS contest eligibility apply to
male Society members only ... With the integration
of female members into some Society choruses and
quartets beginning in 2019, the Society Board and
staff will be considering potential additional of-
ficial BHS contests for female and mixed harmony
groups.” Our contests will remain the same for the
2018-2019 contest cycle. Official mixed and women’s
contest options may be available in the future.
Requests to sing first. Choruses at international
conventions can continue to request to sing first,
prior to the random draw. The rule has been extend- A couple of ads for Project Fi (Google’s phone plan)
ed to include both choruses and quartets, and now prominently feature a barbershop quartet ... and one
makes the option available at district- and division- includes a screaming goat. Barbershop harmony is
level contests. treated respectfully, with three good singers harmo-
nizing until part four enters the picture and ruins the
Breaking ties. Before, tie-breakers only applied to harmony. Links to both ads are at www.barbershop.
ties for first place. From now on, all ties will be bro- org/harmonizer.
September/October 2018 • The HARMONIZER 5
TEMPO
Carolyn’s Corner
Easternaires, Ray Danley inducted Participation is key
Our mission is to connect people through charitable giving to enrich lives
into 2018 class of BHS Hall of Fame through singing; for Harmony Foundation International to continue to
be successful fulfilling our mission, we need to find as many different
revenue streams as possible to diversify our income and provide more
stability to our granting abilities.
One of our focuses in the upcoming fiscal year will be to nurture
the relationships we have already started with other institutions that
provide funding for missions like ours. As they assess whether or not
our mission and case statements for community need are a good fit
for their funding options, a big determining factor is around internal
participation in financial support. If there is a low percentage of internal
participation, there is a lesser chance of receiving outside institutional
Danny Heyburn, Bob Bohn, Eddy Ryan, support. Why should they financially support our mission if our own
Bill Annichiarico on Broadway in 1961 community doesn’t?
Participation is key. Of course, we realize not everyone is
The Easternaires Quartet. Considered ahead of their financially able to be a President’s Council member or even an
time by many, as top-level entertainers the quartet Ambassador of Song. Luckily, participation means just that …
remained popular with barbershop and general audi- participation at any gift size you are
ences for decades. Thousands still sing baritone Bob able to contribute. The most mean-
CONVENTIONS Bohn’s creative arrangements.
2019 ingful financial gifts to non-profits
Salt Lake City They appeared on national TV multiple times, in- are those that take some thought and sacrifice to accomplish, no
June 30-July 7 cluding The Arthur Godfrey Show and on Keefe Brassell’s matter how large or modest it may seem. By participating at any
2020 Variety Garden in the 1960s. They were the replace-
Los Angeles
level, you are helping us:
June 28-July 5
ment “School Board Quartet for The Buffalo Bills • have a better chance at qualifying for institutional gifts.
2021 in The Music Man on Broadway, and again for several • by combining your gift with thousands of others and collectively
Cleveland years of the road show. making a greater impact.
June 27-July 4 There were 13 members over the quartet’s life.
2022 Out of the roughly 20,000 Barbershop Harmony Society member-
Charlotte Six were inducted: Eddy Ryan (T), Danny Heyburn ship households, approximately 4,200 participate in contributing to
July 3-10 (T/L), Tommy Dames (L/T), Bob Bohn (Br/Bs), Bill Harmony Foundation International. That’s 22% participation, and
2023 Annichiarico (Bs), and Dave Mittelstadt (Br).
Louisville
unfortunately wouldn’t give us a very high likelihood of qualifying
July 2-9
The quartet competed from 1956 through 1976, for institutional financial support. On the plus side, we have room
always finishing in the top 20, while earning three for significant growth internally. If we focus on increasing our
HARMONY UNIVERSITY medals and nine top 10 finishes. The quartet’s sole overall participation percentage, and all current non-participating
Nashville surviving member, Eddy Ryan, accepted the award at BHS member households all gave at least $10 annually, that would
July 22-29, 2019 the International Convention in Orlando. increase our support by $148,000! That additional funding would
MIDWINTER help close the gap on the many applicants who requested financial
Nashville Dr. Ray Danley. Ray is best known for aid to attend Harmony University but were turned down due to a
Jan. 22-27, 2019 directing the Scarborough Dukes of shortage in funding.
Harmony to championships in 1977
and 1980, the first two for Canadian
chrouses. His importance to the Soci-
New Chapter Recognition announcement!
The top 5 chapters with the highest percentage of participation will be
ety and Ontario District in particular
recognized on the International stage with a Gold, Silver or Bronze
spans 60+ years of BHS membership.
level of recognition.
Ray helped create the Society’s first Chorus Direc-
More details to be announced during District Conventions this fall.
tor’s Manual in 1973 and was Harmony U faculty
If you are ready to make a contribution to Harmony Foundation Inter-
1976-1982. He was a seven-time semifinalist as bari-
national, you can do so online at HarmonyFoundation.org, toll free at
tone of The Canadian Heritage (1973-79). As the
(866) 706-8021, or by mailing a check to 110 Seventh Avenue North,
director of his local Simcoe Chapter, Gentlemen of
Suite 200, Nashville, TN 37203. n
Harmony (1958-1967 and 2001-2015), Ray increased
In harmony,
the membership from 32 in 2001 to 84 in 2015.
He is legendary in the Ontario district as a top-qual-
Carolyn Faulkenberry
ity director who generously gave of his time to develop
Chief Financial Officer
singers, directors, and teachers. He holds an Associate
Harmony Foundation International
of the Royal Conservatory of Toronto (ARCT) in vo-
cfaulkenberry@harmonyfoundation.org
cal performance and earned his Doctorate from the
(866) 706-8021 ext. 3041
University of Toronto in 1980.
