CHORD-INATOR DECEMBER 2015
OFFICIAL BULLETIN OF THE MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, CHAPTER **** A CHAPTER WITH AN ENVIABLE PAST - AN UNBOUNDED FUTURE **** 10,000 LAKES DIVISION - LAND O’LAKES DISTRICT DECEMBER 2015 - VOL.71 - NO. 11 “...A CHILD IS BORN TODAY!”
Sing we NOW of Christmas“Sing we Noel,
Noel, Noel, Noel !”
“HAPPY HOLIDAYS!”
CHORD-INATOR 2 DECEMBER 2015 M e Commodores r r y
Twin Cities Show ChorusT C h r i s Basses Wild t m a s UnFOURgettable CHORD SMASH
CHORD-INATOR 3 DECEMBER 2015 Minneapolis, Minn. Chapter Land O’Lakes District, BHS PILOT’S LOG: 11/10/15 Meetings every Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. From the Prez ... House of Prayer Lutheran Church Captain Paul’s last flight - By Gordy Aumann, President 7625 Chicago Avenue South Richfield, MN 55423 Merry Christmas and Happy New Chapter Officers Year to all of you! President ………..…Gordy Aumann 952/935-8869 Past Pres……………..Dan Williams 952/974-0026 These are two very Exec. VP………………Denny Maas 952/447-8012 different holidays Marketing/PR VPs…...Pete Jarnberg 651/765-9580 that we celebrate just .Russ Born 406/670-2098 one week apart. VP Music /Perform…....Carl Pinard 612/927-9363 Christmas is a cele- VP Membership...…...Harvey Weiss 763/439-4447 Program VP..……..…Blake Wanger 414/699-4950 bration of the past. Secretary……...... …...... Bill Warp 763/531-2290 Jesus Christ was Treasurer ……..……...John Carlotto 952/925-0886 born over 2000 years Board Members Gordy Aumann Through 2017 ago. The New Year Dean Lambert…………………….....612/727-3909 is a celebration of what is to come. Matt Richards ………………………651/983-8021 Andy Tate………………………..….612/825-1942 One of the numbers we sang at our Through 2016 recent Christmas Show has struck a Andy Cook………………………….651/688-6459 Andy Richards……………………...651/939-9313 particularly poignant chord with me Nate Weimer………………………..316/204-8756 this year. The Work of Christmas … Directors really begins after the celebrations are Director…………...…...………….…..Paul Wigley over. Assistant Directors: Gary Jacobson, David Speidel, Paul Richard Martz James Souhan During this turbulent and often hectic Section Leaders Tenor Section Leader ………...… ...…Rollie Neve time of year, I hope and pray that all Lead Section Leader. ………….…..Gary Jacobson 1954 - 2015 of you and your families can truly Assistant - Dan Smith find the reason for the season. Then Bari Section Leaders …...... …..….….Dave Speidel Assistant - Matt Richards Dear Richard [Ongna], move into 2016 with renewed vigor to Bass Section Leaders……...…..…...... Jim Richards continue the work of Christmas in Assistant -.Dave Casperson Please thank everyone for their everything you do. Committee Chairmen thoughts and prayers. The Commo- Altruistic Programs Chairman………..Denny Maas Audio/Visual Mgr…………...…. …..Kirk Douglas dores were what Paul missed most. Commodore 2016 Show Chairman………..….…..Dave Speidel Thanks for the memories. Afterglow Chairman……………. .. .Travis Wuttke Spotlight Attendance/Sgt.-at-Arms…….………… .....Vacant Donna [Martz] BOTY Party Chairman...... Dick Riemenschneider Chord-Inator Staff Editor’s Note: Paul Martz was a Editor ……………….….….……Dr. Hardin Olson Barbershopper and Commodore for Senior Columnist….……..….…….Jim Erickson only a few years. An accomplished Dan Artist…………….…….…...….…...Glenn Retter bass-singer, with his winning smile Chorus Performance Managers…..…....John Lloyd Williams Bob Ostergaard and his resonant voice, he quickly is that ... Grants Research…………..…….…...Nate Weimer worked his way into the front row of Groupanizer Administrator……...….Matt Richards the chorus. Harmony Foundation…...…...... ………...... Vacant ever-smiling, mild-mannered, unflap- Historian ……………….…….....Mark Bloomquist Paul flew for nine years on active pable purveyor of the chapter’s fin- Learning Tracks…….………...……..….Dan Smith duty in the Navy and in the Navy Librarian………………..…..……. ..….Carl Pinard ery, be it formal or otherwise. Having Reserve thereafter. In 1984 he joined Name Tags ……………….…….... ….Dan Slattery taken up the reins of the Commodore Nut Sales Chairman…….....Dick Riemenschneider and flew with Northwest/Delta Air- Haberdashery in the hallowed tradi- Northern Pines Brigade President…...Dave Speidel lines becoming a Captain as well as Performance Mgr………….….….....Paul Swanson tion of Joe Houser and his #1 Elf, Presentation Chairman…...…….………..Dan True a flight instructor for the big jets. Dale (the Gadfly) Lynch, Dan has Quartet Promotion…………...…..…Gary Jacobson Riser Boss……………….……...Dan Cole (Temp.) He was stricken with a particularly kept us properly attired and accou- Roster ……………………..……..Dr. Jim Richards aggressive and rapidly-spreading tered for every occasion in every sea- Singing Valentines……..………....Neal Mortenson kidney tumor, passing away just a son. Dressed by Williams is certainly Sunshine ……………………….…..…Rich Ongna Swipe Editor ………..……………..…...... Bill Warp few days before his first grandchild’s an appropriate approbation for his Tickets/A-Commodears President…...Diana Pinard birth. yeomen-like service. He has earned Transportation Mgr.…………….....Dick Hartmann and richly deserves our thanks. Uniform Committee Chairman………...…...Vacant Captain Paul has been, and will con- Uniforms (Dress & Casual)…………Dan Williams tinue to be, sorely missed by his And, oh, for relaxation, Dan served many Commodore friends. proudly as chapter president in 2014.
