The Newyorker Times The newsletter of the Poughkeepsie, New York, Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society

New Series, Volume 8 Number 9 Poughkeepsie, New York September 2007 Fall Contest, Lowell, MA, 19–21 October Quartet Corner By Scott Salladin SWING SHIFT By Butch Ashdown Please go onto the NED District site to make your res- Swing Shift has been doing a lot of hustling as regards ervations for the Fall Contest in Lowell, MA, the weekend learning vocal craft and presentation in the last month or of 19–21 October. Below is the list of hotels for this contest: so. We've been working with Tom McQueeney and Ray Headquarters Hotel: Johnson (Sunday Evening News and Men In Black, respec- Doubletree Hotel (Lowell) ($105.00/night) tively) and are making some progress with their help. We Convention Hotels (listed by distance from the Lowell Me- recently purchased four MP3 recorders to record our re- morial Auditorium): hearsals so that we hopefully can make CDs to listen to Courtyard by Marriott (Lowell) ($94.00/night) while we are driving. We feel this repeated listening tool Fairfield Inn by Marriott (Tewksbury) ($82.00/night) will be beneficial for the quartet and we’ll let you know what Residence Inn by Marriott (Tewksbury) ($99.00/night) progress is being made with this. So far, we can’t figure out Radisson Hotel (Chelmsford) ($94.00/night) how to make the CDs. Best Western Chelmsford Inn (Chelmsford) ($80.00/ We’re gearing up for quite a few shows that we’ve lined night) up. On 8 September we’re performing at the Holiday Inn Radisson Hotel (Nashua) ($95.00/night) in Fishkill for the women’s version of the Masonic Lodge. Comfort Suites (Haverhill) ($89.95/night) On 16 September we are performing at Town of Plattekill Cutoff for early registrations is 28 September. Please make Day. And we have one confirmed barbershop show for the sure you make your room reservations as soon as you can. Norwich, CT, chapter on 4 November. We also have some The chapter is not responsible for making these reserva- private shows for the Kingston Hospital Ladies Auxiliary, tions for you. and we are performing on a cruise from Kingston for Breast Registrations will be collected from members until 19 Cancer Awareness as a donation to help fight breast cancer. September. Cost for members is $35. This is for a full regis- We’re also negotiating with the Golden Apple Chorus at tration package. As per Code of Regulations within the press time for performing on their chapter show on 10 No- NED, each member of a chorus or quartet competing at the vember. With all the shows, and coaching, and contest, we District Contest MUST HAVE a FULL REGISTRATION to have a full plate. I can’t think of a better way to spend this be able to compete. time in the next few months. Single registrations are available for non-competitor We hope the chorus is having fun and working hard attendees. Cost is $20. Please have your checks made out to gearing up for contest. We look forward to singing for you the Poughkeepsie Chapter, memo Registration. and listening to the progress that you’re all making. Make sure that you have your registration money to me on or before 19 September. Invitation to a Picnic September 30th Dues Renewal By George “Guv” Wallace V.P., Marketing and PR By Drew Ellis Racing City Chorus Asst. Director of Membership, BHS Gentlemen of the NED—and Sweet Ads, URGENT - MUST READ Hi! Happy Summer's end!! • We will be MAILING out dues renewal notices for This week marks the end of the traditional Summer the September (See “Dues Renewal” on Page 3) Season for most of us, and the (See “Invitation) on Page 3)

