~ KEEP THE WHOLE WORLD SINGING THEIR 3RD RECORDING "UNFORGETTABLE"
• You'll Never Go Wrong With A Song • Sound of Music Medley • You Made Me Love You • Alley Cat • Unforgettable • YOIII' Mother Should Know Medley • Atlanta's Jumpin' (This Joint. Is Jumpin') • There Goes My Heart • Ida/Ain'! She Sweet • Nice Work If You Cau Get It • America Medley
..ONE Mm.'!ENT IN Tlt\m" "GONNA BUILD A MOUNTAIN"
• M)' H... m Stuud Still • I'm GonnJ lluill'!,\ ~loumJin ·111).,m·{ ~k:m A Thin;: (1(1\,\in'[ GOlTh:,t SI\inj!l • O,igindl Di.\id:mJ One St~p • Sonn)' lIo)"ID~I\I\)' Bu)' • WI!<:n Sunn)' Gets llIu.: • Guin' QuI Of~l)' H... ~odICllft T;J.l¢~I)' Eyt'.• Off Of \'ou • EWI) Ixxly Sl~plAI<'\m&r's RaClime ll:md • Sw,,-.:t A
Namc _ Address _ City State Zip Code _ E-mail Address _
"Unforgcttablc" __ CD/s @ $15 ea, __ Cassetle/s @ $10 ea. $ _ "One Momelliin Time" CD/s @ $15 ca. Casscttc/s @ SID ca. $ _ "Golllla Build A Mountain" __CD/s@$I5ca. __Cassc!tc/s@$lOea,$, _ Subtotal $ _ Mail check or money order (US funds) to: Exc,\I.IBUI{ 1609 Stoncpine COllrt • Hudson, WI 54016 Postage + Handling $ 2.00 E-nulil address: Excalibnr@excalibul'-nel.com '1'0131$ _ T UJHARMON~R
. : , . .. ." . May/Juno 2000 VOLUME LX tWMBER 3
SORRY, PROFESSOR HILL. Only three of the 1950 champion Buffalo Bills accepted the call to Broadway. Find out why Dick Grapes said, "No, thanks." 20 ------Features------ I What will 21st Century Music Man revival abig barbershop sound like? Broadway success Must we choose between preservation and And kind words about the newest nOll' evolution? Three big names respond Sodety quartet, The Hawkeye Four DrlRRll FUNN GARl'STAMM Barbershop ...Tokyo style The rest of the story Barbershop arrives in Japan, and Music Man creator Meredith Willson they're bringing it back to America was writing about people he knew REED SA\If9:)'l GARl' STrUB! AND OMl' ROBJ.\'SO.V ------Departments------2 10 THE PRESIDENT'S PAGE HARMONY HOW-TO Don't wait for a death to show you Be a great chorus singer whaes really important 25 4 CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES LET'S HARMONIZE Keep a lv/elcxly Ringing Memorial, a 10 Stewardship of our style chorus benefit show 5 27 LETTERS STAY TUNED Images with impact and NY chorus steals Florida show Brooks Brothers booster Society and SAl chapters team up 6 32 ~-,,- TEMPO THE TAG National exposure via posters and Limestone Quarry television Society for the Preservation and Encouragement ~ of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America
May/JUlie 2000 • The HARMONIZER 1 Here's to T "NEW CHOICES EHARMONl~R •,,• •• "I •
for ON STAGE May/June 2000 Volume LX Number 3 HARMONY" SPEBsaSA Vision Statement The Society is to be an ever-growing fraternity of barbershop-style singers, *NOW STARRING * leading Ihe cause of encouraging vocal music in our schools and communities.
HarmonymElFoundation Your clearinghouse for all charitable activities, including SingAmerica, SingCanada, Hearlspring, the Heritage Hall Museum, the endowment program and memorial giving, may be reached at BOO·8l6·SING, ext. 8447 HEADQUARTERS OFFICE STAFF SPEBSQSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECtJTTVE DIRECTOR SOCIETY PRE SlOE/IT DARRH FIr-." (8543) CHlU; WAlSOS O[RECTOR OF MuS!(; EOOCATlOH & SER'fICES 184McCalJCourt'Co!umbus,OH43235 D~. GREG LrxE l85~9) SOCIETY EXECUTIVE VICE PIlESIDElrT ROGfR lE\m OF:RECTOR OF l!IAHeE & AOwtllSTflATlON 2012512MileRood-BattkCred:).1l49014 FIlA'); S,,:-T\RULJ, CPA, CAE (8450) SOCIETY TREASURER H,IJIlJOUY FOOm>AT1Oll EXECUTIVE O;RECTOR KL\' Ft.n(llfll DIRECTOR OF EXlERlIAL AffAIRS -12-11 2IstAH~. W,#I00' Stanle %\98199 GARY S1A\I\I, CAE lS-l-l6) SOCIETY l'-l.UEOIATE PAST PREStoEm' MAlIAG!NG DJlECTOIl Of MEI.!BER SERVICES EOWALSCIll: Ev NoW (SHS) 6VisULane' M~ll'i1k,NY 11747 PUBUC RELATlONS DJlEClOR SoclETY EXECUllVE Dt/lECTOA I BOARD SECRETARY Red Striped 8m", Ln.'CIl (85H) DARR\1.Fu\"" EVEIilS MAlIAGER I STAFF COUNSEL f_ro.9iriQ JOH." $cH.\UOER (8444) SOCIETY BOARD MEMBERS Boaters UBRARtA», OLD SOIlGS liBRARY W.W:'>"E8OO10\1OI Authentic, unlined. Tmt BARR (S5-H) 4S-t6GIt'nbrook lane-Palm Harbor, FL 33569 PUBllCATlO~IS EOIlOR l)o"Ot.-\lL\L\." LOll\' ~lw (8567) 916Tangbl"ood Dri\-C -Shore\-jew, 1\ IN MuSIC $PEClAUST I QUARTET DEVELOP/WiT B!lLCortr JI~1 l>eBFSH\.\; (8566) SOl SbtmL3I1<'.ApI.I014·Almnuna, VA2231..\ C&J I QUARTET REGISTRY I HC-DC D<:-'cmCooK L~"ll>IEITR (8551) 6019N. Iklmonl Wa)'- Pm:er,CO 80134 MAlIAGER OF MeOlA PROOUCTlOU & SeRVICES GEl'ECOORTS 1827 D.:.\lt'r Avt'nue· Cirn:lnI13li, OH 45206 Ru~s FOR!s (8586) BooCQ\ DEVEloP/.~Em DiRECTOR 557SKa.)'ak WayNE -Sakm. 01{ 97303 L'R~\' GllHO\.'Se-' (8..\..\3) EARLllAGs MAJU.GER OF hlFORUAlJON SVSTELlS 1217 StrJt ford Driv¢ -H. ichJrdson, TX 75000-291 3 &OTT HOGE (8435) HA\"KH.\\\\l£ll: MUSlC PU8UCATIOtIS EDITOR ..\..\-672 Kahin.mi PlJct'ii6- Kan<'O~, HI967..\..\ JOE LILES (8553) AImJt:R Mwx-IJill MERCHA/lOiSE OPElVJlOlIS MAJU.GER 4518in:hwoodRood.l\looforu,NY 11763 NA'\n' TKOR." (8..\37) fu"Prpu. MuSIC SPECIAUST /VOOTH OUTREACH 456..\ E.3:\.1Rl.\:ill- PortStanley, ON N5L IA7 iTuxedos B~lSl(:o; BILL RMlllfIGll (8560) 522 N. Jackson Slrw- Rellevilk.IL62220 00 PUBLIC RELAT10NS SPEClAUST $89 R£m S"'L\U'50S (8592) MEJ.!8ERSH!P SPEClAUST P.-\lRICI.: KnL\' (S..\59) AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS ASSISTANT TO THE EXECUTIVE DiRECTOR AUSTRAUAlI ASSOC. OF /.lEN BARBERSHOP SUIGERS (AAI.I8S) k-ffi Wardum, ~t DEE VESf_\"IC1.: (S5..\2) 51 Rct>'.ni:t r$..d: • Sfcinofi;:1J I\SW 2150 • Austr.& MUSIC SPEctAUST / CHORUS DIRECTOR DEVELOP/.~EliT BARBERSHOP "f GERMANY (BinG!) KIRK YOI.JSG (8541 ) B~g;l Ka)'~~, I'rc;..'dmt Ev,.a!J.;tr. 28' D-591H K2m..'TI • G..'TII\!Ily HARMONIZER STAFF BRITISH ASSQClATIOtl OF BARBERSHOP SINGERS (BABS) • Chris T"1Ihron. Clu'mun 3 & 4 Button Blazers Lo::us MAY (EOlTox), RITo SA\ll'SOS (AsslSlA."r EOllOJt), "3m..~,,~ !\rurM'f\)I,I.,;/1 Rood, rollifOl."(, N.Ytlli HGJ lOT. UK 13m.." LYl'("lf (Co,,-nuBumG EDITOR) DlJTCH ASSOCIATlOtl OF BARBERSHOP SlN
