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Barbershop Boys make time for harmony and homework
by Nick Veronin
Mountain View Voice Staff
(Originally published at Mountain View Voice)
Jonathan Martinez, a student at Crittenden Middle School, is a sprightly 12-year-old, according to school principal Karen Robinson.
"He's a charming little boy," Robinson said with a laugh, hinting that Jonathan is familiar with the inside of her office.
When asked whether he has ever been in trouble with Ms. Robinson, Jonathan cracks a wily smile and nods. He is quick to add, "She helps me out a lot."
But there's a lot more to this soon-to-be 8th-grader. He is also the lead singer of a barbershop group.
Robinson foresees a bright future for Jonathan, perhaps in show business. "He has lots of energy and personality," she said.
Jonathan became interested in barbershop vocal arrangements after seeing a movie about Motown soul music stars The Temptations. The film, also called "The Temptations," featured a scene in which the characters sang ringing barbershop harmonies. He fell in love with the sound and passed the word on to some of his music class pals, 13-year-olds Gilberto Dominguez and Noah Ralph.
And the seeds of The Barbershop Boys were sown.
Figuring out how to recreate the dominant seventh and tonic four-tone barbershop chords required more than charm, however.
"We wanted to sing barbershop, but we needed help," Jonathan said.
So, he, Gilberto and Noah appealed to their Crittenden music instructor, Leanne Rzepiela, and she called on Al Ward of the local Boomerang Barbershop Quartet.
"To sing barbershop well is quite difficult," Ward said. "The basics are pretty straightforward, but to really sing it well takes a great deal of rehearsing."
And rehearse the boys did -- although not with as much rigor as the Boomerang crew. Every Tuesday at lunch, Ward and members of his group would come to Crittenden to instruct the handful of students who came to be known as The Barbershop Boys.
Ward and his group coached the boys all year, helping them divide traditional four-part barbershop harmonies among the group's eight members -- a task that could, at times, be tedious.
Ward said that it was sometimes challenging to get Jonathan to concentrate, "but once we get him focused and the quartet starts to sing, he performs like a professional, emoting the emotion of the song and engaging the audience."
The Barbershop Boys have sung at Crittenden Choir performances and at the Crittenden talent show. They recently performed at the Mountain View Whisman school board meeting on June 3 for their "dear principal, Ms. Robinson."
"That was really sweet," Robinson said. "I've become their biggest fan."
Mountain View Voice Staff
(Originally published at Mountain View Voice)
Jonathan Martinez, a student at Crittenden Middle School, is a sprightly 12-year-old, according to school principal Karen Robinson.
"He's a charming little boy," Robinson said with a laugh, hinting that Jonathan is familiar with the inside of her office.
When asked whether he has ever been in trouble with Ms. Robinson, Jonathan cracks a wily smile and nods. He is quick to add, "She helps me out a lot."
But there's a lot more to this soon-to-be 8th-grader. He is also the lead singer of a barbershop group.
Robinson foresees a bright future for Jonathan, perhaps in show business. "He has lots of energy and personality," she said.
Jonathan became interested in barbershop vocal arrangements after seeing a movie about Motown soul music stars The Temptations. The film, also called "The Temptations," featured a scene in which the characters sang ringing barbershop harmonies. He fell in love with the sound and passed the word on to some of his music class pals, 13-year-olds Gilberto Dominguez and Noah Ralph.
And the seeds of The Barbershop Boys were sown.
Figuring out how to recreate the dominant seventh and tonic four-tone barbershop chords required more than charm, however.
"We wanted to sing barbershop, but we needed help," Jonathan said.
So, he, Gilberto and Noah appealed to their Crittenden music instructor, Leanne Rzepiela, and she called on Al Ward of the local Boomerang Barbershop Quartet.
"To sing barbershop well is quite difficult," Ward said. "The basics are pretty straightforward, but to really sing it well takes a great deal of rehearsing."
And rehearse the boys did -- although not with as much rigor as the Boomerang crew. Every Tuesday at lunch, Ward and members of his group would come to Crittenden to instruct the handful of students who came to be known as The Barbershop Boys.
Ward and his group coached the boys all year, helping them divide traditional four-part barbershop harmonies among the group's eight members -- a task that could, at times, be tedious.
Ward said that it was sometimes challenging to get Jonathan to concentrate, "but once we get him focused and the quartet starts to sing, he performs like a professional, emoting the emotion of the song and engaging the audience."
