IB!T..~.) KEEI'the\\'HOLE\\'Orldsii\'Gii\'G
~...JUly/August 2001
IB!t..~.) KEEI'THE\\'HOLE\\'ORLDSIi\'GIi\'G
Enter and wlnl Use your Priority Cod e at IVI·m.spebsqsa,orglmembers The 2001 Intel'llational Chorus and Quartet Contests.... Videos, Cassettes and Compact Discs.
Order now and save!! (discounts end October 31 st) ff.cwJ1'L01ll?' /vi CWke:tp~ Stock # Item Qtv Each Total SPEBSQSA, Inc. 6315 Harmony Lane 4618 200 I Quartet Cassette $12.00 Kenosha, WI 53143-5199 4619 200 I Chorus Cassette $12.00 (800) 876-7464 Fax: (262) 654-5552 order both - save $4.00 ext. 8410 4620 200I Quartet CD $15.00 Delivery in time for Christmas giving in 4621 200 I Chorus CD $15.00 2001. order both - save $5.00 4167 200 I VHS Quartet Video $25.00 Please ship my order to: 4168 2001 VHS Chorus Video $25.00 Namc' _ order both - save $5.00 4120 200 I ':'PAL Quartet Video $30.00 Street. _ 4121 200 I "PAL Chorus Video $30.00 order both - save $10.00 City, _ Total for merchandise State/Prov' ZIP _ 5% Sales Tax (Wis. residents onlv) Subtotal SPEBSQSA membership no., _ Shipping and handling (see below) Chapter name & 1100 _ Total Amount enclosed US FUNDS ONLY Use yOIl MBNA America credit card.' *PAL (European Format)
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July/August 20tH VOLUME L~I tWMDEn ·1 . . I.
Virtual tag rooms? Scien 1 tists are one step closer A live quCtrtet gig by singers in (our cities brought stodgy scientists to their (cet BRIAN Lr,\'clI 1 The black musical roots of barbershop harmony Historical evidence is abundant, and now 1 there's musical evidence, too DR. jl.\/ HENH.I' Recruiting 101: nexttime, 1 read the text book Arc yOli driving away potential members. or are yOll growing like these chapters! LORIN l\f.-\r
------Departments------2 10 THE PRESIDENT'S PAGE HARMONY HOW-TO Hc:lp answer membership questions Lay the groundwork for interpretation 4 21 LET'S HARMONIZE CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES What will be your greatest moment! Look whose life you've changed 5 Pro Bono Cum Deus On the Covel': 24 Barbershop's pioneers LETTERS FOREGROUND QUARTET: Keep ucrudencss"out of contests STAY TUNED Polk Millet'. FamouS Olde Who's this "FERD" quartet! Gold runs in the family South Quartet, 1909 BACKGROUND: African· Something to shout about American performer. Bert 6 Williams, song published 28 1910 TEMPO China discovers mixed barbershop THE TAG TV special on BBshop in the works "The Joy Of Life"
Society for the Preservation and EnCOUragement\~\OfBarber Shop Quartet Singing in America
Ju(r/A"gl/~'I 2UOI • The HARMONIZER 1 THE PRESIDENT'S PAGE Chuck Watson, SPEBSaSA President Society growth: help us answer the right questions
Gm1t help but wonder why more especially a gold medaL) yOllng men don't become a part of ollr Rcasons for joining could include hobby. I also wonder about those who all of the above and many more. I last a couple of years and then clisap, wish I knew all the motivations yOllng l pear. \Vhat '\\'as in it for them ) when men and other men have when they they began, and why didn't that keep join. Can you help us learn more! them in the Society? If we ever fully understand the The pressures young men face to, many reasons why people join, we still clay are considerably different than must ask: Why do some new members those faced when I began leave? barbershopping nearly 35 years ago. • Did they find a chapter of cliques But I do see young men who find our where a newcomer is not fully ac, style and friendship interesting. What cepted until he's lCpaid his ducsll ? can we do for them and • Did they find that there are more other potential young hidden expenses than they wcre brothers in harmony? We led to believe when they joined? must answer two critical No hobby is tmly inexpensivcj questions: (I) How do we however, our non~competitivc attract new, young mem, chapters demand relatively little bers, and then, (2) How do financial commitment. But nlcm~ we keep them? bership in our highly compctitive To answer the first ques, chapters involves many expenses tion, we need to consider besides dues. (By the way, did you several things about the know there are a number of op, potential member. For ex, tions available to new membcrs to ample: help defer the payment of some of • Has he been bitten by the initial dues?). your infectious enthusi, • Did they join a competitive group asm for the hobby? that won? Are they now satisfied • Did he receive a friendly and decided to move on to some, invitation, come for the thing else? music, and stay for the • What if they didn't win? Are they fellowship? disappointed ahout the chapter, • Did he like the chance having possibly built up false to learn something hopes? new? • Are they leaving temporarily due • Was he just keeping to life circumstances, or are their busy while he waited for needs and desires no longer being that "right someone" to met by the chapter? come along? Again, we don't know all the an~ • Had he heard positive things about swers to these questions, and 1'm sure the style when he was growing up we don't even know all the questions. and decided to give it a tty? What are your thoughts? • Had he never heard anything Think back to your own initial ex~ ahout the style but was just trying periences with your chapter and sec if to find an outlet where he could it doesn't help you understand somc sing and pelfonn? of the challenges of retaining ncw • Does the chapter have a glorious members: history of competition, and he's • Did your chapter orient you to all excited about winning! (Few mem~ the things expected of you when hers obtain this reward, howcvcr, you joined!
2 The HARMONIZER • JII(rIAlIglIsI200/ • If not I what have you done to im~ prove the process for new mem~ bers? T EHARMONl~R • Did you learn that many of your chapter members gather together - : . . .. ." - . after the weekly chapter meeting to July/AuguSl 2001 Volume LXI Number 4 do some more informal singing and get to know one another? SPEBSQSA Vision Statement The Society is to be an ever-growing fraternity of barbershop-style singers, • Did you know you were expected to leading the cause of encouraging vocal music in our schools and communities. sell tickets? How about those show ads? How else does your chapter " HAR!\10NY expect you to contribute your fair ~FOUND\TION share? The official charily 01 SPEBSaSA, coordinating the Society's charitable mission to "preserve our musical legacy though support of vocal music education in our schools and communities," • Did you find out that your chapter Call 1-800-876-7464 x8447 for donation, gift-planning, grant or sponsorship information, was one of more than 800 chapters HEADQUARTERS OFFICE STAFF SPEBSQSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS around the United States and EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SOCIETY PRESIDE/IT [J.\RR\1. FlTh~ (85-13) CIII:O:. W,USOS Canada who do this kind of thing DIRECTOR OF MUSIC EDUCATlOll & SERVICES 784 McCall COIJrt 'Columbus, 011-13235 every week? D;/;, GREG Ln."'E (85-19) SOCIETY EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT DIRECTOR OF FIt.AlICE & ADI.HIHSTRATlOII 1{0Gf.R If.\\lS • Did you learn that there are a set 201.25 12 Milo: Road - B31lk Cr~k, MI -19014 FRA.''; S'\)',"TARUlI, CPA, CAE (8450) SOOETV TREASURER of songs called Barberpole Cat HARlolDIlY FOUllOATIOll EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JOOl\. BRW songs that nearly all members learn DIRECTOR Of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS 3062 o...'\"ring Dr. NW • Salem, OR 973(}..\ G.o.I<\· SlA.\l\l, CAE (&446) SOCIETY IIIJ,IElXATE PAST PRESlOEllT to sing and are sung in the halls at MANAGING DIRECTOR OF MElolBER SERVICES Eo W,>,EKHE conventions and other gatherings? Ev N,\u (8478) 6 Vis1.3 I.a~· Mellilk, J','Y 117-17 • Did you learn about those district E-BuSIHESS STRATEGIST SOOETY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR I BOARD SECRETARY B.'U-\.,· L\Nll (8554) D.\IU('l"l Fill" conventions where you can gather PUBliC RelATIONS "'AIIACER RAWGH BLOCK with others to have singing fun RITa S.-\.\l?SOS (859.2) 2033 Wild Cherry I..:me • Kalamazoo, MI 49009 and fellowship? EVEIlTS MAl/AGER I STAFF COUIlSEl WW)',L BROlO\1C1J JOIL" SCl~[IDU (8444) 45-16 Glenbrook LtllllJ • Palm II:lrbor, fL 346S3 • Did you leam about that great big LIBRARIAIl, OLD SONGS liBRARY B:Ll COOt· international convention where TO~1 BARR (8545) SOl Slaten Laoe, Apl. 101-1' Akxarnlria, VA 22314 MEUBERSHIP SPECIALIST lm-",li COOK 6019 N. Iklmotll Wa)' , Parkt'r, CO 80134 10,000 people gather annually to 1);0; BIX (8-159) G.~K\. GAArTSO:; sing~ MUSIC SPECIALIST I QUARTET DEVELOPIJEIlT have a good time, hear great 6-15 N. Hi~kOf)' Hills Dr. • Columbus, IN -\1201 J~l DEBus.\t\x (8566) ing and sing themselves? I-l...-a:: 1-lA.\L\\Ul. C&J I QUAATET REGISTRY I HC-DC 262.2 Leake)"' San Antonio, TX 78251 • Did you learn about the Society's L\." DfETER (8551) ROOERT lIor-ID'S history? Who is O.c. Cash and MAlIAGER OF MEDIA PAOOUCTlOll & SERVICES 163 Arro~\ht'ad Wa)' • Clinton, NY 1J323 Rl'SS Fo::us (8586) ROll£RT Hoc:sE Rupert Hall? When did they first DeVELOP/HilT DIAECTOR 8738 lakt' Ashnk'rt: Dr.