Pioneer For Advettiilng rc•a orw:l l"'ormohon Contact John Gill"l'ie 712 NE,.9Qfe Rood TROUBADOUR Kolomozoo, Mldllgan C9007 (616; 3-Cl-•188 Official Publication of the POSTMASTER: Mall addreu chongu ond undollvorobht PIONEER DISTRICT copy 10 17336 HorJMr, Detroit, ,.,chigo" .a2:l4. St'cond SJ'.E I .S.Q S.A., Inc Clou posroge po'd at o..rr.,;t, M:tl\lgon. tPv.blication No. USPS 3460801 AciYertisll'g rct"S ovorlobt• on request. Ed·.,- -I' J. R..-:..-gver SubKril>tion rata - Sl.SO pe.r ycor Sin!ll• Copy !>'ice - 60c 2185 Prb~eton "· Sr·k.leyl Michigan ~n Published Febntory, ~rll• .t..n., August, (3 3) 542.3371 ~"'- grd o.ambc.
VOUME XXI, ISSUE 5 cx:::'IOBER, NOVEMBER, 1981
Beautiful MILLER AUDITORIUM at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan -contest site of the 1981 Pioneer District Fall Convention, S. 0 • E. B.S. Q. S. A., October 16 - 18, 1981. NEWS FROM AROUND THE DISTRIC T ALPENA OAKLAND COUNT Y WAYNE Well, its been some time since you The 19· 1 venion of the Annual Our hapter report to the iroub have hea1·d from us, but if you think Harmony Happening at Harrisville was has been missing the last two issues we have been annexed by Soo, Ontario the ~mega and ,11.1 pha - to reverse the and it's all lll.Y fault. You see. I don't believe it. It jus: :akes a usual order - for Oakland County was so busy with Pine Knob Ill and little longer for things to happen Chapter. It \1as the end of a full the very successful International up here. One of the things that just but orderly su:rner, highlighted by Convention that f plu=b forgot!. ~appened was the 19th edition of :he the International Convention. And it Well, not exactly forgo:, but I was Harrisville Harmony Weekend. Out was the beginning of a vigorous, having so much fun ~ha~ the time Chapter has the pleasure of being concentrated effort by the Chapter's sl1pped righ~ by~- You ~now how the host for the Sunday Concert Wolverine Chorus to win the District tha~ is ... right? mainly because it's held practically Chor•S Contest in ~alamazoo on Octo We. of the Wayne Chapter nourn the in our back yard. We had 8~ of our ber 17. With that goa 1. Cho,·us Di passing of one of our stalwarts - chapter· rm~mbershi p at the event but rector, Al Fisk, persuaded Carl Dah Bob ~liller. Your humble reporter was we decline the trophy each year be lke, of Auto Towners fame, to take away visiting offspring and was not cause we dre so close. Even though on lhe job of coachi ng the chorus. able to join Wayne's Wonderland Cho we had nothing to do with the origin In announcing the arrangement, Chap rus at the memorial service, but, of the Harrisville event, it seems ter President, Don McDaniel, said, knowing my own feelings aoout Bob. I that each year we become roore and "Al Fisk's youthful enthusiasm and can mentally put reyself in that more involved. Our 2nd Annual Look music savvy and Carl Dahlke's Bar choir loft and suffer the same dif out ~ltn. Chapter Meeting 'lfas a fine bershop experience and background is ficulties my brothers in Wayne had success and we surely appreciate all a co~ination sure to put us on the in singing their hearts ou:. :nose who came fr
3 Chapter what it wants to see, but he Chapter as a member of PROBE. is confused because he never gets 7. He should be recognized often by any suggestions on what to do, but the Chapter. He should be given rather only criticism after he has everyone's support. Pat him on the tried something new. He's looking back often; it will help his frame for your approval and he tries hard of mind greatly. •••••••• to get it. He want's to feature you, 8. Resolve to give your B.E at A short'''~'''~ while back, District Pres your quartet or your committee in least one idea or article this ident, Fran Jones called me and we the Bulletin, but he's not a mind year, strictly from yourself, just talked about the deplorable state of reader. Someone has got to clue him because you want to help. affairs within the Pioneer District in on what is happening . with regards to Chapter Bulletins. He would really like to put out a Of the 31 Chapters within the Dis pub l ication that would win the Bul trict, only a handful have a bulle letin Contest in his District, for tin and some of these are only pub his own satisfaction, as wel l as the Musical Notes lished sporadically. This is not to prestige it would give the Chapter. say that the chapters do not have a But, in many cases, his Chapter from Bulletin Editor. If you check your leaves it up to him to "scrounge up" District Directory, you'll find that the necessary equipment and supplies the Big Bear almost every chapter lists an Editor in order to accomplish this mission. with their other chapter officers. ''After all," they reason, "we're not It's just that these men are not do made of money, and besides, we're W . D. 