CHORD-INATOR 4 DECEMBER 2015
should be all about making better class: the vital backbone of the Com- Jottings (to steal from Sid friends and having fun through sing- modores, and the vital backbone of Hartman) ing! Events like James Souhan’s our Society. informal singing at Toppers get our By Paul Wigley, Director It is choruses like the Minneapolis chorus out in public, giving those Commodores that truly pay the bills As we close another year, I find it singers an opportunity to have fun for BHS activities. We attend district impossible to not through singing, and establishing a conventions in large numbers, we look back and re- great relationship with a local busi- give to the Harmony Foundation, we flect on the success- ness and their patrons. Guys that keep working to bring new members es of the Minneap- sing at these events show a great into the Barbershop family, we give olis Commodores. selflessness by giving their time and to local altruistic projects. The OK, we can start singing on behalf of the Minneapolis “middle” class is the financial and with finishing in Commodores. The goal of bringing administrative backbone of the Bar- 2nd place at District more harmony to relationships and contest. That’s fan- building the group experience is bershop structure. Paul Wigley tastic! It’s a great strengthened through these local The Minneapolis Commodores are a district, and we heard a bunch of real- performances. microcosm of the Society. The ma- ly great choruses…and we managed jority of Commodores are not district The Harmony Brigade is the best to snatch a higher score than all but champion quartet singers, but very example of having fun, building re- one other. Choruses that consistently good singers that like to make better lationships, making friends, and ex- sing at a B+ level are among the tops friends and have fun through singing. panding the group experience in BHS. Great work. Our biggest workers may not be our through singing. The past couple of best singers (then again…maybe they Now, let’s get to stuff that REALLY years I personally have been SO are!), but they are our best administra- matters! Ha! I’ve said it before. You jealous of the Commodores mem- tors, our biggest financial boosters would think with my involvement in bers singing off in the corner, hav- and recruiters, and our hardest logisti- the Contest and Judging system, that ing fun, sounding really good….that cal workers (risers, HOP set-up, driv- contests would be the “end all, be all” this year I’m joining them! I’m of my Barbershop life. Quite the op- tired of being jealous (but now I do ing trailer, on and on). posite is true. The following jottings have to learn a lot of music! Ha!) I Yes, as I look back on the year 2015, are all the real reasons that I love be- can’t wait for that weekend in Feb- I feel incredibly fortunate to be sur- ing a part of the Commodores: ruary. Dave Speidel is a rock-star rounded by men that want to make We all would love to see more when it comes to organizing and better friends, bring harmony to more recognition for outstanding efforts promoting this event! relationships and group experience, and have fun through singing. We are other than competition. It would be There needs to be more celebra- amateurs—we do it for the love of wonderful to have accolades for con- tion of the “middle class” of Barber- singing and making music. THAT is tributions to the community and soci- shop members. The vast majority of something that I will always cele- ety. The Chapter Achievement awards BHS members are NOT quartet brate, be proud of, and be grateful to are a start, but they are sorely under- champions, or chorus champions… be a part of. Thank you all for a great stated and not celebrated in any spe- but rather guys that like to have fun year! My best friends truly are within cial way. and make friends through singing. the Minneapolis Commodore family. Participating in a Barbershop chorus This is my definition of middle
Merry Christmas from TFLBTMOT and Joanie!