2 The HAR~'IONIZER • May/Jllile 2000 What's really important in this hobby?
e believe that Society membership to him!' It was a sobering question. , provides a Vel)' special place for men "Because so much ofour discussion of diverse backgrOlmds to share their seems to contest,driven (sC}'le ,w be J love and generosity." How well do yOll swge presence, virtuosity, etc.), I think know the men standing around you on we may have forgotten that tile great the risers? YOll know they love to majority ofSociety members probably sing-otherwise, they wouldn't be couldn't care less about the dlings eIlat there. You know they enjoy the fel have occupied tile thoughts and emo, lowship of the hobby. or they wouldn't tions ofmilllY ofus ... especially those greet yOll so enthusiastically every i11 tile judging comnum;ty. week. But do you really know where "It is too bad d,at it Illay take d,e they grew up, where they work, their deadl ofbarber;hopping friends to family, or even how much music really help liS realize what we are really means to them? about. It goes way be}lond ego. exper, A recent death in rise and contest successes. Its all our barbershop family about the chords ill,,1 the felloll'ship. caused a judging friend At/ay God grant us the wisdom to to pen the following dlilllk Him for d,e Illusic illld d,e 1"' thoughts which I feel ticnce to love each adler. II are appropriate to the Thanks. Tom Woodall for those topic: wondelful thoughts. which so appro "Four ofour faidlful priately address the topic for this issue. members (dnee in the By the time you receive this publi, past )'eill; alld all under cation, our annual convention may age 60) have died re already be in the histOlY books. How centl)'. Though the)' ever, the next time yOll playa record, SiUlg ill dlC cholUS ill"l ing by one ofour great champions, occasionall)' in a chap please think lovingly of that great ter quartet, they llever quartet that fifty yean; ago changed excellcd as competitors, the attitudes of many An1ericans and nor did dle)' el'er hold a people the world over regarding our significant office, c\'cn great hobby. The Buffalo Bills did in at the chapter deed write a new chapter and the re~ level. Because our cent revival of the Broadway musical chapter is small, I TI,e l\lll/sic "vlilll will hopefully do the dlOught I kllell' these same for a new generation of barber~ men rather well. The}' shoppers. I hope you will all have an attended regularl)' and op{X>rtunity to see the revival as it were great guys. But it comes to your hometown in the next wasn't LUltil their pass few years and once again thrill to the ing d,at I realized II'hat dlC hobby strains of uLida Rose" and llSincere." meant to them. Until next time, keep in mind that ((Wlhen choRls members passed by our Society's vision is to be "an ever, the open caskets at their visitations, growing fratemity of barbershop-style they lI'ere shocked to find eIlat three singers, leading the cause of encourag, ofthe four lI'ere clasping pitch pipes ing vocal music in our schools and and the other had an 8xlO picture of communities." Go out and Share the his chapter quarter displayed next to Dream. dlC cofli'll. 1n each case, when J recO\'~ cred enough to question the spouses, they all replied, 'Didn't you knoll' hall' much dle music :U1d fellowship meant
May/Jllile 2000 • The HAIUvlONIZER 3 TRUE Stewardship of our style WHOLESALE PRICINGI Hello friends, Ranking right lip there with quarretting, performing, chapter TUXEDOS meetings, and our brotherhood, is the wondelful worlel of bm-, bershop competition. We've had a serious e1evotion to quartet COAT $ BLACK TUXEDO SIAm 91.90 contests right from the beginning (and chorus contests since TUXEDO PANTS $21.95 '53). What a wonderful way to showcase what we do best. That said, of course, we are very serious about our contest SHIRTS rules and about preserving OUf unique style of music and har, WING COLlAR $12.95 monYi thus, the recent work done by the Style Examination Committee (SEC). The SEC was LAY DOWN COLLAR $12.95 charged with the responsibility to evalu BAND COLLAR $17.95 ate the degree to which the barbershop ACCESSORIES style, as currently accepted in Society contests, reflects the style as we wish it to CUMMERBUNDS co(31S! $5.95 be, and if not, to recommend appropriate BOW TIES co(31S! $1.95 changes to the style---or to the way it is adjudicated. CUM & TIE SETS $7.90 Last issue, I promised some olltstand~ LAME BOW TIES $4.95 ing guest writers to address the subject of lAME SETS cifol\! CALLI our unique musical style. These are men VESTS with outstanding credentials, not only as pClformcrs, but as Society leaders, Illllsi# BLACK FULL BACK dans, standout arrangers, and all of SHAWL LAPEL. •• $21.95 whom are not only music judges but FULL BACK NO LAPEL members of the SEC. I know you'll want MANY COLORS. •• $ 18.95 to read on as Immediate Past Society President Ed Waesche, SEC Chairman MISC. Don Gray, and noted barbershop style historian David Wright answer several KNIT POLO SHIRTS $13.95 poignant questions about our style, where SUSPENDERS $4.95 it's been and where it's going. TOP HATS $16.95 As you read the thoughts of our special guests, know that their attitude mirrors All MERCHANDISE IS that of the SEC and the entire C&J com BRAND NEW & FlRsr QUAIITYI munity in this way: Regardless of the genre of the song, the tempo, rhythm or SAME DAY SHIPPINGI lyrics! thcrc arc somc features of our style UNCONDlr/ONAIIY that havc been around for over 100 years, GUARANrEEDI and with our stewardship! will remain CUSrOM UNIFORM DESIGN invarient for another century. These are, and will be: • Melody in the 2'" tenor (or lead) with the tenor above BIG & rAil SPEClAlIsrSI • Four-parr consonant harmony • Arranged for ringable voicings • Sung for the unique ringing sound of barbershop ~~~ The questions and answers are featured on page 12. Thanks in advance for your interest and for listening. CALL FOR OUR FREE CATALOG \ 12?h' 1-800-841-1620 ~~:---._-- All Moior [redi! Cords Arrepfed 9AM·5PM EST
4 The HARMONIZER • ,\Iay/Jlllle 2000 LETTERS [email protected] Impact of images, a Brooks Brothers booster linages with impact Sumo package areal winner Hat's off for that great article. It makes Responding to the letter of Clifford Hager concerning a very good point. You have to put The Brooks Brothers and their Sumo package, I feel yourself in the mind of the person that a fellow Barbershopper should experience the per looking at the picture. Unfortunately, formance before passing judgement. a lot of the pictures we take are about I have seen the "Brothers') perform and provide the as thrilling as the pattern nn the wall. crowd with a great deal of pleasure, a high level of 11U1' I do not take much in the way of sical talent and creative parodies. If we were to find still pictures. My camcorder gets a fault with this presentation, we would have to con, good workout. However) the same demn FRED and many other fine quartets that give ideas apply to video pictures: To make such pleasure to so many. a video interesting don't Fine quartets such as these open our special brand pose-do somedling. of music to an ever ex, This is not a problem panding audience and en, with Barbershoppcrs courage new membership. normally, but seems to I hope that Mr. Hager can occur with many other ., open his mind to fresh and groups, It becomes very unique ideas that will fur, frustrating waiting for ther Barbershop singing something to happen. throughout the world. We Perhaps some time you need the continuation of could address this tradition coupled with problem in a follow-up freshness to see SPEI3SQSA article. into the new millennium.
I30B JOHNSO~ BILL CLARK Winnipeg, Coles County Chorus t?:;).".,....".... _... You ouOhltu be Manitoba Chapter in pic/ures! Cre.ale;llfl~ Ih.alC,,"'be-,,,be.al Credit to Match/April 2000 . Pet cover photo: Repeat champs? More deSigner er Thompson, OakVille Beaver We were so honored you chose to use our album power to 'em! cover in the previous issue of TIle Hmmonizel' recognizing the ex, Occasionally, someone complains citing and different ways to photograph quartets and choruscs, We that past champions regroup and are really proud of how it turned out, and we would be remiss if we compete again. So what? If talented didn't ask that the person who is responsible for the concept and people are willing to make the effort implementation be recognized. to pelfect a presentation, we should Our Art Director is Kim Hansen. She is a member of the SAl be grateful our best talent is being Region 21 Harborlites chorus and her husband, Scott, is a member presented to the public. It takes tal of the Masters of Harmony chorus, of which we arc all members. ent and effort to sound goocl----every Kim is the one rcsponsible for the design and creation of all note must be properly sung, and past Nightlife logos, advertisemcnts and the album, llBasin Street winners know this. Let's always givc Blucs," as well as our ncw recording, BBlues in the Night." the public the best that we can. We think the world of her and her dedication to the art form by Rather than envy, go thou and do inventing new and interesting ways to show off our group. Thanks likewise. Kim! ROB Iv1ENAKER CHARLES ABEI\;'JETlIY Tenor, Nightlife Past Intemational President
,\fay/Julie 2000 • The HAR!"IONIZER 5 Great photo makes for great Society PR
e Barbershoppers have always known Better still, the fine print credit line that we are the most enthusiastic, flln~ reads: uphoto lIsed by permission. loving-and certainly the best look Wanna sing? 800-876-SING or ing-bunch of guys you'll ever meet. w\Vw.spebsqsa.org" Now employees at 7lOOO companies And, oh yes, that photo: it's the . know it, too. A barbershop chorus is Midwest Vocal Express of Greendale, ". the new face of teamwork in a new Wisconsin. When The Marlin Com- ~ I motivational poster distributed pany contacted the Society with the !,.; throughollt North Arnerica. idea, they were pleased to learn that 1- "The better the collective pitch we had high-quality, royalty-free cho and harmony .., and the higher the rus photography available on CD level of enthusiasm and coordination ROM. Need to bocst your image! Pur ... the more we earn our stripes day by chase Barbergraphics, stock no. 22075, day" reads the TEAMWORK poster $15 available from published by The Marlin Company Hannony!vlarketplace.com. (www.themarlinco.com). e II Caught any big gigs lately? \Vhe)'e"". R.rn'l'dllY Ifallt Why, It's on Ifannoriy From lvlemorial day through Christmas, Patriotic "ane, of course. Soolety pel{onnance opportunities abound. But you · Memorial Day staff rarely catch a fish by standing at the shore · Flag Day & National Pause hosted a and waiting for lithe big oneil to leap into for Ihe Pledge of Allegiance reception your hands. · Fourth of July April 11 Is your chapter taking full advantage of (Society the many venues in which to present bar; State & Local birthday) bershop harmony to the public! If you State & local fairs to unveil aren't actively seeking them Ollt, your Sporting evenls and new chapter is missing out on wondelful oppor, lournamenls street tunities. The most obvious, of course, are Partnerships with civic signs public relations and community relations, clubs (Kiwanis, Rotary, desig recognition in the local media, recruiting Lions, etc.) nating a (Ill saw them at the annual clam bake. I'd Corporale picnics portion of like to be part of that group"), promoting Other special events Third and supporting the arts, and on and on, & holidays Avenue To the right is a general list of the types Harvest festivals as of events your chapter and chorus can :x:ek Pumpkin festivals "Harmony out. In addition to being performance op; Back-to-school events Lane." On portunities, many fairs and festi; Fall & holiday school music hand for the reception vals can be festivals - serve as moni were Kenosha Aldermen used as re; tors or ushers Don Holland and John cruiting PBS membership drives Wamboldt, who venues if your answer phones sponsored the proposal, chapter mans a Labor Day other local dignitaries booth and has both live and re Halloween and neighbors of corded music available. Rarely are such Thanksgiving Harmony Hall. Mail to the events not covered by the media. Christmas - holiday chorus. headquarters may now be Don't Iniss any chance to put barbershop community tree lighlings, addressed to 6315 harmony, your chapter and chorus before holiday bazaars Harmony Lane, Kenosha, the public. There is a direct correlation be WI 53143·5199. tween name recognition and ticket sales for your shows.