'Bill" Bulle.. D M E. ing the job that they were chosen to 337 48 Pawnee Drive gonna need new un iforms in a year or We1tlond. Michigan ~8185 do . Why? Perhaps some of the rea two." Phone 313/ 721 -4747 sons are listed in the article be This gallant Bulletin low. If you would like to receive a Editor struggles along regular chapter bulletin, read the for a year or two, on Another .. Harmony Round-Up" has article and see how you can help. his own, do i ng his very come and gone and was, I say without Perhaps YOU could do the job ... if best and taking all the fear of contradiction, the finest not, maybe you know someone in the "guff" for "forgetting yet, from a fun and learning stand chapter who could. Find that person that important date" point. The registrations were far and SEND HIM TO C.O.T. School. We'll (no one bothered to i n- ~ below our hopes and expectations, have a class for Bulletin Editors form him of it) or "not~~:: and that's regretable. Those of you which will help him al ong. If you mention ing the Flat -~= _ __., who chose not to attend, or for some make him these promises - and follow Tones latest singout" - ~-~ reason were unable to attend are the through on them- I'll bet he'll (he didn't even know · losers. Ask anyone who was there. continue to do his part: the Flat Tones were stil l singing) . We're asking that anyone who has He then quietly drops by t he way suggestions about our schools, ei The CARE and FEEDING side, and the Chapter loses the po ther Harmony Round -Up or the Quartet of a BULLETIN EDITOR tentially most vital and influen and Coaching Clinic, please send tial , and certainly the most dedica them to me. These are your schools, by Joe Lindsay ted, member of it's administrative and we want them to be the best for team. Then you, as a Chapter, ha ve YOU. Hey, Joe Barbershopper, to start all over again. Maybe you The District still has the offer do you know your Bu 11 e will be lucky this ti,e. Maybe you open for any chapter, to send one or tin Editor? I mean, do will find a retired newspaper man two men in for a one or two day cli you really know him? with a brother in the printing busi nic. This can be for one, or more Let's take a look. ness. MAYBE, but don 't bet on it! chapters, or an entire division. The He's not a "l iterary Instead, invest a littl e time, ef cost to you is only for meals and giant" or a "newspaper fort and money into the "Proper Care lodging for the faculty. let us Pro." He's not a poet or and Feeding of a Chapter Bul letin know. Also, anyone who is interest a great lyricist. Most Editor." ed in operation "Direct Hit'' (and likely he'sa mechanic 1. He should be made a voting mem every chapter should be) please con or a farmer, or a clerk ber of the Chaptet· Board of Direc tact your Divisional Director of Hu in the grocery store. He tors. sic Education. They are listed in shows a common concern, 2. He should be provided with a your District Directory. however, with the rest of his coun- Bulk Mailing Permit, to allow him By the way, it sure would be nice terparts, in his desire to serve his to make max imum circulation of the if we had as many quartets partici chapter and his. belief that good Chapter's PR Sheet, and to permit pating at District Contest as we communications are vital to any suc the exchange of Bulletins with as have Choruses. We should have twice cessful organization. many other editors as possible. as many quartets as choruses. Why Are you happy with your Chapter 3. He should be provided with, or not enter and ha ve fun? You don't Bulletin? Do you feel it serves given access to, the best equip have to wait until you feel you are it's intended purpose? Do you see ment that your Chapter can buy or going to be a sure winner. While we ways to improve it? Can you contri arrange for. only have one or two winners in the bute in some way to its overall suc 4. He should have a yearly budget scoring column, everyone that parti cess? What help do you individually for supplies in order to do hi s cipates is a winner. You are a loser give the Editor. What help, for that job properly. He gives freely of only if you don't take part. matter, does you entire Chapter and his time. Don 't expect him to sup We will appreciate your comments it's administration give? ply the cash for the materials and suggestions on anything having Let's look at that "average" B.E. as well. to do with your Music Education Pro He tries hard to put out a good 5. He should be invited to all com gram. let's hear from you . readable publ ication, but he feels mittee meetings, or furn ished 1~ith stymied because he has to do so much minutes of their findings . Yours in Harmony, of it alone. He wants to give the 6. He should be enrolled by the Bill Butler