6 The HARMONIZER • September/October 2018 • www.barbershop.org
HARMONY HOW-TO
Get great education at district conventions
B
y the time this issue arrives in your mailbox, we’ll be provided by our certified judges. These comments
deep into the fall district convention season. Much from recent competitors describe experiences with
is involved in this process: hotel reservation, travel to their evaluations.
a convention site, and event registration. For those
competing, you might have further preparations such This has been the best experience I’ve had for both
as costume acquisition and cleaning, note learning chorus and quartet at a contest for consistent, meaning-
and polishing, lyric memorization, and, perhaps, per- ful feedback.
formance preparation.
Before you clip on your name badge, I invite you to The knowledge and skill of our judges is improving
consider three educational opportunities barbershop with each contest. Our quartet includes two music
convention experiences afford: craft
classes, contests, and competitor
evaluation.
Education classes
Many districts offer craft classes, in-
cluding free chorus or quartet coach-
ing. You might also take leadership
classes, arranging classes, or singing or
performing classes. Our finest Harmo-
ny University faculty and coaches are
recruited from the ranks of the district
education classes. Consider arriving a Judge Eddie Martinez provides chorus coaching at a Carolinas
little earlier to participate in these op- District convention, the day after judging the quartet contests.
portunities. Many of my best learning Many districts provide expert coaching and feedback both for
and teaching opportunities took place competitors and non-competitors at district conventions.
at district conventions.
Competing educators, one of whom is a retired Singing judge. We
The contest experience itself is one of the most pow- were all impressed.
erful educational opportunities in the Barbershop
Harmony Society. Some participants see contests as a Perhaps you’ve had a negative competition experi-
means to an end, but contests can be so much more. ence in the past or are worried that you’ll receive a
In the same way that tests help students focus on low score. If you approach the contest as a vehicle for
mastering course content, so competition helps par- education, the score can serve as an effective guide-
ticipants hone their singing and performance skills. post on your music-making journey. Consider these
Competing encourages performers to explore their comments from recent competitors:
own voices, discover new music, sing in musical and
meaningful ways, and present entertaining and heart- All judges were very clear with their comments,
felt songs that engage audiences. Further, contest au- supportive of us as competitors, understandable, and
diences especially appreciate barbershop singing and agreed with each other from different judging category
know the work that goes into contest preparation. perspectives. Each demonstrated what they told us by
having us sing and experience how suggestions would
Evaluations help us. We placed near the bottom of the competing
I’ve judged other professional and amateur vocal and choruses but I felt that their rating and comments were
choral competitions, and I can categorically state that quite aligned with where we are at. Great job!
the BHS contest and judging system is the finest in
the world. Judges take what is arguably a subjective We came in the lower quartile. Still, appreciate the
Steve Scott
BHS Music
experience and efficiently quantify the competitor judging experience. It’s helpful to me as the director, as
Education Chair performance in such a way to help them in their it serves as an outside view. Thank you.
sscott@ singing journeys. Perhaps the crowning jewel in the
barbershop.org convention education experience is the evaluation Even if you have competed many times, you can
September/October 2018 • The HARMONIZER 7
HARMONY HOW-TO
still learn much. Consider these re- great competition process. some great technical advice.
marks from longtime competitors:
Being new to barbershop, I really ap- All three judges focused more on our
The evaluation was out of this preciate how the contests are designed opportunities to improve than on little
world. Probably the 4th or 5th time to make all participants better! It’s not things we need to fix. They didn’t pull
we’ve had Alan Gordon (SNG) as an really something I’ve seen elsewhere any punches, but they were also positive
evaluator and he gets better every time. and it’s a great way to do things. the whole time, creating the perfect at-
mosphere for evaluation and feedback.
Our chorus got a better feel for how Last, perhaps you sing in an ensem-
to ring chords and move the song; ble that has no intention of winning. Finally
evaluation was the best part of day! What good does competing serve? Con- Some convention-goers leave without
sider these comments: ever socializing or hearing another
Perhaps you have not had the op- group perform! Conventions are oppor-
portunity to compete and are nervous Steve Johnson (MUS) gave us some tunities to greet old friends and make
about the competition experience and overall feedback rather than specifics new ones, to sing and socialize, and
evaluation process. Consider these on the contest songs, since we have two to watch our barbershop brothers and
remarks: performances coming up. Appreciate sisters make beautiful music. You need
taking our needs into account. not compete to have a meaningful con-
The evals were all great and very ap- vention experience. If you do choose
propriate to our quartet and where we Rik Johnson’s (SNG) advice for us to to compete, I invite you to think of
are in our development. We all walked practice in front of mirrors and to focus it as more than a contest where there
away feeling good about them, and our more on what we can improve than are winners and losers. Recognize and
two new barbershoppers, who have ex- what we need to fix will radically re- celebrate how much learning and skill
perience in other choral environments, shape the way we rehearse; we’re really acquisition occurs in preparation of the
including adjudications; walked away excited to see how our sound improves performance, and use the contest for
feeling it was a very positive experience, as a result of that. Candidate Judge the learning and guidance it provides
with one singer commenting that it’s a Kim Newcomb (SNG) also added competitors. In that way, we all win. n
A BETTER A BETTER WORLD
WORLD THROUGH SINGING
THROUGH We fulfill our mission by partnering with
SINGING singing organizations and funding programs
that enable, encourage and enhance singing
A BETTER experiences for all ages ensuring everyone
WORLD S I N G I N G C H A N G E S L I V E S . has access to the life-changing power of
THROUGH JOIN THE CAUSE.
singing.
