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The Burlington, Vermont Chapter
NEW MEMBER HANDBOOK
for new member _______________
elcome to the Burlington Chapter of the Barbershop
Harmony Society, home of the Green Mountain
Chorus. It can take up to a year for a new member
to become familiar with the various activities and catchphrases associated with barbershopping. This orientation
material offers you a broad overview of our chapter, the
Northeastern District, the International Society, and
barbershopping in general. It should answer many of your
questions and reduce your time in learning about our
wonderful hobby. You might want to consider keeping this
document in the back of your music book - ready for instant
reference.
W
Acknowledgments:
The original Burlington Chapter New Member Handbook was written and published by Leonard Beams. Len
had editing assistance from Denis Brochu, Carol Beams, Carl Phillips, and Jerry Walter. Subsequent editions
have been updated by Charlie Church and edited by various helpful chapter members.
Volume 9, Number 3 - 8/13/2011
Page 1
Table of Contents
Page
Table of Contents / Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Your Welcome and Introduction Letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
A Message from the Chapter President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
The “Nuts and Bolts” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Major Burlington Chapter Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
A Typical Year in the Life of the Burlington Chapter . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Chapter and Music Leadership Teams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Get Involved Fast - Sign-up for a Job! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
The Northeastern District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
The Barbershop Harmony Society (a.k.a. SPEBSQSA) . . . . . . . . 22
Affiliated Organizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Women’s Barbershop Organizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Appendix A - Chapter Presidents, Directors, & BOTY’s . . . . . . . . 28
Appendix B - Glossary of Barbershop Terms & Acronyms . . . . . . 30
Appendix C - Determining Relative Rank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Appendix D - How To be a Great . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Appendix E - Chapter Roster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Appendix F - Chorus Photo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Filed: E:\WP_DOCS\Membership_VP\New_Memb_Handbook\2011\GMC_HB_4-21-11.wpd
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Your Welcome and Introduction Letter
This page intentionally left blank - Insert Membership VP’s “Welcome” letter to new member here.
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A Message from the Chapter President
To our newest member:
Congratulations and welcome to the Burlington, Vermont Chapter of the Barbershop
Harmony Society, a non-profit IRS 501 © (3) corporation.
You are about to embark on a journey that will be one of the greatest experiences
of your life. As a member of the Green Mountain Chorus, you will be joining all of the
members of the Barbershop Harmony Society, as well as the two women’s barbershop
organizations (Harmony Inc. and Sweet Adelines International), a total of over 100,000
men and women who love barbershop singing. You will have the opportunity to experience
sounds and emotions you never knew existed. You will have the chance to touch other
people’s lives in profound ways with music.
With all of those tremendous things, the best thing the Burlington Chapter and its
Green Mountain Chorus has to offer you is the opportunity to meet and befriend some of
the finest people in Vermont, Canada, New England, and the world. What a special group
of guys it is that makes up the Green Mountain Chorus!
The members of the Green Mountain Chorus represent every occupation
imaginable; and we all have one thing in common - we love to sing! We also love to have
fun and that is something we try to do as much as possible. Take the time to meet and get
to know the guys. If you are like me, you will make friends in the Green Mountain Chorus
that you will cherish for the rest of your life.
You have before you a very large challenge to learn all the music in our repertoire.
Everyone you see on stage with the chorus has had to endure that long learning curve with
lots of individual work in addition to regular chorus rehearsal. Although it will take you a
while, we know you can do it, because you’ve already gotten this far.
On behalf of the members of the Burlington Chapter’s Board of Directors, I look
forward to getting to know you. There is always something going on in the Green Mountain
Chorus and we need “rookies” like you to help us make it happen! If you have a skill,
experience, or just the willingness to work, let someone on the Board of Directors know so
we can integrate you into making it all happen!
Good luck and thanks very much for joining our exciting organization.
John Villeré, President
Burlington Chapter
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The “Nuts and Bolts”
Starting to Sing Barbershop
A member of the Music team has most likely given you a vocal range check and
recommended a suitable voice part (Tenor, Lead {melody line}, Baritone, or Bass). If a
range check hasn’t been done, you should speak with the Music Director or Chorus Coach
directly. A new member may have some initial voice tension, or straining, until his voice
gets used to singing on a regular basis. If this happens to you and this is the first serious
singing you’ve done in a while, don’t panic. It sometime takes a while to get your voice into
condition. The warm-up at the beginning of each rehearsal will help also: reducing vocal
tension is one of the objectives of the warm-up. The important thing here is to be sure that
the voice part you are singing is correct for you. The proper voice part is determined by
your physical singing range and by your basic voice type - the “timbre” or tone color of your
sound.
Learning the Chorus Repertoire
You should have been given a new member music folder containing the written music
for all the chorus repertoire songs (if you have questions, see the Librarian). This folder
should have a Repertoire List with approximately 25 active chorus songs. Although listed
alphabetically for ease of use, most songs could also be organized by theme, according
to the Annual Show for which they were learned. There are also several spiritual, patriotic
and specialty numbers. The Chorus learns eight to ten new songs each year and drops
about an equal number of songs from the repertoire.
Also enclosed in your new member music folder is a folio of Barberpole Cat songs, a
group of about a dozen traditional songs that the Society urges everyone to learn. Our
weekly chorus rehearsal frequently include a segment called “Polecat of the Month”,
reviewing one or more of these songs. Our warm-up each week frequently includes these
songs as well. After rehearsal or at an inter-chapter meeting, contest or where ever, you
are encouraged to invite three other barbershoppers to join you in a quartet employing
these Polecat songs. You’d be surprised how many men throughout the Society know
these songs.
Also enclosed in your new member music folder are two other universal Society songs:
“Teach the Children to Sing” and “Keep the Whole World Singing”. Barbershop rehearsals
and meetings worldwide usually close with the singing of one of these songs. And of
course, the national anthems of the USA and Canada are included.
How fast you learn these repertoire numbers depends on your personal music
experience and ability, and the difficulty of the part you are singing. Some people learn
music at an astonishing rate, while others work at a slower pace. As your music skills
improve, you will learn faster. The chorus sings through the repertoire songs on a regular
basis, this is the primary way for you to practice them. During rehearsals, Section practices
will be conducted for a repertoire song or new song, allowing in-depth review. Also note
that some repertoire songs have stage presence plans, which can really only be learned
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during chorus rep review, on the risers. Individual-part learning tapes are available for most
of the chorus repertoire and all the new music for the next year’s Annual Show.
New Song Learning
Chorus members are expected to learn most of the notes and words of new songs via
MP3, CD or cassette learning tapes before the chorus starts working on a song during
rehearsals. The chorus then spends four to six rehearsals with the music in hand on the
risers and in Section practice. Next several weeks are spent “out of spots” (no music)
refining the vocal execution and the interpretation of the song. Then, if available, a stage
presence plan is taught, including choreography, facial expressions, and general body
language.
Chorus members are encouraged to bring a audio recorder to rehearsal and
record themselves. They then use the tape at home to zero in on the notes they do
not know and practice interpretation updates to the original learning tapes.
Learning CD’s
As noted above, a MP3, CD or cassette learning tape helps a member learn and
practice songs at home or in his car. A tape containing a group of songs is created for each
individual voice part. Typically, each song has your individual voice part predominant on
one channel and the other three parts mixed together at a lower volume on the other
channel. If you are using a mono tape player, the individual voice part will still strongly
predominate.
There are many ways to employ a learning tape in learning a song. Here is a
recommended four step process: 1) Listen to the file/tape while looking at the written music
at least five times to familiarize yourself with the song; 2) Sing your part with the file/tape
and written music at least five times; 3) Now sing along with the file/tape but without the
written music. Start with your part predominant and then move to the version with your part
missing; 4) Periodically repeat step 2) to assure you are singing the correct notes.