4 20,406 PEOPL£ \'A!IISH! After the points are ttbJlated at year's end, a lovely plcque is a ~ff. ;ID That's right. warded to the winner of each plateau .-- in the past along with a certificate for S25.00 three years, 20,406 The following is a brief {hope worth of free music from the Society Barbershoppers disap- tully) look at our District insofar Music Program peared. The_, came to as International Achievement Points our meetings, paid their are concerned. For those of you who dues, learned our songs, do not know, these points are award supported our chapters,and then sim ed by International for ~uch things ply .anished. WHY? as having a Chapter Show~ entering -ne reasons are varied~ frce the Chorus C~pe~ition , planned Ac nea~~, problems, to age~ to job con tivities; Board Meetings~ sending flicts, to lost interest. Delegates to the House of Delegates But the really frightening ones Meeting; Publishing a Bull etin; hav are the special reasons culled from ing Officers at COT School; having the Society's Dropped-Member ques registered Quartets within the Cha~ tionnaire, such as: a ~er in the ter and having tnem enter Competl hospital for three reonths and not a tion· Membership Gain and even for single chapter ~ber ever vi~ited sending in reports on time -- in or even called his wife; or "because short(?), all those things which Henbers of the Wayne Chapter, and of the co~dness and don't-care atti are indicat· .e o"' a grcr.,..ing, healthy Barbershoppers in the Pionee~ Cis tuae of most ~bers;a or this chapter. Th1s •s tile wa,~ our thirty tr'ct, courn the sudden pass'~~ of chapter just clowns around;a or "I one chapterr stacl up as of 8 31 1 ~1: Bob Viller, a premier bass and lJna found mYSelf too tied up in non standing member of the Chapter. singing activities." CHAPTER POINTS tiEMBERS Bob succumbed to a heart attack on There are a lot more Wednesday, August 19. A fellow Wayne similar reasons which Plateau 6 Chapter nember and friend, Frank Ha could be repeated. The to· , was with him, but att~ts to point is, are "e really Grand Rapids l63 107 revne him with CPR were unsuccess that cold and uncaring? Detroit 224 111 ful. Does competition domi Wayne 73 94 Bob Killer originally joined the nate everytning your old ·~n ~rbor Chapter, and sang bass cnapter does? Do you ~lateau 5 fn ·~h e ~rbor -raders," witn Dan Hc really care about our lost Cartl\7, D ck Webber and Bob Graham. members? If so, what are you doing Oakland County 245 103 Later, Bob sang bass with Webber , about it? Grosse Pointe 175 95 Tom Pollard and Gordy limburg in "The Invoices," who twice represen The above is from Smoke Signals and the following poem, on the sar.e Plateau 4 ted Pioneer District in l~ternation a 1 COlllllet it ion. subject, was found in Sharp Notes: Lansing 169 52 Heoorial services were held Sunday Monroe 120 51 the Z3rd, at First United ~~t~dist New cembers join to harmonize Churc:h, in Ypsilanti. He is su-. ived and suddenly are gone. by his wife, Mary, son, ~on, and Does anyone ever stop and ask; Plateau 3 •r wonder what went wrong?a Daughter, Jan. We extend our sJ~pa Benton ~'lrbor 15.1 50 tt\1 to them. Flint 108 48 There's more than harmony with the 97 41 Bob Miquelon voice, Slt Ste Marie Kalamazoo 91 40 The pitchpipe sets your note. Huron Valley 48 41 WH.AT IS MJSIC? But a warm "Hello" and a welcocne hand Gratiot County 23 37 would get new-• ember votes. -1 29 A wise man once said Coldwater that music is the only Give thern a chance to clear their cheap and unpunished throats Plateau 2 rapture on earth. It is that, and much ClOre. It !.nd offer you a chord. Port Huron 195 35 Many •unsung• heros left your mids! , Windsor 179 44 is an aid to the living, and this you can't afford. Traverse City 153 34 a shield against des Battle Creek 102 33 pair and a triumph of If singing is what singing was, Holland 91 29 the human spirit. You'd better change your pace. Boyne City 24 31 The emotions that music brings out Forget yourself and all join in, Jack!:on -14 27 are mostly good ones: love, joy, Put a s~ ,e upon your face. hope, nucor, sadness. Though it has 0 stirred oen in war, it more often Performers come, performers go. latea1.1 1 has addressed those gentle :eelings like all proverbial rivers. Saginaw 121 28 that people know when ~he.:, are at Be Barbershoppers once again, Clinton Valley 112 22 peace with themselves and tre -orld. ·o~ jolly,-joyful givers. ~hy do we need music? Because, in 14il ford 108 24 Livingston County 102 27 so many ways, it brings out the best A job well done on the risers, Muskegon 91 19 in humanity. Poor , twisted madman Perfonmance super par. Au Sable 86 18 that he was, Nietzsche was right Now polish up your Welcome mat Alpena 39 22 when he wrote, "Without music , life So you 11 rena in a "Star." Pontiac 30 18 would be a mistake." Hudson -24 18 St Joseph Valley -~7 14 (from SHARP IIOiES, Regina, Sask.) ********** 5 "Git yer J~badge
"When do you think The Dynamic
Greg •• - ty rooms together, sampling the best we were entitled to five quartets at from each as we went along, and get the internationa 1 contest and 20 ting better, we thought, as the quartets competed for these places. night wore on. Along in the grey of The five chosen were the Aetna the IIX)ming. ne were naking a dili Aires of Bay Ctty, Antlers of flint, gent search for contest officials to Four Counts of Oakland County, Gar I get the rules changed to allow this denaires, and the Left Out Four of sterling combination to nake a post Marcellus. The first alternate was entry in the International contest, the Cle~ Dwellers and the second al The Mich~an District when the brillient idea struck me ternate was the Progressives . ..