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The Newyorker Times Published by the Poughkeepsie, NY, Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society Yankee Division, Northeastern District Editor: George L. Trigg, 18 Duzine Road, New Paltz, NY 12561-1304 845-255-9488; e-mail [email protected] 19–21 Oct NED Fall Convention and Contests, Lowell, Chapter Officials MA President ...... John Hadigan, Jr. 4 Nov Performance, Fishkill Health Center, Rte 9D, 845-485-2339; e-mail [email protected] Beacon, NY—arrive 1:00 p.m., sing at 2:00 VP, Chapter Development ...... John “Duke” Chisholm p.m.; uniformTBA 845-462-0656; e-mail [email protected] 18 Nov Performance, VA Medical Ctr., Castle Point VP, Music & Performance ...... Steve Miller —arrive 2:00 p.m., sing at 2:00 p.m.; uniform VP, PR & Marketing ...... Vascant TBA Secretary ...... Scott Salladin 29 Jun–5 Jul International Convention and Contests, Nashville, TN Treasurer ...... Mike Murphy BOD Members at Large . . . . . Bill Florie, Bob Hitchcock, Dick Schaffer DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE Immediate Past President ...... Eric Dickstein 29 AUGUST Youth Outreach ...... Bill Standish Chorus Director ...... Renée Silverstein Happy Birthdays in August: Assistant Directors . . . . . John Hadigan, Steve Hagerdon Jack Ostmark 3 Chorus Manager ...... Scott Salladin Sherie Ashdown 6 Meetings Poughkeepsie Newyorkers 7 Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m. Cecilia Monturo 18 First Reformed Church Jean Marie Schulze 19 70 Hooker Avenue Ray Brock 20 Poughkeepsie, New York Dave Lumb 21 ALL SINGING MEN WELCOME Website address ...... www.newyorkerschorus.org Happy Anniversaries in August:

Poughkeepsie Chapter Antony and Lynn Takahashi 5 Mission Statement Butch and Sherie Ashdown 6 The mission of the Poughkeepsie Chapter shall be: Dan and Patricia Griffin 8 To perpetuate the art of Barbershop Harmony, and Duke and Pat Chisholm 19 To promote and provide opportunities for vocal harmony Eric and Aline Dickstein 26 activities for its members and potential members such Steve and Joan Ross 28 as, but not limited to, Quartetting, Vocal crafts and techniques, Directions Coaching, by Renée Silverstein Chorus singing, and Competitive preparation and participation, COMPETITION and It is only a matter of weeks before we participate in To provide public appreciation of barbershop harmony another District Contest. No matter what we say about com- through public and charitable performances, and petition not being the only thing that matters in this hobby, To promote good fellowship and camaraderie among its our outcome and scores affect our opinion of ourselves and Membership, and our singing throughout the year. Although we stage many successful and fun public performances, competition serves To foster and enhance the ideals and principles of the a higher purpose. It asks us to make a bigger commitment Barbershop Harmony Society to the music. Everyone in the chorus (Continued on Page 3) September 2007 The Newyorker Times Page 3