Once you have learned a song moderately well, you can have fun singing with other
voices in the taping quartet. Simply turn the balance control all the way to the right or left
to eliminate your part and then play the song. Singing your part with the other three voices
on the tape is a great way to build your learning. If you are unsure of a section, simply back
up the file/tape and adjust the balance control to hear your notes and /or check your music.
Most people find that singing with the rile/tape while driving is a fun and effective way of
learning songs. Pay no attention to the stares of other drivers!
Chapter Meetings
The chapter meets and the chorus rehearses every Tuesday evening, except for time
we take off around July 4th and Christmas holiday period. The chorus contracts with St.
Francis Xavier School for the use of the gym on Tuesday evenings. Storage space on their
third floor is also included in our contract. Rehearsals run from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m.
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A typical Tuesday evening includes a variety of activities which make it both fun and
productive. Rehearsal begins with a vocal warm up, physically warming the entire singing
apparatus and mentally getting prepared to 'ring' chords and sing barbershop with good
quality. Guests are traditionally introduced after warm-up. The chorus members personally
welcome each guest by shaking hands. and singing the song “You’re as Welcome as the
Flowers in May”. Activities can vary from that point; they could include Rep review
(practicing repertoire songs), working on contest songs, learning a new song, improving
a song with the help of a coach, or learning a stage presence plan. Sometimes we learn
a "tag", the last few measures of a song. Another activity might be a section rehearsal,
where each voice section rehearses a song by itself, focusing on notes, words, and vocal
uniformity. Or there might be a barbershop craft session, a music education activity
covering some aspect of correct singing or techniques of barbershop harmony.
Occasionally the Program Vice President will offer a brief program which could include
a fun activity, a local quartet or entertainment by an outside group. A short (hopefully)
business meeting is held each week. At the end of rehearsal, birthdays and anniversaries
are announced, a 50/50 drawing may be held, and a closing song sung (either “Keep the
Whole World Singing” or “Teach the Children to Sing”). A hat is passed during the singing
with the proceeds going to Youth In Harmony efforts or Harmony Foundation. More
information on Harmony Foundation can be found within the Society material presented
on pages 24 and 31.
A 50/50 raffle is occasionally held weekly; it is designed to encourage on-time
attendance and attendance for the whole meeting - one must be at the chapter meeting
hall by 7:00 p.m. to enter and be present at the end of the evening to win. The cost is
usually $1.00 and one can enter up to five times a night. At the close of the meeting a disk
with a chapter member’s name is drawn and that person then gets to draw a bead from the
bag and try to get the one odd colored bead. We start with 25 one colored beads and
subtract one each week until we have a winner. The winner gets one half of the pot up to
that date. The other half is used to pay for schools, training, contests and transportation
of our members to these events.
The Chapter and the Chorus
The chapter and the chorus are separate groups, although the terms are often used
interchangeably. The “chapter” includes everyone on the roster, regardless of his
participation as a singer. Chapter business includes all items, whether related to singing
or not. The "chorus" generally refers to those who perform for an audience. This difference
is not of great concern to us, but is very significant in larger chapters, where often there are
detailed auditions and procedures required of a new chapter member to join the performing
chorus. In the Burlington Chapter we have a chapter meeting, of which the chorus
rehearsal is the primary part.
Uniforms
Our current formal contest uniform is a black shirt, checkered vest, straight yellow tie,
black tux trousers, and black shoes & socks. Recently we have also been wearing black
shirts & trousers with white straight ties and black trousers/shoes/socks. Occasionally we
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will deviate (e.g for Valentines day quartets) and use a white tux jacket with a white tux
shirt and red bow tie and cummerbund. The chorus provides and pays for the formal
uniform.
Presently, the chorus has three informal uniforms used for travel and for some singouts. The first informal uniform (for travel or informal sing-outs) includes a short sleeve
green shirt, khaki slacks, black shoes, socks and belt, and an optional long sleeve green
sweater. A second informal uniform substitutes a bright colored red, white, or blue polo
shirt. The more formal uniform (for church sing-outs, funerals, etc.) includes a navy blue
blazer, gray slacks, long sleeved white dress shirt, black shoes socks and belt and red
paisley tie. Some of the uniform articles noted above are supplied by the chapter. See the
uniform chairman for more details. The chapter also provides a name badge.
Burlington Chapter Organization
A successful barbershop chapter usually has two separate groups helping to guide it chapter administration and music leadership. The effectiveness of each group depends
upon good planning and their collaboration. The chapter’s Board of Directors includes the
President, immediate past president, Secretary, Treasurer, and up to three Members at
Large. Also included on the Board is the Development VP, responsible for recruiting &
member retention; the Program VP, responsible for planning & coordinating the activities
at chapter meetings; the Marketing and Public Relations VP; the Music and Performance
VP, who runs the Music Committee; the Quartet VP, responsible for promoting quartet
activity within the chapter; and the Youth In Harmony VP (YIH), responsible for
encouraging and promoting barbershop singing in schools and colleges/universities. The
Board meets once a month, administering the chapter business and finances.
The Music Team, or Music Committee, runs the musical program within the chapter.
This team includes the Music and Performance VP (chairman), the Music Director,
Assistance Director(s), Coach(es), Section Leaders, Assistance Section Leaders, the
Music Librarian, the Uniform Chairman, the Chorus Manager and other interested parties.
They meet regularly to plan and guide the musical progress of the chapter.
Burlington Chapter Mission Statement
The mission of the Burlington, Vermont Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society is:
To perpetuate the American institution, the barbershop quartet;
To promote and encourage vocal harmony and good fellowship among its
members;
To serve the musical needs of all current and potential members by providing and
actively supporting a wide variety of barbershopping opportunities which include
organized quartetting, pickup quartetting, chorus singing, and group or “gang” singing;
To improve musically by actively supporting District and Society sponsored seminars
and schools and encouraging participation in Division and District Contests;
To encourage and promote the education of its members and the public in music
appreciation;
To support a youth outreach program;
To initiate, promote and participate in charitable projects;
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To do a monthly community based sing-out, including Holiday performances; and
To promote public appreciation of barbershop harmony.
Barbershop Harmony Society Organization
Chapters within a common geographical area are grouped together to form a Division.
The Burlington Chapter is part of the Mountain Division, which includes chapters: in
Burlington, Lyndon and Rutland, VT; Greater Montreal and South Shore in Quebec;
Plattsburgh, Schenectady, Saratoga and Troy in New York; and Pittsfield in
Massachusetts. A Division Manager acts as an interface to the District Board of Directors.
Singers who do not live near an established chapter, or prefer not to join one, can still join
the Society, becoming members of the Frank Thorne Chapter-at-Large.
The United States and Canada are geographically divided into seventeen separate
Districts. In terms of geographical expanse (not quantity of members), the Northeastern
District (NED) is the largest in area in the Society. It includes all the New England states,
far eastern New York state, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova
Scotia, and Newfoundland. The NED is administratively divided into five areas, or
divisions: our Mountain Division, plus Granite/Pine, Patriot, Sunrise and Yankee Divisions.
NED activities are managed by the District Board of Directors. The District Board officer
structure mirrors our chapter management structure. A Chapter Counselor is assigned to
each chapter in the District, they focus on helping the less active and less accomplished
chapters. Each District offers a Chapter Officer Training School (COTS) each year. The
NED’s school is usually offered on the first full weekend in January. More information on
the Northeastern District can be found on page 22.
