CHORD-INATOR FEBRUARY 2018

OFFICIAL BULLETIN OF THE MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, CHAPTER **** A CHAPTER WITH AN ENVIABLE PAST - AN UNBOUNDED FUTURE **** 10,000 LAKES DIVISION - LAND O’LAKES DISTRICT FEBRUARY 2018- VOL.74- NO. 2 ‘twas St. croix crossing in costa mesa! Poise … Polish … Perseverance

The Scene: The Segerstrom Center for the Arts Con- ballad, the boys elected to go with two ballads, Smilin’ cert Hall in Costa Mesa, California. The Event: The Bar- Through and Auld Land Syne … and did they perform! bershop Harmony Society’s 2018 International Seniors The audience responded with a rousing ovation, many Quartet Contest. The standing to do so. Time: Late morning Four more quartets of Saturday, January and then the intermi- 20. The third quartet nable waiting and to perform, Easy finally the an- Street, had led off nouncements, 5th with A Chocolate Place, Spotlight, 4th Sundae On a Satur- Place, Renaissance, day Night, conclud- 3rd-Place, Unfin- ing with Always, ished Business, 2nd- both beautifully ren- place, Easy Street … dered in classic Bar- bershop style. Obvi- [Sidebar: Earlier ously the contest bar that morning Judy had then been set at a and I had attended lofty height. the Gold Medal Hour with Main St. Croix Crossing Street where Tony had drawn the 21st Four most happy fellas, St. Croix Crossing, from left: Tenor Randy Lieble, Lead Dan Heike, Bass Jared Hoke, and Baritone Steve Hardy. Staff Photo DeRosa reminisced slot (out of 25) and about some of his had to cool their pipes for three hours or so before taking quartet’s experiences including awaiting the results of the the stage. We LOLers in the audience, I felt sure, were all 2017 International Quartet Contest. They had placed third apprehensive and a little anxious, a few having attended in the 2016 contest and were hoping to at least win 3rd- one or more of the past contests in which SCC had won Place again. So, when 3rd-place was announced sans Main four previous medals (two 2nd, a 4th, and a 5th). Street, Tony thought, “Oh, Oh, 6th-Place.” And then when But rookies no longer—now seasoned veterans—they at 2nd-Place was announced, and still no Main Street, he was last took the stage and were taken aback by the enthusias- almost sure it would be 6th-Place, but the Barbershop tic reaction of the audience. (They had been surprised gods prevailed and Main Street garnered the gold. Need- earlier by the numbers of total strangers at the airports less to say, my fears about St. Croix Crossing finishing and at the hotels and other venues who had approached without a medal were, happily, groundless.] them with kind words of encouragement.) Thus, all’s well that ends well. St. Croix Crossing arrived Eschewing the time-worn format of one up-tune and one home with the gold—along with loads of flashing smiles!

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2017 MIDWINTER Costa Mesa, California January 17-20

The Saturday night Grand Finale, 700 voices singing Battle Hymn of the Republic accompanied by the Great Organ.

The Hurricane of Harmony Chorus from Gaither High School in Tampa, Florida, directed by Debbie Cleveland, two-time Sweet Adeline Queen of Harmo- ny. Her chorus won a Superior rating and the Audience Appreciation Award, and she, the Music Educator of the Year Award.

The Grandview High School Supermen Chorus from Aurora, Colorado, directed by Darin Drown, who also directed The Superwomen (Page 3) from the same school. Both choruses were rated Superior, the highest score possible. Director Drown is, not surprisingly, a long-time Barbershopper.

Prairie Chords from Saskatchewan High Schools and Universities (LOL Dist.), directed by Justin La

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,

Main Street on stage Saturday night. Main Street … up close and personal at Saturday’s Gold Medal Hour with Main Street: Mike McGee - baritone, Myron Whittlesey - bass, Tony DeRosa - lead, and Roger Ross - tenor. They concluded the hour performing Clay Hine’s Smile, ar- ranged specially for Main Street, and assuring the gold medals. To hear it without amplification from a dozen feet away was priceless. THANK YOU, MAIN STREET!

All photos 2017 silver medalists Signature from left: Will Rodriguez, Pages Daniel Cochrane, Matt Clancy, and Dan Walz. (Lead Daniel 1-4 has a magnificent voice and a range to match.) by Staff

Vintage Mix in concert at our Afterglow. From left: Julia, Kelsey, Ian, and Anika (The Shoppach Quads.)