Directions (From Page 2) 587-3421. Directions are quite simple: Interstate 87 needs to be at the highest level of his preparedness. Self- (Adirondack Northway) to Exit 13 North, about 2 miles to evaluation through the use of tapes is a start. Having the Crescent Avenue (Saratoga Honda on the corner); make a section leaders help you become aware of improvements RIGHT at the light, cross Nelson Avenue, and continue you can make is the next step. Consistent attendance at over the Northway to the first driveway on the left. DO chapter meetings goes without saying (just said it). Getting NOT CROSS the BRIDGE!! involved emotionally with the message in the music is para- The cost for this ALL DAY EVENT is $20 per person. mount. During the remaining evenings we have before the Please consider coming—and bring your vocal chords with contest, let us work toward raising our commitment, our you! Reservations must be in by 15 September, so call Jay standards and our individual musicianship. That will get us VanVranken, (518) 664-3034, or [email protected] on the stage in Lowell with the best attitude and allow us to Hope to see ALL of YOU there !! have the most fun. Another Longtime Newyorker Passes Dues Renewal (From Page 1) 30th expiration date very soon. MEMBERS: DO From the Poughkeepsie Journal, 3 August NOT IGNORE THESE INVOICES. This is the Forwarded by Bob Chieffo ONLY paper notification of dues being due that Charles A. Cortellino, a resident of the Town of members will receive. Wappinger, entered into rest Wednesday, August 2, 2007 at • PLEASE PAY VIA CHECK or CREDIT CARD Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Poughkeepsie. He was 85. upon receipt. Online renewal is still not available. Son of the late Andrew and Theresa Cesario Cortelli- • Payments are to be sent to the Nashville address: no, he was born July 28, 1922 in New York City. He mar- BHS, 110 7th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37203 ried the former Patricia McCormack. Mrs. Cortellino pre- We continue to work on the NEW on-line renewal sys- ceded him in death on August 4, 2005. tem; however, it is not yet in place. If it comes on line dur- Charles proudly served his country during World War ing this time frame, email reminders will be sent. Due to II in the United States Army. He served in France and Ger- our present work load and transition, we do not have the many and was honorably discharged in 1946. He received resources to work the phones for calls to renew via credit numerous medals including the American Service Medal, card, unless it is an emergency. Please mail your invoice the Bronze Star, the Presidential Unit Citation, and the back in with the envelope we provide. Just don’t forget a World War II Victory Medal. He graduated from LaSalle stamp! Academy in New York City and Manhattan College where Note: All guys on Autodraft have dues deducted auto- he received his bachelor’s degree. He later received his mas- matically. If they get an invoice, they should simply make ter’s degree from Vassar College where he was one of the note of that fact and not send the payment in. Thanks for first men to attend. your cooperation in this matter. Charlie was very active in his community. He was a member of the New Hackensack Fire Department for over Invitation (From Page 1) forty years. He was a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary end of the Saratoga Racing Season; but the Racing City where he enjoyed teaching boating classes. He was a parish- Chorus of Saratoga Springs, NY, wants to E-X-T-E-N-D it a ioner of St. Mary’s Church, Wappingers Falls, where he was little bit more. We are planning for our second ANNUAL also an usher. He was also a former member of a Barber Picnic/Chicken Barbecue, to be held on Sunday, 23 Septem- Shop Chorus in Poughkeepsie. ber 2007, right here in Saratoga Springs; and we would like He retired as a Research Chemist from IBM, to invite ALL NED members, choruses, quartets and friends Poughkeepsie, after more than twenty-five years of service. for a great day. The More the Merrier as they say!! While working at IBM, he received several patents. The picnic will start at noon and continue through the He is survived by his brother, Joseph Cortellino and afternoon, and the chicken barbecue will start at 5:00 p.m. his wife, Nina, of Connecticut; his nieces and nephews Rob- The picnic will have hamburgs, hot dogs, and Italian ert and Carlene Cortellino, Joseph Cortellino and Laurel sausage and peppers from 12 to 3. Soda will be provided, at McMahon, Lori and Kevin Murray, and Lynne and Rob no additional cost. At 5:00 p.m. the chicken barbecue—1/2 Allen; great-nieces and great-nephews Christie, Bobbie, barbecued chicken, corn on the cob, salads, etc.—will be Alyssa, Lara, Elizabeth, Jack, Paul, and Laura, and several served. A CASH Bar will be available!! cousins. . . . From start to finish there will be SINGING—group, In lieu of flowers, memorial donations on Charlie’s quartet or chorus; men, women, mixed; whatever—along behalf may be made to the American Cancer Society, 45 with board games (bring your favorite) horseshoes, softball, Reade Place, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. bocce, volleyball, etc. The event will be held at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Ed. Note: Remembrances of Charlie will appear in the Club, 373 Crescent Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, 518- October issue of the Times.