SINGING
A BETTER
WORLD
Our mission is to WE PROVIDE PROGRAMS THAT:
{ educate audiences about the benefits of
THROUGH connect people singing
{ maximize investment potential
SINGING
A BETTER through charitable WE FUND PARTNER PROGRAMS
WORLD giving to enrich lives THAT:
THROUGH { provide singing and training opportunities
SINGING through singing. to middle school through college-age youth
A BETTER { provide singing and training opportunities
to choral directors and singing educators
WORLD
MORE INFO AT { provide support and resources to
THROUGH HARMONYFOUNDATION.ORG communities of singers and their leaders
SINGING
8 The HARMONIZER • September/October 2018 • www.barbershop.orgSHARE THE WEALTH q
Help prospective members feel welcome
I
f you’re reading this, you’re probably a Barbershopper. about my recent move and almost immediately I received
But whether you joined your local chapter last month a private message from a member of Central Standard
or you’re a 32nd-generation harmony lover or anywhere who invited me to a rehearsal. He even arranged a car-
in between, you probably haven’t always called yourself pool for me, as it was a little distance away. That one act
a Barbershopper. So when did you, consciously or sub- spurred me to join that chorus, where I might have used
consciously, make that transition? the excuse that grad school would keep me too busy. The
Slapping a name badge on guests and throwing them instant fraternity and care from that group kept me com-
on the risers with a bunch of sheet music can be a ing back.”
good beginning. But inclusion is not simply the act of – Steve Scott,
inviting others to be included and passively waiting for 20-year BHS member
your invitation to take hold. To be inclusive is to take
constant action so that others may feel welcome in your “After 33 years on the west coast, I flew
group on their terms and not yours. across the country to my new home. The
Feeling welcome in any setting is very personal. same day my flight landed, I attended a
Think about your journey as a Barbershopper, and local chapter’s rehearsal. During a break, a
when you attend your next chapter meeting, ask the few members went out of their way to in-
person to your right or left on the risers. Your stories are vite me to the afterglow, where I connected
likely very different. with many more members and sang tags and polecats
I hope you enjoy a few examples of what sparked until about 3 a.m. When I arrived back at my friend’s
that transition in others. Use these anecdotes not as a apartment where I was staying that night, I reflected on
prescription to apply to new visitors to your chapter, my first night in this new city, my new home, and upon
but simply as a lesson that being humane and showing the hospitality, camaraderie, and the sound. I hadn’t even
genuine interest in others as people instead of potential been there 24 hours, and I was already plugged into a
members goes a long way. community and met dozens of people ready to share their
music and friendship.”
“I was first showing interest and going – Jude Thomas,
through the process of joining my chapter 11-year BHS member
when I was 18 and 19, and one member
in particular watched out for me during Want to share your story of how someone made
that time. I called him my guardian. He you feel like you belonged? Let us know at chapters@
encouraged me and helped me feel good barbershop.org. n
about my hard work and the much-needed enthusiasm
I was bringing to the chapter. It was also clear that he
valued me as a person, and not only because I was help-
ing lower the average age of the chapter.”
– Josh Arizmendi,
7-year BHS member
James
Pennington “I heard that a popular coach was go-
Chapter Success ing to work with another chapter in my
Manager district, and I really wanted to see him in
jpennington@ action. Since I was coming from way out
barbershop.org
of town, one of the members volunteered
to host me overnight so that I could attend
the afterglow. He even drove me to the Amtrak at the
crack of dawn just so I could make it to work on time!
My original intent was just to observe, but I was so im-
pressed by how hard-working and welcoming the chorus
was that I ended up joining the chapter.”
Steve Scott – Rafi Hasib,
BHS Music 10-year BHS member
Education Chair
sscott@ “I had just moved to Lawrence, Kansas to begin grad
barbershop.org From “Share the The Wealth,” May/June 1968 issue
school. I posted in a barbershop-related Facebook thread
September/October 2018 • The HARMONIZER 9Lorin May
Editor, The
Harmonizer
LMay@bar-
bershop.org
LORIN MAY LORIN MAY
BOTTOM IMAGES BY KURT HEINECKE; BACKGROUND IMAGE BY LORIN MAYREAD PHOTOGRAPHY
September/October 2018 • The HARMONIZER 11JIM BAGBY
Nice touch. We showed up to find this was the
Hyatt Regency front desk uniform for the week
Cooler outside, hotter inside. The unusually mild
weather was a big plus for all the folks who packed both a pitch Starting at 22? Regarding the opposite page: Also, the convention commentary is laid
pipe and a pair of mouse ears. All the heat was onstage, with out by round, and the competitors from that round are listed in order of finish. 22nd-place was
some of the best performances ever to grace the international a tie, while 21st-place Rhapsody mic-tested the Semifinals and appears in that section. 11th-
stage rewarded with the highest quartet scores ever. place mictester Clutch appears among the finalists. It was the least we could do for two quar-
But it wasn’t just a week of contests—it was a true conven- tets that likely would have sung for score in those rounds had they competed in any other year.
tion, with more than 100 Harmony University classes throughout
the week, Tag Zones with expert help, an Everyone in Harmony
Chorus that was open to all comers. And, of course, plenty Photos and commentary on pages 12-53
of socializing and singing, and everything within walking dis- by Lorin May, except where noted
tance. Enjoy the recap—but it barely scratches the surface. harmonizer@barbershop.org
QUARTET QUARTERFINALS Tuesday, July 3
Wednesday, July 4
Three cheers for three Quarterfi- suspect even they accidentally slept through it. BoomTown, and Pacific Ring either didn’t com-
nals rounds! Might as well start this con- So glad to hear that we’re probably doing it pete last year or showed up vastly improved.
vention run-down with a controversial head- again next year. Rhapsody posted the highest-ever score for a
line! That’s one cheer for our stomachs, one non-semifinalist. It’s a shame the others didn’t
for our posteriors, and one for our sanity. Suit Up! By the time lead R.J. Esquivias hit get to show us their second sets.