Well now, what do we do with this thing?

The Commodore contingent in Santa Rosa at their Saturday night Afterglow: Back row from the left Your editor, Hardin Olson, Dan Cole, Lance and Janet Johnson, Randy and Stephanie Klopfleisch, Bill and Marsha Shaw. Front row: Sheila Cole, Judy Olson, LOL District President Dan True, and Paul Swanson. Harmony Foundation CEO Perry White and his wife Da- Two, among many, of the outstanding Midwinter performances, involved Tim Society CEO Marty lene. Perry spoke at the Satur- Waurick, one when he gave the Keynote address on Thursday, and the other when he Monson at Satur- day Town Hall. performed with his quartet, the 2006 Int’l Champions, Vocal Spectrum on Saturday. day’s Town Hall. Tim’s Barbershop odyssey with what he has endured, is nothing less than amazing.

The Grandview High School Superwomen Chorus from Aurora, Colorado with Director Darin Drown

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The St. Louis Park Middle School Chorus from St. Louis Park, Minnesota, under the direction of Douglas Carnes. Although not an official representative of the Land O’Lakes District, the chorus, through the efforts of parents and friends, was able to raise the funds necessary to get the kids to California (and back). Doug Carnes, who also serves as the artistic director of the Great Northern Union (Barbershop) Chorus, also put out the call to Twin City- area Barbershop chapters who responded generously to the request. The 50 or so guys and gals pictured were having a memorable time that they won’t soon forget and hopefully some of the Barbershop (a cappella?) seeds sewn on that stage will take root.

cal challenges, incorporating over a Raising the Bar Pitch Pipe Perfect! half-dozen chapter quartets and By Paul Wigley, Director small ensembles to settle the score … the 2018 annual show and determine which chorus will be The past few weeks I have come Pitch Pipe Perfect champions. home from chorus By Blake Wanger, President (& thes- Tuesday evenings pian) The show committee has been hard at work behind the scenes and the feeling absolutely Preparations for this year’s annual fantastic! We have script is nearing its final form. Our show are in full swing members are mastering their music been working on and the excitement is style, musicality, nu- and marketing materials are being building! The show, distributed. For a number of reasons ance, contrast within titled Pitch Pipe Per- songs, in addition to this is going to be an extremely en- fect, will be the Com- tertaining and exciting show. vocal production and modores’ homage to technique. These are popular, reality- The Songs: Over the course of the Paul Wigley the elements that singing competitions show, the Commodores will be per- Tuesday night rehearsals are designed like Sing Off, The forming a wide range of musical to enhance! To those of you in at- Voice and American sources including old crooner clas- tendance, it is obvious that a lot of Blake Wanger Idol, as well as the sics, rock’n roll, country, Disney, work has been done to get new music popular Pitch Perfect movie series. Broadway, movies, spirituals, Bar- learned, and to get old music tidied up During the show the Commodores bershop classics and more. The … outside of Tuesday night. The ex- will perform in not one, but two cho- show includes songs by Queen, El- tra work is letting me, as a director, ruses, competing in a series of musi- Go to Perfect, Page 5, Column 3 get to the essence of music-making. Hence, my feelings of elation after production accordingly. We do the things we are working on in re- these evenings. NOT sing The Way Y ou Look To- hearsals—not just pounding notes. night with the same style that we For those of you that have been pre- It has also been noted during rehears- sing Country Roads. It doesn’t take sent, thank you for your terrific als that there is a much more con- a genius to figure that out! work. For those of you that have sistent vocal quality developing This ability to tweak style of vocal had conflicts, we get it. But Tues- among Commodore singers. That day nights are providing some re- consistence in vocal technique has timbre is another reason I’m so ex- cited about the upcoming annual warding musical moments already. also manifested itself in more con- The joy of being a member of the sistent, in-tune singing. Also, having show. The Show Committee (led by Matt Richards) has done a mar- Minneapolis Commodores is shar- the ability to adjust vocal color and ing those musical moments with a vocal timbre allows us to create music velous job of giving us music with a lot of variety. We have the vocal community that simply wants one that is interesting. I’ve always been thing—to make great music togeth- frustrated by choral groups that seem ability to clearly define that variety in a musical way, which really er. I thank you all for the great to think they have their sound … yet work you’re doing. everything they sing sounds the same! pumps me up! Music has different styles and themes, These adjustments, phrasing differ- It’s going to be a great show and it’s and singers need to adjust their vocal ences, and vocal technique shifts are great to be a Commodore!