6 The HARI\·lONIZER • May/June 2000 , You're looking at the future of Barbershop DI~ECTO~S (our sincerest apologies to a.c. Cash)
It's a ground-breaking kind of barber CD-ROM drive of YOlll' computer. ~COllEGE shop entertainment-the kind you You can take out your frustrations can enjoy even with the sound with the included "Whack-a-Barber tumed off. (Some ShOpper'1 computer would argue that arcade game, (earm, tll111ing the sound off ing caricatures of Scholarships has always made eel" each quartet mem, tain quartets morc bel'. awarded for entertaining. But this Manufactured by is different-really.) li-iple Disc, the mul Directors College The title is lIT1me timedia llenhanced" Twenty~five front~linc directors have After TIme/' the first CD format plays mu received tuition scholarships to this release from Count sic in regular com' year's Direcrors College in Sr. Joseph, down. This CD may pact disc players. On Missouri. The awards were made represent barbershop1s your CD-ROM through a random draw from the 65 first foray into multi, drive, you can play applicants. To be eligible, the incli media on a music the game or view a viduals must be a front~line director CD. Still fuming that audience participa, and have never attended Directors Countdown placed ahead of your tion sing,along song, with the scroll, College. A complete list of the win favorite quartet at Internationals? ing lyrics synchronized for you to ners is available at spebsqsa.Ol'g/ Eject the disc and slip it into the sing along, too. HCDCldcscholarship.htlll . Terry Clarke joins AHSaW board What do these guys have in common: natural choice: the Common evolved quartet champ John Devine, chorus lllany of their songs by woodshedding, and For director Steve Shannon, ar, ...... ,..-.. the quartet was famed for a "stand woodshedding ranger Jack Baird, and past So' up and sing" approach that gar' information and ciety president Ed Waesche? nered a passionate following. activities They're all members of AHSOW promotes available to your AHSOW, the Ancient Hanno- woodshedding-known as Ildiscov, chapter, visit nious Society Of ery singing"-which occurs when www.ahsow.org Woodshedders, and this year, three harmonizers create an ar, Boston Common bass Terry Clarke rangement around a sung melody llby ear" joined the AHSOW Board of Direc- without reference to familiar or written tors for a one'year tenn. Clarke was a barbershop arrangements. Get ready for Kansas City Not performing? You still get to wear acostume • Evcryonc attending the quartet the quartet in the show, will be in' finals on Saturday night is en~ vited on stage to do a massed, "Uda couraged to wear a 1912~era cos~ Rose". Come prepared. tllme. • Anyone who has been in a produc, • Anyonc who has ever played Pro tion of the show in any role can pick fessor Harold Hill in a production up a special ribbon to wear his or her C of The Music Man will be invited name badge. These will be available I T to participate in a massed~rendi in the 1l1v(adison Public Library" 10' Y tion of "Trouble" on the Tucsday cated in the Imperial Ballroom with night Ice Cream Sociable. Like the exhibits and Harmony Market wise, any fellow who has been in place.
,\lay/J/Ille 2000 • The HAR.MONIZER 7 Performing on national TV: not for the fainthearted
his past February 19th, The Gas House Gang appeared on NBC's "Today Show." We T were in tile New York City area to perform in a concert benefiting a Connecticut high school's drama department. The organizer of the event was Sharon Miller, wife of double-gold medalist bass John Miller. John, a vice-president at NBC, ar ranged for our "Today Show" appearance. The weekend tt1l11ed out to be a hectic one for the quartet. Inclement weather delayed our arrival and we did not get to our hotel rooms in the New York City Hilton and Towers until about 3 on Satur day moming. 'Rvo hours later, we were picked up by an NBC limo and taken to the studio for a 5:30 a.m. microphone check. (Not too easy with only an hour, and-a-half sleep, believe us.) The mic check done, we now had a Jlh hour wait before our appearance. We were happy to have the time to rest and warm RINGING IN THE MILLENNIUM. Acoustlx didn't finish "ThIs up our voices properly. (The only morning singing Is The Moment"-and never started what they'd rehearsed. we usually do is at the end of a long afterglow, so this Later, they performed a song they'd never rehearsed. was new territory for us.) As calm and cool as the cast looked in front of 'early December, Acoustlx got an invitation to sing on the the cameras, you should have see how they and the millennium "ABC 2000" broadcast hosted by our old friend, crew scurried about during commercials and be, t erer Jemlings. On December 20th we finally gar rhe derails: tween segments. It was tnlly the definition ofcan, Learn the song fll\vo Brothers" to go with a Civil War segment trolled chaos. Watching them was almost as impres, Perer was putting together. Greg Volk spent much of ri,e Christ sive as ri,e huge catered breakfust buffet when we got mas holiday arranging it for us and faxing it all over the continent there that was replaced by an even bigger brunch so we could look at it before assembling in New York on Decem buffet by ri,e time we left. Of course, we just ber 30th to learn it. (Hands up, anyone out there who has tried to nibbled-none of us are really into food vety much! learn a Volk arrangement in one afternoon 1) -by- We never got to sing it. We fJrst went through several rounds of Jim Henry sings bass {or The Gas House Gang, "Places! Places! Okay, never mind, they've gone to a commer 1993 Imemational Quartet Champion dal"-not good for the heart condition. Finally, 20 seconds before we really sang, an assistant burst into the studio yell ing, "'This Is The Moment'! They want 'This Is The Moment'!" Peter introduced us, and we get the wave to start. It looked like ri,ey faded us out after ri,e bass soja in the middle, but we weren't sure, and no one had the nerve to stop singing. I understand we still got a minute more than Barbm Striesand! Later that evening, we were improvising with the group Spank in the studio. The producers upstairs were listenIng in on the jam session and liked what they heard. And that is how Acoustlx and Spank ended up singlQgYtogether at atOU/ld 2:;30 a.m., im provising a '~\l!IOll f'Cfh LIQl\ &.lee m.i I~t"for nalltmaEtllle In ( ;:;".,.:,'" '.
8 The HARlvlONIZER • May/Jlllle 2000 ACOUSTIX ACOUSTIX ACOUSTIX ACOUSTIX SUNTONES DEALER'S "Jazz, Jazz! Jazz" "Stars & Stripes" uNew Science "Cool Yule" "Complete Works", CHOICE of Sound" Volumes 1,2,3,4,5 " Anthology" & ONE OF THE GREATEST MALE CHORAL GROUPS ON THE PLANET ~ lUJ...~ VM VM VM VM VM VM VM "White "Vocal Majority "How Sweet "The Music "Best of the "Alleluia" "Secret of Christmas" with Strings" The Sound" Never Ends" "Early Years" Christmas" Credit Card orders call TOLL FREE: riim!ii~IP'us•• For secure on-line ordering, visit our web site: 888/448-STIX (7849) www.acoustix.com (NEWI) FAX NUMBER for credit card orders: Make all checks payable to: _..:::~- ~ _.~"'l...... ACOUSTIX PRODUCTIONS 972/424-5000 SHIPPING CHARGES PRICING & VOLUME DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE If order totals: Add: All single tapes: $10· All single CDs: $15 Up to $15.00 $2.50 $15.01 - $25.00 $3.50 REMEMBER to add Any 3 ACOUSTIX titles on CD ($40) or tape ($25) $25.01 - $50.00 $4.50 shipping and handling Any 4 ACOUSTIX titles on CD ($50) or tape ($30) $50.01 - $75.00 $5.25 charges 10 your order Over $75.00 $6.00 All 10 albums of the SUNTONES on 5 CDs ($60) or 5 tapes' ($40) • Some SUNTONES Iities on cassette tape are in very limiled supply, and will OVERSEAS ORDERS soon be discontinued. Place tape orders now, before they are SOLD OUT. will be charQed al our cost and will vary according 10 location and order size. The Dealer's Choice "Anthology" on 4 CDs ($50) or 4 tapes ($35) May/Julie 2000 • The HAR1VIONIZER 9 How to be agreat chams singer Du're now a Barbershoppcr. You've joined a chapter and chorus. What does that mean? What arc the expectations! Do the expectations in your chorus parallel those of other chomses? What follows is cOl1"unentmy from chorus singers to an~ swer this very question. There seems to be a COml110n thread in all chapters in that they teach the barber shop basics, proVide the tools for leam ing, and, above alt stress a personal com~ mitment to improving and growing both as a singer and as an ensemble member. The goal for all seems to be good singing. Attendance and a Personal Conullitmcnl to Excellence Duane Fenn: In a large chorus, we re~ alizc that ycar~rollnd participation is dc# sired but not always practical. Northbrook publishes a list ofall the events for which chorus members need to Bill Billings be prepared. The members are asked to sings with the Heralds of commit to the events they can make, and make !()()% attendance their goal in pre Harmony paring for that event. This helps to divide the year into separate projects that each Ian culminate in a performance. Christensen Ian Christensen: I feel that evel,' per sings with the son needs to have a commitment to the Salem chorus. This cOlnmitment is meant to Senataires. achieve excellence in everything we do. The most important thing, however, is to Duane Penn have cach man contribute to each re~ sings with hcat'Sal and stand on the risers weekly. The New When all the pieces of the puzzle are on Tradition. the tablc, work can get done and magical things can happen. Bill Billings: Making our music pro gram work takes a lot of dedication from the individual as well as the music team and the audio coaches. The key is to give the singers the tools to leam. Tools to Icam lhe music Duane: In the Northbrook chorus, our members have teaming tapes avail~ able to them with their part predomi nant on one stereo channel. Often we have moves to pelfonn dur~ 10 The I-lAR~·lONIZER • M(lylJullc 2000 his membership or loose interest in the "Probably the most important thillg a mall can do hobby altogether. What are j'Oli doing as a director to to contribute to rehearsals is to be there each week. ensure that everyone in your chapter is This can be a difficult thing at times, but when all having their reasons for attending ful~ filled! What are )'Oll doing as a singer the pieces ofthe puzzle are on the table, work call to ensure that your personal commit~ ment to excellence shines through ev~ get done and magical things call happen." ery week at rehearsal? What are yOll doing as a chorus to create the best ing a song, so we also need to learn the his reasons for attending met and ful~ barbershop product that you can? words in the context of the moves. I filled, he is happy and excited about What are we all doing to drive our find that by learning the moves, I can our hobby. It is when those reasons are hobby fonvard