The Barbershop Boys have sung at Crittenden Choir performances and at the Crittenden talent show. They recently performed at the Mountain View Whisman school board meeting on June 3 for their "dear principal, Ms. Robinson."
"That was really sweet," Robinson said. "I've become their biggest fan."
Here’s to the Winners! Gratitude for the champs among us
With permission, I’d like to share a personal correspondence from Jeff Selano, whose head is still in the clouds after winning gold while singing tenor with Storm Front: Look at this photo and it all becomes very clear. We sat down with our wives after Anaheim and said, win or lose in Philly we have [...]
Essentials - Nothing But Blue
Dan, Thom, Janet and Joe (he spells it Jo3) are the London, Ontario-based mixed voice Contemporary a cappella group The Essentials, contains a faux "Parental Advisory" on the back of the cardboard jewel box sleeve for "Acappella Content," warning...
West Side Five - West Side Five
West Side Five is a New York City-based vocal jazz mixed voice quintet (3 men, 2 women), with Real Group, Manhattan Transfer and New York Voices influences. They perform original interpretations of jazz, pop and bossa nova standards at...
Face - Momentum
One of our favorite Harmony Sweeps finalist groups (they placed second in both 2005 and 2007, winning Audience Favorite and Best Original Arrangement awards) we have followed the career of this multi-talented, all male sextet from Denver, CO. When...
The Emmanuel Quartet - A New Day
For Phillip, Ryan, Tim and Joey, sweet-singing members of Deer Lodge, TN's Emmanuel Quartet, their ministry is simple–its all right there in 1 Chronicles: "Sing to the Lord, aall the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his...
Acappella - Only God
Recorded in June of 2009 at Lipscomb University, Only God features nearly 200 voices, singing God's praises in a congregational setting. As an added bonus, there is a vocalist training CD included to help you learn your part (soprano,...
Competition draws top barbershop singers
By Eric W. Herr For The Inquirer
Originally published in the Philadelphia Enquirer
Dozens of quartets, choruses, and their families from our area, across the country, and around the world will gather in Philadelphia this week for the Barbershop Harmony Society's 72d annual International Convention. The society, originally called the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America (SPEBSQSA), has a membership of nearly 30,000 in the United States, with affiliate organizations in nine countries.
The "International," likened to the Olympics or World Cup competition in barbershop harmony circles, allows the best of the best quartets and choruses to square off for a coveted gold medal.
"Sometimes it literally comes down to just a few points that makes the difference," notes Jack Pinto of Hamilton, N.J.
Pinto sings baritone with last year's second-place silver medalist quartet, Old School. Old School will compete again this year, along with four other quartets and five choruses from the Mid Atlantic District, one of 16 society districts nationwide.
In addition to his quartet commitments, Pinto directs Brothers in Harmony, a nearly 70-voice barbershop chorus, based in Hamilton Square, N.J., that is also competing.
"Barbershop singing is very much alive and has not faded into oblivion, as have silent movies, gramophones, and the Model-T," said Ed Watson, the Barbershop Harmony Society's executive director and chief executive officer.
"Today's barbershop harmony has strong intergenerational appeal, with tunes to please Grandpa and grandson alike," he continued.
Barbershop quartet singing, immortalized by the Buffalo Bills in Meredith Willson's The Music Man, is a style of a cappella, or unaccompanied vocal music, characterized by four parts combining to make chords.
The lead singer takes the melody. The tenor typically harmonizes above the melody with the bass singing the lowest harmonies. The baritone rounds out the distinctive harmonics, singing notes that can range anywhere in between the other voice parts.
"It's kinda hard to explain," muses Drew Feyrer, lead singer in 2nd Generation, a quartet of three family members and a friend from the Allentown-Bethlehem area.
"When all four voices lock in and you hear those chords ringing in perfect tune, it gives you goose bumps," he says.
It's been a journey of discovery of sorts for Drew, brother Sean, Dad Mike, and longtime family friend Chip Moyer, who make up this foursome.
After more than a decade of singing together and ups and downs along the way, 2nd Generation has finally made the "cut" to compete on the international stage.
'Round Midnight, Crunch Time, and Frank the Dog round out the field of Mid Atlantic District quartet competitors. The Big Apple Chorus, the Alexandria Harmonizers, Voices of Gotham, and Chorus of the Chesapeake join Brothers in Harmony in the chorus contest lineup.
Originally published in the Philadelphia Enquirer
Dozens of quartets, choruses, and their families from our area, across the country, and around the world will gather in Philadelphia this week for the Barbershop Harmony Society's 72d annual International Convention. The society, originally called the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America (SPEBSQSA), has a membership of nearly 30,000 in the United States, with affiliate organizations in nine countries.