CHORD-INATOR 5 FEBRUARY 2018 his family would appreciate your Perfect from Page 4 SUNSHINE thoughts and prayers. ton John, John Denver, George M. HOTLINE On February 13, Jeannie Bloomquist Cohen, the Beach Boys, Steve Allen ends her radiation therapy, which and so many more popular artists. By, Mark Bloomquist, Siunshine followed chemotherapy and a bilat- The Singers: Of course our show Chairman eral mastectomy. It has been a long, features the wonderful Minneapolis but successful journey as she no Commodore Chorus, as well as Andy Cook is over two weeks post longer has any detectable cancer many of our chapter quartets and -surgery for his knee cells. Jeannie has appreciated all the small ensembles and our special replacement. You support from the Commodores along guest quartet, the 2015 International can see his smiling the way. Quartet Champions, the phenomenal face at rehearsals Instant Classic! sitting to the side of Al Matchinsky is undergoing some the risers, joining us cardiac tests, including an angiogram Featured groups from within the in song, but not yet that will take place on Tuesday Feb. Commodores include quartets Easy into choreography. 13. Let’s keep Al in our thoughts Listenin’, SWYPE, Hall Pass, Just He is rehabbing and prayers. One More, Bomp, and new quartet, Mark Bloomquist steadily and hopeful- Our hearts go out to the family of Silver Screen. Also performing are ly will be on the risers soon. Lois Wiley Beierman who passed ensembles Under the Hill and Com- away earlier this month. She was a modore members of the Northern Kaleb Smith has been experienc- Pines Harmony Brigade. In addition ing abdominal pain and is going 42-year Sweet Adeline, survived by her husband Wayne Beierman. Lois to the great vocal music, instrumen- through diagnostics to determine the tal offerings will once again be pro- source. A CT- scan and other pro- was formerly married to our own Alan Matchinsky and is mother to vided by The Rockin’ Dores, a col- cedures have been done to determine lection of chapter members who the as yet unknown cause. An ultra- Tom Matchinsky. They, and their families, welcome our prayers. were first seen performing at last sound study is pending. Kaleb and year’s annual show. Dinner after the show The Story: What could be more Doc’s exciting than two electrifying a cap- with Instant Classic! pella ensembles (both played by the Bag Join us for the Afterglow, immediate- Commodores) and a bevy of quartets ly following Pitch Pipe Perfect on and small groups engaging in a mu- April 14. We’re back at Grumpy’s sical competition positively over- By Dr. Hardin Olson, Editor this year, just a couple miles from loaded with energy. Which chorus The Wanger Administration seems to Bethel, south on Snelling. will be crowned Pitch Pipe Perfect be firing on all cylinders. Eric Nelson Dinner will be served this year (it Champions? The only way to find is warming to the Program VP posi- will be dinner time, after all), and our out is to get your ticket to join our tion and Jim Norman is picking up on guest quartet, 2015 International live studio audience. the finer points of the Membership Champions Instant Classic, will be The Surprises: The show is going VP office. It’s going to be a good sure to please. to be full of twists and turns and sur- year. The cost remains $20.00, which in- prises including … of course we ************** cludes a full taco bar, with beef, aren't actually going to tell you what On Thursday, February 8, I had a chicken, fajita veg mix, and all the the surprises are, but trust us, there long phone conversation with Gary fixings. There will also be a cash are some big ones. The only way to Rogness. His last three scans have bar. (A full bar, including domestic find out what the surprises are is to shown continued regression of his and premium beer.) get a ticket to join our “live studio tumors and the one in his lung is no Call me for tickets. audience” at Benson Great Hall at longer visible. His doctors have been Bethel University on April 14, 2018 Thanks. quite pleased with the results of his at 3pm. For tickets, visit particular regimen of chemotherapy. Andy Richards www.minneapoliscommodores.co However, due to the problem of ex- [email protected] m or you may contact Diana Pi- tremely low magnesium levels in his 651-500-2737 nard at [email protected] or system, Gary has been switched to a 612/927-9363. different regimen which hopefully Jim Bagby, in his letter to me on Hope to see you on April 14th! will continue the positive response. Page 8 is responding to a request I made for anecdotes about the Rural Wanted: Co-editor to assist with Reach Gary at: 507/990-2000 the Chord-Inator and prepare to Route 4 about which I said, “Your [email protected] or recollections would add some much assume the Editorship later this 4119 7th Place NW needed class to the Chord-Inator.” year. Salary negotiable. Inquire: Rochester, MN 55901 Happily, he survived the shock and [email protected] ************** submitted a most welcome piece.