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Singing for the Mayor of Poughkeepsie eral people asked for our business card. By Antony Takahashi and Bob Hitchcock Bob Royce Gathering Photo by Dan Landa’s mother By Dick Floersheimer As some of you may know, Mayor Nancy Cozean con- Forwarded via Bud Laumann tacted our chorus to see if we had a quartet that would be able to sing at an Ice Cream Social on Sunday, 19 August, and Bob Chieffo at her residence (she lives about 2 blocks from the church To all Bob Royce's friends: on Hooker Ave). After some scrambling and shuffling of Dobbie Royce has opted to have an informal get- parts and players we came up with Tenor, Earl Snyder; together of friends who wish to remember Bob. The gather- Lead, Dan Landa; Bari, Antony Takahashi; and Bass, Bob ing will be on Saturday, 15 September 2007, from 1:00 p.m. Hitchcock. We sang together for about 30 minutes at the til ? at the home of Steve & Mary Jo Pardee (Hal Purdy’s Wednesday rehearsal on 8/15. daughter), 29 Norwood Ave, Summit, NJ 07901. Food, On the day of the performance we arrived at the drinks and stimulating memories will be served. church at 1:30 to practice a bit and name ourselves the Please come and bring your favorite Royce story, salty “Rocky Roads” in honor of the event. After singing for or sweet, happy or sad. This will be a happy occasion to about 40 minutes in the parking lot in the park, we walked celebrate the life of a person who made a difference. to the mayor’s house and worked a bit more on our songs. Get directions from Mapquest. Summit is readily Dan’s mother came along with us and was kind enough to reached from the Garden State Parkway, Route 78, and take pictures with the camera we brought with us. We wore Route 24. If you get lost en route call (908)277-3662 for full Tuxedos without the jacket. The day was (mercifully) help. Please come. cool and it was a very relaxed occasion. The mayor has a large, landscaped yard that really lends itself to an outdoor Bob Royce Remembrances event. By the time we had finished the obligatory serving of ice cream, a small group of people had gathered and we Collected/edited by Bob Chieffo commenced singing. In light of the occasion and the type From Rudy Veltre (Newyorker) of crowd, we sang “up tunes”—but we did manage to sneak I had only been a barbershopper for about 1 month in “Georgia” towards the end. The total audience present back there in 1958. When arriving at the Linden, NJ, when we were there added up to about 8 people. They were chapter there was a new face at the bar of the Linden attentive, but at least in part due to the small size of the Moose club. It was Bob Royce. He too was a new member, group the reaction was muted. We got plenty of applause of the Livingston, NJ, chapter, and he was attending as when we sang. many meetings as he could because he wanted to learn as The mayor, who grew up in the Midwest, knew a few of many songs as possible. We became friends. In NJ there our songs and actually joined us in an impromptu singing was a chapter in every town. I passed two on my way to of “Lida Rose,” which made for a nice photo-op. By 3:45, Linden. I took up his method of learning and became more and more hooked on Barbershopping. I ran into Bob often. Now let’s go to 1970... The Newyorkers finished 6th in the International in St. Louis in 1969. The bad news, Bill James was leaving Poughkeepsie. We were District Champs again for 1969 and the International was to be in Atlantic City, NJ. We did our best, but our heart was not in it. Bill was leaving. We finished 11th. Doing some of the afterglow rooms on Sat. night, I ran into Bob. I told him our tale of woe. He agreed to come up to Poughkeepsie and give us a look. The rest is history. Bob was a great director. It was his idea to make the [Once Upon A Time] record. Each Wednesday he came right from work and ate supper with the Veltres. we had finished and the Sweet Adelines had arrived to take I for one will miss Bob. He was a Giant of a man and the next hour. Before we left we asked them if they knew always a gentleman. I am happy to be called his friend. “Will I Ever Tell You” (Dream of now, dream of then…) and they did not. So our opportunity to sing an impromptu From Bud Fair (former Newyorker) duet went out the window. I was sure sad to hear of Bob’s passing He was one of After singing we posed with Nancy for a final photo. my all-time favorite Barbershop guys. When he came to She and the audience seemed to enjoy our singing and sev- direct the Newyorkers in (See “Royce Memories” on Page 5)