The Barbershop Harmony Society’s International Office is in Nashville, Tennessee.
Note that with members in Canada that the Barbershop Harmony Society is an
"international" organization. Your dues helps to support a full-time staff, which provides a
variety of services to Society members. These services include music arranging and
publishing, membership, marketing, support for choruses, quartets, and music directors,
a magazine, and an extensive set of educational forums and other activities. More
information can be found on page 24.
Chorus Contests
An important chorus activity during the year is preparing for, and competing in, contests.
Contests allow barbershoppers to showcase their abilities, entertain an audience, and
compare their performance with others. Contests also provide a means to socialize, to
make new friends in other choruses and quartets in your Division and District. In all chorus
contests, risers are set up behind the curtain of an auditorium stage. The chorus positions
itself on the risers, and at the director's signal, the chorus is introduced and the curtain
opens. The chorus sings two songs without any talking, and the curtain closes. Sounds
easy, huh? Just wait for your turn!
There are three judging categories: Singing, Presentation, and Music. Each certified
judge estimates the degree of musical artistry in each performance, assigns a score of 0Page 9
100 points for each song, and takes written notes. After the contest the judges give an
evaluation, a detailed analysis of the performance and suggestions for improvement, to
each competitor. See Appendix C for more details on the three judging categories.
Division chorus contests are generally held on Saturday afternoons each year in early
Spring. A Division may have its own contest or joint contest with another Division. The
contests are rotated to different chapters around the Divisions. The purpose of a Division
contest is to determine the Division Champion and to qualify competitors for the District
contest later in the year. A chorus becomes the Division Champion by scoring the most
points and qualifies for the District contest by scoring more than a pre-determined number
of points.
This point level is previously set by the District Board, hopefully allowing all choruses
demonstrating minimum ability to qualify, while also reasonably limiting the total number
of District competitors. The Green Mountain Chorus has not failed to qualify for the District
contest in many, many years. The Green Mountain Chorus won the Mountain Division
contests in 2004 and 2006.
The Northeastern District Convention is generally held on the fourth weekend in
October in various locations around the District. The District contest features the best
choruses from each Division, so the competition is keen.
In recent years the Green Mountain chorus has usually placed within the top ten out of
approximately twenty-five competing District choruses. The first place chorus is named
NED Chorus Champion, earning the opportunity to represent the NED at the following
year's Barbershop Harmony Society International Convention. A number of administrative
meetings also occur at the District Convention, including the Board of Delegates meeting,
attended by representatives from each chapter in the District. The International Convention
is held in early July, and moves around the Society from year to year. The chorus
competition includes the winning chorus from each District, plus several others from
Barbershop organizations outside North America. An International Convention presents
barbershop singing at its very best.
Quartet Contests
For many members, singing in a quartet represents the purest and most fun aspect of
our barbershop hobby. It requires a significant time commitment, usually an extra rehearsal
night per week, and an ability to learn music and sing your part alone. Our chorus has been
fortunate to have support from a number of quartets over the years, important for Annual
Shows, Package Shows, and other chorus/chapter activities.
There are four separate quartet contests through the year. The Division quartet contest
is held on the same weekend, and in conjunction with, the Division chorus contest. Each
quartet sings two songs. A quartet qualifies to compete at District by being one of the top
finishers in the rankings, or by scoring more than some pre-determined point level. The
quartet competition during the Northeastern District Convention starts Friday night. All
quartets sing two songs in the Semi-Final round, and the top ten scoring groups then move
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forward to compete in the Finals. Each quartet 'making the cut' sings two different songs
Saturday evening. The first place quartet is named the NED Quartet Champion, and is
retired from further Division or District contests.
The winning District quartet does not automatically qualify to compete at International.
Instead, there is a separate NED International Preliminary quartet contest, the "Prelims",
held generally on the third weekend in March. All registered NED quartets are eligible to
compete. Quartets can qualify for International by meeting a point target - but the
performance level required is very high, too high to be helpful for most NED quartets. So,
the top scoring quartet(s) at the Prelims represent the NED at the next International. For
logistical and financial reasons, these quartet Prelims are often held in conjunction with a
Division contest.
The quartet competition at the International Convention has three rounds. The QuarterFinals reduces the field from approximately 50 to 20 quartets, and the Semi-Finals further
reduces the field to 10 Finalists. The Finals competition is some of the finest singing you
will ever hear. Every barbershopper owes it to himself to attend an International contest.
Music Education Opportunities
One of the fundamental goals of the Barbershop Harmony Society is to provide music
education to its members. The most frequent opportunity for music education is chorus
rehearsal! If you keep your ears open, there is a lot to be learned. Rehearsal activities like
warm-up and craft sessions focus on a variety of specific singing and music skills. Other
activities, such as coaching from chorus coaches and outside coaching at Retreats, offer
insights into vocal production, vocal interpretation, stage presence, and a fundamental
understanding of barbershopping.
A Mountain Division Harmony Education School is held in the Montreal area usually in
early February. It is the largest Division music school in NED, where more than 100
barbershoppers take a variety of courses from an experienced staff. For many it is the
easiest school to attend - the drive is relatively short, and it's a Saturday school, so it does
not require an overnight stay. Many of the courses are designed for novice and
intermediate barbershoppers.
Harmony College Northeast is the primary music education school offered by the
District. This school occupies a full weekend in August and has most recently been held
in Worcester, MA. Many excellent teachers from inside and outside the District offer a
wide variety of good courses, such as ‘Barbershop Boot Camp”, "Sight Singing Made
Easy". "Vocal Techniques for Better Singing", "How to Coach", “Chorus Directing”, and
"Introduction to Barbershop Arranging". The NED also runs a smaller school for the
Canadian maritime barbershoppers, called Harmony Homecoming.
The finest musical educational opportunity available to barbershoppers is Harmony
College. Run by International, it's a week-long school in early August, located in St.
Joseph, Missouri. Staffed by the very best music educators in the Society, it offers an
extensive range of course topics, at the Introductory, Intermediate, and Advanced levels.
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The majority of the musical leadership within our chapter has attended Harmony College,
usually multiple times! Aside from outstanding music education, it's an opportunity to meet
and make friends with some of the most talented barbershoppers from around the entire
Society. Harmony College is a truly wonderful and amazing experience. There are three
other NED educational opportunities of importance. The District runs a Chapter Officers
Training School (COTS) in the winter, designed to train elected officers for their Chapter
administration jobs the following year. The Canadian maritime equivalent of this school is
called CAPCOTS. There is also a Directors School in the Spring to help train chorus
directors and their assistants. Finally, there is a coaching school for the best quartets in the
NED, by invitation only, known as "Top Gun".
Communications
The Burlington Chapter generally communicates via a weekly e-mail called the eTone.
It includes articles of interest, occasionally columns by the President and Music Director
and summaries of pertinent committee meetings (e.g. Board and Music Team). The
“Calendar" section is useful for staying current on upcoming activities. Director Greg is the
current editor. Should a chapter member miss a chapter meeting, he may receive a
“Missed ‘Ya Last Night” e-mail the next day which outlines pertinent events denoted the
previous evening. The Burlington Chapter also has a web site containing very useful data
and links. The URL is: http://www.greenmountainchorus.org
A chapter roster is available for personal communication between members and for
chapter business. A soft-copy e-mail address listing is also available. Neither the roster
nor e-mail address listing are to be used for any purpose than those stated above.
Occasionally a phone tree is issued.