CHORD-INATOR 5 DECEMBER 2015 BOARD HIGHLIGHTS SUNSHINE 12/14 Dave Casperson HOTLINE 12/19 Steve Daniel 12/19 Ken Knutson (75) 12/20 Natalie Lapakko By Rich Ongna, Sunshine Chairman Chapter members are always wel- 12/21 Judi Jarnberg Phone: 952-829-7009 12/21 Hardin Olson come to attend the Board meetings. Email: [email protected] 12/21 Lawrence Smalley From the meeting of November 19 The Commodores extend their sym- 12/22 Rollie Neve By Bill Warp, Secretary pathies to Donna 12/27 Gene Heupel Martz and fami- 12/28 Terry Jean St. Martin Treasurer’s Report: Peter Jarn- ly in the passing 12/29 Laura Jane Dawson berg will act as of Paul on No- 12/29 Chuck McKown (55) temporary treasurer vember 10th. A 12/29 Ebie Richards until John Carlotto memorial service 12/29 Bonnie Vink returns following was held for him 01/03 Mary Erickson his major surgery. on Tuesday, No- 01/03 Doug Miller (75) Membership: vember 17th in 01/06 Connie Ashley Commodore contri- Rich Ongna Pensacola, FL. He 01/09 Caryl Hansen butions to Give to was buried in Barrancas National 01/09 Linda McClellan the Max Day to- Cemetery located at Naval Air Sta- Bill Warp taled about $1800. tion, Pensacola. A Visitor Night will be scheduled in Bob Griffith had carotid artery the near future, a chairman to be ap- surgery on November 19th. It went 12/17 Paul & Becky Wigley pointed by next meeting. well and he’s recuperating at home. 12/19 Tony & Debbie Mason Members discussed the Commodores 12/21 Denny & Jane Rolloff joining the Rotary Club or the Cham- Jim McCarville had quad bypass 12/23 Ken& Judy Knutson ber of Commerce and perhaps man- surgery the second week of Novem- 12/30 Bob & Jean Spong ning a booth at the MIA Convention ber. He has returned home after a 01/05 Russ & Jeni Born in October. couple of weeks in therapy at St Ger- trudes. Doctors are continuing to Remember: Please keep me in- Music and Performance: There will be Thursday tech rehearsal on monitor a fibrillation issue. He formed about who is ailing and don’t hopes to be back in the new year. April 14, 2016 prior to the Annual assume that I already know because Show on April 16. There will be more John Carlotto had heart surgery to often I am in in the dark. Help me $25 tickets printed for the show. replace two valves and do one artery brighten the days of our ailing mem- A chairman and theme are needed bypass on Tuesday, November 24th. bers. Just a short note of encourage- for the 2017 Annual Show. It went very well and he’s recuperat- ment or a brief phone call can make ing at home. Octet challenges will continue in the day of a person who’s not feeling January. Each octet will be given a Jane Rolloff spent a few days in well. thirty minute evaluation by Paul Methodist Hospital and a few in St. Wigley following the performance. Gertrudes dealing with congestive heart failure. She is back at home Marketing: Commodores need to now under Denny’s watchful eye. be more active on social-media sites. Peter Jarnberg shared some concerns Glenn Retter has been dealing with of the LOL District Board. The fall some health issues. Cardiologist’s are November Reenlistments District Contest lost money and the monitoring his heart and he is receiv- board is looking at how to reduce ing some walk therapy because of Denny Maas…………………..4 yrs. costs. some falls he’s taken. Jeff Sangaard…………………4 yrs. Next meeting December 17 at Tom Dahlen was dealing with shin- Mark Bloomquist……………..7 yrs. Wooddale Lutheran Church. gles around his face, eyes and neck. Gene Heupel……………….....7 yrs. It affected his vision for a while. Ken Wentworth…………….…7yrs. He’s feeling much better now and can Blake Wanger…………...……8 yrs. see clearly again.
CHORD-INATOR 6 DECEMBER 2015 Chord Candy #139 by Dr. Jim Richards, Der Tagmeister There was a time in the not too distant past when the Contest and Judging Committee attempted to pre- serve the “Barbershop style”— at least in the contest venue—by decreeing that at least one third of the chords, by time duration, must be “Barbershop 7th” chords. This tag should please the preservationists since 57% of the time is spent on 7th chords and even more than that if the tag is retarded toward the end! More recently the C & J Committee has taken a more liberal approach to accepting that which was previously unacceptable. I promise equal time in a future Chord Candy for those whose harmonic appetites are more adventurous. Meanwhile, enjoy this one!