The "International," likened to the Olympics or World Cup competition in barbershop harmony circles, allows the best of the best quartets and choruses to square off for a coveted gold medal.
"Sometimes it literally comes down to just a few points that makes the difference," notes Jack Pinto of Hamilton, N.J.
Pinto sings baritone with last year's second-place silver medalist quartet, Old School. Old School will compete again this year, along with four other quartets and five choruses from the Mid Atlantic District, one of 16 society districts nationwide.
In addition to his quartet commitments, Pinto directs Brothers in Harmony, a nearly 70-voice barbershop chorus, based in Hamilton Square, N.J., that is also competing.
"Barbershop singing is very much alive and has not faded into oblivion, as have silent movies, gramophones, and the Model-T," said Ed Watson, the Barbershop Harmony Society's executive director and chief executive officer.
"Today's barbershop harmony has strong intergenerational appeal, with tunes to please Grandpa and grandson alike," he continued.
Barbershop quartet singing, immortalized by the Buffalo Bills in Meredith Willson's The Music Man, is a style of a cappella, or unaccompanied vocal music, characterized by four parts combining to make chords.
The lead singer takes the melody. The tenor typically harmonizes above the melody with the bass singing the lowest harmonies. The baritone rounds out the distinctive harmonics, singing notes that can range anywhere in between the other voice parts.
"It's kinda hard to explain," muses Drew Feyrer, lead singer in 2nd Generation, a quartet of three family members and a friend from the Allentown-Bethlehem area.
"When all four voices lock in and you hear those chords ringing in perfect tune, it gives you goose bumps," he says.
It's been a journey of discovery of sorts for Drew, brother Sean, Dad Mike, and longtime family friend Chip Moyer, who make up this foursome.
After more than a decade of singing together and ups and downs along the way, 2nd Generation has finally made the "cut" to compete on the international stage.
'Round Midnight, Crunch Time, and Frank the Dog round out the field of Mid Atlantic District quartet competitors. The Big Apple Chorus, the Alexandria Harmonizers, Voices of Gotham, and Chorus of the Chesapeake join Brothers in Harmony in the chorus contest lineup.
Competition draws top barbershop singers
By Eric W. Herr For The Inquirer
Originally published in the Philadelphia Enquirer
Dozens of quartets, choruses, and their families from our area, across the country, and around the world will gather in Philadelphia this week for the Barbershop Harmony Society's 72d annual International Convention. The society, originally called the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America (SPEBSQSA), has a membership of nearly 30,000 in the United States, with affiliate organizations in nine countries.
The "International," likened to the Olympics or World Cup competition in barbershop harmony circles, allows the best of the best quartets and choruses to square off for a coveted gold medal.
"Sometimes it literally comes down to just a few points that makes the difference," notes Jack Pinto of Hamilton, N.J.
Pinto sings baritone with last year's second-place silver medalist quartet, Old School. Old School will compete again this year, along with four other quartets and five choruses from the Mid Atlantic District, one of 16 society districts nationwide.
In addition to his quartet commitments, Pinto directs Brothers in Harmony, a nearly 70-voice barbershop chorus, based in Hamilton Square, N.J., that is also competing.
"Barbershop singing is very much alive and has not faded into oblivion, as have silent movies, gramophones, and the Model-T," said Ed Watson, the Barbershop Harmony Society's executive director and chief executive officer.
"Today's barbershop harmony has strong intergenerational appeal, with tunes to please Grandpa and grandson alike," he continued.
Barbershop quartet singing, immortalized by the Buffalo Bills in Meredith Willson's The Music Man, is a style of a cappella, or unaccompanied vocal music, characterized by four parts combining to make chords.
The lead singer takes the melody. The tenor typically harmonizes above the melody with the bass singing the lowest harmonies. The baritone rounds out the distinctive harmonics, singing notes that can range anywhere in between the other voice parts.
"It's kinda hard to explain," muses Drew Feyrer, lead singer in 2nd Generation, a quartet of three family members and a friend from the Allentown-Bethlehem area.
"When all four voices lock in and you hear those chords ringing in perfect tune, it gives you goose bumps," he says.
It's been a journey of discovery of sorts for Drew, brother Sean, Dad Mike, and longtime family friend Chip Moyer, who make up this foursome.
After more than a decade of singing together and ups and downs along the way, 2nd Generation has finally made the "cut" to compete on the international stage.