This comes from the “someone who watches grade school, bari Brent Graham was a quar-
every single performer” point of view. On Tues- tet finalist. R.J. has learned a lot about singing Playback. If you want to show off a great
day night, when this author noticed that we since then, and Brent still knows how to pick a lead-bari match, Kevin Harris and Lee Sperry
would be done for the night after quartet 34, it lead with huge pipes. can oblige. Admittedly, they’ll probably sound
was as if Christmas had come early. Everyone a little better if the bass and tenor sing, too.
else benefitted, too. Semifinals-level performance, with
The sanity-friendly schedule meant nobody no Semifinals. Groups that scored high St. Croix Crossing. They call the open
had to choose between the contest and lunch, enough for the 2017 Semifinals included division a young man’s sport, but our current
their favorite quartet or dinner. For the quartets, Rhapsody, Route 1, Late Shift, Midnight Croon, Seniors champ defies stereotype and age. You
it meant no more fear of drawing the after- Suit Up! and Fleet Street. Too bad this was should hope to sing so well when you’re in
noon “dead zone” where everyone’s napping 2018. Tough year to be on the bubble, be- your late 60s (which all of them are), but let’s
or eating—where nobody but your parents or cause most of last year’s top 20 returned, get real—most of us have never sung that well
wife claims to have seen your set, and you while Studio 4, Trocadero, Maelstrom, Frontier, at any age.
KURT HEINECKE
12 The HARMONIZER • September/October 201822. Route 1 (MAD) 22. Late Shift (CAR)
Brandon Brooks (Br), Thomas Moyer (Bs), James Isley (L), Brian Schreiner (T) Tim Martin (T), Andrew Myer (L), Adam Winans (Bs), Bob Kendall (Br)
Hershey, PA; Lansdale, PA Columbus-Greenwood, IN; Greater Indianapolis, IN; Terre Haute, IN
route1quartet.com; facebook.com/Route1Quartet facebook.com/LateShiftQuartet
24. Midnight Croon (LOL) 25. Suit Up! (FWD)
Josh Umhoefer (Br), Jake Umhoefer (Bs), Tim Zielke (L), Patrick McAlexander (T) Brent Graham (Br), Rodney Armstrong (Bs), R.J. Esquivias (L), Justin Klemballa (T)
Greendale, WI; Madison, WI; Greater Indianapolis, IN; Nashville, TN Frank Thorne; Salt River Valley, AZ; Santa Fe Springs, CA
midnightcroon.com; facebook.com/MidnightCroon facebook.com/SuitUpquartet
26. Fleet Street (CSD) 27. The Simple Life (SUN)
Matt Suellentrop (T), Aaron Zart (L), Eeyan Richardson (Bs), Michael Bass (Br) Andrew Lujan (T), Ryan Modrall (L), Mike O’Neill (Bs), Kevin Mendez (Br)
Lincoln, NE; St. Charles, MO; Western Hills (Cincinnati), OH Frank Thorne; Miami, FL; Nashville, TN
facebook.com/fleetstreetqtet facebook.com/tslquartet
28. Playback (ONT) 29. Harmonium (CSD)
Mike McKim (T), Kevin Harris (L), Jean Sauvé (Bs), Lee Sperry (Br) Micah Jeppesen (T),September/October
Mark Fortino (L), Brian Bellof (Bs), Michael Troyer (Br)
2018 The HARMONIZER 13
Toronto, ON Kansas City, MO; Metro Kansas City, MO
•
playbackquartet.ca; facebook.com/PlaybackQt facebook.com/HarmoniumQuartet30. The Crew (JAD) 31. Second Wind (RMD)
Noah Campbell (T), Patrick Michel (L), Dave Kindinger (Bs), Paul Gilman (Br) Joseph Hopkin (T), Adam Haggart (L), Chaz Chesser (Bs), Matt Allen (Br)
Buckeye Columbus, OH; Frank Thorne; Western Hills (Cincinnati), OH; Wilmington, NC Greater Phoenix, AZ; Wasatch Front, UT
facebook.com/thecrewquartet facebook.com/secondwindacappella
32. The Aristocrats (ONT) 33. Vocality (LOL)
Darryl Marchant (Br), David Feltrin (Bs), John Mallett (L), Bobby Gibson (T) Jay Althof (T), David Boyd (Bs), Tom Matchinsky (L), Tony Blackwood (Br)
Toronto, ON La Crosse, WI; St Croix Valley, MN; Frank Thorne
thearistocrats.ca; facebook.com/TheAristocratsQuartet vocalityquartet.com; facebook.com/VocalityQuartet
The Aristocrats (French) Revolutionary comedy
In the summer of 2014, four gentlemen from Southern Ontario took a brief
respite from their busy lives of croquet, yachting, and ennui, and decided
to form a singing group. The very first suggestion of a name for the act
was The Aristocrats!, which elicited a reaction so violent that the oldest of
the four passed a jigger of Pimms through his nose. It was agreed that no
other name would do, and so a quest was launched to portray, through
the medium of barbershop harmony, assorted sketches drawn from the
history of these gentlemen’s illustrious families. For the presentation of the
harrowing escape of Lord Cliché, Baron Faux Pas, Earl Béarnaise and
Duke Hors d’Ouevres from revolting Parisians, The Aristocrats would like
to acknowledge contributions from their household staff: Steve Armstrong,
Greg Mallett, Vinnie Sestito, the late Al Baker, and many more. More
installments are pending, and we dearly wish to share them all with you 34. CHORD SMASH! (LOL)