-he that maybe Ted should save some of Aetna-Aires were not able to go to and it ·s that tenor for tomorrow's effort Oklahoma City for the International with his quartet. When f broached and the Clef Dwellers took their the subject to him, he fixed me with place and became the only alternate Men of Harmony a couple of eyes redder than a Paci quartet in history to wind up a Med fic sunset and said, "Let us (hie) alist 3rd place winner at the Inter by Mark P. Roberts leave tomorrow's problems to tomor national. The Clef Dwellers, up to By 1945, the Michigan District, row but let us not leave for tomor this time, were only the third Dis with Gordon Grant at the helm, Marv row that singing which can be sung trict quartet to win a medal. The Brower as Vice-President, Harold today." The fact that tomorrow was Antlers and the Gardenaires were fi Wright as Secretary and Horace Conk alreaqy there didn't seem to bother nalists at Okla homa City. Other well lin as Treasurer, had increased its anyone so , fortified by Ted's won known distri ct quartets which compe chapter count to 41 and was still derful l ogic and the gl eanings from ted at the Flint Preliminaries were graNing . The Di strict Quartet Con numerous hospitality rooms, we mar the Paragons of Mu skegon, Variety test that year was held in Flint and ched bravely, if unsteadily, into Four of Birmingham , Sing Sing Sing the Gardenaires from Rosedale Gar the dawn looking for more lucky peo ers of Midland , Improvisors of Mid dens, a community in Detroit that ple to sing for. That night, when land, the Food City Four of Battle had a chapter for a year or so, won Ted's quartet came on, I kept won Creek, Collegians of Grosse Pointe, the District quartet title. Lou dering when he was going to crack, Cosmopolitans of Grand Rapids , Song Burke sang baritone in the original but he sang beautifully and they Masters of Lansing and the Barons of Gardenaires but Chick Miller suc walked off with the big prize. The Wayne. ceeded him for the International moral of this little story, if any, The District was now holding two <:antes t . Both our records and memory is that. sone Ba rbershoppers can sing ~etings a year and at the Flint are short as to who finished 2nd and longer and louder than others, but meeting new officers were elected as Jrd in this District contest but the to me, Ted Rau is the champ . follows: President, Edwin Smith of Continentals finished fourth and Bob Walker was District President Wayne; Vice President, Roy S. Harvey then iq>roved fantastically to get a in 1947 ana Howard Heath of Saginaw of Muskegon ; Secretary, Louis R. 3rd place medal in the International was Secretary. Howard was also the Harrington of Detroit (yes, this is a few months 1ater. bass of the Barons of Harmony of the same guy) and Treasurer, Horace In 1946, Gordon Grant was in his Saginaw which won the 1947 Di strict F. Conklin of Battle Creek who was second year as District President Championship. The other members of still looking for District funds to and Bob Walker of Grand Rapids was the quartet were Chuck Sarle, Bill treasure. The District Contest was Secretary. Bob and Cecil Fisher were Oursler and Jarv Albro . The Barons held in Grand Rapids in December and the tenor and bass of the Travelers nosed out the Clef Dwellers of Oak the winner was the Clef Dwellers Quartet of Grand Rapids (Frank Hai land County in the contest held in with Dick Wisehart, tenor; Duncan ght was the lead and Bob carpenter Battle Creek in February. Michigan Hannah , lead; Bill Johnston, bari; wa.s the baritone) one of our busiest qua rtets which survived the elimi na and Hal Bauer, bass. In second place and best known quartets of the time . tions to get into the International was the Songmasters of Lansing (Haw Other District Officers were Harold Final s at Milwaukee in 1947 were t he kins, Bottom, Win egardner, McAttee) . Stark, then of Detroit but more re Antlers of Flint. the Clef Dwellers , Third place was won by the Col cently of Mio, Vice-President, and the Continentals and t he Garden legians of Grosse Pointe (Limburg, Horace Conkli n of Battle Creek still aires. The Gardenaires at this time Burrell , Avram, Winship) and fourth looking after the money, if any. The ha d Neil Hamilton singing tenor and place by the Barons of Wayne (Ar 1946 District Quartet Contest was George Oanic had switched to bari thur, LeBaron . Truesdell , and Ed held in Saginaw and the Accoustical tone. Smith). Fifth place was taken by Persecutin' Four of Jackson were Bob Walker was reelected District the r4ote Orioles of Muskegon whose named champions. The members of this President in 1948 and Or . M.J. Ken na1~s I do not have. This was the fine foursome were Francis Hodgeboom nebeck was made Secretary. Kalamazoo first contest in which awards were on tenor; Bob Britemeyer, lead; For hosted the District Quartet Contest made to the Junior and Novice Quar est Comstock, bari; and Fred Foster, and the winner was the Antlers of tet Champs . The Junior Champions bass. The 1946 International was Flint with Harry Morton, tenor; By were the Harmaniacs of Holland and held in Cleveland and the Michigan ron brooks, lead; Bill Schindler, the winner of the Novice Award was quarte
