A MIDWINTER TO REMEMBER - JACKSONVILLE AND THE FLORIDA THEATER HOSTED THREE DAYS OF HARMONY - Barbershop Harmony Society
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BRINGING BARBERSHOP HARMONY TO LIFE • MAY/JUNE 2020
A MIDWINTER TO REMEMBER
JACKSONVILLE AND THE FLORIDA THEATER HOSTED THREE DAYS OF HARMONY
NOTEWORTHY SPOTLIGHT TIP SHEET
MOVING ON WITHOUT LA 2020, A VOICELESS TERRY LUDWIG INNOVATION IS MORE THAN
FOCUS SHIFTS TO CLEVELAND 2021 STAYED OUT FRONT FOR YEARS THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX
barbershop.org | May/June 2020 | The Harmonizer | 1
In This Issue MAY/JUNE 2020 • VOLUME LXXX • NUMBER 3
New York essential worker
Brad Lundquist, director of
the Turning Point Chorus
(Seneca Land District),
advertises his passion In Every Issue
while leaving his house 4 Starting Pitch + Letters
daily to work as a data and What could you do with 3.4 million hours?
communication technician.
Change the world!
8 Noteworthy
Mourning a cancelled LA 2020, shifting focus to
Cleveland 2021; Valentines as a public service
33 Chapter Eternal
Members reported as deceased between
January 15 and March 15, 2020
34 Member Services Directory
16 How to contact your leaders, where to get answers
36 The Tag
Features Departments “Shout it Loud,” until we can sing together again
16 Barbershopping at a distance 12 Tip Sheet
Barbershop and socializing have moved to a new The time is now for innovation in your chapter–
medium for now: here’s what chapters are doing. not only for thriving while physical distancing is
the norm, but setting your chapter up for success
20 Midwinter in Jacksonville when restrictions are lifted.
Great shows, contests, and participation–but for
many, the three days had a life-changing impact. 14 Spotlight
For 16 years Terry Ludwig could barely talk, let
26 Signature does it for “Geno” alone sing. In that time he led Sound of Illinois
Gene Cokeroft was Signature’s inspiration long to a dozen international appearances–and never
before the quartet formed, and he’s still with them. once auditioned a singer.
On the cover: Saturday Night Showcase, Florida Theater, Jacksonville, Fla. Photo by Lorin May 26
Connect with us YouTube: BarbershopHarmony38 Twitter: @barbershopnews
barbershop.org Facebook: barbershopharmonysociety Instagram: @barbershopharmonysociety
LORIN MAY
2 | The Harmonizer | May/June 2020 | barbershop.org
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE/EDITORIAL
harmonizer@barbershop.org
EDITOR
Lorin May
OUR VISION
Everyone in Harmony
OUR MISSION
To bring people together in harmony and fellowship
to enrich lives through singing.
OUR PURPOSES
To perpetuate the old American institution:
the barbershop quartet and barbershop harmony
To promote appreciation of barbershop harmony
To initiate and maintain a broad program
of musical education, contests, and appreciation in
support of barbershop harmony and the
allied arts
To establish and maintain foundations that support
our vision
To initiate, promote and participate in charitable
projects that support our vision
The Society for the Preservation and Encouragement
of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, Inc.
(DBA Barbershop Harmony Society) is a non-profit
organization operating in the United States and
Canada.
May/June 2020
Volume LXXX Number 3
Complete contact info: pages 34-35
The Harmonizer (ISSN 0017-7849) (USPS 577700) is published bimonthly by
the Barbershop Harmony Society, 110 7th Ave N, Nashville TN 37203-3704.
Periodicals Postage Paid at Nashville TN and at additional mailing offices.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Harmonizer, 110 7th Ave N, Nashville
TN 37203-3704.
Advertising rates available upon request at harmonizer@barbershop.org.
Publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts or artwork.
Postmaster: Send address changes to editorial offices of The Harmonizer, 110
7th Ave N, Nashville TN 37203-3704 at least 30 days before the next publication date.
(Publications Agreement No. 40886012. Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to:
Station A, PO Box 54, Windsor ON N9A 6J5. Email: cpcreturns@wdsmail.com)
A portion of each member’s dues is allocated to cover the magazine’s subscription
price. Subscription price to non-members is $25 yearly or $5 per issue; foreign
subscriptions are $35 yearly or $7 per issue (U.S. funds only).
© 2020 The Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop
Quartet Singing in America, Inc. dba The Barbershop Harmony Society.
Printed in the USA
barbershop.org | May/June 2020 | The Harmonizer | 3
STARTING PITCH
A conversation with our President and CEO
What could you
do with 3.4 million
hours? Change Dick
the world! Marty
The Barbershop Harmony Society relies on the strength of far-flung
members to teach one another and spread harmony throughout the world
While recovering from back surgery, Society fires. Humanity kicks in … and even happen in chapters and schools and
President Dick Powell discovered he had those suffering themselves are out events, and it’s staggering: 3.4 mil-
there helping others, too. lion hours each year. We’re probably
to let other people help him. It wasn’t Most Barbershoppers would think talking $20-30 million worth of intel-
easy, until he gave in to the fact that letting of sharing their music as “contribut- lectual capital and labor that goes into
people give is itself a gift. ing to the well-being of others,” and barbershopping every year.
know they want to help. The way we MARTY: There’s no way you could
DICK: Look at a room full of 100 all teach each other the art of barber- ever buy that amount of talent. We all
people and say, “Everybody who shop singing is the other side of that, give it freely—eagerly! Why? So we
likes to contribute to the well-being the “okay, you can help me” side. It’s a can do something great for the world!
of another, please raise your hand.” broad lever of strength for our Society. DICK: Barbershopping does not
Everybody’s hands go up. Then say, DICK: Our Annual Report added up happen only at headquarters or in the
“All right, keep your hands up if you’re all the hours that volunteers across boardroom. Week in and week out, it
comfortable accepting help from an- the Society give to make barbershop happens 10 and 20 people at a time,
other.” You can guess what wherever people gather to raise their
happens. voices in song.
MARTY: No hands! Which MARTY: Our Strategic Plan recog-
is funny, because any social nizes the need to harness this passion
community surrounds and help it grow. This year, we’ve
people in need—yet it’s so hired a new position of Volunteer
hard to accept help. Think Manager (see sidebar), specifically to
about natural disasters like make sure our various singing com-
the recent tornado here in munities can amplify the value of all
Nashville or the California the training we offer throughout the
Society.
