7 ~. 1 New Awards of DistiNctioN BARBERSHOPPER OF THE YEAR LAPEL PIN Detailed, superb craftsmanship make this a very exclusive award. The 10 karat white gold background is richly enhanced with raised gold lettering, stating the year, and raised Society emblem. Three simulated emeralds add the final touch for the most prestigious and distinctive of awards. The price is $35.00. Actual size - 5/S" high 5226 1976 Pin $35.00 5227 1977 Pin $35.00 (Sorry. not available in Canada) BEAUTIFUL DISPLAY OF APPRECIATION This custom·designed wood-tone plaque is 14" round and 1" thick with antique elevated gold letters and emblem. Plate fits at the bottom of the plaque for personalization. (Plate not shown.) 5415 $38.00 (Price does not include personalization of plate.) THE FUNCTIONAL AWARD Either as a pair or individually - this is not only practical, but a prestigious award. Great for office or home display. Individual bookends are 6Y, high and made in wood-tone, with 4 xl" plate for personalization. (Not shown.) 5414 $23.50 (The price does not include personalization of plate.) $1.50 shipping and handling must accompany each total order. (2.00 in Canada) Available through: S.P,E.B.S,a.S,A., Inc. P.O. Box 575 Kenosha, Wisconsin 53141 International Officers President, Samuel Aramlan, 4435 W. Tierra Buena Lane, Glendale, Arizona 85306 Immediate Past President, Plummer F. Collins, 216 Conewango Ave., Warren, Pennsylvania 16365 DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF BARBERSHOP QUARTET HARMONY Vice President, Roger J. Thomas, 3720 St. Andrews Blvd., Racine, Wisconsin 53405 JANUARY. FEBRUARY 1977. VOL. XXXVII. NO.1, Vice President, Ernie Hills, Box 66, Medford, Oklahoma 73769 THE HARMONIZER 15 the official publication of the Society for the Preservation Vice President·Treasurer, Leslie Hesketh, Jr., and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, Inc. It 15 7467 Clifton Road, Clifton, Virginia 22024 published in the months of January, March, May, July, September and November Executive Director, Barrie Best, 6315 Third Avenue, Kenosha, Wisconsin 53141 at 6315 - 3rd Avenue, Kenosha, Wisconsin 53141, second-class postage paid at Kenosha, Wisconsin. Editorial and Advertising offices are at the International Board Members Office. Notice of change of address should be submitted to the editorial offices of THE HARMONIZER, 6315 THIRD AVE., KENOSHA, WiSCONSIN 53141. at Cardinal, Gene S. Newcombe, 10510 Hussey least thirty days before the next publication date. SUbscription price 15 $2.50 Lane, Carmel, Indiana 46032 yearly and $.75 an Issue. Central States, Gil Lefholz, 13316 E. 51st St., Kansas City, Missouri 64133 Dixie, Nell Bruce, 116 Stoneview Road, Birmingham, Alabama 35210 Evergreen. Burt Huish, P.O. Box 91, 812 Main Ave. N., Twin Falls, Idaho 83301 Far Western, Jack Hines, 9244 Gallatin Road, Plco Rivera, California 90660 Meet International President Sam Aramian .........•......•... , ...2 illinois, John Mulkin, 821 N. 18th St., Herrin, The Magic Formula . ............................•......•.... .4 Illinois 62948 Johnny Appleseed, Gene Courts 29 Still­ "Of Thee We Sing" , .•....•.•.... .7 meadow Drlvo, Cincinnati, Ohio 45245 1976 District Quartet Champions . .....................•...... 10 Land O'Lakes, Jim Richards, 1459 Clarmar Lane, St. PaUl. Minnesota 55113 Philadelphi,,: The Surprising City .......................•...... 13 Mid-Atlantic, Merritt F. Auman, 504 Sherwood Meetings: 1977 District Presidents and Music Educators 20 Ave., Shillington, Pennsylvania 19607 Northeastern, Richard J. O'Connell. 21 Terri Road, Framingham, Massachusetts 01701 Ontario, Donald Lamont, 41 Caldwell Crescent, Brampton, Ontario L6W 1 A2 Pioneer, Don Funk, 1451 Harvard Road, East Lansing, Michigan 40823 Keep It Barbershop - At What Cost? ......•.•.•.•..•...•..•.... 18 Seneca Land, Chet Biehls, 372 St. Joseph St., Keep It Barbershop - At Any Cost . .............•.•....•....... 19 No. Tonawanda, New York 14120 Southwestern, Dave Sjogren, 14622 Southern Pines. Dallas, Texas 75234 Sunshine, L. Brett White, 1631 S. Bayshore Ct., departments Coconut Grovo, Florida 33133 News About Quartets . .....•......•.•....•.•........•.......22 And Past International Presidents I See From the Bulletins . ........•......•.•........•.........24 Charles E. Abernethy, 231 Cordelia Street, S.W., No. Canton, Ohio 44720 Share the Wealth . ..............•.•......•.•......•.........26 Leon S. Avakian, P.O. Box 589, Asbury Park, Mail Call From Harmony Hall . ....•.•....•.•......•.•.........31 New Jersey 07712 F. Richard Ellenberger, 2476 Poersch Ct., Schenectady, New York 12309 miscellaneous Philadelpllia Convention Housing Application . ........•........... 17 Philadelphia Convention Registration Blank .........•..•.•....... 15 New Chapters . .. Bargain Basement . ..........