Jim Richards
number of cast members and the glow, promoting it as a Cabaret-style Goin’ Way Out West story will be driven with more narra- event complete with a dinner buffet By Dave Speidel, 2016 Annual Show tion. for about $25. Starting at 6:00 p.m., Chairman We have two special-guest groups the Cabaret will be open to the public and members will have an opportuni- With all of the other things on our booked for our show. The first is the North Star Boy’s Choir. If you ty to sell a Combo Package to their plates, we haven’t guests. This will be a better value had much time to google the choir you will find that they have done a little bit of Barber- than when patrons come to the show focus on the 2016 and go out on their own for dinner Annual Show but shop in the past and have performed very well in national choir competi- afterwards, especially when you con- now we’re going to sider we will offer live entertainment. hit it hard and tion. heavy. We have a Our headliner quartet will be Artistic The Cabaret Chairman is Travis nice start on the mu- License, a top-10 finalist at Interna- Wuttke, and the Mermaid will be sic and our goal is tional this past summer. This four- our Afterglow venue. In addition to Dave Speidel to have all of it off some boasts veteran quartet men the Combo Package members will be paper by the end of January, the pos- who have competed in other top-10 permitted to sell Afterglow-only tick- sible exception being a new contest quartets. According to Paul Wigley ets to customers who elect to forego song we will be introducing shortly. we can expect an excellent program the dinner. With the great learning tracks in your from them. By lending her produc- All Commodore members are invited possession this is a very realistic tion expertise, Judy Olson will be to attend the buffet (and we might goal. So strap on your “chaps” and helping us pull off a great show! even sing a song or two). It will be a giddy up! A major change this year is the one perfect opportunity to socialize with Our literary professor and master -show format to see if we can do a friends and family in a relaxed atmos- narrator, Bob Dykstra, will be craft- better job of maximizing our bottom phere that you certainly would not ing a diary of our exciting journey line. The show will start at 3:00 want to miss. out west. As yet we haven’t decided p.m. and end at approximately 5:15. SUPPORT on any special characters since we must wait to see how the story-line Ticket prices will be $15-25 as in HARMONY evolves in Bob’s diary. With that previous years, but we will be mak- FOUNDATION being said, we will have a minimal ing a bigger deal out of the After-
CHORD-INATOR 7 DECEMBER 2015
Cradled gently on the edge of a would be more like it. She was eight- Georgia Grind floating lightness, Doc was now een now and giggles were only piercing the mists of memory. Final- for little girls, she thought. But, in By Jim Erickson, Blathering Bari- ly being able to bring things into a her mind she was bubbling over with tone bit of focus, he saw the fading red giggles. (“Oh God, she’s laughing at Ready to face down the Gods of brick buildings of… of what? Was me! Should I turn and run right weather war? As that my medical school in the midst now?”) Glued to the spot, Hardy just a medicine man, of those beautiful oaks? It was. And stood there like a puppet whose ma- Doc Hardy was as the pungent laboratory fumes nipulator had just taken an intermis- smart, challeng- wafted his way, he strolled along the sion. Here was this fresh as a breeze, ing, tough, very stone walkways toward the stark obviously confident, young woman. intuitively compe- classrooms. Abruptly, he caught the And in just that flash of a moment, tent and yet with fragrance of Lilacs? Or? (Oh, forget Hardy sensed she was a bit brash a side that was what he smelled!) with a full measure of impishness. tender, warm, The rest of the world faded and there Even in one little nibble, she swal- Jim Erickson often funny, and she was. “I can’t breathe!” he stam- lowed him up scarcely tapping even just plain complex. Not the skilled mered. All the students had talked a shadow of the power she could lord surgeon he had hoped to become, but about her, but as these were his first over him. (“Help me someone, she is adequate for that turn of the century. days at school, he had never seen so…sooooo…so pretty.”) Oh, yes, That was Doc Hardy. Horses and her. And now she was walking right she was really that pretty, but worse buggies were still the way you got at him. Arm in arm with her father, for him she knew it and used it to around and practical medicine, prac- the medical school Dean, she had haunt all the young men in medical ticed all too often by little-schooled school. I guess that’s why she didn’t “doctors,” was common. And Doc have much interest in winnowing out Hardy was one of a few who went to a one or two choice males for her in- medical school of, oh, a little credi- dulgence. Maybe they all seemed bility. sort of the same. Boring for the most Answering a cry for help at a distant part. Medical students. Hah! “They farm in threatening weather, Doc all seem so, well...antiseptic.” Hardy had grabbed his bag and hur- And yet, did Hardy see a spark of a ried to help. Call over, Doc hastened flirt in her narrowed eyes? Eyes slit to his buggy just as a treacherous like her father’s and yet hers glowed storm broke. Minutes later, the whif- with a mischievous challenge. Aimed fletree of his buggy exploded into directly at Hardy they wilted him matchsticks from a lightning strike. even more if there was even a Stunned, Doc, seeing he had lost one smidgeon more left to wilt. The Dean horse, reined in the crazed survivor coldly growled, “Good afternoon, and headed home, only to reach Dev- Mr. uh, what was your name again?” il’s Corner where the Devil himself “Hardly, sir.” “Hmm I don’t recall a must have spooked the Satan-black ‘Hardly’ in school.” horse. Hurling Doc