at a future date! Sam Sather (T), Erik Eliason (L), Scott Perau (Bs), James Estes (Br)
– John Mallett Barbary Coast, CA; Frank Thorne
chordsmash.com; facebook.com/chordsmash
35. Up All Night (MAD) 36. Upper Deck (PIO)
John Ward (T), Dan Rowland (Bs), Cecil Brown (L), Joe Hunter (Br) Mark Wilson (T), Jamie Carey (L), James Masalskis (Bs), William Stutts, Jr. (Br)
14 The HARMONIZER • September/October 2018
Manhattan, NY; Princeton, NJ Grand Rapids, MI; Gratiot County, MI; Huron Valley, MI; Mt. Pleasant, MI
facebook.com/upallnightquartet Find on FacebookBob Sutton’s 2018 Medalist trivia of the VM for the second time this year.
• Rasmus Krigström (tenor) and Jakob Sten- • The Vocal Majority moved into a tie with
berg (lead) of 5th-place Stockholm Syn- the Thoroughbreds for fourth-most total
drome became the 22nd and 23rd men to medals for a chorus with their win in
medal on two voice parts, having swapped 2018, their 18th medal, sitting behind
Second Wind. This was veteran bari Adam parts from their roles in Ringmasters. Three Southern Gateway (22), and the Alexan-
Haggart’s first time singing lead. If he decides to men have medaled on three different voice dria Harmonizers and New Tradition (both
go back to bari, he’ll first have to find a better parts, including Gary Lewis (Quorum bass) with 19 medals).
lead than himself. Good luck with that. this year, now the only man to medal at • The VM also extended its all-time record
least twice on all three voice parts. to 13 gold medals, ahead of the Masters
All up for Up All Night. They make it • Sean Devine (Throwback lead and director of Harmony at 9.
look easy, but it ain’t. We’ve seen the Knight of Parkside Harmony) is one of 21 quartet • Denver’s fourth-place medal was its 6th,
costumes before, but Up All Night’s act is champions who are also medalist directors, tying with Southern Gateway for the most-
never quite the same twice. Who couldn’t and the first to medal as a quartet member ever fourth-place medals by a chorus.
and director in the same year since he did Alexandria, Houston and St. Charles are
love how they keep finding ways to refresh
it himself last year (the last to do it previ- next with four each.
their Middle Ages-meets-today mix of puns ously was Jim Henry in 2009). Nine quartet – From the Medalist Trivia page at www.
and pop culture? As Cecil Brown’s charac- champions have won gold as both a quartet barbershopquartet.us, with researched stats
ter might say about this quartet’s long-lasting singer and director, including Greg Clancy about medal winners from 1939 to today.
comedic Crusade: More Moor, please!”
Helping keep the French Revolution Unimaginable backstories. We get by waiting until after taking their bows to share
head-severing parody genre rele- coached to draw on true emotional experiences the story behind “How it Ends.” It’s hard to
vant. The Aristocrats’ set was probably the best so that the content of our performances is more fathom how the quartet, especially Mike Leitke,
parody about cluelessly tyrannical elites contem- authentic. And then there are those for whom could even finish that song while the wounds
plating the guillotine during the French Revolution the emotions are so powerful that it’s all the are still so fresh and so deep. And during dis-
that we’ve seen in a long time. Sure, it’s a burnt- performer can do to get through the song. We trict prelims, Brian Sagrestano of All In (#51)
out theme for some, but … okay, enough with the saw at least two such performances during the faced far bigger concerns than hitting that 76%
irony. That was one of the most strangely original Quarterfinals. qualifying score. But he kept his sunny side up
sets ever to grace the international stage. Watch Read the groups’ commentary in their own during his first-ever appearance on the Interna-
the performance on YouTube and you’ll lose your words in the next pages, but suffice it to say tional Quartet stage–one that we can pray will
head, in a manner of speaking. The Committee (#50) showed a lot of restraint be followed by others in coming years.
Somebody’s got to do it. As in, if somebody doesn’t “do it,”
everything immediately goes kablooey. In part, we’re talking about
the scores of local volunteers who kept everything running behind the
scenes in Orlando, as well as judges, staff, tech crew—you name it.
Thousands and thousands of cumulative hours.
Then there are all of the behind the behind-the-scenes people.
While many of us arrived early in Orlando to hit the theme parks, a
lot of people arrived early for something most of us don’t find relaxing
at all: meetings. Board meetings, Contest & Judging meetings, District
President’s Councils, District Executive committees, World Harmony
Council—and a bunch of other meetings too numerous to fit here.