• San Die-go. CA 92119 get together' LARR.,. GllHOl~~ (8-4-18) ARml"~ M'\\"X\RD MANAGER Of INfORUATlON SYSTEIJS 452 Birchwood Rood ' Mcdfml, NY 11763 There are a lot of questions, and 1 ())SPn'£JI. Scon HOGE (8-\85) 456-1 East Ro.,d ' Port Stanky. ON N5L IA7 hope most of yOll leamed the answers MUSIC PUBtiCATIOIlS EOITOR Bu STOCK shortly after joining. If you continue JOE llUS (8553) 522 N. J:Kkson Slmt • lkllt~;IIe-, IL 622.20 PUBlICATIOIlS EDITOR to have more questions, how can we low; ~L\\' (8567) help to answer them? If you have MUSIC SPECIAtiST I YOUTH OUTREACH ideas as to how to attract more poten~ Bitt R.\S11illG1l (8560) AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS MERCHANDISE OPERATIOIIS "'AIlAGER ~rs:xm,B~.~ tial members, let us know. If you N.-\.'>(\' Tllm.." (8-187) Jllho W;u:~hlttl, Pl"~;id~ol 51 RobiniJ PJr.tJ~ , Srringli~IJ 1"SW 2250 • Austnlil think we aren't asking the right ques ASS1STAIlT TO THE EXECUTlVE DIRECTOR BARBERSHOP IN GERMMIY (BinG!) D'E VESE\7CK (854.2) Kutl G~Ih.;IIJ1. Pu;ilkDI tions, we want to know that, too. MUSIC SPECIALIST I CHORUS DIRECTOR DEVEtOPlJEllT AI". lks Nmim; 141153 • IMO Rrus~l; BRITISH ASSOClATlON OF BARBERSHOP SINGERS (BABS) In other words, if you have ideas, Km: Y(XM (8541) Chsi, Tidcmlll. Ch..limun ··BIOOJ,;blld$,~ Kmcc>b.:>mugb RNd, Follirool, N.Yorh tlGl IflT, don't feel that no one's listening. We HARMONIZER STAFF U, LOIDi J\IA\' (EooOll.), Jl:m Sll:PU.R (As~lSlA,r EllIIOR) DUTCH ASSOCIATlOtI OF BARBERSHOP SltIDERS (OABS) can't apply every gcxxl idea at once, Jolun Kru}t, Pre;id~nt RHO S....\IPW)',·, BRJ...." L'"CH (CO)',"TTl.lBUll:;{i Eooms), ColumN i>13 • lJ;~IS!~in 3402 liD, ~ Nffil.:f!.lJ'.di but there's no knowing when or from Il-\R.\[email protected] IRISH ASSOCIATION OF BARBERSHOP S!NGERS (lABS) whom that next brilliant idea or Chid.: Curry, Pre,!d~ot SOCIETY HEADQUARTERS 42 GlCl\l1llJ"OCJ(I RooJ ' r~ll'OO';lown • rM.>hn 20 ' lrdlllJ down,to~earth insight will come. If NEW ZEALAND ASSOC. OF BARBERSHOP SllffiERS ('~BS) SPEBSQSA Dl\id BirJlin~, Pr~,i&nl you have email, please drop me a line 6315 HarlllOll)' I..:me' Kenoshl. WI 53[4)·5199 I Oris>.1 ("1"~J.<:ent • llrNdmc.u;JI\. '; W~llington 604 • New lNIll'., 262-653-84-10 • s00-876-S[I\G (1-164) SOCIETY OF NORDIC BARBERSHOP SINGERS (SllOBS) at cwatson@co!wnbus.rr.com (my Jm Alnand~r;;s(\n Fax 261-654-40-18 (Musk, Marke-ling, E.xe\:uliw) Rcg~rinpgaun 74 • III 39 S:lXl.:hclm • S....-1."Jro snail mail address is in the gray box to Fax 262·65-t-5552 (Membership, Harn'lOl1)' Markt'lpl:K't', SOUTHERN PART OF AFRICA TOHSORlAlSllffiERS(SPATS) Coownlions, AIXounling, Harmoll)' Foundllion) han M,GiIliI rJ}'. Pr~.;iJ~ol the right). We will listen and, who EIl13.il (name-)~J't'[)jqS3.Ofg 12 I>hrlromugh An'll'x • Cr.tigJull Pm.: • Johan~~ , 21% Rt'public of ~Ih AfriC,l knows, you might just wind up with (E.xampk Jack Singt'r = jsingcr@sp.:bsqSl.org) Ho\Hs: 8 am. - 5 pm. (Central Time) Monday - Friday some reward. Th(' H3mJ{'tf]i,('( (USPS No. 5'111(\1) (lSSN 0017·'15-19) un,.,,1icilcJ m.1nlllCrirLi Or aIt....-or!.:. Thanks for your attention, i> lhe offidJI ~Jbli(alion of lhe Sociely «..., Ihi." Prci<'r\"~li(>fl P(>!(nU-,(N: ~nJ a..lJr<,-<;; dungo.-;; i" \'\1ilorial 0(11<('> d rmd En(uum..... menl 0( furl:...r Shop Qumct Sillging in The- H.ltnlflni:e-r, 7\1)0 S~ri
JI/(dAliglIsl 2001 • The HARMONIZER 3 LET'S HARMONIZE Darryl Flinn, Executive Director
Is your greatest performance yet to come?
bout The j-jarmonizcr ... a dirty trick is for our editor, Lorin lViay, to pass a working copy around Harmony Hall for some of rhe staff to scan and proof before he sends it off to the printer. That means, when I get my magazine, I don't get to see it for the first time. It's old news. When I received the last issue, I set it aside (why not? I'd already read it) for later. Later was a plane ride back from a particularly fun barbershop convention in Seneca land. I felt like a big idiot sitting there in a crowded plane, reading my new Harmonizer, and be~ ing transported out of my seat as I re~read that great issue. The story about my quartet, Har~ mony, winning the Senior's gold medal was a fun ancl heartfelt re~read; the stories about bar~ bershop weddings were touching; the spread on the Sing! a cappella show definitely kicked it lip a notch. But what really did it for me was the enormous rush of emotion and memory when I re-read the feature called "The song of the contest". I rem.ember being embarassed by my reaction to the effect of the greatest uoh yeah!" song ever. When The Gas House Gang finished that beautiful verse, then lit into "Bright Was The Night.HuGh, my dear God!" I said out loud, holding my head and sinking down into my seat-Meredith thought I'd surely had a stroke! And "That Old Quartet Of Mine" was a breathless moment of a different kind. I had the best seat in the house (I was juclging that contest), and the audience re action to The Boston Common's epic performance was the single, greatest, most powclful audience reaction that I ever felt for any pelformance I've ever seen. I can still feci it. I've always been a sap for overtones ancl musical pelfection. In addition to the Rural Route 4's uApron Strings," 1remember feeling the same way about IlSweet Adeline/' as pelformed by The Ritz-and being completely satisfied in my soul that neither song would ever be done that well again. i\1y first international convention was 1965, so I didn't get to see them medal, but thinking back to The Nighthawks and "Brother, Can You Spare A Dime," I was reminded that rny kids actually wore out the 78 rpm recording of The Night~ hawks. Then I thought about the breathless moments when a great chorus performed 111e right out of my seat and into that special place where time stands still and no breathing or heartbeat is required. I hope something always reminds you of the breathless moments you have en~ joyed in this magnificent hobby of ours. Ask one of your fellow Barbershoppers to tell you about his best barbershop moment, then watch his eyes light up. Chances are, it will involve a quartet-probably his own. When we swap stories or breathless moments and share the folklore of our bar~ bershop lives, a good thing would be to remember who it was that got you in~ valved. \'\Iho helped you join up? Who has helped enrich your life's experience? An even better thing to do might be to make a promise to yourself that yOll will enrich the life of someone else this year by helping them become one of LIS. Part of YOllr own folklore, if you will. \X1onder what it would take for you and me and all 32,000 of liS to help just one fellow become a member this year. A quick and easy way to double our member~ ship, don't yOll think? Given the good music, the great friends, and all of the breathless moments, it's a wonder we don't have over 100,000 members. It's a curiosity, isn't it?
Let's Harmonize,
4 The HAR.MONIZER • Jllfl'fAlIgusr 2001 ,------_===.==!!===~I~~I------,LETTERS [email protected] Remember Lou Peny/stamp out crudeness The passing of alegend Triple kudos for May/June issue would like to thank Val Hicks for his great article The tvlay/Junc issue's cover was outstanding! ll all LOti Perry in the lv1ay/June Harmonizer. I don't "Let's make beautiful music togcthcr is the single know of anyone else who could have known so greatest piece of writing The Harmonizer has ever many interesting things about Lou and written contained! Yes, I mean ever! (I've read every Har~ about them so well. monizer published since 1952.) Roger Payne is way I was in that Harmony College class in which Val Hunder parl1 with this incredible piece of work. filled in for Dave Stevens and we all came to know The insert on Harmony Fmmdation was exquisite. Lou. Whenevcr I sing "That Old Quartet of lvHne!! It has inspired me to amend my will. in a quartct or chorus, I ncvcr fail to rcmembc~r~'""",:::::::;;;;;i1ft fux;ELUS Salt Lake City in 1980 when London, Ontario the Boston Common brought the quartet finals to a halt and tcn thousand pcople stood up !lAII winners"? It's called and cheered! DiCK ELLENIlERGER acontest for areason jupiter, Fla. Regarding !lOet the most out of com~ petitions" (March/April), how can a Contest & Judging chairman say, Haven from crudeness "Don't worry about winning, nl1es, Count me in as one of the many in who is on the judging panel, who thanking the Society "for being a will make rhe top 10 and all the guardian of our values." In my chap~ other concerns that mean little in tel', even the cl1lsty war veterans the long run"? It's absurd! epitomize our Gxle of ethics to "clelXJrt There may be a measure of fun, the audience may ourselves ... in such manner as to reflect credit upon have an enjoyable experience and something may the Society" and also "accept for membership only be learned, but that is not the main thrust of a ll congenial men of good character. competition! We go to show what we have learned I also share Darryl Flinn's concern about non~ and try to outdo those with whom we contend. barbershop style elernents pervading the contests. Niany who lose come away devastated, and that ex~ Some chorus petformances look like a Las Vegas perience is not very rewarding. How can a loser feel revue to me. Yes, that's entertainment, but I don't like a winner does? call it barbershop. ReV. HFNRY PALMIERI CAIC\IANGENTlLE Mechanicsville, N.Y. Eureka, Calif.