CHORD-INATOR 6 FEBRUARY 2018 Minneapolis, Minn. Chapter Terry McClellan……………21 yrs. Land O’Lakes District, BHS Meetings every Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. Dan Krekelberg…………….23 yrs. House of Prayer Lutheran Church Chuck McKown…………....31 yrs. 7625 Chicago Avenue South Dan True……………………32 yrs. Richfield, MN 55423 Denny Rolloff………………36 yrs. Chapter Officers January Reenlistments President…………..…Blake Wanger 414/699-4950 Carl Pinard………………….37 yrs. Past Pres. ………...... Denny Maas 952/447-8012 Anthony Lapakko………....….4 yrs. Marketing/PR VP…...Steve Grady 952/334-7500 Paul Wigley…………………40 yrs. VP Music /Perform… Carl Pinard 612/927-9363 Kaleb Smith…………………..8 yrs. Ray Ensrud………………….42 yrs. VP Membership...…...... Jim Norman 612/242-9330 Eric Traband………………...12 yrs. Program VP..………..…...Eric Nelson 612/47-2380 Jim Jorgensen……………….46 yrs. Secretary……...... …...... Bill Warp 763/531-2290 Mike Hoyan…………………13 yrs. Roger Meyer………………...46 yrs. Treasurer …….. ……...John Carlotto 952/925-0886 Bryan Langren………………13 yrs. Board Members Jim Foy……………………...49 yrs. Through 2018 Bob Duncan…………………14 yrs. Dan Slattery…………………49 yrs. Andy Cook…………………………..651/688-6459 Bill Warp……………...…….15 yrs. Andy Richards…………………..…...651/639-9312 Lawrence Smalley*…………50 yrs. Arne Stefferud…………………...…..651/772-4367 Steve Daniel…………………18 yrs. Gary Jacobson…………...….53 yrs. Through 2018/19 Dan Cole…………...………..19 yrs. Dave Casperson……………………...651/432-4922 Bill Shaw, Jr. ……………….55 yrs. Paul Paddock………………………...757/784-6440 Dale Lynch……………….....20 yrs. Randy Klopfleisch………..…58 yrs. Kim Ward (Community Rep.)……….763/413-9273 Travis Wuttke……………….20 yrs. Directors Thurm Slack………………...60 yrs. Director…………...…...…………..…..Paul Wigley Kevin Huyck…………….….21 yrs. * Commodore South Assistant Directors: Gary Jacobson (on leave), Davie Speidel, Dave Bechard Section Leaders Tenor Section Leader ……..…...…....…Rollie Neve Lead Section Leader. ……..………...….…..Vacant Assistant - Dan Smith Bari Section Leaders ……....…..….….Dave Speidel 02/10 Kristen Lambert Assistant - Matt Richards 02/14 Harlan Mellem (86) Bass Section Leaders……………...Dave Casperson 02/15 Dan Cole Committee Chairmen Altruistic Programs Chairman…….…..Denny Maas BOARD HIGHLIGHTS 02/15 Jerry Koch Audio/Visual Mgr……………….. ….Kirk Douglas 02/21 Terry McClellan 2016 Show Chairman………..….…....Dave Speidel Chapter members are always wel- 02/26 Bob Dykstra 2017 Show Chairman………………….....Dan Cole come to attend the Board meetings. 2018 Show Chairman…………….….Matt Richards 02/27 Dan Williams Afterglow Chairman……………...... Andy Richards 03/01 Kaleb Smith Attendance/Sgt.-at-Arms…….…………...... Vacant From the meeting of February 8 BOTY Party Chairman...... Mark Ortenburger 03/02 Rosie Glover Chord-Inator Staff . By Bill Warp, Secretary 03/02 Dick Riemenschneider Editor ……………….….….…..…Dr. Hardin Olson 03/05 Bonnie Black Gribble Senior Columnist….……..….…..….Jim Erickson  Membership: How to attract Artist…………….…….…...…...…..Glenn Retter new visitors and en- 03/05 Denny Maas Chorus Manager…………………….....Dan Slattery Assistant - Neal Mortenson courage their return- 03/06 Mark Bloomquist Chorus Performance Managers…… .....John Lloyd ing was discussed at 03/07 Catherine Lloyd .. Bob Ostergaard length. How to re- Harvey Weiss 03/08 Jeni Born Grants Research…………..……...…….…...Vacant duce “riser shock” Groupanizer Administrator……...…..Matt Richards and the angst pro- Harmony Foundation…...…...... ……...... Vacant duced when encoun- Historian …………………………………...Vacant Learning Tracks…….……….....…… ….Dan Smith tering the current 02/12 Pete & Judi Jarnberg Librarian………………..…..……….….Carl Pinard repertoire, being the Name Tags ………………...………….Dan Slattery Bill Warp 02/15 Terry & Linda McClellan Nut Sales Chairman…… …Dick Riemenschneider major considerations, Northern Pines Brigade President…. ..Dave Speidel commensurate with how to enhance 02/19 Jim & Karen McCarville Performance Mgr………….…….…...Paul Swanson the social aspects of our chapter 01/27 Walter & Laura Dawson Presentation Chairman……..……..……....Dan True meetings. Quartet Promotion…………. ...…….Gary Jacobson The Commodores will sing Country Riser Boss(temp)……….….…..………...Dan Cole Roster (pending) ………………..….Andy Richards  Music and Performance: Our Roads, Crazy Little Thing Called Singing Valentines……..……. …..Neal Mortenson 2018 competition vehicles remain Love and Yes, Indeed at the all-area- Sunshine ……………………...…Mark Bloomquist This Could be the Start of Something Swipe Editor ………..………………...... Bill Warp chapter summer concert at Como. Tickets/A-Commodears President..…..Diana Pinard Big and The Way You Look Tonight Transportation Mgr.………………..Dick Hartmann with directors David Speidel and  Annual Show: The preparations Uniform Committee Chairman… ……..…...Vacant David Beshard respectively. for Pitch Pipe Perfect are falling into place. A mailer has been posted and Two pre-fall-contest retreats are in posters are about finished. Tickets Capital “B” in the works, the first being on Satur- will be available by month’s end. day, August 18. The ad campaign is underway with Barbershop? A food-shelf performance has been prices the same as last year. SELL! scheduled for Sunday, March 4 at Why not? Faith Presbyterian Church in Min- Next meeting March 15 at netonka. Wooddale Lutheran.