Come to think of it, things probably would not go kablooey without
the bajillion volunteer hours every year at the Society, District, Chapter,
and quartet level. It would be more of a dead silence—there just
wouldn’t be any organized barbershop anything ever at all. So let’s
give a round of applause to every Barbershopper and barbershop
supporter over, say, the last 80 years. One clap each for now. We’d Throwback keeps it really real. There are quartets that can do
like to finish the roll call before Salt Lake City. believability, and then there’s Throwback singing “Run Away With Me.” It
MARTY MONSON
was so engrossing that you almost expected the girl to whom they were
singing to stand up and answer. (Admittedly, it might have been tough
to suspend disbelief in the intro when the guy saying “I’m not good with
words” was the definitely-great-with-words Sean Devine ... but that fixed itself
rather quickly.) Throwback pretty much knocked everything out of the park
in Orlando. The quartet has been among the best since its inception, and
“... folks, let’s give each name just one clap apiece, has started the move into “great” territory. Unfortunately, they’re still the only
starting with our 40 or so past Society presidents ...” quartet consistently mining the jackpot of barbershoppable crowd-pleasing
country uptunes. One can only hope others catch on.
September/October 2018 • The HARMONIZER 1537. Showpiece (SWD) 38. The Hemidemisemiquaver 4 (PIO)
Phil Zeagler (T), Daniel Zeagler (L), Chip Davis (Bs), Geoff Kannenberg (Br) Don Slamka (Br), Doug Morgan (Bs), Dave Bjork (L), Dave Ellis (T)
Frank Thorne; Greater Baton Rouge, LA; Monroe, LA Fort Wayne, IN; Frank Thorne; Greater Indianapolis, IN; Hillsdale, MI
showpiecequartet.com; facebook.com/showpieceqt facebook.com/thehemidemisemiquaver4
The HemiDemiSemiQuaver 4 It’s not just the jackets
“Holy cow! Where did you guys get those jackets?” Yes, that is our most asked
question. But our second-most-asked question is about our songs. Well, a great
deal of effort and laughter went into the set we affectionately call “The Ego Set.”
That set is the result of finding out who we are as a quartet. Our loving wives
told us we were quirky, weird and (most affectionately) silly. With that now
known, one of our great coaches, Cindy Hansen, challenged us to put that
personality on stage. “You and Me (But Mostly Me)” was the result, but now
we needed a quirkier second song to complete the set. Enter Tim Minchin’s
hilarious “F Sharp.” The biggest challenge was who could arrange them into
contestable charts? Both Steve Tramack and Wayne Grimmer supported our
oddness, and with help from people like that, you can do anything.
After all, it IS all about the LEAD!
39. South of Normal (ILL) – David Bjork and David Ellis
Bryan Reeder (T), Tim Woodall (L), Bret Reinthaler (Bs), Craig Ahlgrim (Br)
Chicagoland West Suburban, IL; Coles County, IL; Sound of Illinois, IL; DuPage Valley, IL
sonqt.com; Find on Facebook
40. Insight (CAR)
Steven Bogaerts (T), Warren Weitkamp (L), Adam Wheeley (Bs), Phil Griggs (Br) 41. Forecast (MAD)
Columbus-Greenwood, IN; Elizabethtown, KY; Frank Thorne; Greater Indianapolis, IN; Mike Fitch (T), Tyler Rackley (L), Kevin Jones (Bs), Travis Murray (Br)
Kokomo, IN; Terre Haute, IN Richmond, VA
Find on Facebook ForecastQuartet.com; facebook.com/ForecastQuartet
42. Odds n Ends (NED) 43. Speakeasy (JAD)
Jonas Rimkunas (T),HARMONIZER
16 The Chris Howard (L),•Jim Fortin (Bs), Phil Newth
September/October 2018 (Br) Matt Cook (T), Keith Parker Jr. (L), Terry Keith (Bs), Kerry Conrad (Br)
Portland, ME Dallas Metro, TX; Elyria, OH; Fostoria, OH; Independence, OH; Northcoast, OH; NW OH
facebook.com/oddsnendsquartet facebook.com/bbshopquartet45. OMG (ILL)
44. Portobello Road (BABS) Craig Hall (T), Jeff Lathom (L), Greg Martin (Bs), Pat Henders (Br)
Ian James (T), Brian Schofield (L), Stuart Owen (Bs), Steve Emery (Br) Frank Thorne; Rockford Metro, IL
portobelloroad.webs.com; facebook.com/PortoQT Find on Facebook
46. Let’s Sing! (NSC) 47. Drive (NED)
Steve Tremper (T), Greg Zinke (Bs), Mark Chandler (L), Joe Doub (Br) Dan Allison (Br), Ray Johnson (Bs), Kenny Sousae (L), Josh Beswick (T)
Greensboro, NC; Research Triangle Park, NC; Rocky Mount, NC; Winston-Salem, NC Bridgeport, CT; Central, CT; Concord, MA; Danbury, CT; Frank Thorne
Find on Facebook driveacappella.com; facebook.com/driveacappella
48. Supertonic (ONT) 49. St. Croix Crossing (LOL)
Chris Arnold (Bs), Pat Brown (L), Chris Scappatura (Br), Jordan Travis (T) Randy Lieble (T), Dan Heike (L), Jared Hoke (Bs), Steve Hardy (Br)
Hamilton, ON; Toronto, ON Frank Thorne; Dunn County & LaCrosse WI; Hilltop MN; Greater St Paul Area, MN
supertonicqt.com; facebook.com/SupertonicQT prettygoodquartet.com; facebook.com/SCXBQ
The Committee There’s authentic, and then there’s “How it Ends”
In January, Carol and (tenor) Mike Lietke suffered the immeasurable loss of their
son Drew, who succumbed to depression at age 13. We were all shocked, sad-
dened, and heartbroken. The quartet was an insignificant thing in that moment,
so Matt, Brett, and Kevin agreed: if Mike wanted to continue singing, or not ...his
choice was our choice. Thankfully for us, and for the world, what he chose to do
was to continue forward. With Mike’s altered lyrics, we sang “How It Ends” as
an homage to Drew’s memory and to spread this message: You are not alone.