I laud Darryl Flinn for bringing up Ill1(m~barbershop Who's this IIFERD,r quartet? music in a barbershop contest>1. Regardless of the Since I have been in printing for my adult life, proof~ intcllectual epistles regarding the "evolutionll of the reading, especially in years gone by, was a must. stylc, when songs are being presented that do not Couldn'r help noticing the boo-boo on page 17 of give the sound of barbershop harmony, then we are cl,e May/june Harmonizer in the "FERD" ad. As they fast approaching the erasing of the style which, I say in barbershopping, lIlt's okay to make a mistake." recall, we are dedicated to preserve. 130ll LERNER THO\·IAS E. EWAlD \Vest Hartford. Conn. Davidsonville. ~v[d. A'fall)' caught FRED's I/miswke'J-a reFerence to their Great cover! inability to get letter cards in the right ordel: \\'Ie Jlist got my Harmonizer, and thought I would fall predict their next ad headline will be "DERF". - Ed over laughing. Congrats on (in my humble opinion) FRED considers their mixed the best !-[armonizcr cover cvcr. up card routine a trademark MARK HaIDIN-J and others feel the same. Ft. Worth, Texas
JII~)'IAlIgIiSI 2UOI • The JlARMONIZER 5 Timely news Society quartets fare well in non society competions &honors Keep (a fifth aD the Freestyle continued the Society's strong showing among contemporary a whole world singing cappella audiences, finishing rhird in a very competitive dd China to the list of nations discovering barber evening that included re shop music. At the request of the provincial gover~ gional winners that mostly nor of Hebei Province in China (near Beijing), a specialize in pop and jazz styles. The May 5 show in mixed quartet recently spent several days teaching San Francisco metro area included many male and A barbershop to a championship~level mixed chorus female barbershoppers in the audience, including composed of musical educators and directors. In what appeared to be most of Bay Area Metro cho April 200 I, a rus. teaching quartet of The Sweet Adelines quartet So Rare also ap Kim Orloff ® and pearect making this the second time in finals his~ Jerry Orloff @, tory that two of the eight contestants were Barber~ Brian Beck CD, shoppers, and the three years out of the last folll' Holly Beck 0), that barbershop has won or placed (Metropolis 1st (left to right) spent place 1998; City Lights 3rd place in 1998; The Per a few days in in~ fect Gentlemen, 2nd place in 2000, and Freestyle). tense training and pelformance, and found quick Winners were a male/female jazz sextet of mostly converts to the barbershop sound wherever they professional session singers from Los Angeles, Sixth went. Wave. Freestyle sang an original arrangement called With a petforming repertoire of 15 songs, includ lIFreestyle At The Sweepstakes," plus songs from ing barbershop versions of two~well known Chinese their usual chapter show package: UWe Three,'l llPa~ folk songs, the quartet also taught the Chinese cho per DolP' and u1vlistakes." rus three songs in barbershop style. (That took some fast improvising on Brian's part, when he dis~ The Contempomry A covered that all the music had to be trnnslated into Cappella Society all a Chinese notation style.) nounced its winners The Chinese chorus pledged to include barber in this year's CARA shop~style songs in their future repertoire, and to competition (Con teach the barbershop style to other singing groups tempomry A Cappella Recording Awards). Not only in the province. TIley also expressed a desire, once did Society groups win all the barbershop catego they become more experienced, to IIjoin the inter~ ries, but The Gas House Gang's recent Christmas national album took high honors ill a eategOt)' that is nor organiza~ mally dominated by big-name, professional singing tion:' groups. (Not that you can tell by listening, but did The Chi you know that the most successful vocal~rock group nese cho~ of all, Rockapella, started out as a barbershop quar rus plans tet at Brown Universit~l!) to form • BEST CHRISTMAS &lNG: The Gas House Gang, men's "Go Tell It On The Mountain" (Runner up: quartets, and best one will visit an upcoming Rockapella, "Silver Bells") SPEBSQSA international convention. • BEST CHRISTMAS ALBUM: Rockapella: Christmas Others fell in love with barbershop as well. The (TIe for mnner up: The Gas House Gang: Some quartet's interpreter, Li Yihu ("call me IStevelllL Children Sec Him; GLAD: \.vices ofChrist turned out to be em excellent singer, and not only mas.) interpreted during the sessions but sang bass. He's Barbershop harmony winners were: now putting together a barbershop quartet of his • BEST BARBERSHOP ALBUM: PLATINUM, Be Our own. When the Orloffs and Becks visit Guest (Runner up: Michigan Jake, For The Shijimhuemg in October and November with a ReeOld) mixed chorus of American barbershoppers, lISteve" • BEST BARBERSHOP &lNO: Michigan Jake, "I'm has made arrnngments to pelfonn with them. Beginning To See The Light" (Runner up: 12th Street Rag, "12th Street Rag")
6 The HARMONIZER • JII(rlA./fg/iSI 2001 Meet your new museum curator PBS special to feature barbershop Gina Radandt often jogged past Har Film crews (rom the Teaching Learning Network mony Hall and wondered what went have been shooting a story about barbershop lH1r~ on inside the beautiful mansion. Now, mony to air on the PBS series llBridge to One as curator of the Society's museum, World." The story will feature both SPEBSQSA she's deep into parts of the archives and Sweet Adelines International. The Society seg~ ancl collection unfamiliar to many. ment was funded through a grant from Harmony In just the first few weeks, she's already worked Foundation. with the crew of The Learning Network as they The progmm will focus on the origins of barber filmed. a segment for the documentary, lIBridge to shop hannony and its place in music today as pmc~ One World," expected to air this fall. She's created ticed by members of the two organizations. The an exhibit celebrating the 50lh annivers
JI/~I'!Al/g/fSI 2001 • The HAR~-IONIZER 7 }'"V---l------PLATINUM wows'em in Paris Represents Society and America in world music festival - From Gary Lewis. renor mcnts of our weekend was watching two This past March, PLATINUM was young children in the front row of Otlf Sat' honored to appear in Paris, France. urday night performance. 1l,ey really en \Vlc were part of a world music festival joyed the comedic aspects of our show pack~ sponsored by the Maison de Cultures agc, and whcn we sang our closer, IIBye Bye du Monele, a nationally funded orga Blucs/' the children waved bye~bye through nization specializing in world cultures. the whole song. It is amazing how a simple To our knowledge, it was the first time American phrase like "bye~bye" can tran~ barbershop quartet music had been scend national boundaries .md cultural dis~ performed in Paris. We were amazed tinctians. at the Parisian's interest in our genre. PLATINUM has enjoyed a terrific cham The language barrier seemed to disap pionship year. We've been all the way from pear as we pctfonned for the apprecia~ Seattlc to Paris, and everywhere in between. rive audience. From the enel of Feblllmy to the middte of One of the most mernorable mo, April, we completed a stretch of eight week ends in a row, including our visit to Paris. Oh, and another thing ... \Y./c've met some wonderful people, and cre~ At the close of the year ated Ill.any special memories to last a lifetime. Over the past two years, PLATINUM 2000, Tony, Kevin, and I re has averaged 28 show weekends per year. ceived a heavy-hearted phone Although it has been difficult to be away call from Joe. After sharing a from home, we are thankful to have been conference call, it was decided that PLATINUM would not book given the 0Plxlltunity to share our love far this wonderful art form. Awesome Joe any shows beyond the July three~time 2002 International in Portland. Connelly, the only intenlational quartet champion, has been fulfilling a per There are no philosophical dif ferences and no personal con formance schedule similar to that of PLATINUM's for the past 20 years. I am flicts. Joe expressed an interest deeply honnred to have been able to share in leaving the quartet to devote more time to his family and the past few years singing with Joe. He is, in home life. With obvious under my opinion, the best lead there ever was, or ever will be. standing from us, he offered to help Tony, Kevin, and I find a THE MEMBERS suitable replacement. But how OF PLATINUM can one replace Joe Connelly? only had time PLATINUM without Joe for limited Connelly just would not be sightseeing duro PLATINUM. The wise decision ing their short was to preserve the integrity of stay in Paris the original foursome. and the audi We are looking forward to ences at Maison one more year of creating des Culture du memorable experiences for our Monde certainly selves, our audiences, and our didn't get their fans. If YOU'd like to see PLATI fill before the NUM before our retirement, quarlellefl please visit our web site at them. Soon, we www.ptplatillum.com. Our com get to under· plete show schedule is listed stand how the along with contact/ticket infor French fell ... mation.