'Round Midnight, Crunch Time, and Frank the Dog round out the field of Mid Atlantic District quartet competitors. The Big Apple Chorus, the Alexandria Harmonizers, Voices of Gotham, and Chorus of the Chesapeake join Brothers in Harmony in the chorus contest lineup.
Originally published in the Philadelphia Enquirer
Dozens of quartets, choruses, and their families from our area, across the country, and around the world will gather in Philadelphia this week for the Barbershop Harmony Society's 72d annual International Convention. The society, originally called the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America (SPEBSQSA), has a membership of nearly 30,000 in the United States, with affiliate organizations in nine countries.
The "International," likened to the Olympics or World Cup competition in barbershop harmony circles, allows the best of the best quartets and choruses to square off for a coveted gold medal.
"Sometimes it literally comes down to just a few points that makes the difference," notes Jack Pinto of Hamilton, N.J.
Pinto sings baritone with last year's second-place silver medalist quartet, Old School. Old School will compete again this year, along with four other quartets and five choruses from the Mid Atlantic District, one of 16 society districts nationwide.
In addition to his quartet commitments, Pinto directs Brothers in Harmony, a nearly 70-voice barbershop chorus, based in Hamilton Square, N.J., that is also competing.
"Barbershop singing is very much alive and has not faded into oblivion, as have silent movies, gramophones, and the Model-T," said Ed Watson, the Barbershop Harmony Society's executive director and chief executive officer.
"Today's barbershop harmony has strong intergenerational appeal, with tunes to please Grandpa and grandson alike," he continued.
Barbershop quartet singing, immortalized by the Buffalo Bills in Meredith Willson's The Music Man, is a style of a cappella, or unaccompanied vocal music, characterized by four parts combining to make chords.
The lead singer takes the melody. The tenor typically harmonizes above the melody with the bass singing the lowest harmonies. The baritone rounds out the distinctive harmonics, singing notes that can range anywhere in between the other voice parts.
"It's kinda hard to explain," muses Drew Feyrer, lead singer in 2nd Generation, a quartet of three family members and a friend from the Allentown-Bethlehem area.
"When all four voices lock in and you hear those chords ringing in perfect tune, it gives you goose bumps," he says.
It's been a journey of discovery of sorts for Drew, brother Sean, Dad Mike, and longtime family friend Chip Moyer, who make up this foursome.
After more than a decade of singing together and ups and downs along the way, 2nd Generation has finally made the "cut" to compete on the international stage.
'Round Midnight, Crunch Time, and Frank the Dog round out the field of Mid Atlantic District quartet competitors. The Big Apple Chorus, the Alexandria Harmonizers, Voices of Gotham, and Chorus of the Chesapeake join Brothers in Harmony in the chorus contest lineup.
Who’s going to win in Philly?
A week from today, barbershop’s best groups will be on display in Philadelphia, starting with the College contest on Tuesday, the quartet quarterfinals and semifinals on Wednesday and Thursday, chorus contest on Friday and finals on Saturday. (Buy tickets and get the schedule of events here. Sign up for the webcast here.) So who’s going [...]
Mount Zion barbershop vocalist Rich Hansen wins state honors
By VALERIE WELLS - H&R Staff Writer
Originally posted at The Herald Review in Central Illinois on Sunday, June 13, 2010 8:00 pm
MOUNT ZION - Rich Hansen's T-shirt pretty much says it all: Eat. Sleep. Sing.
It's his Barbershop Harmony Society T-shirt and Hansen is the 2010 recipient of the Award for Barbershop Excellence, known in Illinois as the ABE. He was chosen for his work in founding and organizing the Youth in Harmony festival, an annual event in Bloomington for young barbershop singers that began in 1998 with 23 Mount Zion High School students and has expanded to include more than 1,000 youth from all over the state.
"It's given out each year to a member of the Illinois district who has contributed in some way, shape or form more than others over the past year," Hansen said. "The nominations come from past ABE award winners and past presidents of the Illinois district."
Most districts are comprised of more than one state - and there are chapters in other countries, too - but Illinois is its own district. Hansen is the fourth winner of the award in both of his barbershop quartets.
Barbershop singing is a cappella, no instruments, and the harmonies are close, making special use of the dominant seventh chord that is so closely associated with the style that it's often called the "barbershop seventh." Think of Bert and Ernie singing "I Love You Truly" in "It's a Wonderful Life." Of course, there were only two of them and real barbershop harmony requires four parts, but the style is the same. Ideally, the voices blend so well that no individual singer's voice is detectable. Though one usually pictures four men in straw hats and striped shirts, barbershop has come a long way, baby, and a lot of groups do contemporary music. Women form groups as well. The Sweet Adelines are an example.