DICK: Once upon a time, the way you
got communication and education out
Get in Touch to the edges was to send somebody
Dick Powell, Society President leadsingerdpowell@gmail.com out in a beat-up old Volkswagen and
drive across the country. They’d spend
Marty Monson, CEO/Executive Director CEO@barbershop.org weeks and weeks visiting local chap-
ters and hoping like heck that some
of it would stick and they would learn
4 | The Harmonizer | May/June 2020 | barbershop.org
BHS Board of Directors
Spring Meeting
April 19-20 (virtual)
Marty is watching
something and do something with ters. How does it help them? How and singing along with
other local chapters. That doesn’t does it improve and increase their BHS YouTube channel: 1965
scale very well. Multiply a staff of, say, degree of success or satisfaction? Quartet Finals and NextGen Jr.
50 by 2000 hours per year, and you get MARTY: The Districts are accelera-
100,000 hours. That just can’t com- tors. They have a greater opportunity
Jacksonville performances
pare to 3.4 million volunteer hours. to touch and influence, encourage, Facebook: Old videos on Core
MARTY: The kind of help everyone facilitate, celebrate. They’re staging
needs—but doesn’t always know how more than 60 events annually, aimed
Challenge. Daily sing-along
to ask for—becomes very unique and at helping our singing communities videos with Mo & Amelia.
specific, because everyone’s recipe (chapters, clubs, quartets, etc.) be part
for success tastes a little different. of something bigger, more expansive. Dick is watching
How do you define success? How DICK: It all goes back to the gener- and singing along with
do we celebrate that? How do we osity of people who are just aching to Mo & Amelia (Facebook),
encourage that? How can we help? A share what they know, so everyone
motivated, generous volunteer corps can grow. You look at our music edu-
Jordan Travis (virtual choirs)
helps answer that—especially our cation events, and there are all these Weekly personal voice
Districts. brilliant people giving their time, a
DICK: If you had asked me 15 years weekend away from home—because
instruction (online)
ago, “What does the District do?”, I’d they want more people having more
say a District runs a convention and fun making more barbershop. Look Marty is Reading
runs a leadership school and a music closer, and you see the hidden heroes Failure of a Nerve,
school. These days, district leadership who make it possible—who handle Edwin Friedman
is asking what it can do for its chap- registrations and housing and setting Great by Choice,
Jim Collins & Morten Hansen
Increasing volunteer power to 1.2 million people
Dustin Guyton took on the challenge of engaging volunteer power with a big mission: Dick is learning
“With our Everyone in Harmony vision calling for 1.2 million people engaged in barber- chapter repertoire
shop by 2028, we’re going to need a lot more people teaching other people.” As Volun- For rescheduled
teer Manager, he envisions a day when a BHS inventory of member skills can match tens performances and shows:
of thousands of people with singing communities eager to learn, grow, and succeed. “Dream Lover,” “Come and
Dustin’s first major project ensures that Districts can help singing communities succeed by tapping Go With Me,” “Side by Side,”
Society resources mutually agreed to an annual Memorandum of Understanding. “I really see myself as an
ambassador on behalf of districts to all our Harmony Hall team, so together we can deliver our education, “You Can Fly,” “A Dream is
events, marketing, and training services to everyone.” This framework will help ramp up service delivery a Wish Your Heart Makes,”
as demand increases–and ensures everyone can thrive in all the ways of barbershopping they love best. “You’ve Got a Friend,” “When
“We really encourage chapters to reach out to their district teams for the events and education services You Wish Upon a Star,”
they need, so we can be sure they have the training and materials needed to support you.” “Spoonful of Sugar,” “Athlone”
Want to help? Email volunteer@barbershop.org.
barbershop.org | May/June 2020 | The Harmonizer | 5
STARTING PITCH
A conversation with our President and CEO
“THE BARBERSHOPPER OF THE
YEAR ALWAYS HAS THIS STUNNED
‘WHO? ME?’ LOOK. THEY DON’T DO Reader Feedback
IT FOR THE RECOGNITION!” Let us know what’s on your mind: Harmonizer@barbershop.org
Cell phone alignment exercise: easy and powerful
up classrooms—and you see what selfless Regarding Elizabeth Davies’ article on improving alignment,
giving looks like. I love the focus on simplicity because that is what I have
MARTY: These are the kind of people been teaching in my leadership classes for decades. Make it seem
who are named Barbershopper of the complicated and people will only half-heartedly try. Make it simple
Year (BOTY) in their chapters—they’re so people can grasp one idea and they will run with it! I am going
the ones who drive and inspire our Bar- to use your technique in my quartet rehearsal this week.
bershop Harmony Society impact. People
don’t do things for the recognition. The
Bill Hickman
recognition flows from the love.
Issaquah, Wash.
DICK: I’ve never met anybody who ran
for the position of BOTY. And the person
who gets the honor always has this Transforming nervous energy: just what was needed
stunned look on their face, like “WHO? YES. Donya Metzger’s article “How to transform nervous energy into
ME? Really? I’m unworthy.” They didn’t electric performance”—I am exactly who she was writing for. My wife, who is a
do it for recognition. They did it for their behavioral therapist, laughed and said, “I’ve been trying to tell you these things about
chapter, for their community, for barber- recognizing and learning techniques to self-soothe, but a prophet is never a prophet in
shop. her own land.”
MARTY: Which is the point of the BHS I’ve been an experienced vocalist and church choir director for more than 30 years.
Awards Gala that we had previously I’ve loved barbershop for 12 years, sing lead with an Internationally competitive
scheduled for this summer at the Inter-
FWD chorus, and have sung with three quartets. However, while I have very little
national Convention. For 80 years, we’ve
fear response singing for church audiences or for the public, I really struggle to bring
recognized the best singing in the world,
and not really recognized the huge gifts anything close to my best while in front of our judges. I’m fine until we hit the stage
of time and sweat and shared knowledge and then “Response 2” kicks in and I struggle to suppress or channel it. I get the tight
that passes this ability through the gen- chest, dry mouth, and anxiety while my mind races with acute awareness of every little
erations of barbershop. Up to now, we’ve micro mistake I’m making. I associate the contest stage with fear, judging, criticism,
really only recognized a lifetime of work and hierarchy.
in the Honorary Life Member category, I’ve sung our contest set three hours later at midnight with a belly full of pizza,
our BHS Hall of Fame category, and a few outside in the cold, and thought, “Wow, that was amazing! Why couldn’t we just do
other awards. We haven’t really given that?”
them a bright spotlight. I’ll be sharing your article with the members of my quartet. n
This is really brand new for us. We’ll
cover everything from best video to best
Dave Knight
arrangers to volunteers, to—everything!