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Does it fenCer how you your feelings about the music me in place and in synch, your audience won't be IIThis is about the love ofones mother. JJ All would satisfied. Therefore, as a peL{ormer, you must be super answers-but not if they all (lpply to the seamlessly blend these two elements into a powel{ul same song! Use the song's single then1e (IS a filter presentation. for eveq/thing you do to interpret it. This article primarily addrcsscs the auditory as, pect of interpretatiol1j many timcs, however, this 6. Begin your interpretation at the end of the song "inteqJfetive plan" will create the stage presence Answer this question: IIAt the end of the song, I needed to create a completc, satisfying penonnance. want the audience to feci ." Notice that the question was not, "How will I feel?" The iIlu, 2. Play close attention to song selection sion about how your ensemble feels is important, The music you choose to sing will ultimately deter, the audience's feeling at the end of the song is the mine your personality with the audicnce. Choose focus. Seek the strongcst cmotion IXlssible. 'Nice" songs that emphasize the strengths of your skill or "Okay" or "Feeling sorry for mc" are not good an, Icvel and talents. ll1ere is no reward for effort in a swers. "Tremendous lovc for thcir mothers," Ita deep train wreck. Choose wisely. yearning to go home/' "to stand up and cheer," un quiet, tender love," or lIa decp sadness," "to march 3. Is the song really "you?" off to war for their countr(-all would be great an, What do you wish to do with the song! That's a swers. good question, but a better question is, "What cia Now that you know what the cnd should look you want the song to do for the aucliencd" The likc, you can begin inteq)reting the rest of the song song is a vehicle for you to convey some thoughts, with puqx)se, design, ~md the intention to "serve ideas, emotions or sharcd mornents. It might simply the music." serve as an escape from daily cares for your audience. Have you tailored the song to your strengths and You'll be a stronger performer if you plan care, your message, or have yOll simply tried to perform it fully and are aware of the needs of the audience. the way another quartet or chorus does it~ (Attempt \X!hen you focus on yourself, focus on being the the latter at your own peril!) Docs this song fit your messenger and giver of the music. 10 The HAR~\'IONIZER • JIf~I'IAlIgI/S' 200/ 4men, 5cities, 1moment of histoty No virtual tags just yet, but these guys showed the tech world what's possible magine using the Internet to sing with anybody in the world. anytime. Imagine virtual U tag party rooms/' where you could meet old friends and and sing with them right then, regardless of location, That future drew a little closer last November, when (OUf Barbershoppers participated in a demonstration of new technologies for Intemet 2, the IIncxt genera, tion Intclllctlt currently under development by a con senium of research institutions Clnd the federal gov ernment. Thank Bob Dixon, an Ohio State researcher who initiared and engineered the projecr. He approached Barbershopper Greg Economides, a Inember of the Bryan/College Station Chapter who works in Educa tional Broadcast Services at Texas A&M. Greg pre pared The Continentals for a live pe,fonnance-from (our different cities and delivered to e1l1 audience in a fifth city. And it all happened in real~time, live, over Meet The Continentals the Internet. Tenor: Brent Gerber, at North Dakota State University It was all part of Dixon's powclful demonstration Lead: Jo Knox, at the University of Alaska Fairbanks at an Internet 2 conference in Atlanta last Novem; Bari: Kent Bradshaw, at Syracuse University ber. The challenge: to provicle high-speed, real-time Bass: Greg Economides, at Texas A&M University interactivity across huge distances. The perfect clem; onstration: the close synchronization of harmony and The demonstration began. with each singer singing meter thar is the heart of a barbershop quartet perfor; a note, as his live video image was displayed sepa; ..Bri.nLynch mance. rately on the overhead screen, reponed Bob. UThen E·business With "Beer Bane! Polka," "In The Good Old Sum we put it all together in a quad screen, and yotl sang slralegist lor mertime" ~ Serious scientists ~~. ~ .' '- .' were so fired up that ~ ~IJ "'"',...._ ~ they were on their SINGING THOUSANDS OF MILES away from the other three parts, quartet "musical director" feet, loudly singing (and bass) Greg Ecomides helped use barber shop to give a glimpse into the power and the "12" song. speed of the next·generation Internet. J/I(I,jA/lgI/SI100J • The HARMONIZER 11 A Cappella? CALL the experts! 1.800.827.2936 ~~~~ A CAPPELLA • LARGEST selection of a cappella music In the world! ~~~~ • COs, Sheet Music, Videos and more... • Home of BOCA. BOHSA and ICCA! CALL for your Visit us at our website! • MORE than 15,000 sound flies online! FREE Catalog! www.vocalmajority.com ...... TJIIIIl 1000 CDs: $1490 tlotao oes® IIII Full color 4 panel cover witll black ami wl1ite liner notes Full color tra)'card 3 colors on tile disc Assemhly & Po!YWr.lr. 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Call loti free 1-871-831-388& or email [email protected] "'" Performrmre is 01" promise. 1·800-23%29\ or rmail illrO@solllhraslernprrf,fOIil 12 The HAlUvlQNIZER • July/AuglfSl 2001 , . This 1910 score had long been the earliest known musical use of the term I Ilbarber shop". (Note black minstrel performer Bert Williams on the cover.) Now the oldest reference dates , to 1900-a black music PROMINENTLY FEATURED BY critic's lamentations about black barbershoppers. --~ I ,•J ® f you're a l3arbershopper, the odds are good that a certain Norman Rockwell print is hanging on some Historical evidence wall in your hOllse. You know the one I mean. First The African~American origins theory is not new. appearing on a 1936 Saturday E,'ening Post cover, Several of our early Society members and recent his~ the scene depicts fouf men, one with lather on his torians have made the asscrtion, or at least suggested facc, warbling a sentimental ballad: the quintessen, an African~American influcnce upon barbershop har~ tial barbershop quartet. many. But it was a non~Barbershopper, Lynn Abbott, Barbershop quartets often arc characterized as four who in the Fall 1992 issue of American l"lusic pub dandies, perhaps bedecked with straw hats, striped lished, "'Play That Barhcr Shop Chord': A Case for vests and handlebar mustaches. These caricatures of the African-American Origin of Barbershop Har the barbershop tradition are not only a quaint sym~ mony," presented the most thoroughly documented bol of small~town Americana, but have some histori~ cxploration into the roots of barbershop to appear up cal foundation. Barbershop music was indeed borne to that time. l In that writing, Abbott draws from out of informal gatherings of amateur singers in such rare turn~of~the~twenticth~century articles, passages unpretentious settings as the local barber shop. from books long out of print, and reminiscences of But modern scholarship is demonstrating with early quartet singing by African~American musicians, greater and greater authority that while the stereo~ including Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong, to type seems to have successfully retained the trappings argue that barbershop music is indeed a product of of the early barbershop harmony tradition, it breaks the African~American musical tradition. down on one key JX>int. If you visualized the charac~ Among Abbott's recreational quartets, \V.C. Jim Henry tcrs dcscribed above as you were reading, yOll prob~ Handy, for example, offcrs a memory that is quite Music Ph.D. and ably pictured them-like Rockwell did over sixty years telling of the racial origins of barbershop music. Be bass olThe Gas ago-as white men. And therein lies barbershop forc he becmne fmnous as a composer and band leader, House Gang music's greatest enigma: it is associated with and prac~ Handy sang tenor in a pickup quartet who, he recalls, (1993 quarlet ticed tcxlay mostly by whites, yet it is primarily a prod~ "often serenaded their sweethearts with love songs; champ)jim@ uct of the African~American culture. the young white bloods overheard, and took to hir~ ~rxm ing them to serenade the white girls."The 1vlills Broth ers learned to harmonize in their father's barber shop }1I(1·/AlIgIISI200/ • The HARr-.·IONIZER 13 The African-American origin theory, in a nutshell From the evidence gathered by Lynn Abbot and other historians and other supporting evidence, we might glean the following plau sible, albeit overly simplistic, scenario of the black origins of barber shop music. 1. Starting in the 1880s and 1890s, blacks harmonized As early as 1900, an AfriGII1,American recreationally the popular songs of the day as well as spirituals and commentator with the self,imposec! folk songs, improvising harmonies according to long-standing Afri moniker "Tom the Tattler" accuses bar' can-American musical practice. bershop quarret singers of Ustunting the 2. From these sessions arose certain idiosyncratic musical quali growth of 'legitimate,' Illusically liter' ties that are the hallmarks of what we now consider the barbershop atc black qmll'tets in vaudeville."-I The style. 1910 song "Play That Barber Shop 3. The idiosyncrasies of the sound made it ripe for imitation by Chord," which before Abbntt's discov white minstrel performers, who used biackface, Negro dialect and ery oftheTattler's commentary was con, musical inspirations to parody the black culture. It should be noted sidcrcd the earliest reference to the term that black minstrel shows also included the unique musical style. "barbcrshop/' also associates the genre 4. The sound became so popular that white professional quar with African,American society. S tets, often consisting of minstrel performers, brought the sound into The song tells ofa black piano plal'er, the burgeoning recording studio scene. Black quartets, on the other 11MI'. Jefferson Lord/' who was given the hand, were rarely recorded, and when they were, their recordings plea by "a kinky-haired lady they called were not given the mass distribution enjoyed by white artists. These Chocolate Saclie." The fact that the bm white close-harmony recordings included the old minstrel songs, bershop chord in this case is not articll' but also newly written songs that did not necessarily refer to stereo lated by a quartet, but rather by a single types of African-American culture. pianist shows that by 1910 the flavor of 5. A hybrid form of the music arose, resulting from two main barbershop harmony had already taken factors: (1) whites were singing it and infused it with some of their on a life of its own beyond the bound own traditions and (2) the limitations of the recording process at aries of its usual host. that time forced quartets to shed inherent vocal traits and affecta It is unknown exactly when or why tions that would not reproduce weli on the early recorcling equip barbershop music became associated ment, or, perhaps, would not have been acceptable to the public. As with whites. Abbott cites African a result, certain so-called "low-brow" elements of the black version American author James Weldon of barbershop music were lost. Johnson who, in the introduction to 6. Due to the popularity of these recordings, people-especially his Book of American Negro Spiril'll those in the white communities-came to associate the peculiar als, published in 1925, offers a hint at close-harmony sound with the white quartets that recorded them, how the association might have shifted: thus sealing the stereotype. It may sound like an extnwagclllt claim, bllt it is, ncvertheless a fact that the I'barber-shop chord" is the in Piqua, Ohio, and several well known which we still sing today as the theme foundation of the close harmolly black gospel quartets were founded in song of SPEBSQSA. The first re method adopted by AmeriGUl mu, neighborhood barber shops, among frain ofO'Hara's version proceeds on sicians in making aI'l'Cll1gements {or them the New Orleans Humming Four, to "lvlassa's in de Cold, Cold ,nale \Ioices. ... flBarbe,.,shop ham10, the Southern Stars and the Golden Ground," complete with its rderence nics" gave a tremcndous \Ioguc ro Gate Jubilee Quartette. to uthe cornfield" and vocal imita, male quartet singing, first on the tions of farm animals and a banjo, minstrel stage, thcll in FcwdcFille; Early musicians associated barber· all conventions of early black vocal and SOOl1 white young men, where shop music with blacks ... music. four ormoregadlCI'cd togetheJ; tried Among Abbott's findings are specific • The earliest white quartet recordings dlCllJSell'es at 1'llaJ'JJJOnizing.