into the arms of, her hand in front of her face whis- well, dear reader, read on and see… pering in Dad’s ear. Whisper over, Well, folks, the demolition of Hardy she turned to look down the side- was now complete. He couldn’t A giant whoosh of wind made the walk right into the eyes of Hardy. walk, talk, or even mutter his own woodpecker holes in the trees moan Bam! Hardy’s knees turned to jelly name. Same name he’d had all his and whistle like a broken flute. Fling- as his mouth gaped open. The life and yet he now called himself, ing through the air came an ugly Dean’s hard-boiled reputation shone “Hardly.” Her eyes widened as she stump of a limb, thud, right in front of through his narrowed eye slits as he failed to stifle another laugh, a polite his horse’s hooves. Bug-eyed would glared at this freshman. He didn’t one, though. And as the Dean turned be a pale description of what Doc saw have to pretend to be tough. One away to greet another, this object of in the animal’s eyes. He could cling look and kids like Hardy turned to a absolute fetchedness [sic] turned to the makeshift reins, yeah, but when pile of blathering mud. away, too. But with her head tilted his spooked horse reared up, the sur- She knew immediately what had just and eyes just a teasingly bit side- prised Doc was hurled into the arms ways, she smiled tauntingly saying, of Morpheus. (you know.....the Greek happened. And she couldn’t help an God of Dreams). outright giggle. No, a proper laugh Go to Grind, Page 8, Column 1
CHORD-INATOR 8 DECEMBER 2015 Grind from Page 7 music, and was always striving to doing a good job, he made the inci- “Bye, Mr. Hardly.” Then she was learn about the latest trends in her sion slowly and carefully. “Ah, this world. And she was curious and am- is pretty straightforward,” he said to gone. bitious, not annoyingly so, but just himself “not anything like I imagined “Blithering idiot, that’s what I am.” In of the kind who put her heart and might go wrong.” Self-satisfied, he a dream-blink, suddenly he was in strength into her efforts whatever leaned over the cadaver to get a clos- class, a class led by a rather stout, they were. “Wonder if the boy mut- er look at his handiwork, when sud- coarse man whose credentials were terer and I might cross paths again,” denly (Hardy could only utter a blue- that he had worked alongside a noted she asked no one in particular. faced gasp) there came a… doctor for some years, but had had no “school” training. Which was not un- Another dream-jump and he was in To be continued. (If I feel like it…) common in that day. Most homes did- a laboratory preparing himself for Note: Be sure to spell Barbershop n’t have a bathtub or telephone. Ba- his first cadaver experience. A genu- with a capital “B.” [see below] (This bies were born at home in almost eve- ine autopsy kind of exploration. Ex- satisfies the editor’s requirement that ry case and one study reported that cept for his uncle’s funeral, he had my articles have some relationship to 90% of doctors had no college educa- never seen a dead person before. Barbershop.) And even though there tion. In fact, medical students attend- Now you do understand that the au- has been this slight diversion with ed so-called medical schools many of topsy room was not germ-free. But the story of Doc Hardy, never fear which were condemned in the press for the most part neither was any- that the search for the origins of the and by the government as thing medical then as much of medi- Georgia Grind is continuing. In fact, “substandard.” This during a time cine was practiced in some pretty I have just discovered…(also to be when the five leading causes of death ordinary, everyday conditions. Non- continued next time...Maybe!) were: pneumonia and influenza, tu- sterile, that is. And the word, Hold fast to that which is good and berculosis, diarrhea, heart disease, “practiced” probably was pretty keep on recruiting. and stroke. This was the world in close to the truth then. Besides, this which Hardy wanted to prepare for was a dissection, not a surgery. Was the main difference that surgery had his life’s work, but the classroom on Let’s put the this day couldn’t begin to keep his a, well, a just a quite different odor? attention. His mind could only flash, Surgery smell? Autopsy smell? capital flash, flash back to the constant stings Both assaulted the taste and smell of his devastating chance meeting. “buds.” But both had a kind of ac- “B” The Dean and his daughter… quired sense that became more fa- ummmmm. “Oh hell, I don’t even miliar with each experience. in Barbershop know her name.” He harbored no So, here was a dead, naked person doubts that it would be something as lying but inches from him and his co capturing as she was. -freshmen. Who? Where did he BREAKING NEWS come from? What was his name? Michelle, (that was her name, Hardy!) from the Northern Pines chuckled again as she thought about Had he been dug up for a few paltry the serendipitous encounter with the dollars by some itinerant grave ex- Harmony Brigade blubbering freshman. “What a mess tractor? Less politely known as a All I want for Christmas are 2 “grave robber.” A lot of questions he was,” she mused. And yet, what Tenors and 5 Leads! was it that she found just a little en- were not asked by those in charge chanting. Oh, he was cute in a farm- because the need for cadavers was Our roster for the 2016 Harmony boy sort of way. And who knew how constant in a medical school. Brigade Rally (Fe. 19-21) is almost smart or clever he was when he full. We have 20 baritones and 20 With the guidance of his teacher, basses, but are short five good couldn’t even remember his name Hardy grasped the cold, shiny scal- under a little pressure. But she sensed leads and likewise, two good ten- pel and awaited the word to make an ors. We will also accept addition- something in his being that was be- incision. His inexperience and un- ginning to grow on her. Intriguing al applicants for the other voice easiness wereprobably the reason he parts if you register ASAP. Don't her. She knew the power of her hadn’t noticed a rather unusual lump charms over boys, but thought better miss out on the opportunity to sing in the abdominal area. If he thought lots of good songs with other well of calling them up if Hardy and she at all, he may have projected that it should happen to meet again. Besides, prepared singers. Register today was a tumor or growth of some at www.nphb.org she had so many things in her life oth- kind. er than medical students. A smart and Dave Speidel, NPHB President capable girl, she dallied in art and Instead, concentrating intensely on