Vacaville, Calif.
The Oscars would be pretty short if they
only had Best Actor, Best Actress and Best
Movie. We’re going to put barbershop on
the same level as other arts and profes-
sional trade groups, and say, “Everything 110 7th Ave N. Harmonizer@ Barbershop.org Facebook.com/
that makes up the barbershop world and Nashville, TN, 37203 barbershop.org barbershopharmonysociety
culture deserves recognition.” n
6 | The Harmonizer | May/June 2020 | barbershop.org
barbershop.org | May/June 2020 | The Harmonizer | 7
NOTEWORTHY
The latest in the world of Barbershop.
COVID-19 SHAKES THE WORLD
Moving on without LA 2020,
focus shif ts to Cleveland 2021
In a big blow to competitors and fans, our 2020 International Convention is cancelled due
to COVID-19 cautions. Plans are in place to accommodate all whose plans were affected
A fter careful consideration of the
options and ramifications, and
out of an abundance of caution and
ly afterglow, your tag parties, your
singing family. Even apart, we can
and will continue to Keep the Whole •
must be cancelled by reservation
holders directly.
Airfare and non BHS-block
concern for our members and fans, World Singing. hotel refunds. The Society cannot
the Barbershop Harmony Society refund or reimburse non-BHS
has determined that the COVID-19 COMPETITOR AND ATTENDEE DETAILS reservations; however, many hotels
pandemic has made it impossible and • Choruses that had been invited to and airlines are offering flexible
irresponsible to continue to host the compete in LA 2020 will auto- refund options due to the COVID-
2020 International Convention in matically be invited to compete in 19 situation. Please contact them
Los Angeles this summer. Cleveland 2021. Additional cho- directly.
BHS staff members and Society ruses may qualify according to the • BHS Awards nominees/winners
leaders turned over every stone, new rules announced in November will be announced and celebrated
consulted with stakeholders across 2019. (Summary: 81% automatic via a revised plan.
the entire organization, and studied qualifying score regardless of • The qualifying age for the Next
the legal and financial impacts. The ensemble classification; each Generation Varsity Quartet
conversation always came back to: district is represented as long as an Contest and Varsity Chorus
Will this keep our members safe? In ensemble meets the 74% minimum Invitational has been temporarily
the end, we are unwilling to create score.) extended to age 26 for Cleveland
any reason for members to gather in • Quartets that had qualified to 2021 only. Varsity choruses that
groups to prepare for video submis- compete in LA 2020 as of March 1, applied for LA 2020 will automat-
sions or events in the near future. 2020 will automatically qualify for ically be invited to Cleveland 2021.
The cancellation leaves a hole in Cleveland 2021. Due to the addition of new group
the lives and hearts of Barbershop- • LA 2020 registrations may be categories, Varsity quartets that
pers everywhere, as we are losing transferred to Cleveland 2021, already qualified for LA 2020 will
our barbershop family reunions, the refunded, or donated to support have to requalify for Cleveland
final tournament to crown the best BHS programs. Registration hold- 2021.
of the best, the thousands of musical ers have already been contacted to • The Everyone in Harmony
moments that happen in stairwells select their desired option. Chorus with Deke Sharon phys-
and hallways and lobbies, the cul- • Hotel reservations for the BHS ical gathering has been cancelled.
mination of months and sometimes block of rooms (made via BHS We are working with Deke to
years of preparation, the continuity housing partner Orchid) have been finish and premiere two brand-
of our history, our chance to experi- cancelled automatically without new barbershop SATB charts.
ence once-in-a-lifetime performanc- penalty. The Society has no role or Virtual rehearsals and a virtual
es together. liability in reservations made out- performance are anticipated. More
side the BHS block of rooms. They information will be shared in May.
MOVING FORWARD … TOGETHER
The Barbershop Harmony Society is
more than a single event. The heart
CONVENTION INFO & RESOURCES Get the full text of the announcement and FAQs for
of BHS is in you—your quartet, your
both competitors and audiences at www.barbershop.org/events.
chapter, your choruses, your week-
8 | The Harmonizer | May/June 2020 | barbershop.orgCOMMUNITY OUTREACH
Valentines as
a public service
Why for the first time, Circle City Sound decided to make Feb. 14
a day for service rather than a day to raise chapter funds
Singing with a symphony goes interchapter
Tunkhannock, Pa. has under 2,000 residents but doesn’t act
like it–the seat of Wyoming County (population 28,000) hosts
both The Endless Mountains Barbershop Chorus and the Northern
Tier Symphony. Chapter President Raleigh Bloch suggested
a joint concert, and the symphony was all for it. The Society
publishes scores for barbershop chorus and symphony, and
they selected “Barbershop Christmas” and “Battle Hymn
of the Republic,” practicing separately at first. Raleigh also
invited members of the Honesdale and Wilkes-Barre chapters to
join in, as well as members of his church choir and the local
Wyoming County Chorale. The combined ensembles performed
concerts and audience sing-alongs in both Montrose and
A fter 24 years of delivering Singing Valentines, the
Greater Indianapolis Chapter recently found it
more difficult to sell enough Valentines and form enough
Tunkhannock, Pa. last November, sharing each other’s audi- quartets. The chapter board discussed the trade-offs
ences along the way. between making Valentines rare and exclusive (usually
about $75 or so) or cheaper and more plentiful. That's
when we looked at making Valentines an outreach oppor-
tunity rather than a fundraiser.
The chapter's new Community Outreach VP board
position had increased engagement significantly since
November 2019. This included a free Veteran's Day show
that raised $1,200 for veterans assistance, Christmas
carols at a local mall, caroling on the Circle in downtown
Indianapolis, and performing Christmas Show repertoire
for over 300 homeless men at an Indianapolis shelter.