8 HARRlSVILlE HAPPENINGS ... leaving the premises ~or just a few minutes - - shucks!!, However, the IT by Darl l'li ley Logopedics Jug didn't ~iss out - o WAS The 1981 Harris ver $125 was collected. ville Har.:o One group to which Oakland County A ny \'Eei-..cnd Chapter claims 50' membership -"Rel proved agai.r. atively Speaking,' with Pete & Sally Burns and Bruce Dotie laHarte, that the~ & art of Ba.r sang in one of the local churches on be.rshopping can Sunday morning. The congregation do thrive in spite nated $28 which they, in turn, will of inclertEnt \>ea send t o the Harmony Foundation. ther. The final activity of the weekend Those of you ~oro was the show at the bandshell on WHAT NY STEin TRIP?? Sunday afternoon. Fortunately the .,..~:::::=:::~ did not attend \-."ere c. the losers of the weather cooperated, the performers Flint Arrowhead Chorus hosted one ..wJ.. .Jl. ~ year. Those of us were numerous and the audience was of the best-kept secrets the Pioneer ~b( ...... , .,.nc, were t:.~, appreciative and generous. The Jug District has ever known. Do any of was rewarded with over 5188. you know the secret? Well, its out listened to and en A big "Thank You• is due to the joyed some great Barbershop chord~ - now! Yes, Flint was the destination people of Harrisville ~rom the Pio of a mystery trip by Oakland County, but the REAL winners were our ~1ds neer District, and a special •Thank at the Institute of logopedics. ~e Grosse Pointe, Clinton \'alley, Sagi various activities sponsored by the You" fron the Oakland County Chapter naw Bay, Lansing and Detroit =1 Oakland County Chapter, the Saturday to Sam, the proprietress of the Chapters. night sing-out at 11aria Hall and the Greenbush Tavern. Sob Drabik, from Oakland County, Sunday afternoon show at the band instigated the project and, i must shell resulted in a contribution to Dear Kenosha, say, the enjoyment. It was a plea the Institute of more than $600 . In reply to your request to send a sure to work with Bob and see the This donation could not have been check for my membership dues, I wish fruits of a job well-done. made without the hel p of many chap to inform you that the present con \~e heard some fine singing by the ters and quartets. dition of my bank account makes it individual choruses, and we were en At the Friday Night Oakland County almost impossible. My shattered fi tertained by the Chorus Directors in nancial condition is due to federal Fun lli ght at Greenbush Tavern, ~he mass chorus singing. We even learned following groups performed start1ng laws, state laws, county laws, city sene new tags. There was lots of at 8:45 and ending at 12 midnight: laws, liquor laws, mother-in-laws, laughter and everyone enjoyed him and outlaws. sel~. Harbor -ones The Very Idea Through these laws, :•r compelled ~uartet representation was out to pay a business tax, head tax, a ~ayne Chorus 4 llheel Drive standing. Our own newcomers to the A Touch Of Magic Memory laners musement tax, school tax, gas tax, qlli!rtet ranl:s, the "Flint River Op Sat. Night Feature Sounds Around light tax, water uu:, sales tax, in era Gang• (also known as the FROGS). Relatively Speaking Note-A-Danes cane tax, food ta~, ~urniture tax, tne • Innocent BystandersN (Oakland Chock Full 0' Notes Spec. Request · and exci se tax. County}, the "Mixed Foursome" ( lan I a~ require~ sing}. the "Incredible Sounds" from The donations to the logopedics to get a busi Grosse Pointe/Clinton Valley, all Jug from the patrons totaled over ness 1i cense, thrilled the crowd. But that wasn't $66. tr~.rck 1icense, all. "The Very Idea!" from Oakland Saturday afternoon was the annual &a dog license County did such a great job that Golf Tournament which was ably han not to mention they received an encore and, to top dled by Dick liddicoatt. Fifteen a marriage li the evening off, the "Sounds Around" foursomes participated, resulting in cense. 1vith a fill-in bass (a kid in short a $53 donation to our kids. For my OWII pants) Len Dawson, sang some of the Later on Saturday afternoon was protection ,I am req~ired_ to carry prettiest "Sounds Around" that even the Horseshoe Tournament arranged by life insurance, hosp1tal 1nsurance, ; ng. Joe riley, assisted by Bob Drabix. disability insurance, liability in I tip ~~ hat to Bob Drabik and I Twenty-two people participated re surance, burglar insurance, accident want to thank all the guys from the sultino in a S23 contribution. ~his insurance, earthqua(e insurance. Flint Chapter for doing such a swell was followed by a "World Serious tornado insurance & fire insurance. job o.. hosting. The 'tube steaks' horseshoe match involving eight My business is so governed that it .,e-e a smash hit, and everyone's challengers and a $22 contribution. is no easy matter for r.e to find out thirst .,as quenched. Saturday evening was the annual who owns it. J am inspected, expec Fred ~enitz deserves our thanks sing-out at Maria Hall at which many ted, suspected and disrespected; ex for keeping the program going. I of the same groups - plus others amined, re-examined, in=ormed, mis l 9 him {and us) a fa,·or by recOillllending he never returned, though . Bill But him to your OACJC . Thanks for consi ler treats him so mean! dering