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case and just adopt it as sound (no modality approach. And what is multi Georgia Grind pun intended?), logical, and, darn it, -modality approach? Well, multi- just a lot more fun. modality is the term used to describe the different modes of human com- By Jim Erickson, Bathing Baritone So, what am I going to do? I am pre- munication (visual, verbal, gestures, “Eureka! Eureka! I have found it.” paring to sell my bike, treadmill, etc.) In many web-based texts, mean- That was supposed to be what Archi- Thigh Master, weights, trampoline, ing is communicated through a subtle medes cried as he stretchy bands and all the other (like interplay between expressive modes. jumped in the new) exercise equipment I have (Jumpin’ Juniper, that sounds like a nude from his bath gathered over the years. I will do description of my writing!) and ran in the that, that is, if I can find some kind of group that sings in time. Ideas? So maybe Dave was suggesting some streets excited by interplay between our singing, move- his discovery a- While digesting that, think about ment, breathing, interpretation and bout the displace- this. At the January 23rd rehearsal, whatever else. If not, ask Dave for his ment of water to Dave Speidel–assistant director and explanation. Could be they use such determine the puri- escapee from Wisconsin, talked to obfuscatory words like that in Wis- ty of a golden Jim Erickson us about “multi-modality.” As I consin, but further west, we don’t crown. Hey! It looked around the chorus, I saw not cotton to that kind of talkin’. Now worked for him, so I decided to give Dave may be offended, or at least it a try. As I sat naked in my tub, I perplexed, by this article, but I can looked around and only discovered only confess that Paul Wigley made something private of which there was me write it. Actually demanding it as little ado about next to nothing. May- we stood next to each other during be if I took a run down my driveway. rehearsal right after Dave said, “multi Oh man, it was Super Bowlish cold. -modality.” And you know just how Perhaps I should have worn slippers. scary Paul can be. Luckily, mostly for them, only the What is even degrees scarier is what I mailman and some guy walking his have turned up in my research on the dog were witnesses. I’m sure they origins on what is the Georgia Grind. could see my breath, but that’s proba- Out of article space is what I am right bly not what they were looking at in now, but I promise more on this next disbelief. Maybe they thought I was time. The list of possible inductees some Finlander who had just emerged into the Order of the Georgia Grind from his sauna and was looking for Outhouse grows exponentially, but if just the right snowbank in which to you have any suggestions, I welcome roll. an eye blinking. Stupefied, it them. And you know that you are From whatever they thought, I was seemed. Trying to figure what multi- called to be guardians of the truth. actually exclaiming about something modality has to do with The Way Despite the attraction of your elec- I found in the February issue of For- You Look Tonight. What did Dave tronic devices, start to make a prac- tune Magazine. Tagged onto the mean? And how did he intend to tice of being present to those around end of a book review under “Book have it teach us something? you. Lastly, as I always say, hold fast Value” was a heading, Cocktail Party to that which is good. And very lastly, Fodder. Yes, I have attended a cock- Ready for enlightenment to help you “Beware the Ides of March Multi- tail party or two, but usually I have overcome staring stupifiedly? Pon- modality.” ended up not having enough to keep a der this … Modality is the type of sparkling conversation going. After behavior, expression, or way of life June talking all about me, I kind of run out that belongs to a particular person or of things to say [rather quickly]. group of people. An example of mo- Evelyn Nonetheless, this caught my eye. dality is the type of behavior a doc- Richards tor uses to treat a very ill patient. Here’s the fodder. “Singing in time Modality may be any of the various Feb. 6, with a group is arguably as good types of sensation, such as vision or for you as exercise.” That’s what it hearing. Or, if you like, modality is 2018 said. No footnotes or references to the way or mode in which some- scientific or medical articles. Just a thing exists or is done. Proud parents: Matthew & Allison bald statement. Now I believe in the Richards. Proud Grandparents: scientific method—empirical studies Got that? Well, it gets worse. If I and all the rest. Oh, myths are fun and interpret Dave correctly, he tried to Karen & Andy Richards. Proud often have a grain of wisdom upon relate that what the chorus was do- Great-grandmother: Ebie Rich- which to cogitate. But I have decided ing, or could improve upon, could ards. Baby June & all doing well! to eschew the need for science in this be enhanced by embracing a multi-