Hansen is a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society, whose rules for members' conduct includes the interesting entry, "We shall refrain from forcing our songs upon unsympathetic ears." He sings with Sound of Illinois, Coles County Chorus and Sound Opportunity, which includes his former student, Matthew Trusner, a 2001 graduate of Mount Zion High School, where Hansen teaches history.
"It's a cappella and extremely challenging," said Trusner, 27. "There's no instruments to hide behind. It's just you and three other guys' voices and that's it. If you're weak on a certain part or you don't have your act together, you will stick out. That's the thrill and the challenge, and I love it."
Like many fraternal organizations, Hansen said, the members of the Barbershop Harmony Society are mostly older, with few young men to carry on into the future. His reason for starting quartets at Mount Zion High School was to do his part to interest young people in the musical form, and Mount Zion groups won state championships in 2008 and 2009. Next year, he'll have a boys' group, two girls' groups and a boys' ensemble.
Hansen first became interested in barbershop music at age 16, but got away from it until college, when a professor talked him into trying it again, and he's been at it ever since. Barbershop and a cappella vocal music are enjoying a burst of interest now thanks to the Sing Off competition on NBC.
"It's become popular again and we're kind of riding that wave," he said.
For more information: vwells@herald-review.com|421-7982
Originally posted at The Herald Review in Central Illinois on Sunday, June 13, 2010 8:00 pm
MOUNT ZION - Rich Hansen's T-shirt pretty much says it all: Eat. Sleep. Sing.
It's his Barbershop Harmony Society T-shirt and Hansen is the 2010 recipient of the Award for Barbershop Excellence, known in Illinois as the ABE. He was chosen for his work in founding and organizing the Youth in Harmony festival, an annual event in Bloomington for young barbershop singers that began in 1998 with 23 Mount Zion High School students and has expanded to include more than 1,000 youth from all over the state.
"It's given out each year to a member of the Illinois district who has contributed in some way, shape or form more than others over the past year," Hansen said. "The nominations come from past ABE award winners and past presidents of the Illinois district."
Most districts are comprised of more than one state - and there are chapters in other countries, too - but Illinois is its own district. Hansen is the fourth winner of the award in both of his barbershop quartets.
Barbershop singing is a cappella, no instruments, and the harmonies are close, making special use of the dominant seventh chord that is so closely associated with the style that it's often called the "barbershop seventh." Think of Bert and Ernie singing "I Love You Truly" in "It's a Wonderful Life." Of course, there were only two of them and real barbershop harmony requires four parts, but the style is the same. Ideally, the voices blend so well that no individual singer's voice is detectable. Though one usually pictures four men in straw hats and striped shirts, barbershop has come a long way, baby, and a lot of groups do contemporary music. Women form groups as well. The Sweet Adelines are an example.
Hansen is a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society, whose rules for members' conduct includes the interesting entry, "We shall refrain from forcing our songs upon unsympathetic ears." He sings with Sound of Illinois, Coles County Chorus and Sound Opportunity, which includes his former student, Matthew Trusner, a 2001 graduate of Mount Zion High School, where Hansen teaches history.
"It's a cappella and extremely challenging," said Trusner, 27. "There's no instruments to hide behind. It's just you and three other guys' voices and that's it. If you're weak on a certain part or you don't have your act together, you will stick out. That's the thrill and the challenge, and I love it."
Like many fraternal organizations, Hansen said, the members of the Barbershop Harmony Society are mostly older, with few young men to carry on into the future. His reason for starting quartets at Mount Zion High School was to do his part to interest young people in the musical form, and Mount Zion groups won state championships in 2008 and 2009. Next year, he'll have a boys' group, two girls' groups and a boys' ensemble.
Hansen first became interested in barbershop music at age 16, but got away from it until college, when a professor talked him into trying it again, and he's been at it ever since. Barbershop and a cappella vocal music are enjoying a burst of interest now thanks to the Sing Off competition on NBC.
"It's become popular again and we're kind of riding that wave," he said.
For more information: vwells@herald-review.com|421-7982
Mount Zion barbershop vocalist Rich Hansen wins state honors
By VALERIE WELLS - H&R Staff Writer
Originally posted at The Herald Review in Central Illinois on Sunday, June 13, 2010 8:00 pm
MOUNT ZION - Rich Hansen's T-shirt pretty much says it all: Eat. