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1) How and why did you first get involved with barbershop singing?
I was looking for a musical outlet and a fraternity at the same time. I sang with both the KC Symphony Chorus, and The KC Choral and was still looking for fellowship. So, I looked into the Sons Of The American Revolution and Masons, as my grandfather was a member of those organizations. Then it hit me — I remembered singing songs in four-part a capella harmony back when I was in junior high school. So, I gathered up some old music and found those famous initials the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America After reading some interesting items from the organizations Web site, www.barbershop.org, I looked for a chapter near me and, well, I'll spare you the rest of the story, for now.
2) What is your role with the Cody Choraliers and how did you get involved in the group?
I've been directing the Cody Choraliers for just over three years now. I started out coaching the group, to help improve their singing skills back in 2007. I guess I was too nice, because they asked me to consider becoming their full-time director shortly thereafter.
3) Last year the Cody Choraliers were celebrating receiving the most improved award for the second time when they had their annual concert. What does the chorus have to celebrate this year?
This year the chorus had a lofty goal of becoming a triple time winner of the "Most Improved Chorus" award at our annual spring convention held this past April in Wichita, Kan. Achieving "Most Improved Chorus" is a rare accomplishment in the world of competitive Barbershop because contestants are measured against the score received at the last year's convention. Moreover, the chorus has to earn a score that is a wider margin of improvement than any other competing chorus. Make sense? Sadly, those dreams went unrealized. A terrific bunch of guys, and dear friends of ours from the Joplin, Mo., chapter achieved the better comparative judges scores from last year to secure "Most Improved Chorus" this time out. The Cody Choraliers performed a polished and entertaining set of songs for the panel of judges that day, too. As consolation for our efforts, we were the highest-scoring chorus of the entire competition, took the big prize and proudly brought home the Central States District, "Plateau A - District Champion" trophy.
1) How and why did you first get involved with barbershop singing?
I was looking for a musical outlet and a fraternity at the same time. I sang with both the KC Symphony Chorus, and The KC Choral and was still looking for fellowship. So, I looked into the Sons Of The American Revolution and Masons, as my grandfather was a member of those organizations. Then it hit me — I remembered singing songs in four-part a capella harmony back when I was in junior high school. So, I gathered up some old music and found those famous initials the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America After reading some interesting items from the organizations Web site, www.barbershop.org, I looked for a chapter near me and, well, I'll spare you the rest of the story, for now.
2) What is your role with the Cody Choraliers and how did you get involved in the group?
I've been directing the Cody Choraliers for just over three years now. I started out coaching the group, to help improve their singing skills back in 2007. I guess I was too nice, because they asked me to consider becoming their full-time director shortly thereafter.
3) Last year the Cody Choraliers were celebrating receiving the most improved award for the second time when they had their annual concert. What does the chorus have to celebrate this year?
This year the chorus had a lofty goal of becoming a triple time winner of the "Most Improved Chorus" award at our annual spring convention held this past April in Wichita, Kan. Achieving "Most Improved Chorus" is a rare accomplishment in the world of competitive Barbershop because contestants are measured against the score received at the last year's convention. Moreover, the chorus has to earn a score that is a wider margin of improvement than any other competing chorus. Make sense? Sadly, those dreams went unrealized. A terrific bunch of guys, and dear friends of ours from the Joplin, Mo., chapter achieved the better comparative judges scores from last year to secure "Most Improved Chorus" this time out. The Cody Choraliers performed a polished and entertaining set of songs for the panel of judges that day, too. As consolation for our efforts, we were the highest-scoring chorus of the entire competition, took the big prize and proudly brought home the Central States District, "Plateau A - District Champion" trophy.
4) What are you most looking forward to in the concert this year? When is it scheduled?
When I turn from the chorus to accept the applause from the audience, I get to see the faces of our guests as they enjoy the life changing, emotional music shared by the chorus and our chapter quartets. The concert starts at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Lansing High School Auditorium, 220 Lion Lane in Lansing. Tickets are only $15 at the door or you can get them by calling 913-651-SING (7464) and we'll hold them for you at "Will Call."
5) Are you excited for the next year with the Cody Choraliers? What does the chorus have in store?
The Leavenworth Chapter has a lot to be excited about. For starters, in just a few weeks and for the first time in our 41-year history, our 35-man chorus will take the competition stage against the much larger chapters in the Central States District of the Barbershop Harmony Society and compete for ranking and evaluation during the International Preliminary Chorus Competition and Convention held in Kansas City, Mo. We're going to surprise them but we are real enough to know that we may not win the whole thing again this time out. This competition will have choruses like the 160+ men from St. Charles, Mo., called the Ambassadors of Harmony, who won the International Championship gold medals in 2004 and 2009. Now, these big brothers of ours started off in 1963 as the "Daniel Boone Chorus" with only 26 members. So, as you can see, we are excited about the future of our chapter and aim to follow in the footsteps (and compete against) the Ambassadors of Harmony.
Now, we're not all about competition. We sing at many functions throughout Leavenworth and Lansing, as well as our annual Holiday Trolley Ride; where we take the famous Leavenworth Trolley and tour local retirement communities spreading joy and good cheer by way of singing holiday music. You may even find barbershop singing coming from our local talent contests, and churches during the next few months.