Vocal Revolution records movie soundtrack The chapter decided to give away Singing Valentines to
Emerson College students working on a thesis film needed any sender or recipient who was in public service—mili-
male singers for their soundtrack—and found that Barber- tary, law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics, nurses, or
shoppers love singing four bars at a time. Five members of teachers. Four quartets delivered 51 Singing Valentines in
Vocal Revolution (Concord, Mass. Chapter) helped record back- 12 hours! Two TV stations covered the outreach and a lo-
ground music in a Russian Civil War story about a Jewish cal public radio station ran an in-depth story. We couldn't
man who doesn’t know whom he can trust to help him find have gotten such great publicity if we'd paid for it!
his missing son. With little advance individual practice, the The lyrics of some chorus repertoire express what the
full ensemble first sang the haunting lyrics together on the chapter is trying to do: "If you want more happy than your
same day they heard the instrumentals and recorded their heart can hold / If you want to stand taller if the truth
tracks. For most, it was their first real recording gig. Look for were told / Take whatever you got, and give it away." It's
The Hare in coming film festivals. working for Circle City Sound!
– Terry Bynum
barbershop.org | May/June 2020 | The Harmonizer | 9NOTEWORTHY
The latest in the world of Barbershop.
NOT A PODCAST
The Barbershop
7th Hour
Why your Thursday nights will never be the same
I n a nutshell: An eclectic hour of great barbershop music every
Thursday, including rare and never-before-heard tracks.
Hosted by Jeremy K. Gover, BHS video production manager since
2014. Exclusively on Acaville, a 24/7 a cappella Internet radio
station. 1 QUARTET, 2 HOURS, 20 DELIVERIES
A new Singing Valentine every six minutes for two hours–it’s got
Jeremy’s musical background. Does roadtripping 41 Dave to be some kind of record, and The Squares did it while raising
Matthews concerts count? I also worked in Top 40 radio for hundreds of dollars for charity. It probably helped that they
over five years before coming to the Society. Am I a Barber- never left the building. Criss-crossing the various wards and
shopper? No, but let’s put it this way: I will mark wings of Lion’s Gate Hospital in North Vancouver, B.C., lead Erik
my 10-year anniversary at BHS by singing Beauchesnen said that an employee of the hospital’s foundation
a tag. But my wife, Lynn, has been a found their Gigsalad listing and hired them for a hospital-wide
barbershopper for decades and I'm a fundraiser. A little over two hours later, The Squares had made
long-time barbershop fan. a huge impact on staff and patients and left with a $200 fee. The
four singers–Sean Huston, Erik Beauchesne, Samuel Dabrusin,
When do we tune in? Thursday and Allen Upward–are four of about 18 constantly-rotating
nights at 8pm Eastern/5pm Pacific. It quartet members who call themselves The Squares Chorus when
also replays on Sundays around noon. they’re all in the same room. Link to video of their performances
Archives are not available—this is radio. at barbershop.org/harmonizer.
How do we tune in? Log onto acaville.org
and click the big “play” button. As easy as Sunday morning.
Show format. It's an hour of what I would listen to. There's
often a timely theme such as Mardi Gras, and there's a real arc
to each show—I can't do five classic quartets or three ballads in
a row. For example, you might hear a track from The Citations,
then After Hours singing "Take On Me" at Midwinter 2019,
then some 1970s Vocal Majority, followed by a track from GQ's
latest album. OPEN HOUSE INVITATION TO PAST
Tracks you’ll hear nowhere else. Because of my role on staff, I
GUESTS LEADS TO NEW MEMBERS
have access to content nobody else has, such as non-contest au- We had our Open House two weeks after our last show and
dio from past conventions. I also have pretty much every audio it was an unprecedented success. We sent emails via eVite to
track the Marketplace has ever sold. For legal reasons, we can’t 312 people, all our past attendees whose emails we knew.
release a lot of it to the public except on radio. Fifty-six people showed up to be entertained by the 23 of
us! Eight men joined us to sing (only for the night) and four
Why he does it. I wanted to get back to radio in some way, and came back in subsequent meetings!
then I was invited by Acaville. I also wanted a cappella fans Following the four songs and two singalongs, we opened
to be exposed to great barbershop music. Appealing to music the hall to our dessert buffet. We added four members this
fans outside of barbershop circles is important because it only month, and we plan to add more next month!
grows our artform. But the main goal of the show is to make – Rudy Xavier, Santa Maria, Calif. Chapter
that hour a must-listen for Barbershoppers all over the globe.
10 | The Harmonizer | May/June 2020 | barbershop.orgCONTEST & JUDGING
Performance
Category to
STEP UP YOUR
make poor taste HISTORY GAME
penalties visible Steve Wixson of the
Chattanooga Choo-
Choo Chorus does a
Score sheets will include visible penalties to indicate when great job every year
issues of poor taste have been addressed documenting the
chapter’s plentiful
T o provide better clarity and visibility to competi-
tors and audience members, contest rules have been
amended to state that songs, lyrics, and actions not in
shows and sing-outs.
A reminder to chap-
ters that photo/video
good taste will now result in a penalty, up to and includ-
can benefit member-
ing forfeiture by the Performance Judge(s). This is a
ship and marketing
departure from the past few years in which issues were
when it is more than
assessed holistically; this often made it more difficult for
an afterthought.
competitors and audiences to understand when issues of
poor taste had been addressed.
No dramatic changes in scoring are expected. New
language includes the following:
• Songs or actions by a contestant that are not in good
CHAMPIONS MADE BIG OFFER TO QUARTETS
taste will result in penalties up to and including forfei- Unfortunately it will no longer happen in 2020, but the Association of
ture by the Performance judge(s). International Champions (AIC) deserves credit all the same. The AIC
• Barbershop performances should not contain vulgar, had committed to free coaching for Next Generation Varsity quartets
suggestive, or otherwise distasteful actions or lyrics. in Los Angeles. The offer still stands for Cleveland, as the AIC continues
its formal and long-standing interest in supporting young quartets. n
The Performance Category included additional clarity
and guidance in Position Papers. Key concepts include:
• Performances containing bad taste, or which could be
considered offensive, are not common in barbershop
contests.
• The test of whether a performance is distasteful or offen-
sive is whether, in whole or in part, it would be offensive
to today’s audiences or society in general ... These rare
performances may range from inadvertent offense to a 2019 champion Signature with Harmonique!
complete disregard for the potential impact on the audi-
ence. Judicial discretion in analyzing these situations is
paramount, and judges draw on their own life experience
as well as their judicial education and training.