CHORD-INATOR 9 DECEMBER 2015 Barbershop Judging Rules versation following the contests, and cal Arrangement was allotted 300 selected a winner. (Incidentally, to points; and Stage Presence was allot- Through the Years this point I have not been able to ted 100 points. (Note that these cate- by Bob Dykstra, Curmudgeon-at-Large Sixty-Three-Year Member of SPEBSQSA determine exactly when it was that gories and weightings had been devel- instrumental accompaniment was oped and used by Thorne, Embury, At a recent meeting of the Friday ruled a competition “no-no,” but Perkins, and Reagan three years earli- Lunch Bunch that ruling came quite early in the er). that Meets on Society’s competition history). Thursdays it An interesting aspect of this contest was mentioned The next step in judging was insti- was that one of the judges, Molly that the Barber- gated by four Society icons at the Reagan, used a slide rule to mathe- shop Harmony Michigan State Contest in early matically adjust all scores to the six- Society judging 1941. Frank Thorne, Phil Em- minute level regardless of how long a community is bury, Cy Perkins, and Molly quartet actually sang on stage. One making signifi- Reagan, who served as the judg- quartet sang only a minute and a half cant changes in ing panel, met for dinner before the and sang well with few mistakes. Dr. Bob Dykstra what is now the contest began and decided that their Another sang for six minutes and Presentation Category and will re- evaluative scores would reflect the therefore had a much greater chance name it the Performance Category. following aspects of Barbershop to make mistakes in performance. performance: Musical Arrangement, The slide rule was used to account for That led to five or six of us old- Harmony Accuracy, and Voice Ex- that discrepancy. (As I recall when I timers trying to come up with the pression would each receive 30% of started competing in 1953 there was Barbershop judging categories that the scoring emphasis, while Stage major emphasis on avoiding errors if were in place when we competed in Presence would account for only you wanted a good competition score. the far distant past…basically the 10%. Hence, the mathematical adjustment 1950s and 1960s. We all remembered of scores making singing time basi- that there were five categories and Just a few months later, at the Na- tional Convention, however, judges cally irrelevant made sense. Note that could quite readily remember Ar- minimum and maximum performance rangement, Balance and Blend, Stage gave a 50% weighting to Barber- shop Harmony, 25% to Song Selec- times of four minutes and six minutes Presence, and Harmony Accuracy. had not yet been mandated). No one could recall the fifth catego- tion, and 25% to Stage Presence. It ry…although I (unsuccessfully) ar- should be emphasized, however, Contest rules one year later (1945) did gued for Attacks and Releases. that judges were not yet assigned to mandate that singing for fewer than categories; each judge came up with four minutes or more than six minutes So upon my return home I decided to a single score taking into account would be penalized. Another major do a bit of research not only to re- each of the categories and its change was that prior to the conven- discover Category 5, but to trace weighting. tion the definition of Barbershop har- (rather casually, I’m afraid) the evo- mony was adopted in the interest of lution of Barbershop contest-judging A year later in 1942 weightings for elements of contest performance “preservation.” The primary impact rules during our beloved Society’s 77 of the definition apparently was to -year history. My primary research were changed again. Harmony Ac- curacy was to account for 25% of require that the melody, whether sung sources included Heritage of Harmo- by the lead, bari, or bass be below the ny (1988) by Val Hicks, Keep Ameri- the score, Voice Expression 30%, Song Arrangement 25%, Song Se- tenor. Judging categories included: ca Singing (1948) by Deac Martin, Voice Expression - 300 points (blend Melodies for Millions(1965) by Will lection 10%, and Stage Presence 10%. Costuming for the first time or lack thereof, attacks and releases, Cook, Harmonet Reporter’s online shading, enunciation, time and contest summaries, and certain copies was included in judging Stage Pres- ence. Prior to this there was no ex- rhythm); Song Arrangement - 300 of the Society’s publication, The Har- points distributed between song ar- monizer. pectation that Quartets would dress alike or would select costumes to rangement and voice arrangement; The first two contests in 1939 and augment their presentation. Harmony Accuracy - 300 points; 1940 were very casual with respect to Stage Presence and Costume - 100 rules. Quartets could sing either with In 1944 judges were assigned to points. (In light of my comments in or without instrumental accompani- categories for the first time. Harmo- the last paragraph suggesting that er- ment and judges selected from ny Accuracy was allotted 300 points ror avoidance was of primary concern among “knowledgeable members” per judge; Voice Expression in scoring well, it’s interesting that- evaluated the contestants holistical- (including blend, attacks and releas- most of the discussion in the 1945 ly……there were no categories. es, shading, rhythm, and enuncia- contest “manual” speaks to the penal - Judges took notes, had a brief con- tion) was allotted 300 points; Musi- Go to Rules, Page 10, Column 1