this. I ~~st congratulate the Traverse City Chorus f?r attanding en masse, Yours in Harmony Wlth 20 of the1r 28 members appear Ed Waesche, Chairman ing. Seeing the success of this ex I nternationa 1 Contest periment prompted 'Big Bear' Butler and Judging Committee to remark that perhaps we should in stitute a new class in 'Vocal Tech FELLV~ BAKBERSHOPPERS: ni9ues. for the Chorus Singer. • We thlnk 1t would be an excellent idea! Those of you who ha·Je attended a ! am amazed that more Pioneer Dis recent contest wi ll undoubtedly a trict_members do not take advantage gree that our s i ngers are getting of th1s marvelous weekend experi better, and our music is getting enc~ . If somet hing is worth doing, better as well . You have the Soci be 1~ quartet or chorus singing, ar ety's Musica l Services folks and ~anglng, coaching or directing, it your own District Music Education 1s worth do ing wel l. And fellows program to thank for most of that. this is 'where its at!' Not only We , in the Contest and Judging pro 1981 FALL HARMONY ROUND - UP ... that, i ts a heck of a lot of fun! gram , take pride in our contribution If your chapter treasury can ha n too. Ask any competitor, and he'l l Al Fi sk, the very knowledgable dle it, the Board of Directors probably tell you t hat the judges young di rector of the Oakland County should el ect t o su bsidize at least a are more effective and helpful after· Chapter, does a fine job of in portion of the t uition. It will be the contest t han ever before . .. and structing and drilling his chorus money well spent! that they're even picking the right memb ers in the basics of good Bar Fred, Gene, Rusty and I left this winners! bershop singing. He quotes many session all charged up and eager to The international Contest and rules of good vocal production, in apply what we have learned. We ' ll Judging Comnittee 's analysis of the terpre~ation , stage presence, etc. ~ry, with the help of our tapes, to recent Spring contests revealed a So, here I stand, .. ith my quartet, remember everything, but we'll back mar(ed improvement in the level of hand on the door knob, trying to re again next year, for sure. agreement between pairs of judges o member all the things he's taught Much thanks to the 'Big Bear' for ver the statistics of two years ago . us . After all, the men we are about making it all possible. And with good reason ... our recent to sing for are the ones who have policy of requiring recertification 'written the book' frorn which Al every four years, plus more exten quotes! Dave Williams , bass sive training for both candidates With some degree of trepidation, The Very Idea Quartet and judges, is beginning to pay off. 'The Very Idea' enters its third Oakland County Chapter But, because we're being tougher on Harmony Round-Up. Those names I've ourselves, our ranks haven't grown seen on my music ... "Lyrics by .... ", as fast as we 'd like. : guess we're "Arrangement by . . . .. ", they're all no different than the "lari nes . .. ''we here! Hac Huff, Dave Stevens, Joe need a few good men" . Lyl es, Greg Lyne , Lloyd St einkamp , Unfortunately, in the Pioneer Dis Merle Clayton -- All the Great Ones! trict, we have a downright shortage I 'm Impressed! of people i n the Sound, lnterpreta But we soon find out t hat they are UL li.BOARJJ 'IliE t ion and Arrangement categories, and just r egular folks . HENDY ~IdlY! we sure could use a "few good men" I thi nk we all hope t hat one of there . We 're looking for fe l lows our facul ty gen iuses will find some Not if you value your life! Some that have had quartet experience, or magi cal detail that wi ll suddenly recent research on riverboats named have been successful chorus direct change a fr()g into an angel. Sel dom "Henry Clay" t urned up two candi ors, and have sat across the table is the change that dramatic , but the dates . from judges at an A & R session. improvements are noticable immedi One "Henry Clay" traveled on the Coaches and mus ic people with stage ately and there's no doubt that Hudson River and took part in the experience often make excellent jud t hese are the guys who know how to last rive•·boat race before a New ges, too . Age is no barrier; how make it happen. York state law was enacted prohibit ever, success , experience, reputa I was par~icularly i~res s ed with ting this kind of sport. The old tion and leadership a .