·" carly musical referecncs thatsuggest that are rife with minstrel show conven, There is additional Sllppnrt fot the barbershop was once acknowledged as tions which included negro dialect eAluence ofbarber,hop music from black African,American music. Here's just a and other parodies of the African neighborhoods into the white main' sampling of the findings: American culture, suggesting an Af, stream, as suggested by Johnson, in its • The illustration on the cover of lrv~ riGlt1,American association with the parallel with nther forms of African ing Berlin's 1912 composition, music. American music. Ragtime, for example, "When Johnson's Quartet Hanno was wrought by African,Amcl'ican nUl' nize," features an A(rican~An1erican ... and the earliest known reference sicians, whose syncopated rhythms and quartet.2 to barbershop music is associated quirky harmonics (which, by the way, • Geoffrey O'Hara's attempt to accu~ with black quartets arc the same as those found in oorber rately transcribe what he had heard Finally, the earliest known references shop music) became the backbone of sling by early A(rican,American bar... to the term Ilbarbersho[\" as it refers to the white-dominated Tin Pan Alley. bershop quartet singers resulted in a particular chord or bmnd of h the publication of"The Old Songs,"} link it with AfriGlIl,Amcrican society. rock'(Ind,roll and cOllntry,and,western l 14 The HAR.l\lONIZER • Ju(r/Aug/lst 100/ While mal/Y bar bers/lOp chord structures I"llll though clearly rooted in the African terns where each musical coul/ter to West with accclerandos, American musical tradition, are now phrase is sung first by the ritards, and different commonly associated with whites. lead and repeated by the em classical tempi. "9 This metric mher three parts. sense is so ingrained in The very first song to cOl/vel/tiol/s, the music of the Afri Musical support for the be sung at that fateful they're a I/atural can Diaspora that it is 1938 meeting in Tulsa stressed u even in the "African-American origin" that christened the part ofAji-ical1 absencc o(actlla! instru~ SPEBSQSA was "Down Americall I1ll1si- ments. ulO theory ~vtobile/' whose cnding The African-Ameri Lynn Abbott's schol",.hip regarding bar at least as transcribed by cal traditiol/s. can a cappella qurtltets bershop music's roars is unparalleled Sigmund Spaeth in his devised a method and his arguments are utterly conville; 1940 book Barbc"hop Ballads andHall' whereby the feeling of percussion and ing. He lirnits his scope, however, to to Sing Thems-is a classic example of rneter is created through vocal means. historical data and primary-source fCC' call-and-response. The following year, The technique employs a class of de ollecrions, and chooses not to delve into in 1939, the Bartlesville Barflies would vices-ealled Urhythmic propellants" by the inherent musical qualities that clem' win our first Uinternational" compcti~ recent barbershop theOl"ists-which are onstmte the ways in which barbershop tion with a medley that included a call designed to maintain the metric pulse music reflects the African,Amcrican and,reSlX)llSe rendition ofUBy the Light through held mclexlic notes and rests. musical tradition. In my recent doctoral of the Silvery tvloon." Like call-and-response pattenlS (which dissertation, "The Origins ofl3arbe"hop themselves can be considered types of Harmony," 1 address this important Rhythmic character rhythmic propellants) the rhythmic pro link.' Using more than 250 transcrip Upon listening to nearly any form of pellant is fundamental to the barber tions and recorded examples of carly A(rican,American music, sacred orsecu, shopstyle, and most Barbershoppers will African;Amcl'ican and white quartets, 1m, one is immediately drawn to its un, recognize the prevalence of these dc, I illustrate how the most fundamental relenting regularity of the pulse. Above vices in the songs they have sung or clements ofbarbershop music lire linked this basic pulse might be (ound any va, listened to. to esrablished tradirions of black music riety of uneven rhythmic patterns. Perhaps the most common rhythmic in general and AfriccH);American mu' Tilford Brooks explains that the cle propellant in barbershop music is the sic in particular. The scope of this aI" ment of rhytl1ll1 in most black forms of uecho." The echo is closely related to tide allows me only to summarize my music c~m be contrasted with that of call,ancl,response pattern and usually findings, focusing on the following music in the European concert tradi, occurs at the end of a musical phrase musical chamcteristics: (I) cali-and-re tion in that "the former makes use of while the melody is holding a note. To sponse patterns, (2) rhythmic charac uneven rhythm with a regular tempo keep the pulse going under the held ter and (3) harmony. while the latter cmploys even rhythm note, one or more of the harmony parts Call·and·response The call and response pattern is onc of Why do so few African-Americans sing barbershop today? the most fundamcntal chmacteristics of The answer 10 this question may lie in the early history of black music. Though it has many varia, SPEBSQSA. Barbershop music, both in black and tions, cal1~and,rcsponse can most sim~ white society, had almost completely died out by ply be defined as a tl'pe of responsorial the late 1930s. Its demise would almost certainly song pmcticc in which a lemter sings a have been conlinued if not for the formation of musical phrase which is either repeated SPEBSQSA, which preserved the style and helped 10 or extended by a chorus of mher voiccs. spawn and suslain barbershop clubs ,~ It is heard in spiriwals, gospel, the blucs, first across Ihe country and eventu- Cab Calloway's UHi~De,Ho" songs and ally world-wide. Because SPEBSQSA- rap, to namc a few genres. citing the pre-civil rights norms of fra- , The barbershop musical lexicon ternal organizations such as the ' abounds with examples of African, Shriners and the Elks-disallowed Afri Alnerican,based call~and~response can-American membership until 1963, only techniquc. Indeed,some ofthe most rcc, whiles were benefactors of this resurgence. ognized barbershop tunes such as Barbershop music in African-American circles con UYou're Thc Flower Oftvty Heart, Sweet tinued ils decline to virtual extinclion. Whal African Adelinc," 118i11 Grogan's Goat/' and American barbershop groups remained eventually lI13right Was The Night" arc made up sllifted their interest to various forms of vocal jazz almost cntirely ofcall,and,rcsp011se pat~ and gospel. JII~r/AlIglI.\·1 2001 • The I-IARI\,IONIZER 15 Evell the first refi'aill ill the publicatioll, "The will repeat the last word Old Songs,"pro sidenuions. "dominant" sound. The major~minor or words of that phrase. seventh chord in this insrnnce, how~ 011 One need only look at ceeds to The barbershop ever, is clearly not conceived as a domi~ the phrase endings in the "Massa's III De seventh nant seventh chord Qecause it does not song, "Keep the Whole The single most progress in the falling fifth manner dis World Singing," to find Cold, Cold telling hallmark of cussed above. Rather, it In aves as it clear examples of echo the barbershop style would if it were a simple version of IV. technique. Other rhyth Groulld," complete is that curiolls so~ mic propellants clearly of with references to nority we call the Three distinctly African·American black origin and com "barbershop sev~ traditions merge to seal the deal monly found in barber~ convelltiolls of enth" chord. The So how did alxwe anolnaly come about? shop music include ill~ early black vocal barbershop seventh It is the result of thtee African-Ameri stances where one or chord is described as can musical traditions all coming to~ more parts sing strict music. a Ilmajor~lninor sev~ gether: (I) an approach to music that is downbeats under synco; cnth" chord be~ primarily horizontal rather than \'erti~ pared rhythtTISi counter;melody or ttpat# cause it results from taking a simple, cal, (2) a particulat penchant for im ter" (take, for example, the lead patter three~note major chord and adding to provisation and (3) the blues scale. Let's that accompanies "Down Our \'\Ia)'l>I)j it a minor seventh alxlVc the root, i.e., use the chorus of lIShine On ~vle" (in "fills" (basses are especially popular the lowest note of the chord}." If we the key of C fot the sake of simplicity) choices to fill this rolei every time were to build seventh chords on eve!)' to illustrate how it works: you've heard "bUill bum bUill," limy note of the major scale, the only one I. The implied chord on the word honey," or uoh, lord)''' you've cxperi; tbat would yield this sound would be l'shinell in the second phrase (after the lU cnccd fills); "swipes" (where the chord the fifth note of the scale, sometimes lead sings "in the mornin ) is a IV (sllb~ changes or moves to a different voicing called the dominant. For this reason, dominant) chord. It would classically under a held me!,xly note-recall, for many musicians call this chord a lIdomi~ be written as a simple major chord (F~ instance, the phrnse endings in liMy nant seventh," and give it the Roman A~C) without a scventh, and proceed Wild Irish Rose"); and the ever-popular numeral shorthand V7. to the V (or V7) chord (G-I3-D-[FJ). In Cltiddlicsll (baritones arc particularly In \'Vestern classical music, this the case of this song we do find the IV adept at performing these little flour dominant seventh chord m1ticipates a chord moving to the V chord two words ishes to color a held chord, and become harmonic return back to the tonic chord Imer on the word lime." quite agitated when yOli try to rush them (called Roman numeral I because it is 2. If a quartet were singing this with through it). built on the fim note of the scale, the a somewhat classical flavor, the tenor key note). We call this motion a "fail and bass probably would sing in octaves Harmony & the tell·tale blue note ing fifth" because the progression from on the root of the chord (which, you'll Perhaps the most chflracteristic clement the dOlninant to the tonic is down a recall, is built on the fourth scale de of black music, the one that pervades perfect fifth. So in the key of C, the gree, F). A singer in the A(rican~Allleri~ everyone of its incmTlations, is the so' major~minorseventh chord built on the called "blue note." Relative to the West fifth note of the scale (G) will tend to .