The Northeastern District Bulletin is called the Nor'easter. Published softcopy +/- six
times a year, it includes columns from various District officers. It also features a summary
of recent activity from chapters within each Division. The District web site’s URL is:
http://www.nedistrict.org/
The Barbershop Harmony Society magazine is called The Harmonizer and is published
six times a year. It's an excellent publication, containing a broad range of articles from
barbershoppers all around the Society. The Society’s web site URL is:
http://www.barbershop.org/
For those with extra time on their hands, there is an on-line forum available called the
Harmonet. This is an unofficial forum that many barbershoppers (over 750), male and
female, participate in. Information is disseminated, ideas exchanged, and opinions
proliferate!. See Steve Janes and/or Jerry Walter for access instructions. An abridged
version, Harmonet Lite, is also available.
Barbershop Harmony Society Materials
A printed and on-line Barbershop Harmony Society catalog called “Harmony
Marketplace" is available to all members. The catalog includes general merchandise,
clothes, educational materials, chapter supplies, computer items, Society recordings, video
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tapes, audio learning tapes, and music materials. It also contains "Barbershop
Arrangements", which includes a full list of all the Society’s published music, organized
both by arrangement number and by musical theme. Another important source of
barbershop arrangements is the Old Songs Library, a music library maintained by the
Society at Nashville, containing a large number of unpublished, legal arrangements. An Old
Songs Library catalog is available.
There are a wide variety of music-related, chapter-related, and show-related Society
publications. The quality of most Society material is excellent. Offered also is a variety of
records, cassettes, CD's, and video tapes. There are recordings of contest performances
at International Conventions, both quartets and choruses, and recordings of special shows.
There are also educational products. "Preview Tapes" are full quartet cassette recordings
of Society arrangements. Society "Learning Cassettes" are single part tapes, for groups
of songs in published barbershop shows. There are also a variety of general educational
videotapes. The Society produces a directory of all chapters, useful if you are traveling and
want to know what chapter(s) are in the area, when they meet and who to call for
directions. The Society has a toll-free phone number (1-800-876-SING) (1-800-876-7464).
Harmony Marketplace is easily accessible via the web. The web URL is:
http://www.harmonymarketplace.com/
Other Materials
An assortment of other materials is available at a web site called Harmonet Central.
Among the useful items found in this web site are: calendars of world-wide barbershop
events, champion profiles, lists & addresses of barbershop arrangers, lists and addresses
of folks who produce barbershop learning tapes, lists of available coaches and emcees,
etc., etc. The URL is: http://www.harmonize.com/bbshop/
Another excellent web source for the barbershop links is: http://harmonize.ws/
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Major Burlington Chapter Activities
The following is a brief description of the most important annual chapter events:
Annual Show
The Annual Show is perhaps the most important musical event of the year. Held in May
or June each year, each Annual Show has a different theme. Recent shows have featured
songs of Al Jolson, Broadway music, College songs, New Orleans/Jazz songs, 50's music,
Movies, Rock & Roll era, etc. The chorus learns the show numbers over the course of a
year, and local quartets select and learn other songs in support of the theme. The first half
of the Annual Show features the chorus and local quartets performing these numbers.
The Show’s second half usually includes "Songs of Your Life", a set of the best and
most popular songs in the chorus repertoire. The second half also includes a guest quartet,
usually among the top International level quartets. The Annual Show is a complete
theatrical production - fully scripted, with costumes or uniforms, scenery, an MC, a sound
system, and lighting. A technical rehearsal is held before the actual show, with the shows
on Friday and Saturday evenings. Sometimes a matinee is done at reduced prices and
special buses for the elderly. Much non-musical work is done by the chorus in preparation
for the show, including ad sales, production of the show program, ticket sales, and other
support activity. An "Afterglow", or post show party, occurs Saturday night. Often there is
also an After-Afterglow for the serious party folk, held at a member’s home.
Baseball Games - National Anthem(s)
Several times during the summer we have the opportunity to sing the National Anthem
at Centennial Field (Colchester Ave. in Burlington) the local league minor team, currently
"The Lake Monsters". Sometimes we also perform the Canadian Nation Anthem. We may
also sing in the stands two or three times between innings. A great time is had by all as our
wives, family, and significant others join us to watch the game. We have recently
expanded this activity to include singing the National Anthem at the Vermont Mountaineers
in Montpelier and various UVM sporting events.
Chapter Picnic
Usually the chapter holds a Summer picnic. The event is designed to be a family affair,
offering a chance for our family members to have fun, get to know each other better and
commiserate about your absence from home on Tuesday evenings. Food to share is
brought, games are organized for kids, and singing abounds. A good time is had by all. If
our chapter doesn’t hold a picnic, there is always the Plattsburgh Chapter picnic - those
boys are organized when it comes to parties and picnics!
“Early Bird” & Community Sing-Outs
A sing-out is a chorus performance, usually without charge, done within the geographic
area that our membership encompasses. “Early Bird” sing-outs occur before rehearsal on
Tuesday evenings, often at nursing or retirement homes. There are also church sing-outs,
with spiritual numbers performed at a church service, and holiday season sing-outs with
Page 14
holiday carols and other numbers. A chapter member or the Program VP is usually
designated to be the Community Sing-out Coordinator.
GMC Annual Fund Raiser
The GMC Annual Fund raiser (formerly known as the Twenty Week Club) is an
important chapter fund-raising activity in September/October/November each year. Chapter
members attempt to sell 250 "memberships" to friends, family, co-workers, and even
themselves for $20.00. After all the tickets are sold, an open house is held at a chapter
meeting where the chorus/quartets perform for the raffle members, refreshments are
served, and drawings made for significant cash prizes.
Guest Nights
Generally several Guest Nights are held each year. These are special chapter meetings
designed to entice prospective members by putting “our best foot forward”. Your physically
bringing a prospective member to any chapter meeting is the first step in gaining new
chapter members, our lifeblood. Don't hesitate to talk-up barbershopping to your friends,
neighbors, and co-workers. Guest Nights offer you a chance/excuse to finally bring that
person you’re always wanted to ask. An alternative to Guest Nights is a Holiday Chorus
wherein community members are encouraged to practice and sing with the GMC during
the holiday season.
Installation Dinner
Elections for chapter officers for the next year are held in the Fall. The new officers and
Board of Directors are officially installed at a special dinner held in early January. We
attempt to get a high ranking District officer to perform the installation ceremony. There is
usually some speech making but it is intended to be an enjoyable social event, suitable for
all members, wives, significant others and guests. A highlight of the evening is the
announcement of the Barbershopper of the Year for the preceding year.
Inter-Chapter Visits
Infrequently, a Tuesday night is used for an inter-chapter visit. One barbershop chapter
travels to the rehearsal hall of another, and spends an evening of singing and good
fellowship. Large geographical distance makes this a challenge for the Green Mountain
Chorus. Our most recent inter-chapter visits was with The Hanover, NH chapter. We met
half way at Norwich University, home of a "Harmony Explosion Club", a college chorus
affiliated with the Barbershop Harmony Society.
Memorial Scholarship Foundation (a.k.a. Memorial Fund)
A Memorial Scholarship Foundation was established by the Burlington chapter in 1994.
Its purpose is to: 1) receive and solicit funds on behalf of present and past Burlington
chapter members; and 2) distribute the interest on the above funds annually in the form of
educational scholarships; the scholarships are to be awarded to a deserving chapter
member. The impetus for the establishment of Memorial Scholarship Fund came upon the
untimely death of one of the chapter’s all-time key members - John M. Austin. In practice,
contributions to the fund have come as memorial gifts to chapter members at their passing.
And the Chapter Board has elected not to distribute any funds until such time as the fund’s
Page 15
principal can withstand annual withdrawals. Donations to the memorial Fund have been
received on behalf of John M. Austin, Dr. William MacIntyre, Robert Currier, Brian
Andreoletti, Dale C. Higgs, Monroe Allen and others.