If you think you need help, or know somebody who does, there are armies of
people willing to help. You are loved by so many people. Reach out, and talk to
someone. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255. End The
Stigma of mental illness. It is okay to not be okay.
– Kevin McClelland
50. The Committee (ILL)
Kevin McClelland (Br), Brett Mulford (Bs), Matt Carlen (L), Mike Lietke (T) September/October 2018 • The HARMONIZER 17
Bloomington, IL; Greendale, WI
facebook.com/thecommitteesingsand the quartet put things on hold. When Brian returned, the quartet selected the
name “All In”, as we agreed that we were in this together, come what may. Six
rehearsals later, we were the SLD novice champs!
Over the next few years, All In began to build a repertoire including many stan-
dards. We benefitted from fantastic coaching from Debra Lynn, KJ McAleesejergins,
Rob Hopkins, Rob Mance, Sean Devine, Ig Jakovac, and many others. Eventually
51. All In (SLD) Evan Brooksby, who had competed twice at international, replaced Mike, adding
Evan Brooksby (T), Brian Sagrestano (L), Joel Barnett (Bs), Don Drake (Br) additional experience (and distance!) to our group.
Mohawk Valley, NY; Liverpool, NY; Schenectady, NY The hard work paid off with the fall 2017 SLD District Championship. As we
bhs-mv.org; facebook.com/Allinquartet geared up for prelims, job changes for Evan and Joel made getting together more
difficult. We then got the devastating news after a follow up scan that Brian’s cancer
All In While facing a daunting diagnosis, Brian Sagrestano put the had returned, this time in the liver, as stage four metastastic uveal melanoma. Despite
future on hold to make his first appearance on the international stage the return to treatment, we continued to rehearse, with barbershop providing a
All In formed in early 2014 when Don Drake and Mike McLoughlin, ap- respite for Brian. Miraculously, Brian stabilized just before prelims, allowing All In
proached Brian Sagrestano and Joel Barnett about competing in the SLD novice to compete and qualify for our first International.
competition. Both Don and Mike had long quartet histories, including Don’s Following prelims, we got our second miracle when continued stability for Brian
seven international quartet contests. allowed us to prepare for and take the stage in Orlando in front of family and
Before we even got started, things were derailed when in March 2014 friends. It was an unlikely dream come true. While we don’t know what our future
Brian was diagnosed with a rare eye cancer. He went into immediate treatment holds, we know we are blessed and we are “All In.”
NEXT GENERATION VARSITY Wednesday, July 4
The full, official title is “Next Generation Varsity Barbershop Quartet Contest.” Long title, but every word means something. Next Generation because,
well, that’s literally what these young men are. Varsity means ages 18-25, as opposed to the 18-and-under Junior quartet contest, which is starting
up Midwinter 2019 in Nashville. Barbershop Quartet Contest because, well, do we really need to explain?
That darn attrition. Life makes it tough. The Brits return (almost) victorious. • The Reunion. Every year, they’ve done
Next Generation quartets have to either regroup Speaking of Tagline, Wow, and did we say concept comedy and been one of the most
or break up every time a member turns 26, or “Wow”? First British international medalist of any entertaining groups. Please stick around.
graduates, or has to move, or gets engaged, kind, and with a score that in many years—not • Singularity parodied barbershop culture refer-
or gets a new job, or sunspots, or whatever. this one, of course–would crack the Semifinals. ences like pros. These new bbshop fanatics are
Remember what it was like at that age? There The Swedes and Kiwis broke through already, and among many who thank the Boise Chordsmen.
were times when you might do all of the above hopefully this generation of Brits will be next up. • When Greenlight started the Keepsake version
in the same week, maybe a couple of them of “Royal Garden Blues,” red flags went up.
twice. Some years, a competing Next Genera- Great out of nowhere. Big props to Roses A few measures in, red flags went down.
tion quartet might have to retire or find a new in Blue and One ‘n Dun. Unknown before Or- Tough song to do well, but they did it.
tenor during the applause break between their lando, they medaled in the contest and scored • On Point earned a lot of applause for proving
ballad and their uptune. Which is to say, only high enough to qualify for the open contest as that basic barbershop songs don’t sound
a limited number of quartets get to stick around well. Big things could be ahead for them if they basic at all when you sing them right.
long enough to compete multiple years. It’s choose to make that quartet registration official.
therefore amazing how good these groups are, Before you age out ... The Next Genera-
and how little time it takes them to get there. Quick notes tion contests are a microcosm of life itself: A few
• Stranger Rings actually lived up to its name, brief years to make the most of your time before
That awesome attrition. Frontier took in a fun way. Probably the first time stage you age out and are replaced by the next gen-
sixth place in last year’s contest, and since manager Dave Duncan has had to come out eration. So let us congratulate Frontier, The Tune
none of the 2017 medalists competed in and remove baby carrots from the stage. Squad, Greenlight, The Reunion, On Point, and The
2018, everyone moves to the next available • Thunderbolt! swung for the fences, and Aggenizors, the only returning competitors from
slot, right? Frontier in a cakewalk? Wrong. For you’ve got to respect that whether or not 2017. Guys, whenever you prepare to pass the
starters, this year’s Frontier would have beaten you see “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” torch to the next Next Generation (upper case),
the entire 2017 field. And they needed every as a barbershop vehicle. After lead Kedar learn from those of us with a few decades under
drop of improvement, because British quartet Shashidhar sang, “I wanna hit that high,” he the saddle. There’s a phrase we often share with
Tagline was phenomenal, scoring an 80.3 to nailed the stratospheric “Yeah, yeah, yeah!” the generation that’s preparing to take over our
get second place, with Wildfire deep in the mix. George Michael would’ve been proud. turf: “Get off my lawn!” Feel free to quote us.