Address questions to Performance Category Specialist
Mark Kettner at mrkettner@comcast.net.
RESOURCES ONLINE Link to the the full text and an Bass Brian O’Dell of Forefront (2016 champ) tags with
explanatory video at barbershop.org/harmonizer. 2019 Junior quartet champion Quin-tones
barbershop.org | May/June 2020 | The Harmonizer | 11TIP SHEET
Nate Ogg, BHS Chapter Success Manager
nogg@barbershop.org
Innovation: It’s
not just thinking
outside the box
Physical distancing requirements have changed how chapter members
sing, plan together, and stay in touch. Adopting an innovators’ mindset
will help your chapter adapt and stay ahead of the curve
I n the arts and nonprofit world, the
phrase “think outside the box” is fair-
ly common—and often accompanied
of the questions and ideas from
these March meetings were spurred
by challenges brought on by the
by intense eye-rolling and annoyance COVID-19 health crisis, they can apply
of those who hear it during meetings. to our chapter operations throughout
But thinking outside our current par- the year. It’s during the storm that we
adigms has never been more relevant may discover how to be a better orga-
for our organization. In the wake of the nization when seas are calm again.
cancellation of spring contests, chapter
shows, and our International Conven- LOW-TECH STILL MATTERS
tion, chapters are looking for alterna- Sometimes, innovation can mean
tives to their “norms.” revisiting old ideas that have fallen by
In a series of online Q&As with the wayside (cue Bluegrass Student employed by the business world.
chapter and district leaders held in Union’s rendition of “Everything Old Is While there are some musical chal-
March, we discussed the opportu- New Again”). This is already becom- lenges, chapters are gathering and
nities that lay before us but also the ing the case for many of our chapters enriching each others’ lives using
innovations already being made, both during the health crisis. The simple act online tools like Zoom. The inherent
outside and inside the box. of a telephone call or hand-written note electronic delay is too much to enjoy
Chapters have always been look- can be tremendously effective at bring- most forms of live group singing, but
ing for new ways to recruit singers, ing people together. How many times can be helpful for a directed section-
promote shows, get sponsors, support in the past did you and chapter mem- al, music theory/private lesson, or
local artists, and to preserve and pro- bers wonder, “What ever happened to even board meetings. The true test is
long barbershop harmony. While many Jim?” during a chapter meeting only for how we can utilize these tools going
the question to be asked, “Has anyone forward once we’re not worried
actually called him?” Genuine contact about social distance. How effective
matters even more when it cannot be and productive can we be then?
IT’S DURING THE STORM in person, especially when it comes to
staying in touch with those who are less INNOVATION TAKES PROACTIVE EFFORT—
THAT WE MAY DISCOVER comfortable with technology. AND REQUIRES SWALLOWING OUR PRIDE
HOW TO BE A BETTER In Steven Johnson’s book Where
TECHNOLOGY BRIDGES MANY GAPS Good Ideas Come From, the author
ORGANIZATION WHEN SEAS Now more than ever, arts organi- states: “Most hunches that turn into
ARE CALM AGAIN. zations are taking their cues from important innovations unfold over
technological innovations already much longer time frames. They start
12 | The Harmonizer | May/June 2020 | barbershop.orgInnovations from chapter leaders around the Society will best benefit the chapter as a whole.
A March 26 online meeting with chapter Grocery Community Rewards, Amazon If we succeed, we can sometimes find
leaders revealed that many chapters were Smile, Scrip (gift cards) answers to questions and challenges
already using new tools and new approach- • Harmony University online classes before we are forced to confront them.
es to keep their chapters running, funded, • Shifting group focus to their communities
and impacting their communities. Innova- • Increasing newsletter communications HOW DO WE GET THERE?
tions they shared included: via email and printing and/or emailing to In the words of Tim Sharp, Execu-
• A cappella/multi-tracks apps on less tech savvy members tive Director of the American Choral
smartphones • Sharing videos or past performances with Directors Association: “We ask ‘why,’
• Online/web meetings and rehearsals local senior/nursing facilities we read, we listen, we watch, we
through Zoom meetings See more details on pages 16-18 this issue. experience, we experiment, we fail,
• Slack communications and chat tools Stay on top of distance resources at barber- and sometimes, we succeed.”
• Fundraising opportunities through shop.org/virtualresources. What can your chapter use from
its past without ignoring tools from
its present and future? The sky’s the
with a vague, hard-to-describe sense We only achieve innovation when limit. And while we’re figuring it
that there’s an interesting solution to hard work and proactive communi- out together, know that the staff of
a problem that hasn’t yet been pro- cation converge. It requires creativity Harmony Hall and the hundreds and
posed, and they linger in the shad- and curiosity, and forward motion only thousands of volunteer leaders in our
ows of the mind ... assembling new happens when we set aside our indi- Society are here to help you. Let’s
connections and gaining strength.” vidual pride, instead focusing on what grow and innovate together! n
CHAPTER CHALLENGE
STRIVING TO REACH
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barbershop.org | May/June 2020 | The Harmonizer | 13SPOTLIGHT
Jim Stahly, Sound of Illinois Chorus
jim.stahly@gmail.com
Terry Ludwig:
No voice, no obstacle
For over 16 years, this director could barely speak, let alone sing.
Yet he led Sound of Illinois to 12 straight appearances on the
International stage without ever auditioning a performer.
I n 2001, when Terry Ludwig was 34,
his voice began failing. Not good for
a singer and director in the barber-
musical life, but also his work life. I’m
in sales, too, so I know you need to be
able to communicate.
shop world, a year before he became “Terry’s quartet won the district
director of Bloomington’s Sound of title in 2011 with Terry singing tenor.
Illinois (SOI) Chorus. But spasmodic I don’t think he believed it would ever
dysphonia (vocal cord spasms) didn’t happen. We still joke about him being
keep him from guiding SOI to 12 in the first winning quartet with only
straight International appearances three parts!”