CHORD-INATOR 8 FEBRUARY 2018

Commodores, one of my all-time had won the Central States District Letters favorite groups. I’m sure the spirit Championship, Rufus dropped out of Jim Richards lingers over you, and the guys asked me to sing bari- just as Dan Henry’s does here. tone. We went to Oz Newgard, who Bob [Dykstra], Best wishes to Brother Wigley et was coaching the quartet in sound; al. he was then a Senior Sound judge Enjoyed your musings, as always, in and also was helping Heart of Amer- the latest Chord-inator – so glad your JB [Jim Bagby] ica toward its first CSD chorus title. esteemed editor keeps me on the mail- He agreed that I might fit the ing list! ************** Hardin, bill. Despite the Yoder brothers’ The days of yore recollection brought twice-a-day milking commitment back vivid memories of the Rural ++You have a great sense of hu- and other farming chores, we man- Route 4 visit to the Pasadena show, mor: hardly anyone ever used aged enough practices to make the probably in ‘87. I knew a little of “class” and Rural Route 4 in the Top-10 in International the next the history of the chapter and recalled same sentence! But very gracious three years—even though we never the Harmonizer cover in the ‘60s that of you to ask for vignettes, altho had six songs ready. After that we had 2 or 3 gold medal quartets on it don’t bleev we ever grew those on laid out a couple of years, continued and a half-dozen other foursomes plus the farm. However, will be gladda to work around the dairy-farm the chorus. (Our Kansas City chapter remuhniss a little—we did have a schedule (the Yoders had no hired called its shows “Parade of Quartets” great run, and I’m sure we were hands), vocal problems partly for many years, and I know the cho- maybe the luckiest quartet ever to caused by Ev’s smoking habit, and ruses only made minimal appearances come along. were very fortunate to find a great in those days). coach in Harriett Gall after Oz died of a sud- When we did Pasa- den heart attack. dena, Art Baker had passed on, but Reedy Then came 1983, when Wright was in full Ev said he was ready to command of the retire, and the quartet show. If you re- figured maybe it was member Reedy, you time for us to do the know that meant he same. We’d had a lot was in charge! We of fun, Willard and I were headliners but were in another CSD the lineup was still championship quartet at the same: quartets the time and it seem- as far as the ear ed RR4 had achieved could hear. We more than we’d ever thought possible. In went on stage just The 1986 International Quartet Champions, The Rural Route 4 (left to rt.): Jim Bagby - bari, shy of 10 p.m., Willard Yoder - bass, Calvin Yoder - lead, and Don Kahl - tenor. BHS Photo fact, Cal’s earliest goal which caused us no was to make the Socie- little concern -- especially a buncha The original foursome, three farm- ty’s Top-10 album—and he farm boys used to finishing shows ers and a carpenter (also from a achieved that his second time about that time. I asked Reedy if he farm family), were from the Cass out. But fate dealt a hand when a wanted us to cut our act, “Hell, County Chapter, about 45 miles district champ quartet in our own no!” he roared backstage, “our audi- southeast of here and sponsored by chapter broke up at that same time, ences are used to three-hour shows!” our Kansas City Chapter. The making tenor Don Kahl availa- members were tenor, Everett Roth, ble. We called and asked “How’d Well, either they no longer were, or lead, Calvin Yoder, baritone Rufus you like to quit smoking?” “How they [either] didn’t wanna stick Kenagy, and bass, Willard Yoder do you think you’d look in over- around for a buncha farm boys or the – all members of the Sycamore alls?” He gave the right answers mighty Pasadena chapter no longer Grove Mennonite Church. That immediately. was selling out. When the lights was in 1971, about the same time I went up