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Royce Memories (From Page 4) framed “gold” record for him as a parting gift from the 1971 he brought a ton of talent, a ton of experience, a Chapter. great big grin, a booming laugh, and a zest for leadership Did I say he was a quartet man? Before long Bob and performing that really gave us all a huge boost. He formed a new quartet with Cal Sexton, Donn Grady, and brought in a lot of new music and good coaching with all Bob Van Wart called “The Penthouse Four”. They became his MAD connections. the 1972 NED Quartet Champion (see photo in this issue). He was a “natural” up front and our audiences loved Another plus for Poughkeepsie (and Bob). him. I remember more than once, while I was selling Show Bob was always writing his “From The Podium” arti- tickets, a potential customer would ask, “Is that big fella cles of inspiration and singing improvement for the Royce still directing?” I’d say, “He sure is,” and they’d buy Newyorker Times. Winning the District chorus champion- the tickets on the spot. ship four times under Bill James was a tough act to follow. I remember, after one of his first Newyorker Chapter But Bob gave it his best. In Providence, October 1971, un- meetings, we were having a “refreshment” downstairs at der Royce we were fourth again, just 3 points out of third. Germania Hall. Bob and I were the only ones left; he still (In October 1970 we also took fourth Place under the di- had a drive back to Jersey, but he didn’t seem in a hurry to rection of Bob Van Wart for that contest.) We were always go. He asked me, “So, what do these guys REALLY like to busy with our annual shows too. In the Spring of 1971, we do?” Now, I was a “new” guy, only two years in the Chap- hosted the International Quartet Preliminary, where we ter. I HAD been to International in ’70 and sang with a were introduced to two future champions, Grandma’s Boys few disorganized quartets, but I was surely just a rookie. and the . And here’s this barbershop “giant” asking me for MY As Director Bill James had done for 10 years prior, opinion. I was pretty flattered so I tried to give my best Bob Royce put his own stamp on the Newyorkers. Both “analysis.” I said it was a great bunch of guys who loved to had us striving for excellence while having fun. Both are perform, loved to compete and win, loved to sing more uniquely embedded in the Newyorkers’ history. Thank than talk, but lately may have been doing more talking you! than singing. He looked at me for a moment and then From Pete Iannone (former Newyorker) said, “What the hell would YOU know?” We both ex- When I joined the Poughkeepsie Newyorkers at the ploded in laughter and we were good pals ever after. tender age of 15, I really didn’t know what to think. That With Bob gone, the world is a little less fun. all quickly changed after meeting the director, Bob Royce. From Bob Chieffo (Newyorker) Bob welcomed me and the rest of my quartet like we were When Bob Royce became the Newyorkers’ director he long lost friends finally back together. He treated us not had some big shoes to fill. Fortunately for us, he was tall like four high school age boys, but as young men. I will and had big feet. never forget his infectious smile, his hearty laugh. He even Bob was not the music technician Bill James was but laughed at our quartet’s high school humor. was a “worldly” barbershopper in his own right. He had Bob was always encouraging us to stretch ourselves, to been in a popular show quartet called the Midnight Oilers, push a little harder. When I indicated we were having dif- one of the first quartets to sing overseas for servicemen. ficulty achieving something, his answer was “I know you He also was one of the Four, singing with sil- can do it!” His never-ending praise of our singing was the ver medalist (Playtonics) Dave Mittlestadt. catalyst for us to be our very best. So Bob came to the Newyorkers as a seasoned One particular occasion comes to mind vividly. The barbershopper and quartet man. He was full of energy and Newyorkers were in Vermont at a competition. My quartet animation—a great “up front” guy. Tom Enger captured was missing our baritone that day, and so we were rele- that essence in a Newyorkers’ promotional poster he de- gated to singing with only the chorus. Bob approached signed for use at an NED Convention (see at end of arti- me, Bill Blair, and Barry Simmons and said, quite noncha- cle.) lantly, “I think you guys should compete in the novice con- Bob also wanted to keep the Newyorkers fresh and test.” We started laughing, and told him we didn’t have a growing. So after many years of multi-colored “quartet” bari, we haven’t practiced anything, the contest was in an costumes Bob moved us into custom-tailored sky-blue hour, ad nauseam. He just stood there, listened, and then Edwardian-cut suits, orange ruffled tux shirts, and black said “I have to find you a baritone!” We were speechless. fluffy bow ties (see photo at end of article). We were dap- About two minutes later, Fred Gielow walked up to us and per to say the least. said “What are we singing in the novice contest?” Need- Why don’t we cut a record? What??? Another Royce less to say, we went on that day, at Bob’s insistence that we innovation! The one and only record the Newyorkers ever would do great, and managed to come in second place, made, titled “Once Upon A Time.” That was the first song with only about 45 minutes of rehearsal! and the rest were a nice variety including one featuring At another competition in Lake George, NY, the cho- bass Fritz Jones on “Wagon Wheels”. In 1975 I created a rus had been penalized for singing “Ring Out the Bells in Dixieland” much too fast. Later that (Continued on Page 6)