Package Shows
The Chorus Booking Agent actively communicates with various groups and
organizations, non-profit or otherwise, arranging for the chorus to put on a paid sing-out
or “Package Show”. Once a paid sing-out show is booked, the Chorus Manager, Music
Team, and Package Show Producer work together to pull off a successful event. The
logistical activity includes visiting the site location, determining staging, lighting, and sound
requirements, finding dressing rooms, determining travel arrangements, and other details.
Technical production includes finding people to run the equipment at the show, designing
the sound and lighting support, and other details such as uniforms, scenery, props, and
makeup. The musical production includes recruiting quartets, soloists, an MC, and other
personnel, and assembling the script. All these elements combine to form a "Package".
Members are encouraged to provide the Booking Agent with “leads”.
Retreats
A chorus retreat is a special coaching session held during a weekend, focusing on
improvements for a specific set of songs. An outside coach, or coaches, lead this learning
process. The Spring Retreat is held in the greater Burlington area on a Saturday in
February or March, and covers the two numbers to be sung at the Division contest. The
Fall Retreat is usually held in September in the Waterbury area and may include Friday
evening and all day Saturday sessions. The Fall Retreat concentrates on preparing the two
songs for the District contest. It's a great experience, and everyone has fun, pulling
together as a team.
Singing Valentines
This is a fund raiser in which chapter members sell Singing Valentines around the
geographic area that our membership encompasses. For a fee, people can hire a quartet
to deliver a Singing Valentine. A quartet will go to the designated address in formal attire
presenting the recipient(s) with a card, a rose/gift, and singing a love song. The program
is run in conjunction with the Champlain Echoes, a local lady barbershopper chorus. In this
manner, singing by either a male and female quartet can be offered. Quartets participating
in the program are not limited to organized chapter quartets. The is a perfect opportunity
for a pick-up quartet to form, dust off one or two love songs, and have a great time!
Page 16
A Typical Year in the Life of the Burlington Chapter
January
- Installation Dinner
- “Early-Bird” Sing-out (usually held on a first Tuesday)
- National Anthem at a college sporting event
February
- Harmony Education School in Montreal
- Singing Valentines
- Spring Retreat
- “Early-Bird” Sing-out
March
- Division Chorus & Quartet Contests and International Preliminary Quartet
Contest (Division Contests may be in April depending on the year)
April
- “Early-Bird” Sing-out
May
- Annual Show
- “Early-Bird” Sing-out
June
- Lake Monsters National Anthem
- Package Show(s)
July
- International Convention/Contests (4th of July week every year)
- Lake Monsters or Vermont Mountaineers National Anthem
- Package Show(s)
- Church Sing-out
August
- International’s Harmony College (1st week in August in St. Joseph’s, MO)
- Lake Monsters or Vermont Mountaineers National Anthem
- District’s Harmony College Northeast (2nd weekend in Aug in Massachusetts)
- Package Show(s)
September
- Fall Retreat
- “Early-Bird” Sing-out
October
- District Convention/Contests
November
- “Early-Bird” Sing-out
- National Anthem at a college sporting event
- UMall Holiday or Church Street Marketplace sing-outs
December
- GMC Annual Raffle ending event
- Joint Holiday Show with Barre-Tones and/or Champlain Echoes
- UMall & BTV Square Mall Holiday Sing-outs
- Nursing & Retirement Home Sing-out (last Tuesday before Christmas)
Page 17
2011 Burlington Chapter and Music Leadership Teams
Board of Directors
President (and Board Chair). . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Villeré
Immediate Past President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Don Pierce
Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jerry Walter
Treasurer (acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dick Labrecque
Development VP (Membership) . . . . . . . Charlie Church
Marketing & Public Relations VP . . . . . . . . . Jerry Huetz
Music & Performance VP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eric Oberg
Program VP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Neil Cerutti
Quartet VP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charlie Cerutti
Youth In Harmony (YIH) VP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clem Turmel
Member at Large . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mo Cerutti
Member at Large . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dick Labrecque
Member at Large . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Neil Schell
Music Team
Music & Performance VP (Chair) . . . . . . . . . . Eric Oberg
Music Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Greg Morrill
Associate Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pat Heise
Assistant Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Neil Cerutti
Assistant Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chuck Laufer
Tenor section leader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chuck Laufer
Lead section leader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eric Oberg
Baritone section leader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jared Palardy
Bass section leader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Don Pierce
Chorus Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (position open)
Guest Quartet Procurer / Booking Agent . . . . . .Jerry Huetz
Member At Large . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (position open)
Program VP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Neil Cerutti
Quartet VP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charlie Cerutti
Youth In Harmony (YIH) VP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clem Turmel
The following are extended members of the Music Team their attendance at Music Team Meetings is optional:
Learning CD’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Villeré
Librarian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jerry Walter
Uniform Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tif Crowell
Page 18
Get Involved Fast - Sign-up for a Job!
There are a multitude of tasks involved in running a successful barbershop chapter. The
Burlington Chapter feels that one way to continued member “buy-in” is having a job for
everyone in the chapter. New members often find that a chapter job is an easy way to meet
other members and learn the “workings” of the chapter. Listed below is a listing of most of
the tasks performed in the Burlington Chapter. There are openings here for you; see the
person at the head of sub-sections if you are at all interested one of the open jobs.
President & Board of Directors Chair - John Villeré
2012 Annual Show Chair/Coordinator - (position open - Jerry Huetz in 2010)
2011 Annual Fund Raiser - (position open - Dan Blouin in 2010)
2011 Holiday Show Chair - (position open - Chuck Laufer in 2010)
2011 Singing Valentines Chair - Al Carpenter
2012 Nominating Committee - (position open - Ed Hutchinson, Eric Oberg, Dave
Stonecliffe for 2010 and 2011)
Capital Campaign Coordinator - Dick Labrecque
Chapter Database - Charlie Church
Harmony Foundation Chair - Gary Brunell
Historian - Jerry Walter
HOD Delegate - Dick Labrecque
Mission Statement Committee - Cal Briggs-Harris, Denis Brochu, & Jerry Huetz
Nor’easter News Contributor - (position open)
Webmaster - Mitch Stern
Immediate Past President - Don Pierce
Secretary - Jerry Walter
Treasurer - Dick Labrecque (acting)
Board Member at Large - Mo Cerutti
Board Member at Large - Dick Labrecque
Board Member at Large - Neil Schell
Development Vice President & Membership Committee Chair - Charlie Church
Attendance Taker - (position open)
Guest Book Passer-outer - Dan Blouin
Guest Greeter & Badger - Neil Schell
Guest Voice Placer (get the guest into correct Section) - Charlie Church
“Missed Ya Last Night” Chair - Charlie Church
Name Tag Coordinator - Don Pierce
New Member Bios/Photo - Dan Blouin
New Member Handbook - Charlie Church
Orientation Chair - (position open)
Retention Chair - (position open)
Roster Publication Chair - Charlie Church (applicants welcome!)