(2008-2019), even though he couldn't Terry found a possible surgical
sing and could barely talk for most of remedy at UCLA in 2017. When Terry
that span. was accepted, Mulford and his quar-
Illinois District President Brett tet lead Matt Carlen hastily planned
Mulford, SOI member and close “Voices for Terry” to raise funds (in-
friend of Terry’s, remembers his first surance coverage was uncertain).
impression. “I still get chills recalling how back, and probably 50 percent of what
“I met Terry in 2006 at my first the Illinois District came together my singing voice was. It is what it is,
Sound of Illinois rehearsal. I loved the because of the love everyone has for and I’m really fortunate.”
sound and wanted to be a part of it. A Terry. We had five choruses and six
couple things stuck in my mind that quartets, including After Hours. Ev- WANNA SING? NO STRINGS
night: the chorus respected Terry, he eryone wanted to help the guy who’s Many choruses that make it to Inter-
was a gifted musician, and he wore a done so much to help the district, and national are selective. Sound of Illi-
microphone. He sounded like a bad it’s had a long-lasting positive effect.” nois is not. “If you want to sing with
cell phone connection. I came to learn The August concert raised near- our chorus, you are welcome,” Terry
his voice was not only affecting his ly twice the $10,000 goal, allowing says. “That’s how I was brought up,”
Terry to worry only about recovering he says, recalling his first directing
from his October surgery. Today, Ter- stint with the small Quincy chorus.
Terry (center) leads Sound of Illinois during the ry’s voice is much improved. “I have “We were a ‘Joe Barbershop’ chorus
2016 International Chorus Contest. about 75 percent of my speaking voice that decided it wanted to sing better.
We went from last in the district to
placing fifth with our 15-man chorus.
“It’s in my DNA. Barbershop has
given me so much over my 33 years,
who am I to tell someone they can’t
have the same experience. It’s so
much more than a Tuesday rehearsal.
My first date with Tina was a barber-
shop function. We were engaged at a
barbershop function. All the guys in
my wedding party were Barbershop-
14 | The Harmonizer | May/June 2020 | barbershop.orgrecords learning tracks and focuses
“OF MY TOP 100 on vocal production. “When Terry
BARBERSHOP MOMENTS, asked me to be assistant director,”
TERRY IS IN AT LEAST 90 OF says Tim, “we didn’t always agree on ABOUT TERRY LUDWIG
how to get the best out of the chorus.
THEM. I CAN’T IMAGINE We’ve learned to draw on each other’s BHS member since 1987
WHAT MY BARBERSHOP strengths, which has made us a great
team. He has amazing hands that CHORUS DIRECTOR
LIFE WOULD BE WITHOUT bring out the artistry.” Terry asked • Quincy (1989-2002)
TERRY.” Tim to be his co-director in 2019. • Bloomington Sound of Illinois
Terry says: “Losing my voice took (2002-present)
the emphasis off singing and talking • Springfield Sound Celebration
and taught me to me use my hands Sweet Adelines International
more effectively.” Now, as co-director, (2015-present)
pers. David was born on a rehearsal he’s able to sing with the chorus when
night, and my first call was to my his partner’s out front. “I sang on an QUARTET TENOR
chorus. Every major event in my life International stage last summer for • Monarchs
has included Barbershoppers.” the first time in my life,” says Terry. • Critical Bridge
With a take-all-comers approach, “What a kick that was for me!” • Omega
Terry believes A-level singing is still Past district president Jim Wal- • Back in Style
possible. “It’s all about setting a cul- dorf, an SOI member, credits Ter- • Right on Q
ture of expectations. We want every- ry with chapter growth. “He has • Wound 4 Sound
one to be a part of the chorus, but we stretched us musically, and he has at- • Waldorf Hair Company
expect members to learn their music tracted young members as a result.” (2011 district champion)
and work hard at rehearsals. I think Terry has adjusted his approach over
you can have it both ways: let everyone the years while maintaining high ex- DISTRICT
participate and expect to sing well. pectations. “In his early years, Terry • Music & Performance VP
“We do a lot of the same things was sometimes frustrated if the cho- 1999-2002, 2014-Present
other choruses do, and we couldn’t do rus wasn’t having a good night,” says • Chorus Director Development
it without a strong music team,” Ter- Jim. “But he’s matured into a very 2006
ry says. “You can’t do it by yourself. special leader and friend. His passion • At-Large Board Member
We’re fortunate to have good singers is infectious, and he shares it freely 2016-Present
in our chorus, including two sec- with everyone.” • Illinois District Academy of
tion leaders who are district quartet Another close friend, Bret Rein- Harmony organizer
champs.” thaler, says: “Of my top 100 barber- 2000-2019
shop moments, Terry is in at least • Award for Barbershopping Excellence
INSPIRING OTHER LEADERS 90 of them. I can’t imagine what my 2016
Co-director Tim Beutel, tenor of 2018 barbershop life would be without • QCA Music Man Award
BHS quartet champion After Hours, Terry.” n 2017
FAMILY
• Wife Tina, son David
NO ODD COUPLE. Outside the barbershop world, EDUCATION
these co-directors would seem to have mismatched • Associate in Science, Lincolnland
abilities. Tim Buetel (right) is a gold medal tenor Community College
and a full-time music educator with a Master’s
degree. But no Barbershopper cares that Terry OCCUPATION
Ludwig (left) has less formal education and works • Menards commercial & contractor
in sales–it’s Terry’s experience and deep artistic and sales representative
leadership abilities that matter. The two combine
their individual strengths and make it work.
barbershop.org | May/June 2020 | The Harmonizer | 15Barbershopping
Don’t call it social distancing—chapters and lowship, music education, or a mix?
friends are staying close and keeping up on FIND THE RIGHT VIRTUAL TOOLS FOR
YOUR ENSEMBLE
music during long weeks of phyiscal distancing Zoom. Robust suite for live, inter-
active group meetings. Participants
until they can sing together again in person can opt-in to be viewed via camera,
share their screen, or comment via
microphone or the chat feature. Free
to those who join the meeting, but
hosts must have a paid account to set
up sessions longer than 40 minutes
or more than 100 participants. Min-
imal set-up required for laptops; free
app required for smartphone use.
Google Hangouts. Features are
similar to Zoom. Free for up to 100
participants if host uses at least a ba-
sic version of G Suite ($6 per month
upgrade over free Gmail).
Facebook Live. Free with a Face-
book account, although this is not a
videoconferencing application per se.
Sessions are recorded, comments
may be captured.
Band. Not for livestreaming, but app
How to host virtual rehearsals is set up for group communication.