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Royce Memories (From Page 5) “When my quartet qualified for its first international day, Bob dropped by my quartet’s room, and burst into quartet competition in Toronto, the other three fellows laughter as we proceeded to sing the contest song at 10 drove from northern New Jersey, but my wife, Dobbie, and times normal speed, simultaneously serving him a Singa- I decided to fly. On the airplane in New York I observed pore Sling from our makeshift bar! four men sitting immediately in front of me. They were I will forever miss Bob’s warm smile, his constant en- wearing matching seersucker jackets and dark pants. ‘I bet couragement; the corny jokes, and, most of all, his arm they’re a ,’ I said to Dobbie. Spotting a around my shoulder, telling me “Iannone, I don’t want to Society lapel pin, I got up the gumption to lean forward hear it. You can do anything you put your mind to!” and say something to them. ‘Excuse me,’ I interrupted, Goodbye, my very dear friend. I will miss our conver- ‘are you a barbershop quartet?’ My question was answered sations. Your lifelong friendship has made a huge differ- with four instant smiles. ‘Yes,’ one of them said, ‘and you ence in my life. must be a barbershopper too. What chapter are you from?’ I told them Livingston, New Jersey, and then found out From Steve Plumb (Newyorker and they were the CROSS COUNTRYMEN from Massachu- first Chapter president) setts. I was talking to Terry Clarke, bass, and Wally Cluett, I was a big fan of the Main Street Four, who sang on baritone. the Newyorkers’ charter show in 1962. I remember fondly “ ‘Livingston,’ Wally said thoughtfully. ‘Then you’re the rivalry between us and the Dapper Dans in the ’60s, from the Mid-Atlantic District. Tell me, I understand and Bob and I carried it on between Poughkeepsie and there’s a quartet down there that beat the Burlington into the ’70s. It was always a pleasant, friendly in the preliminaries.’ ‘That’s right,’ I said. ‘A lot of people relationship, and in recent years he has been inspiring me tell me that was a fluke.’ Wally continued. ‘Well, I really about the ability of homeopathic medicines to prolong life can’t say,’ I said. ‘I didn't think so.’ ‘What was their name under the stress of deadly diseases, as he did for many of again?’ ‘The MAIN STREET FOUR,’ I replied. ‘Never his last years. heard of them,’ Wally said. At that point Terry Clarke From Lee Borden (former Newyorker) spoke up. ‘Are you singing in a quartet?’ ‘Yes,’ I said, ‘as a I remember that we were pleased to have Bob Royce matter of fact, I am.’ ‘What's the name of it?’ I hesitated. direct us after Bill James left and that he was a very tal- ‘The MAIN STREET FOUR.’ Wally slid down in his seat ented leader. and Terry roared with laughter. ‘Nice going, big mouth,’ he said.” From Mike Krieger (former Newyorker 1967-1971) FYI, the year was 1963. The Main Street Four came in Bob was the kind of guy who helped tie the really old 27th that year. The Cross Countrymen finished 28th, and time barbershoppers to those who came along in the the Oriole Four were 12th. The 1960s and 1970s. He started with a love of Barbershop won the gold, and that was the year the Four Rascals first and extended that love to all of us. broke into the medals with a 5th place finish. After I left Poughkeepsie I met him at one of the many International Conventions I attended, and as soon From Werner Schanzenbach (Newyorker) as he saw me he roped me in to a “demonstration” he was I never knew Bob Royce as director of the chorus but organizing to pay tribute to the “.” He met him several years before when we were roommates at had balloons, streamers, and signs for us to carry as we ran the Society’s first HEP (Harmony Education Program) at a around the convention floor while we chanted, “No, no, small college in Reading, PA. He was full of stories about you can’t go!” as they announced their retirement as a quartetting and singing with the Dapper Dans of Har- quartet—a simple but heartfelt tribute to a great quartet. mony, the Livingston, NJ, chapter chorus. You oldtimers He introduced me to countless good singers from the Chi- will remember our second(?) Annual show when, to the cago area with whom I got to sing songs and especially complete surprise of everyone, including me, the Show tags. I’ll miss him and the spirit he exemplified. Chairman, the Dapper Dans came marching down the two aisles of the Poughkeepsie HS Auditorium, singing and From Mike Myers (former Newyorker) taking the stage with the Newyorkers to make one hell of a Here’s a story about Bob Royce that comes from Fred show. Gielow’s book “Love, Laughter and Barbershop Song” From Bill McFadden (former Newyorker) [used by permission of the author]. I have heard the story When Bob Royce first left Poughkeepsie, he moved to from another source, Wally Cluett, since he and I sang Florence, SC, where he became the director of the local together in my last senior quartet. If you don’t remember chapter. In the spring of 1978 (my first in Raleigh), Flor- Wally, he was Lou Perry’s partner in doing the mini-HEP ence put on an annual show and the headliner was Boston schools in NED and also the original baritone of the Bos- Common. Dorothy and I attended and had a great time. It ton Common. He won the district with them and sang with appeared to me then that at least half the members of the them in their first International contest appearance. The Florence chorus were old enough to be my father (or Bob’s story, as told by Royce, follows: —he was born exactly 1 week before (Continued on Page 7)