for final curtain calls, I bet moved to Kansas City from the We were 11th in St. Louis in 1984 the house was less than two-thirds Southwestern District. We met and 5th in MINNEAPOLIS in 1985 full. Made me think of Uncal when the RR4 came to the Heart of (after Lou Perry’s Harmony Col- Lloyd’s dictum: The human body can America Chorus’ annual Bush lege keynote address the previous only stand as much entertainment as League Quartet Contest. They re- summer carried the message “sound the bottom can endure. turned, before long, to my home for is not force.”) Paul Wigley will some coaching. remember that. And to the amaze- Delighted that you’re still lending ment of the Barbershop world in your curmudgeonly wisdom to the In late 1976, not long after the RR4 Go to Bagby, Page 9, Column 1

CHORD-INATOR 9 FEBRUARY 2018 Bagby from Page 8 Congratulations to the Wentworths general, and ourselves especially, we This is a follow-up announcement to their incredible commitment to not won the gold in Salt Lake City in let all of our readers know that Ken 1986. only their businesses but for their and Karen Wentworth were an- vast involvement in the whole great- We retired in 1994, having done nounced last month as the 2017 shows in 38 states, Canada, London er-Lakeville area community. The Business Persons of the Year by the Wentworth’s sense of volunteerism and on several Caribbean cruis- Lakeville Area Chamber of Com- es. Don left the quartet in 1990 and and community/business ethics is merce! We all know how active Ken inspiring for all of us. Calvin’s son, Wesley, born the year and Karen are on so many levels of the quartet formed, sang tenor with us community service, Barbershop ac- the last four years. The RR4 almost tivities, and business success. It is never did two-night shows, and fre- always a thrill to see wonderful peo- quently chartered, so we could get ple that we know get rewarded for home late Saturday night or early Sunday morning in time for the Yoders to make it to the milk barn. ev), where longtime friends and sup- porters Jim and Ebie Richards were We have sung for the weddings of our hosts. And Jim introduced us to virtually all our children. We’ve his mother in about 1987 when we been drawn out of retirement for a did the Tampa, Fla., show. She was number of special shows, but our fi- still racking up paddling medals in nal performance was the 25th anni- her 90s and looked in remarkable versary of our gold medals, at the shape [She won the last of her 11 2011 Society Convention – happily medals at age 94]. After the show, enough in Kansas City. she told us, apparently not noticing Two quick final thoughts – one of our our gold medals, “You boys keep it most enjoyable outings was the Com- up – you’re gonna win.” modore show in the late ‘80s (I ble- Jim. So, please congratulate Ken and Karen Wentworth for their well- Jim Richards Memorial Chord Candy # 15 deserved recognition. Although You’re Not Mine … by Earl Moon per Chuck Lower Paul Wigley In his e-mail of January 17 regarding last month’s Chord Candy, Chuck Lower stated, “Nice tag this month, but it is not a Burt Szebo original. As shown in Classic Tags, it was written by Lou Perry. I am attaching a great tag that I learned from Earl Moon at Harmony College in the early ‘80s. Like Jim Richards, Earl was an endless source of tags and always fun to sing with. Thanks for a great news letter … ” Chuck is a 57-year Barbershopper, 38 years as a chorus director (four choruses), 11 years as a Singing Judge, and a long-time friend of Jim Richards whom he blames for introducing him to the Chord-Inator. In 2016 he retired as director of the Bucks Jim Richards County Chapter [Penn.] but was succeeded by his daughter, Stephanie. In his spare Chuck Lower time he earned a Middle-Atlantic District Quartet championship with Free Trade Agreement and qualification as a Tagmeister of Note among Jim Richards et al.