Marketing & Public Relations Vice President - Jerry Huetz
Bulletin Editor (eTone) - Greg Morrill
Page 19
Music Director - Greg Morrill
Associate Director - Pat Heise
Assistant Director - Neil Cerutti
Assistant Director - Chuck Laufer
Chorus Coach - (position open)
Music Vice President & Music Committee Chair - Eric Oberg
Tenor Section Leader - Charlie Cerutti (acting)
Lead Section Leader - Eric Oberg
Bari Section Leader - Jared Palardy
Bass Section Leader - Don Pierce
Ass’t Tenor Section Leader - Charlie Cerutti
Ass’t Lead Section Leader - Neil Schell
Ass’t Bari Section Leader - Ed Hutchinson
Ass’t Bass Section Leader - Nate Foster
Annual Show Feature Quartet Procurer - Jerry Huetz
CD Learning Tapes - John Villeré
Librarian - Jerry Walter
Presentation (SP) planning & coaching - (position open)
Uniform Committee Chair - Tif Crowell
Program Vice President & Program Committee Chair - Dick Labrecque
Birthday/Anniversary Announcer - Gary Brunell
Booking Agent (paid performances) - Jerry Huetz
Community Sing-out Coordinator (non paid performances) - Neil Cerutti
50/50 Coordinator - (position open)
Refreshment Chair - (position open)
Sunshine Chair - (position open)
Quartet Vice President - Charlie Cerutti
Youth in Harmony (YIH) VP - Clem Turmel
Chorus Manager - (position open)
Bulk Mail Coordinator - John Villeré
Contest Breakfast - (position open)
Contest Housing/Registrations - (position open)
Mailing List Update Coordinator - Dan Blouin
Makeup Chair - Jerry Walter
Package Show Producer - Charlie Church
Props Chair - (position open)
Rehearsal Riser Chair - Chuck Laufer
St. Francis Xavier School Storage Space Coordinator - (position open)
Technical Director (Lighting/Sound/etc) - (position open)
Page 20
The Northeastern District Association of Barbershop
Chapters
Our Society has 17 Districts in North America plus European affiliates, all of which are
supported by our International Office in Nashville, Tennessee. The Burlington Chapter is
part of the Northeastern District Association of Barbershop Chapters.
The Northeastern District, as do others in the Society, has an elected Board of
Directors/Officers and may appointed committees to conduct the affairs of the District. The
District Board meets +/- five times during the year. The District House of Delegates (HOD)
meets twice each year to elect Board members and approve the decisions and
recommendations of the Board. Each chapter sends a delegate to the HOD meetings.
The Northeastern District is divided into five Divisions to facilitate the serving of its
members. The Burlington Chapter is part of the Mountain Division. This Division is
comprised of chapters from Burlington, Lyndon and Rutland, VT; the Montreal area (two);
Plattsburgh, Saratoga Springs, Troy, and Schenectady, NY; and Pittsfield, MA. Another
nearby chapter, Hanover, NH, is in the Granite/Pine Division. Each Division has a Division
Manager who coordinates District services to the chapters in the Division. The District also
assigns each chapter a Chapter Coach who makes frequent visits to Division chapters to
assist them in whatever way possible. Reports of these visits are forwarded to the District
and International office. Divisions hold Division Council meetings where officers from all
the chapters get together to help each other better serve their members. Divisions also
conduct various harmony education programs for their members.
Each Division holds a Division Contest each year in the Spring to compete against other
Chapters in the Division and to select quartets and choruses for eligibility at the next level
of contest (District). The Division Contest also allows members to mingle with fellow
barbershoppers from near-by chapters and gives an opportunity to try out those Barber
Polecat songs! The District operates two major conventions/contests each year; one on the
third weekend in March where quartets are selected to represent the District at the
International Convention/Contest; the other is generally held on the fourth weekend in
October where District quartet and chorus champions are selected; the selected chorus will
represent the District at the International Convention/Contest the following July.
Each Chapter and its members receive considerable service and support from the
District. In addition to several smaller coaching and chapter officer instructional meetings,
there are two major harmony education weekends during the year: Harmony College
Northeast and Harmony Homecoming. The District Web page contains information on the
numerous services offered by the District. The web site URL is http://www.nedistrict.org/
The District bulletin, the Nor’easter, is published about six times each year and is sent to
members via e-mail and or chapter secretary; it contains happenings throughout the
District.
A portion of each member's annual dues is apportioned to the Northeastern District,
supporting its activities and providing services of great value to its members.
Page 21
Barbershop Harmony Society Fact Sheet
All the facts: who we are, what we do, how to reach us
Society name
•• The Society is properly referred to as the Barbershop Harmony Society.
•• Legal name: The Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop
Quartet Singing in America, Inc. or SPEBSQSA, Inc. Note: no periods between letters of
abbreviated form.
Size
•• 26,000 members in more than 800 chapters in the United States and Canada; world's
largest all-male singing society. Through the years, more than 300,000 men have joined.
•• Approximately 2,000 quartets registered with The Barbershop Harmony Society
headquarters; an estimated 1,000 more quartets are active but not officially registered.
•• Affiliated organizations in: Australia, Finland, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, South
Africa, Sweden, The Netherlands, and Great Britain. There are also barbershop singers
in Denmark, Israel, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and parts of the former Soviet Union.
•• Governed by an elected board of directors; administered by a professional staff of 30 at
Harmony Hall in Nashville, Tennessee.
Motto
•• "Keep The Whole World Singing."
Founding
•• First meeting: April 11, 1938 at the Roof Garden of the Tulsa Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Mission
•• “Enriching Lives through Singing”
Activities of the organization
•• Education of members and the general public in music appreciation, particularly
barbershop singing.
•• Advocacy at all levels of society to keep recreational and social singing an important part
of our culture.
•• Charitable projects on a local and national basis, including many funded through
Harmony Foundation, the Society's official charity.
•• Public performances enhance community cultural life, preserve the art form, and bring cheer
to all.
Page 22
•• Quartets and choruses contribute more than 100,000 man-hours per year singing for more
than half a million people at churches, schools, hospitals, senior centers, etc.
•• Music publishing and distribution of cassettes, compact discs, DVDs and videotapes for
entertainment and education.
•• Contests in quartet and chorus singing at local, regional, and international levels.
•• International champions named in chorus, quartet, and college-quartet divisions at
international convention each July; international seniors champions named at midwinter
convention each January
Education programs
•• Harmony University, a week-long school held each summer, brings together more than 600
Barber-shoppers from around the world with a world-class faculty of vocal coaches, arrangers,
choreographers, and educators to explore all facets of the barbershop hobby. HU offers special
tracks for directors, quartets, and general barbershop singing. Continuing Education Units
available for music educators.
•• Regional Chapter Operations Training Seminars held each fall teach members how to run
their local chapters, recruit members, develop musically and better serve their communities.
•• Visits by staff music specialists enhance performance and education programs in local
chapters.
•• The Society publishes numerous manuals and produces videos on vocal techniques, singing
skills and chapter administration
Youth Outreach programs
•• The Youth in Harmony program is designed to preserve the art form by introducing it to a
new generation of singers.
•• Harmony Explosion camps give high school students and teachers the opportunity to explore
harmony with their peers.
•• The Bank of America Collegiate Barbershop Quartet Contest selects a national champion
from colleges across the continent.
•• Educator outreach introduces barbershop to music teachers at all levels.
•• Many Barbershoppers are active in their communities, in parent-teacher associations, in arts
advocacy groups and in education coalitions, working to preserve arts education in school
curricula.
Charitable and community activities
•• Harmony Foundation, Inc., is the Society’’s official charity. Donations made to the
Foundation’s general fund, fund special projects of the Barbershop Harmony Society,
including Directors College scholarships, Harmony Explosion Camps, Heritage Hall
Museum of Barbershop Harmony.
Page 23
•• Barbershoppers donate sizeable amounts of money and time, and numerous
performances to local charitable activities and vocal music education programs in their
communities.
What is barbershop harmony?
•• Four-part, unaccompanied, close-harmony singing, with melody in the second voice,
called the "lead."
•• Tenor (counter-tenor voice) harmonizes above the lead singer; bass sings the lowest
harmonizing notes, and the baritone provides in-between notes, to form consonant,
pleasing chords.
