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Volume 46, Issue 1 WINTER 2015 A BULLETIN FOR EVERY BARBERSHOPPER IN THE MID-ATLANTIC DISTRICT ‘East Coast Sound’s performance of More I INSIDE: Cannot Wish You was stunningly clean and Midwinter recap — pages 2-4 Around the District — pages 9-13 Harmony College East: President Ig’s emotionally powerful, and their overall Advice and encouragement “Greatest Barbershop Message — page 18 performance earned them a “superior” 2015 Events — pages 5-7 from the experts weekend on the End Notes — page 19 rating! ‘ — Bill Colosimo Youth in Harmony — page 8 — pages 14-16 East Coast!” — page 17 MIDWINTER BHS CONVENTION East Coast Sound earns ‘Superior’ East Coast Sound Succeeds in goal to expose youth singers to barbershop revs up backstage right before his January, we had the privilege of travel- performing ing to New Orleans to take part in the Youth at the BHS T sponsored Chorus Festival at the International Midwinter This year, we were able to Interna- Convention. bring nine non-members to the ‘ tional Youth East Coast Sound, under its original name convention, including four kids Chorus (Tristar Chorus), attended the first Youth Chorus ‘ Festival Festival in San Antonio in 2008, and has attend- under the age of 13, who had in New ed each convention since then for a grand total Orleans in their first barbershop experience January. of eight. and loved every second. We never could have imagined how much our vision would grow from then to now. Our chorus is 28 men strong, and has just emerged from the contest with a score of 77.2% – our highest of all of 13, who had their first barbershop experience Chorus naps or breathing time. and loved every second. exercises? East Coast Sound rehearses only once a None of what we do would be possible with- month, and yet we have fostered a culture of out the immense support of our father chapter, brotherhood, friendship, and quality barbershop the Montclair Dapper Dans of Harmony, and singing, which has paid dividends in our consis- this great district. From all of us at ECS to all of tent score increases. you in the Mid-Atlantic District, thank you. It is because of your support –financial, social, and But it does not stop there. ECS hams it up emotional – that we are able to continue doing for the camera at Our mission since this chorus’s inception has what we do. a Jan. 4 coaching been to expose youth singers to barbershop, There are big things on the horizon for East session with Gary and that is exactly what we are doing. This year, Coast Sound, and we have this district to thank Plaag. we were able to bring nine non-members to the for the opportunity to pursue our goals. convention, including four kids under the age — by Paul Franek For those that did not get the opportunity to see the chorus perform in New Orleans for Mid-Winter, here is the final rehearsal. Enjoy! http://youtu.be/PYH6CXJeoKI MID’L ANTICS / WINTER 2015 Visit www.midatlanticdistrict.com often for up-to-the-minute information on everything! page 2 AROUND THE DISTRICT FROM TOP: Legendary Composer/Arranger/Clinician, Kirby Shaw, not-so-legendary Bill Colosimo, and new Society President Don Fuson share a photo op at Midwinter 2015 in the Big Easy. Midwinter Musings Faces 4 Radio wows the crowd. Youth Reclamation Project delivers poignant performance. were particularly proud of the Society’s Director of of the “future history of barbershop,” which would Outreach who was tasked with leading this important leverage emerging demographic diversity in active by Bill Colosimo, event, our very own Joe Cerutti. involvement in our art form. MAD Immediate Past President East Coast Sound rocks! Seniors Quartets set landmarks Those in attendance from MAD were very proud of Of course, the Mid-Winter Convention is also East Coast Sound (formerly Tri-Star Chorus), which is the venue for the International Seniors Quartet sponsored by its “founding fathers” (literally, in at least Contest. MAD’s own, Faces for Radio, were one case!), the Montclair, N.J. Chapter. MAD does not featured throughout the week as retiring 2014 was privileged to attend our Midwinter have official “youth chorus representatives,” in order International Seniors Quartet Champions. Convention in New Orleans as MAD Immediate that we might encourage the birth and growth of And our representatives in the actual I Past President, joined by your new Executive Vice youth choruses throughout the District. But all of us contest, perennial MAD favorites (and 2014 President, Dennis Ritchey. Dennis and I represented cheer on and cherish the success of East Coast Sound medalists!), Youth Reclamation Project, the District in constructive meetings of the District who has been a stalwart participant in district events gave a solid performance which made us Presidents’ Council and Society Board. throughout its history, and is the only ensemble all