- ern major scale, two blue notes are com~ lead back to C. (Go backward down the 1jA~\IO~YI manly identified: the lowered third and musical alphabet counting each letter: COllEGE the lowered seventh notes ofthe scale. 11 G-F-E-D-C-five total letters.) The 'i~\C!O~S The blue note is a testmnent to a culture's major~minorseventh chord as heard in ~CO [GE ability to retain musical traits over greflt classical music is almost f11ways used to spans of time and distance. It is an suggest this dominant ftlnction. anomaly by Westen, stallClards. No form In African~Americfln music, how~ of Euro,centric music gave risc to it. It ever, we may hear the major~minor is this blue note and the scale that de sound built on, and functioning as , any rives from it thm offers the strongest number ofchords other (han the domi~ argument in favor of the "African~ nanl. A major~lninor seventh chord American origin" theory of barbershop built on the subdominm1t (Le., the music. fourth note ofthescale, Roman numeral In order to support this claim, a little IV), for example, is a common occur~ technical background is required. I rence. The natural seventh of this par~ apologize in advance to the academic ticular major chord is a major sevcnth. Want to learn more? Want to hear musicians who will 110 doubt cringe at Yet in A(rican~Amcrican music one will some early quartets? Attend Dr. the generalizations I am about to make often hear it sounded with a minor sev~ Jim's class at Harmony College. for the sake ofsimplicity and space con~ enth, thus giving it a l1lajnr~l1linor or Register at spebsqsa.org/hcdc. 16 The HARi\,IONIZER • JI/~dAlIgl/s' 1001 can quartet tradition, however, would H JII(I'/AlIgust 200/ • The HARMONIZER 17 "Easy as 1-2-3" follow-up Chapter growth: It's not about you ow did your chapter do during last fall's "Easy as 1-2 3" recruitment campaign? If your chapter was like many others, yOli simply held a special "guest night" and now your chapter is bigger and stronger than ever, right! Didn't think so. If the point of t-2-3 didn't sink in the first time, here it is again: Do something. Do anything. If you can't come up with something thar really attracts new members, we have a whole raft of proven recruiting ideas that have worked for other chapters. Society and district membership experts were and are still ready to help yOli implement your plan. I'm not one of Kenosha's recmiting experts, but I know the guys who are-ancll know some really sharp district experts, too--and you ought to be kicking yourself if your chapter passed on their expertise and SEE THE WHITE SHIRTS? They're guests sing· settled for the "zero growth" status quo. Yes, Ilguest ing on Langley, H.C.'s Christmas show. Over a night'l is technically a recruitment methcxl, assuming dozen of them have since joined the chapter. you\le bothered to learn how to do that right. If not, perhaps your guests often feel something like this: If your recruiting efforts have been largely unfruit~ ful, lees look at your motives: You're inviting guys Guest: Wow, that's great music you guys were singing ... because you want to build your chapter, you want Host: Well, while we're taking abreak, let me introduce you to people to be as excited about the hobby as you are, so the guys. Over here is you want to show guests what you do every week ." Member 1: -Ah, fresh meat! Aha! Therels one problem: yotl You YOUl You\e Guest: Hi, my name is- building a recruiting program around your needs, Member 1: You sound like a tenor! We need more lenors to whereas successful programs are designed around his boost our Singing scores at District ... needs. Let's kX1k at three recent successes. Guest: Your what? ... Anyway, my name is- Member2: Did Ihear'tenor? Ooh, do you lhinkyou can learn "Smile" by next week? Give guests achance to love the Guest: -Bob. And sorry, but next week is my wedding anni versary, so- music and the hobby Member 1: And tonight's my 40" anniversary, and look where By simply following a plan outlined in Society re Iam!You're not one of those hen-pecked types, are you? sourcesl the Langley, British Columbia Chapter roped Guest: No, I'm quite- in more than a dozen new members, with the prom~ Member 2: Good! I'll get your learning tapes and sheet music. isc to gain many more in the future. Member 1: And I'm the costume guy. Got your checkbook? The planning began in the summer. As recom~ Guest: Look, Iwas just hoping to sing abit and maybe learn a mended, the chapter developed a brochure, few- organizecllcarning tapes, ordered music and set a goal Host: Hold that thought! Time to get back on the risers! of having 100 men in their Christmas Chol1ls. The campaign offered a no,costl no long,term commit~ LorinMav OkaYl so maybe this exaggerates what goes on, but ment and a chance for men in the community to Edilor 01 The that's pretty close to how some guests feci: wanted perform in a concert after five weeks of rehearsing. Harmonizer but overwhelmed. Joining a chapter is like getting on The participants lI'ere told that the proceeds of the LMay@ a moving trainl ancl theres a steep leaming curve and concert would go to help undellJrivileged families and spebsqsa.org a lot of unfamiliar practices and concepts. No, you children in the community. This charitable aspect don't want to leave anyone in the dark about what's made it easy for chapter members to approach poten~ involved, but consider this: Guests first need to want tial singers, and the word quickly spread-singers came to jump on your moving train. Remember, many of from other choral groups just to help out. the things that motivate us as members can actually Before this event, the chorus averaged 45 men tum off the uninitiated. at a chapter rehearsal. The first night of the Christ~ 18 The HARMONIZER. JUfl'/AligUSf 2001 Many ofthe things that mas practice saw 107 men in the re, announcements ofthe com, motivate us 36 new members and still hearsal hall! This cominued for the five petition. counting. weeks, with some dropping out but oth~ The first round of com~ as members Imagine running a ers coming in their place. Naturally, petition was held on ~v(mch can actually newspaper ad asking who once they heard the wonderful hanno 24, with hundreds ofenthu would like umcmbcrship in nies, several decided to stay on. Other siastic spectators. The turn offthe the Barbershop Harmony men said now that they knew alxmt Bar, sounds of chords ringing Society.II No onc would bershop, they would return at a future drew more people. and soon uninitiated know what yOLl were talk date. Elevcn of those men joined the the whole concourse was' ing about. But advertise chaprer by March, while seveml orhers filled with cheering fans. The mall pub U(ree barbershop singing lessons." and seriollsly cOllsidered joining. licity manager and a writer from the 10' there's an ad people will understand. Thar isn't all. The concert also cal newspaper served as judges. A local A few years ago, Buffalo's member~ involved a local high school choml TV station provided spot coverage. ship had dwindled from 100 to a "strug group, a children's choir, as well as other The finals were held on March 31, gling" handful. Duane Crawford, Sal local talent such as a Celtic group and with Final Edition from the West Sub Sciandra and Will Ceier decided to try an award,winning ukulele ensemble. urban Chapter vs. Catfish Bend, a col a new approach they hoped would save TIle young men in the high school music lege quartet from Bowling Green State the chapter. program were so enthusiastic about the University. The West Suburban chap Here's how it works: Potential mem, barbershop sound that three 16-year ter performed while the judges decided bers attend one evening class per week, olds immediately joined the chapter, and the winner: Catfish Bend. held in conjunction with regular weekly two oftheir friends joined shortly there Afterward, a number of quartets chorus rehearsal so they can mingle and after. The chaptcr can't wait to assemble found a corner to sing to their new fans. sing tags with chapter members during another Christmas choir this year. Parents could be seen holding young breaks and after class. A diploma is pre The Christmas Chorus is also a great children by the hands, their children's sented to the swdent, and he gets to example of Tip #3. eyes wide and mOLlths hung open, lis sing in a quartet with the members. He - Courtesy of Danny Tryon at tening to a quartet perform. At both is invited to join 01' continue to attend dtryoll@spl'illt.ca events, literature was passed out, includ weekly rehearsals. At no time is he pres~ ing promotions for upcoming annual sured into joining the chapter. He usu~ shows and membership information. ally asks about joining. Match the method to your Not every chapter can pull off such The idea is to help potential mem an event. It takes a good PR man to get bers acquire basic skills and confidence chapter's strengths the ball rolling, a good emcee to pull before they hit the risers, and it seems No officiClI word Oil the Llumber ofmem off the event, and a sympathetic PR to have worked. In five years, 64 men bers who've joined, but nonetheless, partner like the one at the mall. ~vlore have attended 14 classes. Thirty-six Cleveland's West Suburban chapter important, it needs to be done in areas joined the chapter and 31 are still ac pulled off nothing less than a publicity where there are enough good quartets tive. Seven oreight ofthesc ncwer mem, coup. They hosted a well-publicized bar to be entermining to the mass public. bers have held or now hold offices rang bershop HMmch ~vfadness" competition (Each of the eight competing quartets ing from board mcmbership to presj, during the same two weekends as was considered solid by Society stan dent. This success has prompted the NCAA basketball "March Ivladness." dards.) Seneca Land District to ask class in Quartets were paired against each other March Madness is also a great ex structor Duane Crawford to teach this in a public setting, judged by non-Bar ample ofTip #3. prograrn to chapter membcrship VPs at bershoppers, and the winner moved to - Courtesy of Mike Vislosky at their upow Wow" educational weekend the next round. MII/STA@ao!.colll. this month. Frank Koenig, membershipchainnan Singing lessons are also a great ex~ of the Tower City Chorus, came up ample ofTips 1 and 2. with the idea and found that a local Package the "product" in Courtesy of Bob Tiffany at shopping mall was delighted to host the bobtiliil11Y@YII!JOo.com. competition. And why wouldn't they! terms already familiar The mall staff knew that people loved competition, they loved music, Clnd the to outsiders Bottom line event piggybacked nicely on the Simply offer ~l guy who lsings in the Once you see recruitment from the NCAA's marketing blitz. shower" all absolutely free opportunity outsider's perspective, the picture gets The mall staff created publicity signs to learn CO sing ill the barbcf:j/lOJl style, much clearer. Do something! Start by in the mall Clnc! a huge quartet compe ;lnd he lI'il/ give it a tl')< That's the phi visiting \\f\\f\\f.Spcbsqsa,org!membership. tition board that 1istec! the quartet pair losophy behind the successful rebuild ings. A local radio station made daily ing effort of the Buffalo chapter, with JII~r/"lIgW'f 2001 • The HARMONIZER 19 HERE'S TO Buckeye Invitational 2001 NEW CHOICES! Complete details at www.sillgillgbuckeyes.org See it all on www.harmonyonsta!!e.com Stars of the Night Show 8:00 PM - Saturday August 18, 2001 *NOW STARRING * tThe Gas House Gang tMichigan Jake Words are not adequate Old or new· they do it all. t The Growing Girls t Swinglish Mix A nostalgic reunion 2001 SAl Silver Medalists t The Singing Buckeyes Chol'lls Barbershop Odyssey Show 8:00 PM - Friday, August 17, 2001--Featuring Red Striped t Weekend Edition t Bank Street Boaters 1996 Queens ofHarmony Closing (III amazing career here Authentic, unlined. t PhillulI'Inonix t NightlVatch 2000 Comedy Champions $39 50 2000 Mixed Champions +111e Buckeye Invitational t The Funnybone National Harmony Camp Choruses Comedy Quartet Coutest *':'*':":''''':'':''~*ORDER FORM':":'******** __All events registrations: $80: Includes mixed and regula!' quartet contests, small and regular chonls contests. Also Stars of the Night Show, Show of Champi OilS, Friday Barbcrshop Odyssey Show with the Comedy Contcst, Thursday Barbcrshop Day at the State Fair, Santa Maria Cookout and Sunday Pancake Tuxedos Breakfast. $89 00 __Bc an entcrtainment judge for all contests...add $S to this package. Superfine __Contest onl)' Registl'rltiolls: $40: Includes all contest sessions: Regular and Mixed Quartets, Small and Regular Choruses, The Funnybone Comedy Quartet 1000f0Wool Contest has moved to Friday Night's Barbershop Odyssey Show which is included $149 00 in this package. Does not include Stars of the Night, Show of Champions, Friday Cookollt, State Fair or Pancake Breakfast. __De an entertaillment judge for all contests...add $S to this package. 