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The 63rd annual Barbershop Weekend was held this year on August 13-15. More than a dozen quartets entertained crowds near the Perry Monument on Friday night and again at the Middle Bass Town Hall on Saturday night. As always, there were many opportunities to sing, greet old friends and meet new ones. The cook shack was a busy place. The grill was always ready if you wanted to fry up a tasting meal and there was a great pancake and sausage breakfast there on Saturday morning.
After the quartet entertainment on Saturday night, all barbershoppers (I estimate around 100) took the stage for the mass sing. Just being up there with that group, being directed by barbershop legends like Burt Szabo, is enough reason to make the trip each August. If you have not attended Middle Bass recently (or ever) make a note on your calendar for next year. Many of the men who have kept this tradition going have passed on or are unable to make the trip due to health issues. There was a noticeable infusion of younger singers this year and we need to continue and build on that trend. As many of us shouted after we closed Saturday's program with KTWWS, "It's Great To Be A Barbershopper".
Editor's Note: Do you think that the "Fresh Corn" on the grocery store welcome sign might have a double meaning? After hearing some of the jokes during quartet performances, I think that they have a valid point.
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Here are some videos from Tuesday night.
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Mike Halter- 8/27
Eric Jolly-8/28
Mike Hoover- 8/29
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Refuse to go on stage when the audience consists of a group of villagers holding torches and pitchforks.
At the last COTS school for lyricists I submitted a portfolio of limericks from my Nantucket series. They were rejected, but never returned.
Have you ever tried to teach a lead three measures of music in which he is asked to give up the melody line.
I sang lead in a high school quartet. After our first public performance my mother suggested that I find three other kids who didn't sharp so often. Mothers are wonderful.
I make a point of taking a tape recorder to every chorus rehearsal. My section leader thumps my back and the chorus director beams his approval.. The batteries died three months ago.
Accept that every lead has his own "comfort zone." You've got two choices: (a) pitch the song within his zone or (b) be prepared for a downhill sleigh ride while he steers you home.
A judge who sings bass is like an auto mechanic who never owned a car.
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Bring me a guy with absolute pitch and I'll cure him for you.
COTS schools make quiet simple people feel they're complex.
A T-shirt seen at a recent convention:
Front: "Just say no to singing flat."
Back: "Will harmonize 4 food."
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At 4:00 on the afternoon of August 22, about 30 Akron Chapter members entertained the crowd at the annual Queen of Heaven Family Funfest. The chorus plus quartets, Gear Shiftin', Clear Choice, and Keyed Up provided barbershop music for
approximately 45 minutes as part of the festival's entertainment program. Director, Scott Giles, and assistant directors Dan Nichols and Terry Arman ably guided us through a variety of songs from our show and performance repertoire.
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When I started the Bulletin, one of my goals was to introduce audio and video capabilities to Chapter communications. I hope that I have succeeded in that. Keep in mind that, during The Bulletin's absence, you still have the High Notes, so well done by Robin Reid, and the email Newsletter capably authored by Jim Bishop. Remember to read these publications so that you stay up-to-date on Chapter activities.
All of the archived editions of The Bulletin will remain online, so feel free to browse through them whenever you choose. Also the links to our Chapter webpage, JAD, BHS etc. will still be active.
I want to take this opportunity to thank all those who provided encouragement and support during these past 24 months. It has been fun for me and hopefully The Bulletin will be back in the future.
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Of course, you wouldn't expect me to close this issue with anything but a little humor. So here is a voice lesson that concentrates on the two very important techniques of holding a pitch and correct vowel sounds.