Leaders can post videos, graphics,
(Adapted from a much longer article that may be found at barbershop.org/ documents, calendaring. Users can
news/blog and at barbershop.org/virtualresources.) comment, RSVP, participate in polls.
W hat can your chapter accom-
plish via meeting apps? Here’s
a brief summary of one of the first
even learned something about each
other we may have not known!
“I must say that this may have been
KEEP THINGS ORGANIZED
Use a rehearsal schedule. Will you
be singing through a song? Discuss-
online meetings for Great Northern one of my best nights in barbershop ing a learning track? Showing cho-
Union (Hilltop, Minn.) courtesy of because we were able to have those reography? Creating future plans?
chapter member Tyler Dvorak: connections, we were more focused on Having a singing lesson?
music, and you had to really get used
“We sang through one of our pieces, to hearing yourself which is really hard LEARN AND GROW
had PVI’s, which are just like private in this setting that you aren’t used to. Assess how the meeting went,
sessions with leaders in the chorus, It was so great and joyful. I felt that learn what people did or didn’t like,
had small master class sessions in this shouldn’t be kept secret and to refine your structure.
a series we have been doing in the let all our barbershop friends know Compiled by Jernie Talles-Millan
chorus, and we all enjoyed each oth- that there is a way that we can all still (jtmillan@barbershop.org). Original
er’s company until the late hours of enjoy music and friendship.” article at barbershop.org/virtualre-
Thursday night into Friday morning. sources links to sample rehearsal sched-
Though we cannot meet in person we ESTABLISH THE WHY ules, a rehearsal logistics document,
found a way to meet, connect, sing, en- Why should you meet virtually? how-to videos for Zoom and for upload-
joy each other’s company, and maybe Are you meeting for a rehearsal, fel- ing Facebook Live videos to YouTube.
16 | The Harmonizer | May/June 2020 | barbershop.orgAT A DISTANCE
What BHS chapters are doing to stay connected
On March 26, chapter leaders met with BHS hands-free, and we’re using the break- learning tracks. We then meet via Zoom to
staff via Zoom to discuss options for their chap- out rooms for sectionals and smaller review those recordings.
ter during days of physical isolation. Chapter conversations. • We have begun one-on-one Zooms by
leaders shared the below via Zoom chat. • Virtual afterglows! They’ve been great. part with section leaders to qualify for
• We will be trying tonight a Google Hang- • Gotham leadership (Voices of Gotham & contest or show performances.
outs chorus get-together. Going over new Sirens of Gotham) introduced Slack over a • We are involved in a Community Founda-
music. Doing “analysis” of text, interpre- year ago now as our main communication tion Giving Challenge on April 28 making
tation, etc. together before we later get platform, so we have a way to communi- partnerships with other local non-profits.
together. cate socially, educationally, and musically! • We did a class on dynamics/texture,
• While we can’t necessarily sing as an • We use Flock for our communications, movement, authenticity. It’s been a cool
ensemble on Zoom, we have done some similar to Slack. They are offering the pro way to get new members!
vocalization/singing exercises (on mute), version of video conferencing for 6 months • We are working on doing a video with
we’ve done voice lessons under glass, to 501(c)(3) orgs. https://flock.com clips from our show to send to senior
had discussions about the text of our • Various members are hosting educational facilities we have performed at for the
songs, and have had folks recite the text classes on music theory, vocal pedagogy, locked in residents.
as a monologue to help us improve our barbershop history, etc. to help our members. • Handwritten notes are almost a lost art
storytelling. • Most of my members are in their 70s and highly valued!
• I’ve been using email extensively to keep and 80s and not very tech savvy. Email is • Each week a tag is sent by email with the
in touch. Have scanned articles from The about their tech limit. Just use what your music as an attachment.
Harmonizer to help singing posture, etc. members are comfortable using. • We are planning on offering our Chapter
• We have a Zoom “producer” who will • My tenor section is passing around choruses and quartets gratis to the city
manage the tech so the director is recordings of ourselves singing against the leaders for when the isolation is lifted.
Technology is helping to connect us, but it has its limits
I f you are comfortable with tech-
nology, by now you have seen an
explosion in virtual choir rehearsals,
ways to connect with your people:
Mail a letter. I’m always so sur-
prised at how meaningful, simple,
X” award at my old chorus.
Use this time to plan. Have a
virtual board retreat, plan out your
meetings, Facebook sing-alongs, and and powerful a handwritten letter show crazy early, re-invent your re-
myriad new ways to gather. It’s a can be. With this gift of time, send a hearsals, survey your members about
wonderful way to keep in touch! note to your people and tell them you the future, update your repertoire.
However, the technology for today miss them and are excited for the fu- Use smartphones well. You can
sadly does not allow for five or more ture when we can gather once more. connect with your people by using
choir members to virtually sing at the Pick up the phone. Call your a free built-in feature (Facetime) or
same moment and hear everyone in people and check in. It is powerful, download a free app (Google Duo or
real time. A few hardware platforms simple, cheap and impactful. chat, Zoom, Skype) for a teleconfer-
“somewhat” work for small groups of Share some music. Pick up some ence. Seeing people’s faces makes all
2-4, but even in these cases latency new music and learning tracks for the difference!
issues make a live rehearsal challeng- your group. People are hungry for
ing and expensive. “new” brain activity; a new song – Donny Rose,
If you are not comfortable with would be welcome. I remember we BHS Director of Education
technology, let me share a few other had a “first group off the paper wins drose@barbershop.org
barbershop.org | May/June 2020 | The Harmonizer | 17From the blog: Tips for
practicing music at home
B y Steve Scott and Rob Mance. Adapted from a much
longer article that can be found at barbershop.org/
news/blog or at barbershop.org/virtualresources.)
Needed: A space free from distraction, water (stay
hydrated), your sheet music, smartphone or other audio/
video recording device, a pitch pipe or other device.
GETTING STARTED
Warm up. Physical, then mental, then vocal. (Links to
exercises in original article.)
Work on your musicianship. Start with something sim-
Barbershoppers are filling social media with uploads of great fa- ple like interval training or note identification.
mous and lesser-known groups in performances few have seen be-
fore. Others are starting virtual choirs, creating sing-along contests, WHEN LEARNING A SONG
hosting watch parties, and more. On Facebook, subscribe to the Learn the notable features of the song: Introduction,
open group “Barbershop Harmony.” The “CoreChallenge” group is verse(s), chorus(es), bridge, tag, etc.
primarily dedicated to barbershop video uploads; as a closed group, Note key signatures, meters, metronome markings,
you must ask to join before viewing content. While on Facebook, be and any other tempo-related markings (rubatos, ritardan-
sure to “like” the official Barbershop Harmony Society page. do, accelerando, etc.).