-e i'llportant to the help ~e got frot:t a fellow I had "Henry Clay had the race well and us. never heard of. Rusty tells me "Greg truly won, until it went out of con 17 you feel qualified, now about Lyne sang with the 'Dealer's Choice' trol and hit a bank, killing several contac~ing your District kSSociate and is the coach o+ 'The Classic passengers and bec 10 INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FINALE The overtones have long-since d'~d their tirst International appearance away at Cobo Arena and all that is without any previous retreads of left of the 43rd International Bcr note. This was the uHARRVIGTOH BRO bershoppe,-'s Convention is pleasant THERS" from louisville, KY. The o memories . Now that all the hard work ther 19 were either experienced In Smith who sang in the 1970 & 1971 is over, it's a real thrill to sit ternational competitors or just Silver ~leda 1 ist "Sundowners." bacK and read some of the comments plain loaded with Gold, Silver and 12th - was ''CALIFORN !A FEVER" who coming f~ out-of-state Barbershop Bronze Medals. Let's ta~e a closer ha~the lead and bari from the pers. Perhaps the most thorough an look at each of these top 20 quar "Great Stage Robberyu who were in alysis I've seen was done by Mike tets and understand better their the top 20 in 1974 and have sung in Sisk in the Pitch-Burgher Bulletin success due to rne personnel in o~her Far Western District Interna of the Greater Pittsburgh Chapter, volved. Before analyzing these quar tional quartets. site of our 1982 International Con tets, it should be noted that there 11th - the "EMPIRE EXPRESS" who vention. He writes, in part: were 10 quartet men in this contest mo'V"eif"""up from 14th, last year. with Gold Medals. Two of those who lOth - were those "squirts" from BARil BUlmER IN DETRO IT! did not "a~e the top 20 were Leo Louisville, KY .... the "HARRINGTON The ~3rd International Quartet Sisk (Tenor of tne 1963 Champs, the B~THE~s· with no previous Interna Contest was indeed quality Barber "Town and Country ~our 0 l o~ the J.!th tional e1perience. this is the shop at its finest. ~t seems as place ~HARMOIIY PARTNERS" and Don youngest quartet ever to compete in though the competitive level in Bienema {Bass of the "Four States the BIG ONE! creases by a few degrees each year. men" 1967 Champs) of the 38th pl ace 9th - was "VAUD EV ILLE" with Scott You can ask anyone who heard the 48 "NEl-l TRADITION". Also, Jim Turner, Werner and John Hohl, lead and bari competing quartets and they will lead of the 1963 Silver Medalist from the two time Bronze Medalist tell you it was rough, tougn, and "Nighthawks. n sang in "4 KARAT GOLD" "llova Chords.' confusing. It was the BIG SOUND of who placed 21st. (It is my under 8th - was "REMEMBER WiiEW liith the "CHICAGO NEWS" winning the con standing that leo Sisk, mentioned a tenor Al l~au of the 1968 Chamoion test by a moderate 91 poin~s. The bove, has appeared on the Interna "Western Continentals." Al also sang smooth finesse singing of the "CLAS tional stage as a contestant a total with the Silver Medalist "Pacific SIC COLLECTION" (of Denver, Col.) of 17 times! That must be some sort aires" in 1973 & 1974. earned them the Silver Second-Place of a record! -Editor's Note.) 7th - the "!39th STREET QUARTET" Medal. ln Third, it ~1as the SlOE rr~~their 5th top ten appearance. SIRHI RAMBLERS" of Dallas. -e).as, BREAKING IT DOWN They ~ere 2nd in 1977 and 5th in ~ith former •neater's Choice· bari, 197g . _arry ~right, lead, also sang Brian Beet. singing lead and showing in the 6-time medalist "Sundowners.' everyone how easy it is! The "CLAS and Doug Anderson, tenor, sang in SIC COLLECTION" were 5th 1 ast year Let ' s take a close ~look at each of the 3-time medalist "Far Westerners" and the "SIDE STREET R#IBLERS" were the top 20 quartets and their "amu of the early 70's. 7th. "The "CENTER STAGE" of Michigan nition." 6th - was the "SOUND ASSOCIATIOh '' (in their first International ap 20th - the "FW?.. PENNY OPERA" has "'~-.o--have been in the top 20 three pearance) were the fourth place Hed biO---oT the 1965 Cha;~pion "Four Rene times and now in the top 10 for the al'sts. ..hatf~feht singers in this gades"- Jim Foley, bari, and Ben second t ~!II!. qua rteL ""ii"e 1 t p1 ace Heda 11 s ts "i 11 iams, lead. ;.1 ong with theJn are 5th- was the "ROARING 20's" with were the one-and-on 1y "ROAR IIIG 20's" the tenor and bass of the former their 6th medal. They have been 5th, earning their title as perennial "Chords Unlimited" who have been in 5th , 4th, 4th, 3rd and 5th. Medalists (3rd last year). the top 20 several times. 4th - was "CENTER STAGE." This THE THIN LINE 19th - the "TI', PAll AlliES" has quartet has Glenn VanTassell, bari, Looking at the point spreads gives DciiiBagley who sang bass in the 19N who is a two-time Chanpion (lead of you a better idea of how tight ~he 5th place aSoundtracks" and Joe Sul the 1966 "Auto fawners" and bari of interna~ional can be . Take the quar livan, bari, who sang lead in the ~he 19~1 •Gentlemen's Agreement.• He tets from 21st to 48th- It was only bronze r~edal 1962 & 1963 "Four Rene will be shooting for his Third Gold 133 points from 21st to 34th. T~at gades" and bari in the 1968 &1969 ll.edal next year.} Denny Gore, lead , is only 10 points difference per bronze meda 1 "A van te Garde ." sang with the three-time medalist quartet (with 12 Judges, that's less 18th - the "CURTAW CALL" had Joe "Vagabonds." than one poin~ difference per Judge) 1-lazzone, lead, and Ron Knickerbocker 3rd - the "SIDE STREET RAMBLE.qs" and ~rom 35th to 45th it was only 72 ..rn bari, from the 197.1 Champion "Re we~7th the previous two years in a points. That's 7 points difference gents." Along ~ith them was Barry row. Brian Beck is their (new lead per qua-~et {~point diffe·ence per Brown, bass of the !