in this new millen often better remember the words that not rnet that a member might question nium? go with the moves. When I concen~ trate on getting the right move, the right facial expression, the right vow~ els, the right emotion, I find the words flow more easily in the context of what I am singing. Ian: There is a constant expecta~ tion for everyone to know his music, and our members are expected to lis~ ten to their learning tapes and re~ hearse with them every day. I use my commute to and from school and cho~ rus rehearsal as a method of learning the chorus music. We encourage each man to get in~ valved with the song. Selling a song is an important aspect of the musical Marly Jahnel performance. Putting emotion into a Lynn Hauldren song is hard work, but it gives life to Earl Meselh the music that we sing. Dick Johnson Bill: The Heralds' standard is to sing lOO~percent correct words and notes and to be able to perform the choreography on our chorus reper~ toire. This is accomplished by having the member qualify by taping himself during rehearsal. The tape is then given to an assigned audio coach who August 11 listens to the tape and gives the singer Sweatband, Texas feedback on his performance. \\lhen a new piece is introduced, August 12 our singers are given a target date for Lyme Tick, Vermont when they need to be passed on the August 13 words and notes. They are given the rnusic and part~predominate learning Speedbump, Nebraska tapes, usually a week prior to the song being worked on in rehearsal. Chore~ For bookings and lor albums, don't visit our website. On account of we don't have one. ography is worked on as a unit and Call not-so!j'OLL-I'llliE 815-838-1874. Or [email protected]. anyone having trouble is offered help Iletter yet, write us at 527 EThird Street, LockporllL 60441. during our lCearly bird" sessions, which We love getting mail. Even if it's only a check (US funds) for take place 30 minutes prior to the $11 or $16 for one of our postpaid cassettes or CDs. regular rehearsaL Or $30 for our one-hour video (only 50i per minute). Summary: Our society members And hey, in Speedbump, we're the headliners' enjoy participation in this hobby on many different levels. Whatever level yOli might be enjoying right now, there are certain reasons why you choose to attend your chapter meeting every week. When a member is getting ,\fay/Julie 2000 • The H/\l{i'...IONIZER 11 ARE WE WITNESSING A FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE IN BARBERSHOP AS WE KNOW IT? OR A NATURAL EVOLUTION? DARRYL FLINN TALKS WITH THREE INFLUENTIAL MUSICIANS e\come friends Don, David and Ed ... and thanks so much for taking time to consider several questions that will be not only important, but very interesting to our readers. Ed Waesche is a certified DARRYL FLINN, David, many ofour style of music should have the elasticity Music judge, past C&] readers are unaware of your deep in~ to evolve. I believe our readers under~ chau; Societ)' past presi volvement in the history ofwhat we now stand this. dent, a noted anangelj call the barbershop style. As a student What is essential is that we know alld quartet and chonls or historian of four-part male vocal har which features of the style have re singer. mony over the past 150 years, what does mained very much the same from gen~ your historical perspective [cHus about emtion to generationso that we can pre~ where OUf style is heading? serve those things. If we lose those ele Inents, we have lost ourstyle. 1110se fea~ Don Gra)' is a certified DAVID WRIGHT: The evolution that tures include: Music judge, lloted ar ranger, member ofthe has occurred in recent years appears to • four,part consonant harmony be consistent with the progression ofthe Music Publications sub • melody in the second tenor barbershop style over the last 150 years. Committee, and a qllar~ • ringable voicings tet and challis singe!: Over that span of time, including the • singing for the harmonics (or the 60 years since the Society has existed, unique, ringing sound ofbarbershop). the style changed perceptibly from de Conversely, we must understand that cade to decade, so we shouldn't be many aspects of the style have fluctu, David Wright is a cer- alarmed that it continues to change to~ ated over the years. These include vo~ tified Music judge, day. If you compare the style as it was cal timbre, styles of diction, types of noted arranger, Soci~ practiced in 1940 to the way it was sung songs, rhythms, and arrangement pref, ery Historian, a qllar~ in L970, you will observe even moreevo~ erences. Here, it is important that we tet mall and a ChOllIS lution and refinement than that which allow barbershop its traditional freedom, singer and director. occurred in the interval from 1970 to for this is what fosters creativity. If we 2000. It should be noted that a large attach too much baggage to its defini number of the respondents to the Har tion, we strangle the style. Preservation Danyl Flinn is Societ)' monizer survey seemed to indicate that ofthe style definitely requires a balanced Executive Directolj a they are comfortable with the progres approach. certified Singing sion of our style as it has evolved in re~ judge, a quartet singer cent years. In fact, we should be worried DARRYL, Ed, What would you say to and a chonls alld if such progression didn't occurj it is es~ our members who think the judging quartet coach. scntial that an ongoing, living, vibrant community has abanciollccI guardianship of the style? 12 The HARMONIZER. May/JUlie 2000 "J(now which ED WASCHE: The SEC enough chords or couldn't get a good handle on the lI features ofthe had input from over 600 Bar meter. You donJt score well for a lIgood effort, --only bershoppers, a large number for what works. style remain ofwhom said they were both Remember also that when we had the AITangement ered by some of what they Category, a minus 2 or minus 3 was really obvious on the same from were hearing in our contests. the scoresheet, and most quartets would not sing any generation to gen That doesn't mean that the song that received these scores. Now, under the Mu~ judging community has sic Category, small penalties for deviations from the eration. Ifwe lose abandoned guardianship of style are included in the Music SCOl'el and sometimes the style. I believe much of quartets sing a song so well (well tuned, great rhythm, those elements, the concern was based on the or heart-felt story) that small penalties never get no fact that many were hearing ticed, so the quartet sings the song anyway. we have lost our songs in contest that they hadn't heard being sung in DARRYL: Another question for you, Don. We often style." contest before, or at least not hear quartets and chorus directors asking "Can we sing since the new Arrangement this song or anangement in contest"? Category was instituted in 1971. In fact, there is very little difference between DON: You can sing Rnysong in a barbershop contest, the definition ofthe style used from 1971 to 1993 and as long as you realize that you'll get the appropriate the currentone. Emphasis previously had beenon ring~ score-which you may not like! What you might bet~ ing chords and mood creation. Now it's on artistic vocal ter ask is , IICan we sing this songlanangement with and musical delivery of the song and arrangement, out drawing any penalties for violating the barbershop perhaps to the lessening of the importance of conso~ style?lI nance--even though consonant harmony is still the You could ask a Music Judge (via sending him the most characteristic element of the style. The SEC did arrangement and/or a tape of your singing it), or you suggest that even more emphasis should be placed on can go a long way toward answering the question your~ in~tune singing resulting in lock and "ring," and that self, if you have a sense of chord structure. all categories should be more attentive to the key cle~ 1. Count the amount of time you spend singing bar~ ments of the style than they perhaps are now. bershop sevenths. You can do this by adding up the I was somewhat surprised at one of the findings of beats on which you are singing sevenths, and di~ our study-the one that suggested that only about half viding this by the (number of measures times the ofour members with less than ten years in the Society number of beats~per~measure- usually three of acknowledged familiarity with the definition of the four). This gives you the percentage of sevenths, style used by contest judges. It may be that those who and this number should exceed 33 percent. think we've abandoned guardianship ofthe style have 2. Check that you have at least a measure (or a few their own definition of the style in mind, whatever long notes) of a barbershop seventh on II (which that may be. We clearly have an education and com~ we call a ll7). To find out what "ll" is, go up one munication issue herel and I'm sure we'll all make great whole step from the key that the arrangement is in efforts to address it. Your article is a great startl espe~ (e.g., ifit's in Bb, II is C; if it's in G, Il7 is A7). dally if it leads to increased reading and understand 3. Make sure that all parts are singing words, and sing~ ing of the Contest and judging Handbook! ing the same words, nearly all of the time. That is, very little doo-wah, or not more than one chorus DARRYL: Don, why are we hearing so many new of three-part patter behind the melody singer. and different-sounding songs in contests these days? As a Music judge, I'd tell you that if a song or ar rangement conforms to the above, the competitor can DON GRAY: Most barbershop petionners, especially enter the contest knowing the material is contest~ the high~level quartets and choruses, treasure a worthy. And since so many of the songs I hear are I\mique" repertory: they avoid lIimitating" other quar~ stylistically acceptablel my ~vlusic score is deterrnined tets. So they are always on the lookout for new mate~ by how well the perfomer uses the composer's or rial. And the slight adjustment of the rules around the ananger's various musical elements (like Iyrics l rhythm, specific requirements for barbershop songs and arrange~ and embellishments) to produce a high-quality bar ments, which was made when we shifted from the bershop pel{onnance. And rernernberl the bottom line Arrangement Category to the Music Category, has is the sound: If you don't ring chords it wonlt score ll allowed the singing of certain lIswing tunes, IlpOp" very well, regardless ofhow clever, precise or exciting in~ tunes, IIblues/' tunesl and lIjazzy" tunesl without you are. cun'ing a Ilstylistic deviationll penalty. As a MusicJudge, I have heard a number of very good pelfonnances of DARRYL: Ed, for years you've been known as a main this newer music. But I have heard even more failed stream arranger of solid contest numbers. Now