Review your voice part’s position relative to other
How Facebookers are parts and as parts of chords. (Full article breaks this
down extensively.)
getting their bbshop fix Note any key changes or difficult harmonic passages.
Highlight challenging sections due to range and tessi-
It’s a great time to work on learning music and working with tura.
learning tracks. Make comments on lyrics, especially how the arrange-
– Gary McBride ment highlights the text.
I am using this time to learn all the Polecats!
LEARNING A NEW SONG VIA LEARNING MEDIA
– Michael Testa
Get an overview of the song. What is the harmonic
We are fortunate that our chorus invests in good quality language? Who has the melody? What is the vocal/emo-
learning tracks, and tracks from Harmony Brigades are tional/performance apex?
equally great. So investing time in working on my singing to Learn the melody using lead part-predominant track,
fix the stuff that can be better is a great way to offset time I gradually increasing the volume of other parts after each
can’t have in person! iteration.
– Kevin Williams Learn your part on the part-predominant track, first
without the other voice parts, then gradually adding the
There’s SO MUCH BARBERSHOP on YouTube! Set aside some
others.
comfy time, and start ‘er up!
Sing your part against the other solo tracks, part by
– Tom Noble IV
part.
Facetime with a barbershop friend and watch movie musi-
cals or barbershop contest videos together. REHEARSING A KNOWN SONG
– Ann McAlexander Stop using the learning media, switch to rehearsal
recordings where possible to work on your group’s inter-
We record chapter chorus rehearsals for our “snowbirds” pretations. Use recordings that are both recent and the
and post them on our chapter’s webpage. One member said best examples of what you want from your chorus. This
it was “almost like getting chewed out in person!” will make sure that your singers are singing with the most
– Frederick Schmidt up-to-date material. n
18 | The Harmonizer | May/June 2020 | barbershop.orgbarbershop.org | May/June 2020 | The Harmonizer | 19
at the
Florida Theater
What do you get when you take the most
experienced barbershoppers and mix them
up for three days with the most enthusiastic
new lovers of four-
part harmony? An
unforgettable
experience that
likely launched
many on a
lifetime of
harmony.
Add in
great
contests,
fantastic
shows, the
best tagging,
and some of the
best educators in the
barbershop world, and we
cannot wait until we can do it
all over again!
20 | The Harmonizer | May/June 2020 | barbershop.orgSENIORS QUARTET he announced the flight departure
CONTEST to West Point and we began the Clay
The Seniors Quartet Contest featured 27 Hine arrangement of “Little Pal,”
quartets that had qualified in advance focusing the interpretation to the
at District and Alliance contests. All son leaving for military service. The
members must be 55+, ages adding up to crowd responded with an ovation the
240+. Here’s the journey of 2020 Seniors quartet will never forget as they stood
Quartet champion Hearsay. for a second time. And then the wait
began. SENIORS CHORUS
The longest 15 minutes in barbershop All members of Hearsay sing INVITATIONAL
singing: the contest results call-off. For with the Southern Gateway Chorus in This year, 340 singers (age
2020 International Seniors Quartet Cincinnati, Ohio. Tenor Bob Moore- 55+) from eight BHS districts
Champion, Hearsay, those 15 minutes head began singing barbershop in participated in the Invitational.
felt like a lifetime. And for the four of high school, joining the Barbershop Top among competitors were
us, the gold medal announcement Harmony Society in 1960. He has won the Ozark Overtones (CSD,
was a lifetime goal achieved. two International Chorus gold medals above). The seniors shared
Hearsay won the third-place as a 50+ year member of the chorus. the same stage with partici-
bronze medal at the 2019 Inter- In addition, he received International pants in the Next Generation
national Seniors Quartet contest bronze medals singing with The Natu- Barbershop Junior Chorus
in Nashville. There, we learned rals. Bob was involved in the Contest & Invitational. Other Seniors
that walking from the hotel to Judging Program as a Sound & Singing Chorus participants included
the contest venue in brand new Category Judge for over 35 years, Carolina Statesmen (NSC),
plastic shoes in the bitter cold achieving Judge Emeritus status in Dixie Seniors Chorus (DIX), Guys
was not a good idea. Taking that 2012. Who Can Drive at Night (NED),
lesson to heart in Jacksonville, Bringing many years of contest Pioneer Spirit (PIO), Seneca
we gave ourselves plenty of time to experience to the quartet is baritone Statesmen (SLD), Sunshine
arrive at the Florida Theater for this Tom Rouse. Tom had already won a Statesmen (SUN), and Vintage
year’s contest. Seniors gold medal in 2012 with Rusty Voices (ILL).
Preparing for the 2020 contest Pipes. His first trip across the Interna-
began immediately after the 2019 tional quartet stage was in 1977, and
contest call-off. Coaches Jean and he has been at it ever since, with well
Brian Barford set forth a plan of over 240 rounds across various cho-
continuous improvement for us. Jean ruses and quartets on many contest
came up with an approach for contest stages.
day that we credit with mentally Bass Mike Bell came to Hearsay
preparing us to peak at the right time from a background in vocal coaching
without sacrificing energy and voices. and classical performance. He is the
Arriving at the theater, we were resident in-house arranger for the
told the warm-up room was up a quartet and sang with Tom in Rumors
flight of stairs from the stage. Rec- many years ago on the International
ognizing our limitations, we sang in contest stage.
the alley behind the theater in a light Rounding out the quartet is lead
drizzle and were escorted directly to Kent VanderKolk. Kent sang in dis-
the stage from the alley. trict-level quartets for years, focusing
LORIN MAY, READ PHOTOGRAPHY
Opening with our “By The Sea” on local performances and district
medley, we got into our comfort contests. He joined the chorus in
zone with the uptune, the crowd 2015, ultimately meeting up with the
standing in applause. Mike then other three guys to form Hearsay.
stepped to a side microphone where – Kent VanderKolk, lead
barbershop.org | May/June 2020 | The Harmonizer | 21You can also read