CHORD-INATOR 10 FEBRUARY

Dr. Hardin Olson, Bulletin Editor 3020 St. Albans Mill Road #109 1st CLASS Minnetonka, MN 55305 952/229-4525 POSTAGE [email protected] HERE

All copy and photos herein without a byline, as well as those opinions Neither shared with the Girl and commentaries under his by- Scouts nor dumped by the line, are the sole responsibility of Sweet Adelines. the Chord-Inator Editor and do not Logo courtesy of Bob Clark necessarily reflect the views of the Minneapolis Chapter Board or its officers. RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Chapter Quartets To: BOMP Dan Cole………………………….612/940-4554 CHORD SMASH James Estes……………………….612/237-3234 EASY LISTENIN' Dan Slattery……………………... 651/747-6384 HOT COMMODITY Dave Speidel…………………..….612/437-4325 LOOKING AHEAD JUST ONE MORE Nate Weimer……………………...316/204-8756  March 4, Sunday, ICA Food Shelf 2017 Barbershopper Of The Year RING IT ON performance, Faith Presbyterian Andy Richards……………….… ..651/639-9312 Dan True RIVER CITY QUARTET Church, Minnetonka John Chouinard………..………….651/343-4145 Commodores and others * MINNESOTA GO-4’s  March 24, Saturday, 10,000 Lakes contributing to this issue. Harvey Weiss………………….….763/439-4447 Division Contest, Stillwater Jim Bagby* RANDOM SAMPLE Darrell Egertson…………………..952/943-8737  April 12, Thursday, Tech Rehearsal, Mark Bloomquist SWYPE Bethel University Jim Erickson Chuck Lower* Mark Bloomquist………………....952/541-0232  April 14, Annual Show, Bethel Uni- SOUNDS of RENOWN (VLQ) versity Hardin Olson Mark Ortenburger…………….…..952/942-8382 Andy Richards  June 24, Sunday, Arboretum Perfor- THE SHOES Blake Wanger Andy Richards……………………651/639-9312 mance Bill Warp

 July 10, Tuesday, Area Chapter Paul Wigley Singout, Como Park

 August 5, Sunday, Sing at Como Park with the TC Show Chorus. CHORD-INATOR  August 18, Saturday, Retreat - TBD 1st Place 2013 PROBE HARD-COPY INTERNATIONAL District Level BULLETIN CONTEST  May 4-5, Fri/Sat, LOL District Spring Convention and Internat’l Prelims, PROBE Hall of Honor Franklin, Wisc.  October 26-27, Fri/Sat, LOL District Dr. Hardin Olson CHORD-INATOR Fall Convention, Rochester, Minn. 2016 MINNEAPOLIS COMMODORES International Level Minneapolis Chapter of SPEBSQSA The Chord-Inator is available on  July 1-8, 2018 International Con- MEETING EVERY TUES –7:00 p.m. the Minneapolis Chapter’s website vention, Orlando, Fla. House of Prayer Lutheran Church minneapoliscommodores.org 7625 Chicago Ave. S. starting with the January 2006 is- Richfield, MN 55423 GUESTS ALWAYS WELCOME sue.