you're atternpts, where the performers either couldn't ring arranging swing and jazzy numbers. What's up? May/JUlie 2000 • The HARMONIZER 13 ED: I've been doing swing numbers for years. YOll just haven't heard them in contest because swing and jazzy nllm~ hers were penalized under the Arrange ment category that was in force from 1971 to 1993. The Arrangement Cat egOl)' Description said that songs using our history came in the form of very in; rhythmic patterns from eras later than Tuxedo Wholesaler novative arrangements which were by the turn of the century until the early no means models ofsimplicity. Examples 30's (such as swing jazz) are subject to can be found in pre,Society recordings moderate to severe penalty up to and Free 40 page Color Catalogue (including one which features a rap); including disqualification. Now, the call toll free (800) 828-2802. early-Society renditions by the Flat Foot Nlusic Category Description sirnply says Four, Chord Busters, Pittsburghers, that extremely complicated rhythms are and Mid-States Four; later arrange NEW BLACK TUXEDO notcharacteristic ofthe barbershop style ments by such greats as S.K. Gnmdy and and will result in a lower Music score, III Polyester Renee Craigj and more recent arrange~ and that beyond that, any rhythm that ments of Ed Waesche, Greg Volk, Rob $99.00 the performer can sing while maintain~ Hopkins, jay Giallombardo, and others. ing quality barbershop sound is accept~ N[any of the old arrangements are as *NEW *NEW *NEW *NEW * able. Of course, swing jazz isn't easy to complex or intricate as what we hear sing because the stress beats arc no now. Things haven't changed much. New Willg Collar 511/1'/ $15.75 longer concentrated on the one and Barbershoppers love to experiment with New Lm/dowlI Collar SIIil'1 $15.75 three beats, as they are in cut time. But new ideas, and thus it has been for many Tie & Cllllllllerlllllld Sci ill Poly/Salill I think our singers are learning how to generations. The success and survivial $8.95 sustain sound on the off-beats, and I of a musical idea doesn't have so much Tie & CWIIII1CfblllUt Set ill WIIU! think we'll be hearing a lot more easy to do with simplicity or complexity. It $12.95 beat swing numbers in the future. As to has more to do with whethcr it works Bow Tie Pol,t/Salill $3.00 Iljazzy" numbers, I tend not to go over; when performed well. Bow Tie ill Lame $5.00 board on embellishments. If Ilijazz Upl' Mell's Tuxedo Pallt (l'x.U\l;~I.N'lrkl $24.00 The arrangements to which you rei a piece, you can be sure that the em; Mell's Tlixedo Pant (1'.r.l(\1;~/,NIl ..kl $36.95 fer in your question are most likely those phasis will be on the horizontal lines 511011'1 lapel filII back Vesl' $22.50 which were inspired by and designed which must be singable. I don't want to Silawl Wille lapel filII back Vesl' $29.50 around the ability and/or personality of produce exciting music thatdoesn't ring. V Neck wille Vesl $36.00 a particular ensemble. Thereforc, thcy SlIspelldel's all colors $5.00 may contain passages that another per; DARRYL: David, many of us, includ Priet'$ slIbj{'ct 10 c/Ul1lgl' will/OI/t "alief: fanner would find difficult to execute. ing me, who tend toward a more con~ 'Vests cOllle ill Red, Royal It should be noted, however, that in can; servative approach to the barbershop alld Black witll black lapels test as well as in public performance, style, suggest that your wonderful ar~ there is no credit given for degree ofdif Call a Sates Represelltative today rangements tend to be overly;sophisti~ ficulty. In the barbershop style, the per (800) 828-2802 cated and fancy, and have changed the formance must have unity and the landscape of barbershop. How do you chords must ring. If the performer is respond to that? struggling, all the admirable elements in Fl'ee Catalogue the arrangement do not help. If all the DAVID: 1 certainly respect this opin Samples Available ideas are working, the result can be truly ion, and let me elnphasize that I, too, (Please sewre wit1J a wonderful. love to hear the performance ofa simple, cl'edil card.) elegant arrangement. Nloreover, I would DARRYL:Thanks again, Ed, David and like to think that I have written some. Don for sharing your best thoughts with As for the more ornatespecimens, I must OUl' membership. I'll conclude by tell tell you that some of them seem to be ing our readers that the final report of the most popular ones I've created. So I the SEC has gone to our Contest and guess one person's llovel'ly~sophisticated judging Committee. The process of Tuxedo Wholesaler and fancy" is another person's l'exciting evaluating the current definition of the and fun." 1 am quite content to let our 15636 N. 78th St. barbershop style, as well as the recent audiences and our judges evaluate the Scottsdale, AZ 85260 recommendations of the S.E.c., is be effcctiveness of my artistry, and I wei; ing shepherded by Roger Payne (mem come everyone's comments. ber of the Society's C&j Committee), Barbershop history is full of fancy, ~EBlrAN~ who is also the Music Category Special even audacious, anangements, so I think ist. The results ofthese ever so deep and EXP-BESS~ your comment about my "changing the dynamic deliberations will be presented landscape" gives me entirely too much to our Society's Board within the next credit. Some of the great landmarks in several months. 14 The HARivlONIZER • Mlly/Julle 2000 If)Ti ur drops look like Lake WOI egan, Come to Tobins L !\e.~. For over 50 ears, the professionals at Thbins Lake Snldios have helped quartets like yours look as great as they sound. Pailited backdrops, draperies, lighting, and spedal dfects from Tobins Lake Studios make the difference. ))'I!:~~ call (810) 229-6666 today for a free catalog & stop looking woe-he-gone. Team up with Tobills Lake alld ~ startplqylllg the right side qftJze tracks. 16 The IIAR~'lONIZER • May/JUlie 2000 Barbershop starting to get a foothold in Japan eing a barbershop show chairman is the same the world over. Consider these comments received in all. email in Jcmll~ ary from Moriyuki Ohkochi of the To kyo Barbers, about a month before the The Tokyo Barbers group's second allnual show. are ready to shut "1 hope the show will be a smashing their stuff in Kansas hit of the town, but actually I'm nervous City as the first on many points including the weather Japanese for the day, the number ofaudience, the barbershop chorus number of tickets actually sold (not on American soil. given away), and. of course, our pelfor, mance on the stage and the reaction from the audience." The show featured the Tropichords, from Hawaii, who were apparently the usmashing hit of the town" Mori hoped I;~g'~~hf!' for. Ivlori says that barbershop isn't exactly (. /. I a household word in japan, but through 1998far Western Di5trlct Champs and 1999 IlJternational Seml·fInallsts the efforts of the Tokyo Barbers that is changing, albeit slowly. "Although most Ou.tFirst CD! of the japanese glee club men know it ( : by name and have experienced singing ~" it once or twice, they stop singing it af, 1 ter awhile/' he saict perhaps because lithe i verses are all in English ... and there is no source here to leam how to sing in 9 ~ ",,' It ; .. the barbershop way,lI .. .. :;'...:.'\' ,.. , But the same thrills that hooked most Featuling: .'J '.?, I of us have caught the japanese as well, 1. JIU Me Blues 'V,2. fOf He and My Gal I ~ 2. C30tla 8.. On 1'1". WlY i , 10. Drifling r I? video~ as Mari explains. "But when the ,). The,.. audience," ~~ Oty, _ State __~~ o Look for the Tokyo Barbers in Kan sas City when they pel{onn in the World l,p _ Pnone( _ Harmony Jamboree, at the Kansas City ~ Music Hall, Thursday, july 6 at 1 p.m. o W;':'I 0 Master Card o (heck 0 """,y (Mer -by- (re Mlly/JUIII! 2000 • The HAR.MONIZER 17 The Music Man mal(es atriumphal return to Broadway n my train trip from Schenectady to New Craig Bierko is not a household name, York City, I walked through the club car and tnakes his Broadway debut in a and assed four businessmen playing larger-than-life role. His film credits in GUcls. This was a good omen, clude Ille 13" Floor and TI,e Long Kiss I was 01 my way to attend the pre~ Gexxlnight, as well as occasional televi, miere of the Broadway revival of sian appearances. lvliss Luker is better ~vlereaith iBson's American theater know to Broadway audiences, having class}c l 77 e A/ft/sic lv[an. In the show, the statred in revivals of Sholl' Bmt and TIle curtain opens on a train full ofsalesmen, Sol/nd oOvll/sic. S01l1e rh Ithmically discllssing the state Bierko is dynamic and charming in of affai s for traveling peddlers in 1912 the role of Professor Hill. Comparisons and others playing cards. have already been made to the original This new Broadway production, di Broadway and film star, Robert Preston. rected and choreographed by Susan Like Preston, Bierko has a command, Craig Stroman, literally jumps on that mov ing personality, a twinkle in his eye and Bierko ing train. We hear a drulll majoes a singing voice suited to the character~ (Professor whistle, sec a baton fly Ollt from the Dr' songs C'Trouble", "76 Trombones," liThe Harold chestra pit. The energy and fun never Sadder But Wiser Girl") that go along Hill) and let up for nearly three hours. with the role. After 40 years, every Rebecca When Meredith Willson gave this gift ivliss Luker is certainly up to the vo~ Barbershopper's Luker to the American theater he never in, callI' demanding songs performed by favorite (Marian tended it to be an intellectual master, Marian, including "N1y White Night," show returns. Paroo) piece or model ofsophistication. He was "Goodnight My Someone" and "Till Super/an Gary Stamm headline offering grins, laughter, hummable tunes, There Was You." Her acting is solid and was there opening the hit and a little dose of old fashion schmaltz. night to give you a it's easy to believe her reluctance and Broadway He succeeded pelfectly on all counts. defiance to the Professor as well as her front row seat revival. The current production, which ultimate admiration for hirn because, "it opened at Broadway's Neil Simon The all happened just like he said. The lights. ater on April 27, has lost none of the And the flags and the colors. And the original charm. In fact, everything-the cymbals. ll songs, the beautifully con1Y dia~ Well, I suppose that's all there is to logue, the broadly drawn but say about this production. I loved it. lovable characters-arc all the same as the 1957 Oh yes - a barbershop quartet, Broadway version and too. the blockbuster film Perhaps you are a bit interested in from 1962. But even River City's bickering school board who more excitement and is tamed by Professor Hill as he tells the energy have been in town folk, «From now on you'll never fused into this produc~ sec one of those men without the other tion with