CHORD-INATOR 10 DECEMBER Rules from Page 9 penalized or disqualified.) and the art of the performance; (3) ties judges should assess for errors in After twenty years of relative calm Singing judges evaluate artistic sing- each of the categories). in the Barbershop judging arena ing in the Barbershop style, listening (and my leaving the competition holistically for ringing in-tune voices A couple of interesting instructions that use a free, beautiful, and rich vo- were part of the 1948 judging proce- stage) significant changes occurred in 1971. The Voice Expression cat- cal quality which is wonderfully uni- dures. Forty quartets competed in fied and vocally expressive. what was then called the Semi-Finals, egory was re-named Interpretation. the highest-scoring fifteen of which Interpretation judges were asked to The three-category system adopted in were selected to sing in the Finals adjudicate the artistic presentation of 1994 has now been used without sig- Contest. The Finalists were admon- a song including tempo, rhythm, nificant change for the last twenty-one ished, however, under penalty of dis- phrasing, dynamics, and diction. years. Recall that the five-category qualification, that they must sing two Attacks and releases were now part system in place (1951-71) during the different songs from those performed of the Balance and Blend category. Hut Four’s competitive years re- in the Semi-Finals. (I’m not sure The Arrangement Category, moreo- mained basically intact for two dec- whether or not this was the first con- ver, was re-designed to become the ades. Furthermore, the four-category test with this specific rule). The top protector of the Barbershop style of system (1976-94) endured for almost five quartets from the Finalist compe- music. The scoring range for the another two decades. Recall also that tition then sang in the Medalist Con- category was +20 to -20, depending my interest was piqued to explore the test and were told that they could sing on how well a given arrangement history of the Society’s judging sys- any two songs of their own choosing. met the criteria of a Barbershop Har- tem by current efforts within the judg- (I assume this meant that they could mony arrangement. A score of -20 ing community to re-examine the pa- perform any of the four songs already resulted in disqualification of that rameters of the Presentation Category performed if they so chose). Another particular song, a very unusual oc- and to re-name it the Performance interesting point of emphasis was that currence. Incidentally, the scoring Category. (Information about the cat- quartets not in costume or not dressed system just described was in place egory change can be found in the lat- alike were to be disqualified. when Bob Dowma, Jim Foy, Rod est issue of the Harmonizer which Johnson, and Bob Spong, the Hap- arrived a couple days ago.) So it ap- By 1951 judging categories had stabi- piness Emporium, won the Interna- pears a significant change in judging lized and were to remain so for ap- tional gold medal in 1975. rules is imminent…again after a peri- proximately the next 20 years, the pe- od of approximately two decades. riod during which the Hut Four and I In 1976 Balance and Blend and Har- competed in ten international quartet mony Accuracy merged to create a In reading the Harmonizer discussion contests as well as a number of Inter- new category called Sound. Quar- about the new Performance Category national preliminary and District con- tets and choruses were now judged by Ken Keller, current Chair of the tests as well. Beginning in 1951 on Sound, Interpretation, Arrange- Contest and Judging Committee, I Voice Expression, Harmony Accuracy, ment, and Stage Presence. Interest- noted with interest that he, too, came Balance and Blend, Arrangement, and ingly, just as had happened with the up with the twenty-year cycle that Stage Presence were each granted five-category system during my seems to define significant changes in 200 points per judge. Actual singing quartet competition days with the the manner in which Barbershop con- time was penalized if it fell outside the Hut Four (and one contest with the tests are adjudicated. I wonder what parameter of four to six minutes. Amalgamates) almost twenty years to expect in that regard around 2035. again passed before the next rela- Maybe we will have returned to the One change made in the Stage Pres- tively major change. system used during the very first two ence category sometime during the quartet contests, holistic assessment. late 1950s was to make it illegal for Competitors in 1994 were, for the first time, adjudicated using a three- We seem to be heading that way. At military quartets to wear their military any rate, those of us who were judged uniforms in competition. (The Hut category system...Music, Presenta- tion, and Singing. According to the during the regime of Attacks and Re- Four competed in their first three dis- leases, sorry, I mean Voice Expres- trict contests while in the service Society web page: (1) Music judges sion, don’t have to worry about it. (1953-54) and wore their khakis in assess the arranger’s skill and the each. I never thought of this before performers’ musicianship in bring- ing the mood or story of the song to Photo Credits but we were not dressed totally alike Pg. 1 Kirk Douglas Video as the rules then mandated. Bob Mok- life, and the suitability of the materi- Pg. 2 Diana Pinard snes was a Sergeant and thus had al to the Barbershop style; (2) Pg. 4 Wayne Rasmussen more stripes on his sleeves than Herb Presentation judges adjudicate how Fane, John Hansen, and I had. effectively a song is brought to life Thanks to all of you for your for However, fortunately, we were never as well as the entertainment value your great work.