3 & 4 Button Blazers Name: ~ _ In 10 Spotllte Colors Address: ~ _ Featherllte $8500 Fully lined City: .Slate: Z.ip: _ *AND ON THE PROGRAM* Phonc#: Email: _ ,HuxShlrts $1285 • HI·Band $1885 TOlal In S Chcck Visa__MastcrC:.ml '*'Vests '*' Hats '*'Trousers '*' Etons '*' (&T Sets '*' etc. Card N"Jllber: ~ Exp.Dale _ SAXON UNIFORM NETWORK Add $2 S&H for orders undcr $100. $4 for orders ovcr $ I00. Contact us for Ala Curte orders. - Tickets will be mailed in July, 2001 1596 La Vista Road l\.'lllke checks )laynblc to Bucke)'e Invitational and Illllil to: Singing Uuckeyes, Atlanta, GA 30329 3t58 Kingsdale Center, Upper Arlington, OH 43221 .. (614) 459·0400· fax (877) 1·800·7-TUXEDO' fax 801-7JI}J295 219-5772. For further ;uforlllat;ou, go to 1I'1I'1I'.s;ug;ugbuckeyes.org. 20 The 1·!AIH"lONIZER • JII~I'!A'lgl/st 2001 CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES ~I ,----======~,..,------, The many ways we Sing ... for life See whose life you changed this year hat i~ done with the money youI" chapter contributes to the Har~ mOll}' FOlll1datioll General Ft/l1d! The generic ansurer: lV{ost ofit fllnds grants for SPEBSQSA ClwriwbJe l\Jfission projects, which presen,e our musie-I! legacy though support of\focal music ec!ucntion in our schools and commtl11ities. It also timd., the six Hmmony Explo~ sinn Camps Clcmss the Sociew Below is an example ofthe real answer to why so ll1rlllY ofyOll Call' tribute so generously. The follow, in,IJ is a letter from an elementary school music teacher in lvfichigall, who received a Harmony Founda, tiOll gmnt to help build a vocal music program in the under, funded schools where she teaches. THANKS TO YOU and your donations to Harmony Foundation, HI want to thank yOlI from the thousands of children now have music in their lives. Without bottom of my heart for providing you, many schools would scarcely have a music program. Hamtramck's elementary schools with the grant. You cannot possibly imagine how U\Vhen I stated in this position three years ago, you have hrightened the lives of [,500 children. absolutely nothing in terms of materials existed, be~ Music has brought happiness, laughter, confi~ calISe, after the 19605, vocal music didn't exist in dence, pride (both student and parental) and a Hamtramck in the elementary schools due to fund~ mode of self~expression to their world. ing. So, needless to say, without your help I would lIlt was amazing to see how much the children still be piecing things together and limiting my retained-especially since so many of them come spending to strictly the absolute necessities, because from deprived backgrounds or are new immi~ everything was coming out of my personal income. grants who do not even speak English. Through Fortunately, when I began teaching vocal music, I your grant, I was able to purchase many CDs that had some things donated by retired school teachers, opened the doors to a world of knowledge for the and some things I had from my personal library and students, which I never could have afforded to do collections. on my own. llOnce again, thank you. I think that I have been able to show the entire community from board members and superintendents, to parents, principals and teachers, that music has a definite place in the schools. I honestly don't know if I could have suc~ ceeded without your help. I have been notified that I will be given a room of my own at one of the schools for the start of the 2001-02 school year, and [ think that it has a lot to do with the success of the program. Everyone has been pleasantly sur~ prised, but what is most important is that the chil~ dren love what we do in music class." Sincerely, Sylvia Karpinsky HARMONY , FOUNDATION }ufl'IAlIglIsl lOUJ • The IIARi'\,ION1ZER 21 1000 CDs: Pro bono, cum deus "We shall render all possible altruistic service through the medium of bar bershop harmony" (SPEBSQSA Code of Ethics) The Coles County (Illinois) Chorus finds one way to fulfill that pledge by taking part in the annual Lenten concert hosted each year in a different area church. Free-will offerings collected are used for local needs identified by eacll. community's Ininisterial association, The one~hour perfonnance traces the life 'pi and resurrec~ . I\ tion of Christ with sacred music sling by the 300 CDs: $1090 chorus, qtlar~ tets and solo~ ists. This year) the group's sixth, wives, daughters and female fricnds wcre invited to join in the concert held at Wesley United Methodist Church in Charles ton, Ill. ,.,-~ Congratulations to PLATINUM and thanks! n'iple Disc would also like 10 thank Marquis Alexandria Hannonizers Blue Grass Student Union Dealer's Choice Happiness Emporiulll The Phoenicians For Heaven's Sake Riptide Bank Street Saturday Evening I}osl Jackpot Dig Chicken Rumors Checkmate American Barberboys Countdown Frccfall "IT'S THE FIRST The General Assembly time we've ever re The Fresno Gold Note Chorus The Keystone Capital Choms ceived a donation Westchester Chordsmen like this!" gushed Sweet Adclincs Intcmational The Citations Dawn Mark, direc Soulhem Acchard tor of the Marks The Kippers Song ofAtlanta men Chorus from Sharper Image Jackson Elemen The Fun Addicts tary, in Batavia, Dolton Landing· LIVE The Drigadccrs New York. The Hoi Sound Legacy land Land Harmonizers Chorus donate a portion from their an- nnd the many other quartets and cllonlses who have cnlmsted their CD projects wilh us. nual show proceeds every year. Their donation gave the boys' Web: W\·/w,trlpledisc.com chorus new music and gave all a chance to sing holiday songs Email: InFo@lrip!edlsc.com 700 Jackson I Fred, VA 22401 together. 22 The BARi'\,IONIZER • JI/~r1Al/glI.w 2001 Register before July 15 to qualify for the best seats and hotels! June 30-July 7, 2002 2002 International Convention - Portland date membership number chapter name (if applicable) Name nickname Guest name nickname address city state/province ZIP/postal code work phone home phone email circle payment method: VISA MasterCard check money order cr:a",rdT'a",cc"O,,":;n,-1#c,-,,-,---,-,_,--,----,---._,---,-,--;exPiralion date (MMIYY) DID Mail wilh payment (checks: payable to SPEBSQSA) to: SPEBSQSA, 6315 Harmony Lane, Kenosha, WI 53143-5199. When you receive confirmation, please keep it as Quantity Type Rate Total your receipt. Aegistrallon fee includes a convention badge, a reserved seat at all Adult $90 ea $ contest sessions and a souvenir program. If you register for more than one person, please furnish complete information for each person on a separate sheet and attach Jr. (under $45 ea $ to this order form. All registratIons received prior to June 1, 2002 will be mailed. '2) Those received aller that date may be picked up at the conventlon registration area add S3 P&H lor each a reglstratlons $ beginning Monday, July 1, 2002. Mailings will be made during the latter part of May ordered 2002. Regislralions may be transferred to another person, but they are NOT TOTAL $ refundable. No phone orders, please. (U.S. Funds) D Check here if any physical needs require special accommodation for you to fully Price aller Jan. 1 2002: $105 Adult. $55 Junior participate in the convention; convention staff will contact you to make arrangements. Prlco at lho convontlon: $1 15 Adutt, $60 Juntor When you corilbine your quartet's sound with the reasonably priced, 111gh-quality painted backdrops, drapen'es, lighting, and special dfects from the professionals at Tobins Lake Studios. Tobins Lake Studios has helped quartets like yours look good for the past 50 years. call (810) 229-6666 today & ask for our free catalog, You'll.find everythingyou need at Tobins Lake to meetyourscenic needs. Jllly/August 2001 • The HARMONIZER 23 STAY TUNED Success! Readers report what works. lorida must be some sort of staging ground for family dynasties. No, this has nothing to do with November's drama involving a gov~ ernor and a president named Bush. We're talking about that other Florida dynast1' yOll know, the Delaney and Sobolewski one? Okay, maybe you don't know. Here's the scoop: Last October, the Sunshine District crowned a new champion from Jacksonville: Endeavor. (Trey Allen, Sean Milligan, Ken Delaney and Kenny Sobolewski.) Not to be outdone, this April, a Jackson ville Sweet Adeline quartet called Escapade became Region 9'5 quartet champion. (Paula Bartie, Lincla LiBrandi, Faye Delaney, and Jan SobolewskL) Notice any similarities? (Okay, notice any TOP: Ken Delaney ®Io Trey Allen (fl. Sean similarities besides the fact that both groups Milligan and Kenny Sobolewski have a penchant for eight~letter, three,syl, CD. <® BOTTOM: Faye Delaney Paula Barlie (fl. Linda lable quanet names that begins with liE"?) <®. Check out the surnames: Faye Delaney and LiBrandi (i), and Jan Sobolewski @) Jan Sobolewski are mothers of Ken and Kenny re~ barbershop history there have been two mothers spectively. In addition, both mother~son pairs sing and two sons in reigning championship quartets. the same voice part in their respective quartets- Both quartets will be competing in their respcc~ the Delaney's on baritone and the Sobolewski's on tive international competitions. Endeavor COln~ bass. petes in July in Nashville and Escapadc will com- As far as anyone knows, this is the first time in pete in Portland in October, Board member discovers another useful application for barbershop On the way home from a board meeting in "Yes. 1I (No idea of what was coming.) Kenosha, I was just south of downtown Chicago ulf you'll sing a song for me right now, I won't when I heard a siren and saw the flashing write yOli a ticket. I'm serious." lights of one of the area's finest. When it sunk in, I said '''My Wild Irish "How are you this morning, sir?" Rose' is a song Barbershoppers love to sing. lI I replied "Great, it's a beautiful morning.!) And I sang! He said "It is a great morning for a drive, I sang with gusto, with dynamics, with but you were going 67 in a 55 mph zone. inflection, and certainly Hfrom the heart. 