Stroman's dy~ thrccll (a truism realized by quartet wives namic staging and chorcog~ all across our Society). raphy. Musical director David In this production, unlike the origi~ Chase has added some gusto with nal Broadway and the Hollywood ver~ new orchestral arrangements. Colorful sions featuring SPEBSQSA Interna and innovative sets were created by tional Champ the Buffalo Bills, the di Thomas Lynch. rector has cast four profeSSional singer/ But it's the lead characters Craig actors. As you may have heard, three of Bierko as Harold H ill and our international champion quartets, Rebecca Luker as Marian who The Gas House Gang, The Joker's help nail down this produc Wild, and Bluegrass Student Union all tion as a sure hit for the went to New York for the tryouts. The 2000 Broadway season Gang was even invited to a callback. and, we hope, a lot longer. The director and musical director were 18 The IIARMONIZER • ,\fay/Jlllle 2000 both very impressed with falo Bills recordings ofthe THE HAWKEYE FOUR the musicality of all our These are show, they wanted to de~ Blake Hammond (Jacey Squires) (j), champions. It was a diffi four velop their own phrasing Jack Doyle (Ewart Dunlop) '\!ayIJlIl/l' }OOO • The IIAR1\·IONIZER 19 Isaid 'No' to Professor Harold Hill The Buffalo Bills' career was roaring along before Broadway came calling. Dick Grapes, their champion baritone, tells how he came to win the gold, travel the world, and make a hard decision. n the late 1940s, following a tour in the U.S. Navy, a did have a job that demanded 40-48 The Buffalo Bills. young man named Dick Grapes attended a meeting hours per week. The other three worked 1950 champs: to organize a barbershop chapter in Tonawanda} New in jobs where their employers could be Vern Reed (I). York, midway between Buffalo and Niagra Falls. In no flexible, but it soon became a serious AI Shea CD. time, he fanned his first quartet, the Tonawanderers. problem for Dick. Dick Grapes @. After chapter meetings, Dick and a few of the mem Dick expressed his job concerns with Bill bers would stop at Meyer's Grill, a popular watering one of the founders of barbershopping Spangenberg @ hole for Barbershoppers in the area. Meyers himself in Western New York, Bob McFarren. was a fine lead and welcomed woodsheclders. It so happened that McFarren owned a Who could have guessed the impact a fell' barber major printing company in Buffalo! and Dick worked shop afterglows would play in Dick's life? for a paper supply finn. McFarren spoke to Dick's boss At the time, a local quartet named the Buffalo Bills and everything was settled. McFarren placed a huge was singing lip a storm. Tenor, Vernon Reed; lead, AI order for paper with the company each year in return Shea; bass, Bill Spangenberg; and baritone, Herschel for a flexible schedule for Dick. "I soon found myself Smith had twice competed at international, finishing as the new sales representative with my own sched~ 16th in Oklahoma City (1948) and sixth in Buffalo ule,'l Grapes said. (1949) Within weeks after their return from Omaha, the Smith's company transferred him to Madison, Wis phone rang with invitations for rnajor appearances on consin, and the Bills began the search for a replace national radio networks. Radio appearances in Buf~ ment. Art l'vleyers told At Shea to give Grapes an au falo and New York City were followed by recording dition. "The following Saturday the Bills tried me at contracts with Decca Records and more. Hin early baritone, and within a week Shea arrived at my front 1951, the quartet did a three-week tour traveling across -by- door with a few arrangements to look over. ll Dick the country and ending up with a one~week stand at Dr. Jim worked on the songs with his pianist sister~in~law, Betty, the Sheraton Plaza in Daytona Beach, Florida." McDonnell and learned his part within a week. "They invited me sang with into the quartet and told me I had to learn 15 of their Taking their act overseas Dick arr,mgements in time for a big show in Pittsburgh." In the sumrner of 1951 1 during the Korean War, the Gmpes in All through that spring and summer, they appeared quartet rnade two tours for the Special Services Divi; dle East on a shuw every weekend and during the week sang sian of the U.S. Anny! first in Germany and Austria Aurom. for local shows! banquets and parties, and later in Japan and Korea. The idea was to enter; Friends of tain the troops but also, with the help of arranger Phil Harmony. The busy life of champions EmbuL)'J to hold sessions where they taught the bar; He sing:; The quartet competed in Olean, New York! and bershop style by forming a chorus and a few quartets lead in won the right to sing at international in Omaha! Nc; made lip of GIs. l<\X/c would rehearse in the afternoon Pierce Ar braska (1950), where they earned the gold medal with and put on a show that night, and the quartet would row quar the highest scores to date. ll\X/ithin no time we were be featured. Later we'd perform at the officers club." tet, singing on 40 shows per year." Exciting times, but Dick Chilling and humorous memories of the trips are 20 The HARi"IONIZER • '\/lly/JUIlt' 2000 "I could not place my family and my job in jeopaf(ly. The whole thing could flop, and then where would I be?" Still barbershopping at age 75, Dick attends many events with his wife Doris. intertwined. lIA full five years after the the Bills, a fact that the quartet never week-a lot of rnoney then." end of the War, there were still hOlTible bothered to dispute. The audition was held in the Impe~ signs of destruction all over Germany The quartet and wives traveled to rial Theater. "They told us to sing any with piles of rubble still untouched and Lake Placid, New York for the appear thing we liked. We sang 'Alexander's the odor ofunclaimed bodies under the ance. They spent their time on the Ragtime Band.' Before rhe song ended, debris/' Dick said. IIWe traveled into the slopes, bobsled nms and skating rink sragehands, clerks and cleaning ladies all French Zone where I had my first and while waiting to sing. "One morning, stopped work to listen. Their applause last taste of escargot.II Arthur Godfrey came out on the slopes was special." The trip to Asia (1952) was more of to meet everyone. He walked around Wilson asked them to sing a soft bal the same, except there was a shooting shaking hands with everyone. He ap lad and read some lines. llThat was it. war in progress. The quartet spent a proached Doris, shook her hand and We were accepted. month in Japan and later in the war suddenly swung her around and up into "They offered us just half of what we zones of Korea 1<\V1c leanlcd what a tef' a fireman's carry, much to the delight of wanteel. Negotiations continued, but I rible place our men were fighting in. We everyone, including Doris. She didn't was worried about the whole deal. Icon~ slept in tents on cots with an armed of, wash her hand for a week." cluded that I could not place my family ficer present at all times. The North The quartet sang regularly on the and my job in jeopardy. There were too Koreans made a practice ofslipping into NBC radio affiliate in Buffalo. Meredith many unknowns. The whole rhingcould front line areas; they called it infiltra Willson had a similar radio show on the floPI and then where would I be?" tion. NBC station in New York City. One day The quartet had agreed that the de liWe reported each morning to a land, Dick heard Willson mention, lithe fin~ cision would have to be uml.llitnolls. If iog strip where two artillery spotter est barbershop quartet rve ever heard, anyone said no, it \WIS no for rhe qllar~ planes took us up to the front lines. The the Buffalo Bills." He played some of tet. However, a few weeks larer, the oth~ conditions were horrible. There we their records and spoke of them often. eI> told Dick that they had changed their stood in OUf flashy Hawaiian shirts sing' Ed Dinsmore, the broadcaster in Buffalo, minds and that they had found a new iog our hearts out, with the sound of learned that Willson was coming to baritone, Scotty Ward from Ohio. explosions in the background." Buffalo and the bosses at NBCsuggested TIle J\4usic J"fan went on to be asmash that the quartet meet Willson and do a hit on Broadway and later on film. Dick Stars of radio and television show with him. After the broadcast, the and Doris went to New York to see the Soon after the quartet returned from group met for lunch. "\Xlillson men~ show and meet the cast who soon Asia, Phil Embury told them about a tioned that he was writing a show for dubbed him the "dummy that didn't new television show called UArthuf Broadway that featured a barbershop come to New York." Dick is philosophi Godfrey's Talent Scouts." The quartet's quartet and asked if the Bills would be cal about all ofthis and is convinced that decision to appear on the show changed interested. Of course, we said we were he made the correct decision. everything. Godfrey's show gave the interested." lIPcople still remember the quartet quartet national exposure ancl opened and rCll1mk about the cnjoyl11et1t we doors everywhere. In fact, Godfrey al A hard choice to make brought them. It brought fame to my life ways claimed that he had lIdiscavered" A few months later, Kermit and gave me success that I would not Bloomgarten, the producer of The Mu havc enjoyed otherwise." sic Mall, called to invite the quartet to Dick now emcees a number ofshows "There we stood in New York City for an audition. In the in the Seneca Land District and regales rneantimc, the quartet had decided to audicnces with stories about his years our flashy Hawaiian meet theirshow obligations and disband. with the Buffalo Bills. "I'm still a Bar And now a dilemma. What to do with bershopper. I sing with rhe Friends of shirts singing our this new offer! There were so many Harmony Chapter in East Aurora, New hearts out, with the things to consider. "Uppermost in our York, and am a great supporter of the m.inds was how this would affect our barbershop movement and irs goals.". sound ofexplosions families, and our jobs. We'd have to move to New York. We agreed that each Dick Grapes ",ill emcee the ChOlliS in the backgrollluL" mall would have to receive $500 per contest in KanS<15 Cit)'. May/JUlie 2000 • The 1·IARI\·IONIZER 21 Meredith Willson took the advice of any good writing teacher: "write about what you know." 