•• Barbershop is a "melting pot" product of African-American musical devices, European
hymn-singing culture, and an American tradition of recreational music.
•• Melodies in the vocal and skill range of the average singer, with lyrical emphasis on
simple, heartfelt emotions: love, friendship, mother, moon and June, and the girl next door.
Page 24
Affiliated Organizations
Barbershop harmony was pretty much restricted to North America until the late1950s
when Harry Danser of Sussex, England, took a vacation in New York City, and heard the
famous Buffalo Bills perform in Meredith Wilson's hit musical, The Music Man. On his
return to England, filled with an infectious enthusiasm and an armload of recordings, he
formed a barbershop quartet. Subsequently, in 1964, he founded the Crawley barbershop
harmony club. Subsequent visits to England by barbershoppers encouraged the formation
of more clubs, and in 1974, the British Association of Barbershop Singers (BABS) was
established.
Other national organizations have formed throughout the world in the years that
followed, and have established affiliation agreements with the barbershop harmony
Society. Most recently, the Spanish Association of Barbershop Singers (SABS) affiliated
with BHS in 2011.
Reports of barbershop activity continue to come in from all parts of the world.
Barbershop is found wherever there are American expatriate communities, including
Japan, Saudi Arabia, Korea, Brazil, Italy, Uganda, China, Hungary, Spain, Argentina,
Iceland, the Russian Federation, and Israel. In 1988, the spirit of glasnost gave rise to the
formation of the Quiet Don Quartet, a Russian barbershop group from the city of Rostov,
located on the Don River near the Black Sea. The Quiet Dons toured the United States in
1990, making a number of appearances, including performances at Carnegie Hall in New
York and at Disneyland in California.
Affiliated organizations are located in Australia, Finland, Great Britain, Germany,
Holland, Ireland, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, and South Africa. Their formal names are:
Australian Association of Men’s Barbershop Singers - AAMBS
British Association of Barbershop Singers - BABS
Barbershop in Germany - BinG!
Dutch Association of Barbershop Singers - DABS
Finish association of Barbershop Singers - FABS
Irish Association of Barbershop Singers - IABS
New Zealand Association of Barbershop Singers - NZABS
Spanish Association of Barbershop Singers - SABS
Society of Nordic Barbershop Singers - SNOBS
Southern Part of Africa Tonsorial Singers - SPATS
Page 25
Women’s Barbershop Organizations
Sweet Adelines:
In 1945, a group of women who loved that same chord-ringing, fun-filled music
called barbershop decided it was time for an organization of their own, and founded Sweet
Adelines International in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where it maintains its headquarters today.
Through the years, Sweet Adelines International has grown to a membership of 29,000
members worldwide. The nearest Sweet Adeline chapters are in Plattsburgh, NY, upper
valley area (White River Jct. / Hanover / Lebanon), and Montreal, PQ.
The three North American barbershop organizations are wholly separate entities,
although local choruses working together undertake some collaborative activities. There
are many families in which barbershop harmony is a way of life. Parents and children are
singing together in both quartets and choruses in their communities.
At the dawn of the baby boom era, women who enjoyed singing close harmony
formed an organization known today as Sweet Adelines International, a respected source
of education in the barbershop style. The date was Friday, July 13, 1945, when Edna Mae
Anderson of Tulsa, Oklahoma, brought a few women together in her home. There will be
only two requirements for admission, newspaper accounts of the day read. The meetings
will be for women only, and no prima donnas
are wanted. The article continued stating that
the organization (named Sweet Adelines on
August 13th) is going to be all for fun, and we
want plenty of members who are interested in
having a good time and who enjoy singing.
Mrs. Anderson got more than she bargained for. By year's end, the chapter
incorporated in Oklahoma. Anderson was its president. It had 85 members and a chapter
name, Atomaton (We have an atom of an idea and a ton of energy.) that recognized the
new nuclear age. Within four years, the organization had grown to 1,500 members singing
in 35 chapters and 60 quartets in 14 different states; adopted bylaws and elected national
officers; and created a system for adjudicating national annual competitions to select the
best women's barbershop quartet.
These pioneer members possessed singing experience that ranged from talented
amateur and semiprofessional to graduates of baccalaureate vocal music programs. They
brought experience as working women and homemakers into the organization and infused
it with their determination and organizational abilities.
Systems of governing and parliamentary procedure, finances and leadership
development which they created 54 years ago have stood the test of time and remain
virtually unchanged though updated in response to technological advances.
The original purpose for which Sweet Adelines was organized in 1945 was
educational, to teach and train its members in musical harmony and appreciation,
Page 26
Anderson stated. One goal was to create and promote barbershop quartets and other
musical groups; another goal was to give musicals...public and private performances
for...learning and general appreciation of all the things pertaining to music.
For more information about Sweet Adelines International, Inc., look up their web
page on the Internet: http://www.sweetadelineintl.org
Harmony Incorporated:
In 1957, a group of ladies reportedly dissatisfied with some of the policies of the
Sweet Adelines formed a second association for women called Harmony, Inc. This
organization now numbers approximately 2,800 members, concentrated mostly in the north
and eastern regions of North America. The two women’s barbershop chapters in Vermont,
the Champlain Echoes and the Barre-Tones, are both Harmony, Inc. chapters. Harmony,
Inc. maintains close ties with the Barbershop Harmony Society and uses identical contest
rules.
Since 1959, Harmony, Inc. organization has expanded from its
Eastern roots to include chapters in the United States and Canada from
California to Newfoundland, and from Alaska to Florida.
Contests and conventions are held each year for the purposes of
educating members in the performance of the craft, bringing together the
membership to see the best perform, and to encourage an atmosphere
of friendship and camaraderie and to inform the membership of the
status and direction of the organization.