18 The HARMONIZER • September/October 20181. Frontier 2. Tagline
Chris Cordle (T), Cody Harrell (Bs), Aaron Pollard (L), Brandon Smith (Br) Joe Pickin (T), James Gower-Smith (L), Chris Langworthy (Br), Rob Foot (Bs)
Michigan; representing Pioneer District (PIO) United Kingdom; representing British Association of Barbershop Singers (BABS)
aaronpollard2315@yahoo.com robert.a.foot@gmail.com
Frontier Journey to gold passes through Indonesia Tagline How they became the first British international medalist
Over the past four years of youth contest participation, Frontier has never As Barbershoppers are fond of saying, it’s always about the journey. Tagline
aimed to win the youth contest. I can’t say we didn’t want to and that has been singing together since the start of 2012, where we met as music
we don’t value the competition—rather, our coaches instilled a spirit in us students at Manchester University. Things have changed a lot since then with
from the very beginning that looked beyond the scoresheet and judges’ graduation, jobs, and moving down south, but through all of this change we’ve
comments. been competing in the international collegiate quartet contest pretty much the
However, this year’s success started in a well air-conditioned apartment whole time.
on the island of Batam, a small strip of land south of Singapore and a The contest has a special place in our hearts, so much so that we have
part of the string of islands that makes up the country of Indonesia. It was competed in it four times! In Toronto 2013 we made our debut, and over the
mid-August in Asia, and we were invited to spread barbershop harmony in next few years we kept going back, slowly climbing the rankings, culminating in
the second-fastest growing city in the world. Lazed out about the couches a sixth place finish in Nashville 2016, just behind our friends in Frontier quartet.
and chairs scattered across the room, the quartet decided that we needed However, fourth time’s a charm, and armed with our new tenor, Joe, this
to create a brand that we were proud of and that represented who we year we were delighted to finish in second place in Orlando, just behind
are. Citing long conversations with our amazing coaches Cindy Hansen, Frontier again! To be the first BABS quartet to bring back a medal from the
Scott Kitzmiller, and Paul Ellinger (the fifth member of Frontier), we chose States is an incredible feeling, and we were immensely proud to represent our
key words and ideas that represented what we wanted to be: authentic, friends back home.
unique, quirky and, most of all, fun. We have to say a huge thank you to everyone at BABS for their support
And in the last year, we only chose songs that fit that bill. We denied over the last six years. Thank you to the board for providing funding to keep
many ideas and requests from friends and confidants. It became the norm us going back to international, and for helping us get coaching with some of
in the quartet that we would only choose songs that all four of us liked the best coaches in the world. (Special shout-out to Doug Harrington and John
and would be proud of. Considering this year’s success, we believe we Palmer, whom we worked with during this contest cycle!) We also have to thank
have found the answer. our original tenor Ben Ferguson for his time in the quartet, and the countless
There’s much more to come. arrangements that he has written for us over the years.
We would like to thank our aforementioned coaches and the men and What’s next for Tagline? Well, we’re going to compete at BABS next year
women that make up the best family in the world—the Pioneer District. with a view to qualifying for the Big Boys contest in LA 2020. But before that
Without their love, encouragement and support, this quartet would not we’ll be preparing for our concert in London on December 8 (more details
have had any of the opportunities to spread barbershop and PIONEER coming soon), making a music video, and trying to take over the world with
love around the world. We hope to repay you in any way we can. See barbershop! To keep up to date with our progress follow our Facebook page!
you in October! facebook.com/taglinequartet.
– Cody Harrell – Rob Foot
Everyone in Harmony. In AMY ROSE
both official and casual settings,
folks wanted to discuss the recent
opening of BHS membership to all.
What’s next? What will barbershop
harmony look like in the future? BHS
leaders see Everyone in Harmony
as a broad vision aimed at reaching
many more people who can benefit
from the cultural, personal, and social
rewards of the worldwide barbershop Patty Cobb Baker,
Marty Monson, Sweet Adelines Christina Lewellen,
community.
Our fellow North American orga- Society CEO President Harmony, Inc. President
nizations were well-represented by
Sweet Adelines International President Patty Cobb Baker, who emceed the Quartet Semifinals, and by Harmony, Inc. President Christina Lewellen,
who emceed a Quartet Quarterfinal round with a wink at awards show-style costume changes. Both also attended the Everyone in Harmony Town
Hall, in which BHS President Skipp Kropp, CEO Marty Monson, and other leaders fielded questions and feedback. Patty shared a few hopeful
words that viewed Everyone in Harmony through a lens of abundance, not scarcity. Link to view the Town Hall at www.barbershop.org/harmonizer.
September/October 2018 • The HARMONIZER 19You can also read