•....•.•.........27 Executive Director Logopedics Contributions , ......•.•.........28 BARRIE BEST Century Club ..........................•........•.........29 Music Education and Services ROBERT D. JOHNSON.. Director What's PROBE? ... PROBE Application .......•.•....•........ .30 Music Services Assistants MALCOLM L. HUFF JOE E. LI LES contributors DAVID M. STEVENS Communications Barrie Best . .. Carey Buhler . .. Ken Christianson . .. Mike Cox Bob HUGH A. INGRAHAM, Director Debes . .. Ken McKee . .. "Chuck" Nicololf . .. Dr. Tom Pearson Hart Field Representatives Shekerjian THOMAS P. COGAN JOSEPH JENKINS LLOYD B. STEINKAMP Cornmunications Assistant O. WILLIAM FITZGERALD Editor future conventions LEO W. FOBART INTEnNATIONAL MID·WINTER Finance and Administration DALLAS A. LEMMEN, Director 1977 Philadolphla, Pa. July 4-9 Manager, Membership Services 1978 CincInnati, O. July 3-8 R08ERTJ.MEYEA 1979 Minneapolis, Minn. July 2-7 1977 Orlando. Fla. Jan. 28·29 Merchandise Mc1Iwger 1980 Salt Lako City. U. July 7-12 197B Tuscon, Ariz. Jan. 27·2B MARGARET A. YORK JANUARY·FEBRUARY, 1977 1 Meet International President Sam Aramian By Hart Shekerjian, 6919 E. Montebello, Paradise Valley. Ariz. 85253 In December of 1957, Sam Aramian and his family attended too young to even remember his dad. a Christmas party where carolling was the highlight of the He and "Virg" set up housekeeping in earnest and decided on evening. It was then Sam met Dayton Shipley, a long·time a good-sized family. Sandy was born in 1946, second son Marc member of the Phoenix Chapter, who invited him to attend the in 1948 and finally Reid was the "tag" in 1952. next meeting. Sam attended that meeting and within two hours By now Sam was 30 years old, and becoming exhausted with was totally enchanted with this new idea in hobbies. What the pressures of raising a family in the big city. Winter's cold, started Ollt as a "sometime thing" has progressed into a total ice, snow, sloppy streets, extra warm clothes for the child­ dedication and lifestyle. ren - all were serious living conditions to evaluate. It was about President Sam, like many of our previous executives, is a the summer of 1953 when Sam, Virg and the kids decided to multi-talented individual. He has been the managing director of vacation in the west and visit friends who had moved to Phoenix the Luke Air Force Base Federal Credit Union for the past a few years earlier. That was the clincher; being part of this new, twenty years and, during that time, has been instrumental in growing community appealed to his adventurous spirit, and building it into one of the largest credit unions in the world, early in 1956, he moved west and has loved it ever since. having assets in the multi-millions of dollars. After joining the Phoenix Chapter, be became totally A flashback on President Sam would look something like immersed in barbershopping. Can you imagine joining a chapter this. whose president was one of our present Society administrative He was born in Chicago on October 22, 1922, and spent the field men, Lloyd Steinkamp? Being part of a thirty-man chapter early part of his life in that city. He met the girl who was to chorus - wow! Not to mention a little known quartet named become his beautiful wife, Virginia, in 1941. After courting her the "Desert Knights," which had just won the Far Western for two or three years (their romance having been interrupted District championship! Who wouldn't be enthusiastic! by World War II) they were finally married in 1943. Sam was Well, Sam was involved, and here are some of the highlights ultimately sent overseas, where he served as a medic in North of those past years. Africa, Italy and the Phillipines. He returned home in 1946 to In 1958, he was invited to become "Desert Knights" baritone become acquainted with his son, Terry (born in 19441. who was when the quartet changed voicing positions. They prepared very The "Desert Knights" in one of their many zany costumes. From left, diligently for the international preliminaries and competed in "Chuck" Rastatter, Joe Salz, lloyd Steinkamp and Pres. Sam. 1959, 'GO and '61, and were ultimately beaten by the "Evans," "Gala Lads," "Saints" and the "Bay Town 4." As the boys put it, "we were beaten by quartets with no future," so they decided to quit competition and develop a comedy routine. Of course, the rest is history (including those "quartets with no future") . In the meantime, Sam's family was growing and going barbershop, all the way. Sandy is married and has been busy with her husband, Cecil, and their three boys on their mini ranch. She has been part of the family cheering section since she was a little girl. Marc participated, when he had time, but his education took precedence. This led him from high school to Arizona