CHORD-INATOR 11 DECEMBER The Chairman speaks… Letters interpreting a new chart Doc’s Editor’s Note: Dear Ed I. Tor What follows is an excerpt of from Bag You probably know much more than the Opinion Page of the November I do about Pete Villwock’s health 30 Wall Street Journal by James By Dr. Hardin Olson, Editor condition. Apparently Pete is ail- Kaplan, author of Sinatra: The ing. Fritz Herring is trying to put I can’t tell you how embarrassed I Chairman, a recent Doubleday together a quartet to meet with Pete was when I learned that through a at his mother’s place (where Pete is release. jumble of mis- now living) to sing a few Barberpole “I take a sheet with just the lyrics. communications, Cat numbers. Fritz would be the No music,” he [Sinatra] once told electronic distri- bass, Pete would be the tenor, and I the casino mogul, Steve Wynn. “At bution of the No- would be the (fractured) bari- that point I’m looking at a poem. vember issue of tone. The only thing currently miss- I’m trying to understand the point the Chord-Inator ing is a lead. of view of the person behind the did not occur until early December. I guess what we need to know—Is words. I want to understand his there a lead in the Commodores emotions. Then I start speaking, Hardin Olson Whether this was willing to meet with this rag-tag not singing, the words so I can ex- a sign of my advancing age or a just group a couple of times a month to periment and get the right inflec- testimony to my weakness at enforc- sing a few Barberpole Cat songs and tions. When I get with the orches- ing the erstwhile rigid monthly dead- try to cheer Pete up a little? One tra, I sing the words without a mi- lines I seem to set each month, the way we figure we could find out crophone first, so I can adjust the result appears the same. way I have been practicing to the would be to publish this in the With that in mind here is New Year’s Chord-Inator as a letter to you, arrangement. I’m looking to fit the emotion behind the song that I’ve Resolution #1 for 2016: I resolve to If there is a lead willing to take a come up with, to the music. Then rigidly maintain the monthly Chord- chance, he can reach me at 763/422- Inator deadlines as originally posted it all comes together.” 1160 or [email protected] regardless of would-be contributors Once he sang that number, on rec- Thanks, begging, groveling or offering finan- ord or on stage, he inhabited that cial sops (at least of lower magni- Jim (Fractured Baritone) lyric, felt it so deeply that anyone tudes). Need I say more? Jorgensen listening felt it, too. Combine that ************** with his genius ear and the phras- ing he learned from Billie Hol- Jim [Richards], Hardin liday’s vocals and Tommy I always look forward to the Chord- Dorsey’s solos. The result is that Inator, partly because of Professor Sinatra gives the eerie impression Lloyd Collings Richards’ tag corner. The tasty that he is thinking these thoughts, 1929—2015 [Burt] Szabo offering, in this issue, is feeling these feelings, in the mo- one of my favorites...and no surprise, ment the listener is hearing about Former Commodore Jim, you got every note right. I as- them. Nobody else quite manages and sume you know Burt has no fewer to bring this off. Chapter Thespian than three tag books out, and this one well-written and, more important, so passed away December 9 is included in one of them. He taught lively. The Commodore world re- it to me around a campfire once upon minds me of the Kansas City Chap- Best wishes to Miz Ebie and all! a time and [I] have always delighted ter when it had a similarly young, Merrily & “barily,” in surprising folks with “do you know handsome and enthusiastic direc- the real When I Leave the World Be- tor. Not as talented, (OK, not as Editor’s Note: With one exception (First “I” in Line 1) the capitals are mine). hind tag?” handsome either) but we did have a Still, a big “Thanks!” to Mr. Bagby! Sometimes I try to light up folks with great run! ************** Sing a Lullaby and Say Goodnight Dr. Hardin, forgot to mention how Jim [Richards] but that doesn't always work out as much I appreciate your use [of the I need to tell the world…I love JB!! well. Jim can tell you the story. Bob Clark version on the last page] Paul [Wigley] As a former bulletin editor, I also en- of the Society logo, with the ac- joy your publication because it's so companying Scout/SAI notice!
CHORD-INATOR 12 DECEMBER
Dr. Hardin Olson, Bulletin Editor 3020 St. Albans Mill Road #109 1st CLASS Minnetonka, MN 55305 952/229-4525 POSTAGE [email protected] HERE All copy and photos herein without a byline as well as those opinions Neither shared with the Girl and commentaries under his byline Scouts nor dumped by the are the sole responsibility of the Sweet Adelines. Chord-Inator Editor and do not Logo courtesy of Bob Clark necessarily reflect the views of those of the Minneapolis Chapter RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Board or its officers. Chapter Quartets To: BOMP Dan Cole………………………….612/940-4554 CHORD SMASH James Estes……………………….612/237-3234 EASY LISTENIN' Dan Slattery……………………... 651/747-6384 HOT COMMODITY Dave Speidel…………………..….612/437-4325 RING IT ON LOOKING AHEAD Andy Richards…………………....651/639-9312 April 16, 2016, Saturday, Annual MINNESOTA GO-4’s 2015 Barbershopper Of The Year Harvey Weiss…………………….763/439-4447 Show RANDOM SAMPLE District Level Rich Ongna Darrell Egertson…………………..952/943-8737 January 15-16, 2016, LOL leadership SWYPE Training Academy - Lakes Chord Commodores and others * Mark Bloomquist………………...952/541-0232 College, University of Wisconsin - contributing to this issue. SOUNDS of RENOWN (VLQ) River Falls Gordy Auman Mark Ortenburger…………….…..952/942-8382 Jim Bagby* International Level Bob Dykstra January 26-31, 2016, Midwinter Con- Jim Erickson vention, Reno, Nevada Donna Martz* July 3-10, 2016, International Con- Hardin Olson vention, Nashville, Tennessee Rich Ongna Jim Richards Dave Speidel CHORD-INATOR Bill Warp 1st Place Paul Wigley 2013 PROBE HARD-COPY INTERNATIONAL BULLETIN CONTEST
CHORD-INATOR MINNEAPOLIS COMMODORES Minneapolis Chapter of SPEBSQSA The Chord-Inator is available on MEETING EVERY TUES –7:00 p.m. the Minneapolis Chapter’s website House of Prayer Lutheran Church minneapoliscommodores.org 7625 Chicago Ave. S. beginning with the January 2006 Richfield, MN 55423 issue. GUESTS ALWAYS WELCOME