A steady growth in membership, a gradual geographic expansion, continuous
improvement in the quality of performances, and the determination to abide by its democratic
principles and maintain its unique "Blend With Friendship", all bespeak a bright future for
Harmony, Inc. For more information about Harmony, Inc., look up their web page on the
Internet: http://www.harmonyinc.org
Page 27
Appendix A:
Presidents, Directors, and Barbershoppers of the Year
Burlington Vermont Chapter
Year
1947
1948
1949
1949
1949
1950
1951
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1957
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
President
Hal Mayforth
Donald Tetzlaff
Carl Nelson
Charles Taggart
Louis Dow
Robert Titus
Robert Burger
Simon Levin
Edward Bechtel
Raymond Foulds
Harlan Wilcox
Morris Hammond
Howard Slack
Mason Huse
Simon Levin
Nathan Brown
Les MacKenzie
Robert Huber
Francis Sheridan
Conrad Flynn
Raymond Palmer
Wayland Campbell
Robert Huber
Raymond Miller
Bruce Wenner
James H. Applegate
Robert Currier
Robert Currier
Ken Willey
Charles Waters
John Austin
John Marriott
Charles Church
Peter Bridge
Charles Church
Ray Grenley
Dan Venditti
Steve Janes
Ken Zyber
Director
Carl Nelson
Carl Nelson
Carl Nelson
Barbershopper Of The Year
Robert Huber
Robert Huber
Raymond Towne
Raymond Towne
Raymond Towne
Robert Huber
Robert Huber
Robert Huber
Richard Kitchen
Richard Kitchen
Monroe Allen
Monroe Allen
Monroe Allen
Richard Kitchen
Robert Huber
Monroe Allen
Robert Huber
Richard Ianni
Alfred Vieneau
Robert Huber
Steve Plumb
Steve Plumb
Steve Plumb
Steve Plumb
Steve Plumb
Steve Plumb
Steve Plumb
Steve Plumb
Steve Plumb
Steve Plumb
Steve Plumb
Steve Plumb
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Richard Sears
John Austin
Carl Phillips
John Marriott
Steve Plumb
Charlie Church
Dan Venditti
Year
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1987
1988
President
Hubert Goodwin
Charles Church
Geoff Kelafant
Andrew Buchanan
Andrew Buchanan
Steve Tremper
Charles Church
Denis Brochu
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
Bruce Spector
Adam Socinski
Richard Labrecque
Dan Suiter
Richard Gutowski
Leonard Beams
Leonard Beams
Bruce Spector
Bruce Spector
Leonard Beams (7/1)
Leonard Beams
Gary Brunell
Gary Brunell
Gary Brunell
John Villeré
John Villeré
Richard Labrecque
Richard Labrecque
Michael Hermann
Michael Herman
Denis Brochu
Denis Brochu
Don Pierce
John Villeré
Director
Steve Plumb
Steve Plumb
Carl Phillips
Carl Phillips
Carl Phillips
Carl Phillips
Steve Janes
Greg Morrill (6/1)
Greg Morrill
Greg Morrill
Greg Morrill
Greg Morrill
Greg Morrill
Greg Morrill
Greg Morrill
Greg Morrill
Greg Morrill
Greg Morrill
Greg Morrill
Greg Morrill
Greg Morrill
Greg Morrill
Greg Morrill
Greg Morrill
Greg Morrill
Greg Morrill
Greg Morrill
Greg Morrill
Greg Morrill
Greg Morrill
Greg Morrill
Barbershopper Of The Year
Ray Grenley
Ken Zyber
Donald Pierce
Steve Tremper
Adam Socinski
Greg Morrill
John Austin
Richard Labrecque
Donald Pierce
Leonard Beams
Richard Gutowski
Jerry Walter
Carl Phillips
Denis Brochu
Bob & Harold Grevatt
Charlie Church
Ned Duffy
Dan Blouin
Chuck Laufer
Ed Bechtel
Al Carpenter
Dick Labrecque
Jerry Huetz
Michael Hermann
Gary Brunell
John Villeré
Cal Briggs-Harris
Dave Stonecliffe
Jerry Huetz
Barbershoppers of the first half Century (1947-1997):
Ed Bechtel and Steve Plumb
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Appendix B: Glossary of Barbershop Terms and Acronyms
Learn to speak the arcane language barbershop. Wonder what those
initials stand for?
AHSOW
Ancient And Harmonious Society Of Woodshedders - Society
subsidiary devoted to preserving the practice of harmonizing
without arrangements; see woodshedding.
Afterglow
Party after a chapter meeting or show.
AIC
Association of International Champions.
ASCAP
American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers
Barberpole Cat
songs
The 12 songs every Barbershopper should know. See the Barberpole
Cat songbook in your new member kit.
Barbershop
seventh
The cornerstone chord of the barbershop style, consisting of the root,
the Major third above, the perfect fifth above, and the minor seventh
above, as in a chord consisting of F, A, C, E-flat.
Bell chord
A musical arranging device in which a chord is sung as a succession of
notes by each voice in turn.
BHS
Barbershop Harmony Society (formerly know as SPEBSQSA).
BOTY/BOTM
Barbershopper of the Year/Month - award presented by many chapters
and districts recognizing outstanding efforts.
BMI
Broadcast Music, Inc.
C&J
Contest & Judging program, which trains judges for competitions.
COTS
Chapter Operations Training Seminar - a weekend administrative
training session.
CBQC
Bank of America Collegiate Quartet Contest.
Chart
Printed music. a.k.a. “Dots” and “Spots”.
District
One of the 17 geographic and administrative regions of the Society.
Dots
Printed music. a.k.a. “Chart” and “Spots”.
Edge
Beginning of the music or song.
Evaluation
Analysis and recommendation session - the post-competition
performance review provided by the judges.
Fifth-wheeling
Joining in without invitation when a quartet is singing; a breach of
manners. Wait for the quartet to finish, then ask if you can sing along.
Frank Thorne
Chapter
An “international” chapter for men who are not active in a local
Barbershop Harmony Society chapter.
Gang singing
Informal group singing.
Hanger
One voice part singing a sustained note on a tag.
Harmony
College
Week-long summer educational program for Barbershoppers, held at a
school in the mid-west.
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Harmony Col.
Northeast
A summer weekend educational program for Northeastern District
(NED) barbershoppers.
Harmony Hall
Former SPEBSQSA headquarters, located in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Harmony
Foundation
A separate, but related, non-profit, charitable (IRS 501(c)(3))
organization to the Society, the Foundation raises funds for Society
programs, seeks grants and sponsorships for worthwhile barbershop
projects; and maintains an endowment fund for the Society.
HEP
Harmony Education Program
HOD
House of Delegates
HX
Harmony Explosion Camps for high school and college singers.
Lead
The person who sings the melody part. The lead line is the melody of a
song.
Man of Note
Lapel pin award given to a chapter member for bringing in a new
member
NED
Northeastern District (one of sixteen)
NED Shed
NED shop with sheet music, CD’s, clothing, pitch pipes, etc. for sale
Overtones
Tones of higher pitch that are present in every musical sound and
whose presence determines the quality of the musical sound. Chords
locked in tune and proper volume relationship “ring” with reinforced
overtones.
PROBE
A Society subsidiary organization of Public Relations Officers and
Bulletin Editors. See www.spebsqsa.org/PROBE
Registered
quartet
A quartet whose name and personnel have been registered at
Harmony Hall. Registration gives the quartet exclusive use of its name.
Only registered quartets may sing in competition. See:
www.spebsqsa.org/quartet
Spots
Printed music. a.k.a. “Chart” and “Dots”.
Swipe
A progression of two or more chords sung on a single word or syllable;
hallmark of the barbershop style.
Tag
A coda; the ending of a song, often repeating the final words and
designed to make a complete and satisfying arrangement.
Tune
As a noun, the melody of a song; as a verb, to blend and make a more
accurate or pleasing sound.
Woodshedding
Impromptu quartet singing without arrangements; singing by ear.
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Appendix C: Determining Relative Rank*
A basic primer on how judges set the score
Music: Judges in this category adjudicate the musical elements in the performance:
melody, harmony, range and tessitura, tempo and rhythm and meter, construction and form,
and embellishments. They judge the extent to which the musical performance displays the
hall marks of the barbershop style, and the degree to which the musical performance
demonstrates an artistic sensitivity to the music’s primary theme.
Presentation: These judges evaluate how effectively a performer brings the song to life.
They respond to both the visual and vocal aspects of the presentation, to evaluate the
interaction of these aspects in crating the image of the song, as well as everything about
the performance that contributes to emotional impact upon the audience.
Singing: Judges in this category evaluate the degree to which the performer achieves
artistic singing in the barbershop style: the production of vibrant, rich, resonant, technically
accurate, and highly skilled sound, created by both the individual singer’s use of good vocal
techniques, and by the ensemble processes of tuning, balancing, unity of sound and
precision. They listen for a sense of precise intonation, a feeling fullness or expansion of
sound, a perception of a high degree of vocal skill, a high level of unity and consistency
throughout the performance, and a freedom form apparent effort that allows the full
communication of the lyric and song.
Each judge may award up to 100 points per song.
* The above material was taken from the printed Convention Program of the Barbershop
Harmony Society’s 69th Annual International Convention & Contests, July 2 - July 8,
2007 in Denver, Colorado.
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Appendix D: How To be a Great Tenor, Lead, Bari or Bass
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Appendix E: Burlington Chapter Roster
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Appendix F: Green Mountain Chorus Photo
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