'Til There Was ... You Know Who here's no River City on a ll13p of Iowa. friend Gray's family, and Of course, like most other plays, the Gray recalls such song characters and situations in TIle A4usic pairs as "Harrigan/For It lvlan are all completely fictitious, right? Was MUlY" and "Red Sails Maybe not. You sec, Meredith in the Sunset/Aloha Willson took the advice of any good Oieel!. Thanks heavens writing teacher, who would say, "write for this little game, from about what yOli know." which sprang "Pickalittle/ ~1eredith knew about his home town, Goodnight Ladies" and lvlason City, Iowa and its interesting cast "Uda Rose/Will I Ever of characters. In fact, the town and its Tell You." inhabitants arc an important part of his Rosie was sllperinten~ autobiographical work, And There I dent of the Mason City Stood Widl My Piccolo. If you get a Sunday School and would chance to find this long-out-of-print always end the session by classic, do yourselfa favor and enjoy this saying, UNiay the Good homespun diversion. Lord Bless and Keep You The story begins, however, before 'Til We Meet Again." Mason (River) City and even before Years later, Meredith lv\eredith. As a young girl, Meredith's made a very popular bal mother Rosalea Rciniger, known as lad out ofhis mother's ex Rosie, loved to make lip plays and per' pression. form them with her sisters and brothers. Meredith Willson's (One brother was named Olin, a name choice to include a bar you'll recognize as school board quartet bershop quartet in his fa bass Olin Britt.) In fact, they became mous musical was no ac quitc wcll known and would perform in cident either. When he small towns around their homc. was a boy in Mason City Nlcrcdith's grandmother, Liza Reinigcr, one of his favorite pas~ wrotc poetry for any and all occasions. times was to listen to the local close~har~ WORTH SINGING ABOUT - Lida Although Rosie had a chance to study many quartet, The Rusty Hinge Four. (right) and Rosie (left) were for the stage, she decided to become a lvleredith was a pretty fair harmonizer Willson's grandmother and mother. teacher, taking schooling in Pone, In himself: when he was playing flute in diana, alxlUt 35 miles from Gary, In(li~ the Nell' York Philharmonic, and theor TIle "tiL/sic At/all was also an inspiration. ana ... hmmn! It's unclear whether chestra would travel to ollt~of-townen~ ~vleredith's mother Rosie, was often sim~ Rosie's was a IIgold medal class," gagements, he would often engage some ply called Rose. Her sister-Gray Upon her rnarriage, Rosie moved to of the other musicians in a bit of Robinson's grandmother-was named ~vlason City, Iowa with her husband, 1I'00dshedding. Ucla. John Willson, a redhead. It's probably Meredith's second wife was a talented Thank you, Gray, for your wondelful no coincidence that Winthrop Paroo is singer named Rini, inspiration for Pro~ family stories. And thank you Meredith also a redhead. fessor Hill's yarn about "the only female for magically transforming them into John and Rosie had three children: bassoon player ever to appear on the theater history. Cedric, Dixie and Meredith. The whole Redpath Circuit, Ivladame RinL" -by- family was musical. Both boys went on And Willson never forgot the bari Gary Stamm, Executive Director or to play in the John Phillip Sousa Band. tone hOIll player in his highschool band, Harmony Foundation. Ring a bell? Or is that a triangle? The who always played a beat behind every original title for TI,e Music Mall was The one. The next time you see 7]le lHusic "vIuch ofdlC material Golden 7iiangle. AI/all, listen for the sOllsaphone part lI'as provided by Gmy The Willson family enjoyed sing when the boys' band attempts to play Robinson, a BarbcI>hop alongs, often including a diversion they the IClv(inuet in G." It's always one beat per and cousin of called USing-Funnies" in which the sing~ behind. Oh, and the real name of that Meredidl Willson Gmy ers would find two popular songs that high school baritone horn played She feeeh'cd these stories could be sling at the same time. This was Marian. from his atlllt, a lil/nily amusing pastime was passed along to our But for liS, perhaps the best name in historian. 22 The HAR~'IONIZER • MllylJlIlIe 2000 WANTED: RECORDING Buckeye Invitational 2-K CHORUSES AND QUARTETS Now In Its 12th Excitement Filled year.... Stars of the Night Show 8:00 PM - Saturday August 19, 2000 +Bluegrass Student Union +Rumors A Barbershop Legend 1998 SAl Queens Be the next group to press its CDs +PLATINUM +The Ritz at Silicon Valley CD, where you'll get quality CDs and tapes that Their Name Says It All Ohio's Own Favorites reflect your level of excellence, at a +The Singing Buckeye Chorns very affordable price, with no i~~tc;::ii'~;;~;;:~;~~~'~~;'::" Barbershop Odyssey Show i YOU SUPPLY AMASTIR DISC, OVERTOHES, AHD i All New...8:00 PM - Fritla)', AI/gl/st 18, 2000 i ART filES. WI DO All TIlE REST. CAll TODAyl i L ! Featl/I'il/g ... SILICON VALLEY +PLATINUM +The North Metro Chol'l/s U. CD Froll/ SI/I/I/)' Flol'i/la Sweet Ac[elille eltOI'lI.\' ClllIllljJS Formerly Catd/ogie. Better n +The BI/cke)'e Invitational +The FI/nnybone N/Itiollltl (800) 2SS·4020 hllp://www.md.ne. High School Hal'lI/ol/)' Call/p COII/ed)' QI/al'tet COl/test 990 RI(HARD AVf S1£ 103, SANIA (lill, {A 950SO fAX: 408 48& OW9 CllOl'II.~ **********ORDER FORl\1********** ___All e"ents registrations: $80: Includes mixed and regular quartet contesls, small __Contest only Registrations: $40: Includes all contest sessions: Regular and Mixed Quartets, Small and Regular Choruses, The Funnybone Comedy Quartet Visit us at our website! Contcst has moved to Friday night's Barbershop Odyssey Show which is included ill this package. Does not include Stars or the Night, Show ofChampions, Friday www.vocalmajority.com Cookout, State Fair or Pancake Breakfast. __Be an entertainment judge for all contcsts...add $5 to this package. Name: _ CYBER-TUNE f8fa:ssk Address: _ THE NEW ELECTRONIC PITCH PIPE City: ,State: .Zip: _ !tell SC!elJe ~~' Pltoh • o~ Maint.ins pitcb witb Phol1c#: Email: _ compnter accnracy, bnt ~<3. ? still delivers tb.t Total In $ Chcck__ ,Visa MaslerCard__ ? ?<~ familial' "reed pipet' <09,., May/JUlie 2000 • The IIAIU...10NIZER 23 Two huge events. One great place. Find out why they call it Music City, USA. . Nashville 2001 Festival & Convention Registration Use this form 10 registerlor eilher or both e,ents. Enjoy Early Bird rates through 12131/2000, and regular rates unlil6/1/2001. dale membership number (if applicable) chapter name (if applicable) registrant's name nickname for badge second guest name second guest nickname for badge registrant address city slate ZIP/postal code work phone home phone email circle payment method: VISA MasterCard check money order card accounl # expiralion dale (MMIYY) Nole here if any physical needs require special accommodation for you to fully participate in the convention; convention slaff will contact you to make arrangements. June 30·July 2: Sing 2001, an ACappella Celebralion Tickets for each show $3S, or all three nights for $90. All seals reserved. Registralion includes all seminars, workshops and master classes. Saturday, June 30: The Gas House Gang, Malajka, Chanticleer, GLAD tickets @ $35 $ 'j Sunday, July 1: The Edlos, The House Jacks, Showtime!, m-pact tickets @ $35 $ Monday, July 2: Big Chicken Chorus, FRED, Riptide, For Heaven's Sake, Swingle Singers (tentative) tickets @ $35 $ Sing 2001! All Events Pass - all this for just $901 tickets @ $90 $ SUBTOTAL of Sing 2001 Festival Events $ July 3·B: 200 I: ABarbershop Odyssey - SPEBSQSA's 64th Annual Cen,ention Your registration includes a reserved seat for all three rounds of the international quartet contest, and the international chorus conlesl, a name badge and con,enlion program. Order tickets for college contest, World Harmony Jamboree and AI( shows from the January 2001 issue of The Harmonizer. Adult Early Bird (Save $15 if poslmarked by 12/31/00) @ $85 $ Adult Regular (postmarked after 1/1/01) @ $100 $ Junior (under age 12) Early Bird (Save $12 if postmarked by 12131/00) @ $38 $ Junior (under age 12) Regular (poslmarked after 1/1/01) $50 $ ..E SUBTOTAL of SPEBSQSA Convenllon Regislrallons $ E 2 Add $3 postage & handling for each eight events ordered. $ ~ (Example: 2 Sing! concerts for 2 people + 2 convention registrations:::: 6 registrations:::: $3 ~ o TOTAL REMITTED FOR BOTH EVENTS $ -- 55 iii INSTRUCTIONS: Mail wilh paymenl (checks: payable 10 SPEBSQSA) 10: SPEBSQSA, 6315 Third Avenue, Kenosha, WI 53143·5199. -I II you register for more than one person, please furnish complete information for each person on a separate sheet and attach 10 this order hi form.AlI regIstrations received prior to June 1, 2001 will be mailed during the month of May 2001. Those received after that date may ~ be picked up at the convention registration area beginning Friday, June 29, 2001. When you receive confirmation, please keep it as your "I~. >L---',re",c"e",iRegistrations======77.==""="""=====...,,-;======------'may be transferred to another person, but they are NOT refundable. No phone orders, please. CHARIT~LE ACTIVITIES The many ways we Sing ... for life The Keep aMelody Ringing memorial _ ...... he Keep A Melody Ringing Me morial, displayed at Harmony Hall in Kenosha, began when several members of the Concord, Mass. (* '" Qualified for Memorial Plaque. Donor names are in italics.) Chapter lost their wives-who *De<:le Alexander *Curtis L. Coonrod *Mitchell L. Frnnces had named themselves the Echoes 5.1t3SOl 10·CHORUS BENEFIT - What do you get when you put seven high school choruses, two Society chapters, and one Sweet Adelines chorus in one auditorium? About $5250.00-but who's counting? Each of the seven participating high school programs received $750 from the benefit, which also had 19 corporate sponsors. The Ventura Channel Islands Clippers and the Conejo Valley Harmony Oaks Chorus joined with the women of the Agoura Hills Harmony. Pictured here with one of the checks are Camarillo High Choral Director Dr. Bruce Colell, Harmony Oaks Chorus' Red EhrenbachJ and Camarillo High Principal Terry Tackett. May/Jlllle 2000 • The HARi\'IONIZER 25 *Jon A. Jennings Chapter Robert Tracy Mal]' Coffman Binningham, AL Chapler Houston, TX ampler *Suc Pugh S1gc L.,kc Round-up Inc. Sam}, j. Bimn Kimble L Howe *\Villiam M. Johanscn Joseph Liles *Fmncis Vieck Harold Cmickshank D?nison, IA C/l!lpler Virginia SwOon} *M~rk R. Rickert Glcn1l Howard David Lewis \Iincennes. IN Chapter Abilene, TX Clmpter Appleron, \'(1/ Chapter John L Dykcma *Earle T: Joncs "John J. (jiggs) \Va"I Ralph B. Simcs Rueben A. ~·lartinson DJnald D. Hutchings "'Michael Robards Wt.1}'J1C J. Pagc James Gough \Villimll 0. Amold M)nl 26 The HAR.MONIZER • May/JUlie 2000 STAY TUNED Successl Readers report what works. First chapter of the millennium starts with a bang: brings New York big guns to Florida ay you're the first SPEBSQSA chapter warmly received by the chartered in the 21st century. Say yOli sell,out audience, then want your new chorus to hit your COIll' turned the show over to ll1unity in a big way. Whattaya do? the BAC, which If you're the Boca Raton Chapter, brought the crowd to its yOll take a 21st century marketing ap' feet over and over again. proach. You think BIG, and to blazes The choruses combined with logistics. for