~79 3rd place singer. He was the bari of the 1973 Judge} . Going up the scale, the same "B & 0 Connection . .. Champion "Dealer's Choice." principle of closeness appl'es 17th - the "!lEW YORKERS" in their 2nd - was the "CLI\SSIC COLLECTION' A CONTEST OF HEAVYWEIGHTS third slraight year in the top 20. whowere 5th last year. It' s my own persona l opinion that They had previously placed 16th and the 1981 International Quartet Con 14th . test was worth it's weigh'- 'n GOLD 16th - the "SOUND REVIVAL n a welt (Silver and Bronze, for that mat~er) known top 20 quartet. Talk about fast company - this has 15th - the "FR! BillS OF YESTErD~Y· to go down as one of the mos~ loaded who dropped out of the top te~ after quartet contests ever seen. Loaded previously placing lOth, 9th, 9Lh . in what respect, yo u may ask? load 14th - the "RURAL ROUTE FOUR" who ed up with the biggest factor going dropped out of the top 10 after pre Your 1981 ternational Champions for any quartet in competition and viously placing 9th, 8th, and 9th. are tr1e "CHICAGO NEWS" who were 8th that's experience! There was only 13th - was "FP.IEN~S" who were 12th ir. t11eir +irst outing and jumped t" one quartet in the top 20 mal:ing la~year. Singing bass was Doug continu~d n~•t ~ -~ . ,, INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FINALE ..... FIRE TRUCKS ARE RED BECAUSE ...... (::onl.JJ>uuclJ 2nd last year. Thi s gredt quartet Fire trucks have four 1~ h eel s and consists of Tom Fel ge n who sang hass eight men. Everyone kn01~s with the 1965 Champ ion "Four Rene t hat f our and eight make gades . " This is Tom ' s second Gold tw elve. There are twelve Medal. Tenor Ray Henders sang with inches i n a foot. A foot the 1974 5th place medal ist "Sound is a r uler . Queen Eliza tracks." Bar·i, Greg liright sang with beth, a ru 1 er, is a 1 so the name of the largest Next ? the 6 time medalist "Sundowners" and OCTOBER l ead Butch Koth sang ~lith the "Land shi p on the seas. Seas marks" who were 14th in 1977 . have fi sh and fish have fi ns . Th e Finns fought 16-18 Fall Convent ion - Kalamazoo That wraps it up - as you can see, 24 Gratiot County Chapter Show the quality of these quartets is re the Russians . Russians are red. Fire trucks are 24 Sault Ste Marie Chapter Show flected by the combinations of ex 31 Benton Harbor-St. Joe Chapter Show perienced personnel within them or always rushin' . Therefore, f ire trucks are red. the experience developed by the NOVEfiBER quartet as a 1~hole over a number· of lf you think this is wild , you shou ld hear some people explain why contests. I have to wo nder who the 7 Livingston County Chapter Shm·l next Heavy Hitting quartet is going they don't have time to attend re hearsal s ! to be. DECEMBER {from Bob Parkinson's MAGICHO RD) 5-6 C.O.T. School , Yps ilanti A Little Craft - - VOLUME CONTRO L. 5 Detroit #1 Chapter Show We must all try to remember that, JANUARY 1982 in addition to be i ng pitch- true , i t is our i nd i vidual responsibility to 28-30 Mi d-W i nter Convention, Tucson sing at a correct volume . Bei ng barel y conscious of the sound of FEBRUARY one ' s own voice in a chorus chord i s shading the high side. If you can't fi Pontiac Chapter Show hear you rsel f at all, you ' re either 13 Oakland Coun ty Ch apter Show right on or not contributing yo ur 20 Lansing Chapter Show share. Experiment at all dynami c 27 Pontiac Chapter Show level s and try to find the ba lance po i nt for your voice i n the chord. The very softest that a chorus can s i ng - and that means 13 Port Huron Chapter Show wi t h every man par ticipating - - oc APRIL curs when each A Note on STAGE PRESENCE ... . man i s singing 17 Grand Rapids Chapter Show as soft l y as he Every man is blessed with an ex can wi th support. WIY "With support'' clusive face, unique i n i ts own ~~Y of sending out its countl ess sig means a st eady true 1 Coldwater Cha pter Show nals. lt is in error that \'ie ask tone is ba i ng produced 8 Battle Creek Cha pter Show an entire chorus to "Raise your eye for the duration of the note. You 8 Kalamazoo Chapter Show woul d be amazed at how soft and, at brows ." For, on t he same time, full and rich, thi s ~up IJ~ SU~fiw; one face it may e can be i f everyone does i t . mote happ i ness, Do ing these things is not easy. If while on another, i t 1~ere , we would have been doi ng it may display them ri ght all along. He tend to 106811 stark terror! All sing for our own comfort and enjoy STEPHEN SU THERLAND that can be asked ment; t hat's part of the basic at 697 ADAMS 141 DE C 81 of a chorus of men tract ion of Barbershoppi ng, but to PLYMOU TH Ml 48170 is to reflect a be part of a rea lly good chorus is a mood. All faces will, of course, reward wel l worth the effort. not be the same, but they must look as if all wearers (Dan Daily - in the SKUPPER) Second Closs Moil FEEL th~ same. This can be prac Right after returning from Harmony ticed at home . Look i nto a mirror Round-U p and just when I think I ' ve and move your facial muscles until ful ly mastered all the HERE'S ABARBERSHOPPER! you have convincingl y assumed an ex vowel sounds, [ learn pression that corresponds to the from Stan Bates' JUICE POSTMI>.STER: Please return all undelovetable ma