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Royce Memories (From Page 6) recall that before the Penthouse Four [1972 NED Quartet me). At the same time, in the Research Triangle Park, NC, Champion featuring Bob on bari], he sang with Main chapter, more than half the members were young enough Street Four in New Jersey, and was a member of the Mid- to be my sons. The difference showed. night Oilers in Illinois At the after-Afterglow at Bob’s house I saw his “gold” After Florence, he moved back to New Jersey and re- copy of our “Once Upon a Time” record on the wall. He united with Main Street Four for a while. He competed was justly proud of that. [Note: Before Bob moved down with them in at least two seniors competitions at midwin- south, Bob Chieffo created a “gold” record in a shadow ter. My quartet competed against them in Tampa in ‘98 box as a departing gift from the Newyorkers; see below.] and Biloxi in ‘99. Later on, he retired to the Atlanta, GA, It was not long before Bob formed a quartet with area and joined the Big Chicken Chorus (Marietta). I pre- some of the local guys. They tried to be competitive to sume he was still a member there at his death. I enjoyed help Bob win a District Quartet contest in a third District chatting with Bob and Dobbie at several Dixie conven- (or was it fourth?), but were not up to the task. You may tions. He will be missed by many.

Cover for the only Newyorkers CD

The Enger poster

The Penthouse Four. L–R: Donn Grady, Bs; Bob Royce, Ba; Cal Sexton, Ld; Bob Van Wart, Tn

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The Newyorkers ca.1972, with our new, Royce-inspired, Edwardian-style uniforms

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