1I May I see your license?" I complied. ... He joined in on the last phrase. U\X!here are you traveling from?ll ~ We kidded about the II'tics, and he I replied, IIKenosha, \X!isconsin. lI even sang a bit of another song to "Great wrestling town," was his quick me. He then said, I 24 The I-IARL\IONIZER • JII~rlAligliSf 200/ AMERICA'S MOST RECOGNIZED GOVERNOR, Minnesota's Jesse Ventura, did an impressive Veteran's Day gig with the Great Northern Union chorus during half·time of a November 19 Vikings game. The governor did a voice·over tribute duro ing the second verse of chorus's performance of "America The Beautiful'\ In front of the chorus, an Ail" Force drill team twirled its guns, and be hind them an ROTC chapter unfurled a SO·yard flag. During the final HAmerica, America,lJ the governor removed his Navy Seal hat and placed it over his heart. It was a stunning presentation, and well over 50,000 fans drowned out the final chords with en· thusiastic cheers-just like they'd done before the game, when the chorus performed the na tional anthem. Something to shout about in Oregon How wOlild you judge the presentation of barbershop in an advertisement like this? \Vhy don't you tell the barbershop Presentation jlldge~Reid Stewart-who created the ad? As for The Harmonizer staff, we think it's a great ad on several levels. (And Reed Sampson, the candidate Singing judge among LIS, was even willing to overlook the facial tension and unsquared shoulders that indicate poor singing form.) The ad is more than funny-in one fell swoop it grabs the reader by the collar and says l'Notice r-vle!l\ reaches across demographic boundaries, shatters stereotypes about the style, and tells the reader, lCCome to our show and you're going to have fun.1! The concert got quite a tUH1,out, although the Senate.. aires were hoping for an even bigger audience in upstate Portland this June. The chotus was on the short list to per form the national anthem during the NBA playoffs-after !JJ0fJj JJJiiillfi;/!:JJJiJJldJ ill,/;!) 1],J!J/llJ, ;)f£ii}J1! HJiJ!J 'd!JliJ 'JJlJillJJ'*JJt!j;}1!1;J;JllJlbJ;), all, they'd really wowed the same crowd earlier this year (be~ low) in an arena that knows something about production THE &EN&i\'l'lON& value. But as fate would have it, the Trailbl8Zcrs home playoff f'Qm loy~\'me. Kr (IQ.rme( i«leUlillio{t<1' ch<1m~iQ~) appearances totaled (ahem) one this year, so the opportunity &old Out never materialized, But yOll can bet our Salem brothers will lOOl £\Wflftltll O.£$lrkt C~l1l11plQn qUill let be invited back next year faster than you can say, llTechnical I\~,'itlt nullc! nw,-p'.\<>.-)' on \Vallace!ll QUtT ;lEi (}1Jjj,>jM) wllJ!;!I-iI'I"tJfJ:JiJJa;J/ tiWri./r;:J"Mf 'i)ycttJJJnlfj j iiJgi)J!J!fv.;fd!fiJ July/Al/gusl200f • The HARi'v]ONIZER 25 SIMPLY THE BEST. Anon-singer in the Ever really listen to the singing of Society? It's not such a the national anthem before sporting strange idea after all events? Well, Dean In early 1997, I was di Hockney, veteran agnosed wid) a problem and sports editor in my left ear called for the The Kokomo hyperacous;s. When I (Indiana) Perspec· sang, spoke too loudly tive, does. And it ...... _.~ or stayed in a loud area, was none other I experienced shooting pains that than a barbershop would last up to an hour. quartet - The Men PHOTO BY BILLY GIBSON, THE KOKOMO PERSPECTIVE It was difficult to give up singing of Note - who won an activity that had been a big part of his hands down "best national anthem" in a recent column listing the my life since I was a small child. I was "best" in high school basketball. Hockney's comments? "I love the way an active member in the Des Moines they start with a snippet of 'On the Banks of the Wabash,' then go into Chapter (as bulletin editor) and cho the 'Star Spangled Banner.' They harmonize better than any that I have rlls (holding my own in the bass sec; heard. When 1see someone walk into a gym with a red bowtie and tion). Also, I had sung in church matching suspenders, 1know we are in for a treat." choirs under my wife's direction since 1969. Yet wanting to be involved in barbershopping and church, I had to do something to fill the void. ,• Church was the easy part-I began to run the sound system. I filled the lvfcn who reached 50 )'ean: ofSociety membership bct1l'een}uly 1, 2C 26 The HARMONIZER • July/Allgllst 2001 ~----- SWIPES 'N' SWAPS -----, Classified ad bargains for Barbershoppers, published as a service to readers-all copy subject to editorial approval. Rate: $25 per column inch. WE'RE DIRECTORS WANTED barbershop leader. Contact: Paul McDunn at Wanled: Director for Ridgewood, NJ Chap 412-486-2149 or [email protected]. ter The Cavaliers of Harmony. Won 2000 small chorus division contest. Meet Monday Director needed for a chapter of 70·80 mem THE SOURCE evenings in Paramus. 30 men in attendance bers in beautiful retirement area of Naples, Fla. regularly. Call Bob Kevis 201-440·8585 x757 Partial year assistance during \'/inter months (day) or 201-387-0615 (Evenings). \'/ill be considered. Contact Tom Harlow: 800 423-2962. FOR YOUR CD Piltsburgh North Hills Chapter, an established 50-man chorus, actively singing in the com Three antique barber chairs: 1 from 1840, munity, in competition, and in annual shows \'Iood, pre-hydraulic, separate foot rests. 1895 since 1963. Present director wishes to rellre Koch Columbia one of first \'Iood hydraulic; and lurn over well-trained chorus to capable AND CASSETTE \'/ood top, and porcelain botlom. Sel ot 2 1930 Koken chairs. Call Evan 305-632-4008 DUPliCATION! Is the relentless SILENCE driving you crazy? Get the phone ringing! Advertise in The Harmonizer For rates, see "OIOI'.speusqstl.org!1ulrI/lo/lizel!ratecard,IIlm including: rHGraphic Design rHPackaging rHFul/illment You can order online! (WWW.WTS-TAPE.(OM 1 24 hrs. a day, 7 days a week! Jojn Sweet Adeline. around the world at the 2001 Internadonal Convendon and Competj(jon jn Portland, Oregon. October 9-13,2001 Call: 800/992-7464 or 918/622-1444 www••weetadeHndntl.org SWEET Al>EUSI~" IKIEICS,\110S,\l. P,O, Box 470168· Tulsa, 01<·74147-0168 Ad Codo: 3034 July/AI/gus! 2001 • The HARMONIZER 27 Mac was asmall man who wrote big tags - ...... ,his month I honor a man who left a rich legacy of directed the San Antonio Chordsmen for several singable arrangements and educational materi~ years. als. Those who knew him have memories of Every time yOli sing the Barber Polecat song, him teaching liS rags and how intent and llSwcet And Lovely," yOll are singing a ~vlac Huff driven he was to help quartets sing better. arrangement, He arranged Frank ~v[arzocco's Malcolm (Mac) L. Huff (1930- beautiful song, "Hear That Swanee River 1995) was a ~vll1sic Services assistant Cri' and collaborated with Norm Storks for our Society from 1969 to 1978. on "Little Girl," and "Strollin' Down Har- He'd previously directed the Evans~ mony Lane.!) ~v{any of yOll have sling his ville, Indiana, chorus for 15 years flln tag, III Love To Sing 'Em." I started to and sang bass with the Funtastic put that vcry tag into this very issue, un~ Four, 1961 Cardinal District Cham- till spoke with his widow, Jo Anne, who pion. He was a judge in the Ar~ still lives in San Antonio. She said her rangement category, taught voice, ~\...... _ vcry favorite r-vfac Huff tag is liThe Joy Of coached, wrote songs and tags and created a lot of Life." It was written for her, as were a number of his great arrangements. He left his work with the Soci~ tags-including "ivfy Jo Anne.1! You'll enjoy this ety in 1978 and moved to San Antonio where he onc, I'm surc. THE JOY OF LIFE I 2 I~ j d j J 4HJ. j I I II I The joy of life__ is be ing m love, is j I 1 I. J -'"' d -'"' J. -'"' Bad Bass I I I 1------I be 6 7 ....------s: 9 love _ with you, _ ------ing ~J lovc, in love with 10 III love with you. _ III love with you, in love with you. I. • love, yOll. _ Writlen by Mack Huff, 1974 28 The HARi.... IONIZER • JI/~I,IAligI/SI 2001 ~~;f.tt'f('J{.J"t"" ~, ,,,What a, thrill to be able to host the NIGHTINGALES. our young friends from Russl.a. cit the International Cbnvention in Nashville. Getting to know them has ~een one of the great bless/rigs of our lives. Added bonus: They're shorter than usn \ Him ... (NEWI) Some Chlldre~5(s) @ $15 $--- - Tapels) @ $10 $--- $ Face The-MUS~O(s) @ $15 - Tapels) @ $10 $--- -I A Lillie Night ~~lS) @ $16 $--- -Tapala)@$10 $- -- Tumble" Best our "Rough A~glS) @ $15 $---$-- Slale Zip - Tapels) @ $10 heel< or money Older :~rm) a~e Send Ihis order m& payable 10 subtotal $---0 (US fU'NS - $3.0 1f Our LATEST , Shl ping & Handling 1M Gas lIouse Gang 1 ~ recor.ding or order on Ime... p d 38 College DtNa 1 . 63301 VJVJVJ .&as'\\OUS6&an&.Com Amaunt En~,ose i SI. Charles, MissOUfI ISN'T IT TIME YOU HAD A SUNNY VACATION? January 20-27, 2002 Midwinter 2002 Convention - Riverside, Ca. date membership number (if applicable) chapter name (if applicable) registrant's name nickname for badge second guest name second guesl nickname for badge registrant address city state ZIP/postal code work phone home phone email circle payment method: VISA MasterCard check money order card account # rn=D(MMIYY) o Check here if any physical needs require special accommodation for you to fully participate in the convention; convention staff will contact you to make arrangements. Registration package includes a convention badge, reserved seating for Friday and Saturday Night shows, Saturday night Afterglow, and admission 10 the Seniors Quartet Contest. registrations @ $50 $ _ Mail with payment (checks: payable to SPEBSQSA) to: SPEBSaSA, 6315 Harmony Lene, Kenosha, WI S3143-5199. If you register for more than one person, please attach complete information for each person on a separate sheet. A housing application and information regarding events and tours will be mailed to you when you register. All show and tour tickets may be picked up at Ihe convention registration area. When you receive confirmation, please keep it as your receipt. Registra tions may be transferred to another person, but they are NOT refundable. No phone or-"d~e~rs~,LP-;;'e"a",s",e,;-,=-;;;;r.;--- ( ofllce use only ) ·. ACOUSTIX SUNTONES "Complete DEALER'S CHOICE "VOICES" ·84-mln. "Barbershop's Best" CD "Cool Yule" Works", Vols 1,2,3,4,5 "Anthology" documenlary @ $20 rI1ilI~I Vocal Majority "Todd's Tips" 32-page 1111Vocal Majority II "I'll Be Seeing You" "how 10· booklel, @$15 "Alleluia" Credit Card orders call TOLL FREE: For secure on·llne ordering, visit our web site: ATTENTION 888/448-STIX (7849) SHOW CHAIRMEN: www.acoustix.com FAX NUMBER lor credit card orders: Make all checks payable to: 972/424-5000 ACOUSTIX has a new ACOUSTIX PRODUCTIONS audio demo, available in Mail orders to: ACOUSTIX PRODUCTIONS CD or MP3 format. PMB 109·128, 10455 Norlh Central Expressway Dallas, TX 75231-2211 USA Call 888/449·STIX (7849) or email Texas residents add 8.25% sales tax Email your credit card orders to: [email protected] [email protected] Allow two (2) weeks for delivery to request a copy. We must have a telephone number us FUNDS and expiration dale on all credit card orders. SHIPPtNG CHARGES PRICING & VOLUME DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE If order totals: Add: Up to $15.00 $2.50 All single tapes: $10 - All single CDs: $15 $15.01 - $25.00 $3.50 $25.01 - $50.00 $4.50 REMEMBER 10 add Any 3 ACOUSTIX titles on CD ($40) or tape ($25) shipping and handling Any 4 ACOUSTIX titles on CD ($50) or tape ($30) $50.01 - $75.00 $5.25 charges to your order Over $75.00 $6.00 Buy any four SUNTONES titles and get one title FREEl OVERSEAS OROERS will be charged al our cost and will vary The Deater's Choice "Anthology" sel of 4 CDs ($50) or 4 tapes ($35) according to location and order size.