a finale capped by You hire the Big Apple Chorus the presentation of the and Reveille for a show that gives chapter charter The Big Apple Chorus your new audience some of the best How do you follow that act? had so much fun, that barbershop has to offer. Simple. You do it again! Arc, they're going back to Hurricane Harmonizers director peat performance is set for next Febnl' Florida next year. Carl Sperry, a 15,year 1vlanhattan vet, ary. Betcha the Boca Raton commu, eran, persuaded his old chorus to join nity will turn out in greater numbers him for the April 8 event. The fledg yet-and some of this year's audience ling 30,man chorus sang a set that was will be next year's chorus singers. Eight men's and women's barbershop choruses join in youth outreach efforts A harmony coalition of three SPEBSQSA chapters en1 Virginia. and five Sweet Adelines Intemational choruses is Net proceeds from the concert benefit local youth working smarter for the benefit of all-especially the outreach efforts. The wide range of partners in stag' next generation of singers. ing the event included promotional support from IIAnother Century of Hannony,'l presented last Bell Atlantic Virginia and the local ABC television February in Roanoke, Virginial drew more than affiliate. Donated compact discs from major quartets 2000 enthusiastic spectatorsl the largest audience and choruses boosted the bottom line. attendance ever for a barbershop show in southwest' The massed chonts included members of Roanoke Valley Star, Wilderness Road and the HillCity CholUs from Sweet Adelines, and SPEBSQSA's Smith Mountain Lake Harmeneers and the .. Virginia Gentlemen. May/Jill/I: lOOO • The HAR~'IONJZER 27 SPEBSQSA Annual Financial Report Year Ending December 31 ,1999 For acopy of fhe complefe spreadsheet report, including fhe accompanying nofes whicll are an infergral part of the report, send astamped (66 cents) self ~addressed evelope to the headquarters office or visilthe website al www.spebsqsa.orgfor amore detailed report. Income Membership & Support Services $2,081,256 33.24% Events & Image $1,089,381 17.40% ~, Governance & ~vlanagement, Sales Revenue $1,296,229 20.70% Musical Experience $666,413 10,64% Archivat Display, LOll Peny, World Contributed labor, Chapter Programs Harmony, Income on Investments, & Investment Income $588,031 9.39% Net Assets Released from Restrictions Contributions $439,036 7,01% Misceffaneous * $101,838 1,63% ** Governance & Management, Total Income $6,262,184 100% Foundation & Corporatc, Recruit~ ment & Training, Communication, Expenses Fundraising Incomc cxceeded revenue Membership & Support Services $1,502,208 24.73% from operations by $187,024, also, Events & Image $1,231,415 20,27% investments generated an unrealized Cost of Sales $1,053,718 17.35% loss of $88,371 for total income Musical Experience $1,480,494 24.37% exceeding expenses by $98,363, Finance & Administration $710,306 11.69% Misceffaneous .. $97,019 1,60% Total Expense $6,075,160 100% In addition, the Society holds $6.9 million in assets, including cash on Gain, before Gains on Investments hand, investments and property. and Reclassifications $187,024 Net Realized Losses on Investments($88,371) Net Income $98,653 The Ritz has produced 6 recordings. Order one or more today and continue to enjuy their l'xciting sound. (I.tlU, Tille 1.1'-'5 Total Rarr Timr~ @SIO @$15"" TILt' Most Wonderful Time or till.' Year @SIO @$IS The Rllz Swlnglll' Oil a Star· @SIO @$15 Old Songs Arc Just Likl' Old Friends' @SIO @S15 I'm Begillulllg to See the Light· @SIO @SIS Thl' Ritz on Moonlight Ba)' , @SIO @SIS The Ritz Anthology (1,,(/u",1 flrmf. "i,h .1" oJ @133 @',19 t\nlhollJgy + I (.111m l1ondftfu/lIrr.('orRart> lirr.fs) @1.1Q @\GO AntILolog}' -+ 2 (.\1DIIU'mdnfu/ 11m,' "" Raf" lima) @l.J8 @172 Shipping & Handling ~2,OO Amounl Enclosed NJ1nl' _ A Chy, st, Zip _ PhO~l' _ VISAIMe, _ E~p.dJIC _ Signature _ Sendyour check made payable The Ritz (,,,.,,,, 'USf,,,,,') to: Ritz Re£ordings • Box 116 • Oakwood OH 45873 Publicity 365 times ayear Yet another exmnple of how good pho tography opens doors: for a year, 30,000 people looked at a picture of their local barbershop chorus every time they picked up the phone bock. The Knights of Harmony, Bowie, Md. Chapter, made the front page of the Bowie Telephone DirectOlY with this shot of "Woeful Willie" from the 1998 Annual show, "Under the Big Top." Inside the dircctOl)', the Knights got a good plug: "With a millennium theme in mind for next year's petformance the Knights plan to keep on melodizing as they have for the past 30 years. If you think of barbershop harmony as the musical style of the last tum of the cen t1ll1', think again." Free publicity like this is rarely the result of pute luck. To state the obvious: don't bet the farm that a designer ever i thinks, "Hmmm ... I should check to see whether there's a barbershop chorus in this area that has a good photo sitting around ... II Take advantage of many education opportunities available to you dlrough the Probemoter (www.hanl1onize.comf ~) and the Marketing and PR class at COTS. PHOTO ADVICE: If you're asked to sing the national anthem at a professional sports stadium or arena, take advantage of the opportunity to get a knockout photo of your quartet. That's just what 1996 Seniors Quartet Champion Fatherly Advice was able to do when they sang at a Seattle Mariners game. A lot of "we sang the national anthem" photos are sent to The Harmonizer, but this one especially works. even though you don't see the faces of the quartet (except on the big screen). Rather than focus on faces, the image instead speaks of scale and accomplishment. This one is not only good for The Harmonizer-It's one for the fireplace mantle. Members of Fatherly Advice are Dan Tangarone ' Dick Bek [), Bill Thurmon @. and Burt Stallen @. May/JUlie 2000 • The HAR~\'IONIZER 29 fSTAYTuNED Success! Readers report wllat works. Cardinal Illinois JV!ontgomef}' COtuit)', Gill, ~vlichael H. Gold, Micke~' MD Co/lllnblls-GreeIlIl'O 30 The HAR~·IONIZER • May/JUlie 2000 SWIPES 'N' SWAPS ------, Classified ad bargains lor Barbershoppers, published as a service to readers-all copy subject to editorial approval. Aale: $25 per column inch. Congratulations 10 our "Music Man" Interested persons can contact: Roger WALTER LATZKO Archman, President; 3/33 Evelina Street, Mont The Lake Geneva, WI Albert North, VIC 3129. Telphone & Fax: 61 3 Southwestern Country Gentlemen 98986014. Email Tom Smith, Immediate Past Bates, Clint We'll be wilh you President at [email protected]. HOt/SWIl, TX in Kansas City, July 71h Gaudin, Melvin MISCELLANEOUS Spring, TX Mingle, \Villiam C CHORUS DIRECTOR-AUSTRALIA MEMORIES FOR SALE. Have you lost your old Town Nonh Ull/as, TX The Melbournaires Men's Barbershop Chorus barbershop records? Missing your favorite lP Sraires, Donald H Inc" a highly motivated, enthusiastic and grow or Harmonizer? Seleclions from my vast col Cenrml Cities, OK ing 40+ chorus is seeking achorus director \'lith lection of barbershop recordings (we have them \Vade, Towar an excellent all-round knowledge of lhe barber all) are no\'l available for a simple donation to T11e \rlocxllands, TX shop craft \'Iho can make a positive contribu tile Heritage Hall Museum. Please contact Grady Woods, Dole tion to the Melbournaires goal of continuous Kerr, SWD Historian, 8403 Mandervi1le Lane GreatCT Fort Smith, AU Improvement in both competitive and public #1094 N, Dallas, Texas 75231; (214) 369·5893; Sunshine performances. or send email toSWDRoundup~aol.com. Badcnhausen, Edmund C £m.lsota, R. lloyd, Alvin L Sweet Adeline< Intem"tion,,1 p~ovdl4 pt'e Check here if any physical needs require special accommodalion for you to fUlly participate in the convenlion; convention staff will contact you to make arrangements. Registration package includes a convention badge, reserved sealing for Friday and Saturday Night shows, Saturday night Afterglow, and admission to the Seniors Quartet Contest. registrations @ $50 $ _ Mail with paymenl (checks: payable to SPEBSOSA) 10: SPEBSaSA, 6315 Third Avenue, Kenosha, WI 53143·5199. If you register for more than one person, please allach complete information for each person on a separate sheet. A housing applica tion and information regarding events and tours will be mailed to you when you register. All show and tour tickets may be picked up at the convention registration area, When you receive confirmation, please keep it as your receipt. Registrations may be transferred to another person, but they are NOT refundable. No phone orders. please. ( ofllce use only ) '\/ay/Jul/e 2000 • The HAR/vIONIZER 31 From the Mid-States ... Monon Melody Men ne ofm)' all,time favorite quartets, particularly in bel' and sang it for us, accompanying himself on his the area ofenterWinment, has been the Mid,States guitar. (He has a strong background in country & Four. Their sholl' package had to be seen to get the western music, having been on stage with the likes fiJi' impact of the presentation. Only Fony Haynes of Roy Rogers and George Goebel). I translated it Oand lHart)' A4cllChv remain, and tile)' have many into harmony. lI'ondedill tales to tell. "Wanting to end ULimestone Quarry" on a differ~ I asked ldarty to share his ""'orite Mid-States ent notc (no pun intended), I came up with a tag FOUl" rag. He responded wid1 «Limestone Quan)'. II that poses a challenge to sing because of its intricate Fon}' sent me a collection ofrecordings, songs, bra, moves and constant demand for balancing voice chures, magazines, etc. about tile A4011011 Railroad levels while maintaining proper vowel placement timt should be in a museum. Heres what lv/arty had within each chord. Remember--each chord belongs to say about the 1vlollon story: to someone. Try it, you'll like it. II "A small railroad in the central part of the United States-the Monon Railroad---cel ebrated its lOOth anniver,ary in 1947. That year, the Mid,States Four quartet represented the railroad all over Indiana as The Monon Melody Men. IIA prolific composer named John A. McGee wrote five songs specifically for the Mid States Fo-excuse me-The Monon Melody Men. "Limestone Quarry" had a smooth melody line with a change,of,pace insert based on James Whitcomb Riley's poem, uThe Ot' Swimmin' Hole." llWe arranged 99 percent of the songs in our repertoire. Forry usually dug up the Illlm~ Bung! D- . good old Lime - stone Qual' - l'y. By Marty Mendro, as sung by Monon Medley Men (Mid-States Four) 1947 32 The HARMONIZER • May/JUlie 2000 ... bl/ Ihe SighlS, sounds and music. Experience a feasl for Ihe el/es and ears al Ihe Second Annual Russian Barbershop, Feslival AuguSI 'e-19, 2000 \ Tripsponsoredbythe InternationalFine ArtsInstitute, the RussianMinistryof CUltureand ~-"I~. I SPEBSQSA For travel reservations or additional inlormation, call 414-352-1911 or email [email protected]