proud! to have participated in every Youth Chorus Festival So much information was shared and exciting The 2015 International Seniors Quartet sponsored by the Society! initiatives were spawned which will benefit MAD and Champion, the “revived” Saturday the Society at large in moving our great art form and Their performance of More I Cannot Wish You was Evening Post, familiar to many in organization forward! In fact, much of the output stunningly clean and emotionally powerful, and their MAD as longtime coaches at our from our sharing sessions is already being put to overall performance earned them a “superior” rating! great Harmony College-East, won good use by your district leadership team to benefit The young men were grateful for the stipend from the contest going away, with an 81.0, your chapter and all our members! Of particular note the district that helped fund their trip expenses, the highest average score of any winner was the ever-present theme of “outreach” during the especially the four young students from Doug in the contest’s long history! What a great week. Carnes’ Harlem charter school who had never performance of New Orleans pieces! It’s all about Outreach experienced performance in the barbershop style Shows! Shows! Shows! before this amazing adventure! Outreach was at the core of much of the Nashville The terrific shows with medalist quartets and Harmony Foundation staffs’ presentations to Future History of Barbershop and other ensembles on Friday and us as leaders and general convention attendees. Another example of our call to outreach was the Saturday nights were simply outstanding. Of course, the most profound example of positive thread of activity during the week initiated by David Performances by A Mighty Wind, Lemon outreach was the always-amazing Youth Chorus Wright (Ambassadors of Harmony) and a scholarly Squeezy, Main Street, Forefront and Festival! 17 proud ensembles performed, author on music, Lynn Abbott (who was named an Musical Island Boys were top-notch. representing high schools, colleges, chapters and Honorary Society Member during the week), who But most impressive was the way each districts. spoke and taught on African-American roots of medalist quartet, who themselves had Every single one was an exceptional example of barbershop harmony…and “why it matters.” This was been challenged to pursue “outreach” in the joy of barbershop style singing with skill, variety a lynch-pin of David’s keynote address to the Board the composition of their performance set, and membership, in which he described his vision and fun on display for every attendee to enjoy! We See Midwinter Musings, continued on next page MID’L ANTICS / WINTER 2015 Visit www.midatlanticdistrict.com often for up-to-the-minute information on everything! page 3 AROUND THE DISTRICT IPP Bill Colosimo urges East Coast Sound, “Go, Team!” prior to their ninth consecutive appearance at the BHS International Youth Festival in New Orleans in January. The mid- Atlantic chorus is the only chorus to have appeared in EVERY Midwinter youth festival. Midwinter Musings continued from previous page brought young people’s ensembles and some non-barbershop groups on stage to perform interesting and fun arrangements with them, including Sweet Adelines International’s Rising Star Champions, Class Ring. Society leaders, Festival participants, quartet competitors and everyone who visited and enjoyed the amazing educational and performance offerings of the week in New Orleans came away more than satisfied! The chilly temperatures (which were nothing compared with the COLD temps at home!) were not a Faces 4 Radio sing senior swan song deterrent to fun. Other than some travel challenges, we had an incredible time at the In fact, the hot New Orleans jazz and great spicy foods of the Mid-Winter Convention in New Orleans this past week. We werre very culture kept us warm enough to sing tags ‘til the wee hours, proud to represent the BHS, our chapters (Bryn-Mawr, Harrisburg, re-acquaint with longtime friends, make new friends…and Reading, PA., Hamilton, & Princeton, NJ), and the entire Mid-Atlantic introduce a whole new group of “fans” to our great barbershop District, at a variety of performance opportunities. life! Congratulations to the 2015 senior quartet champions, Saturday All in all, a wonderful event this winter was a terrific warm Evening Post, and to all the quartet and youth performers who graced up for our amazing International Convention in Pittsburgh the stage throughout the week this summer. Don’t miss out! It’s close by…so take the opportunity to see and experience great barbershop on its Bob, Brad, Mark & Jeff. grandest stage! MID’L ANTICS / WINTER 2015 Visit www.midatlanticdistrict.com often for up-to-the-minute information on everything! page 4 EVENTS marks my 12th year ter, Roanoke Valley, Va.

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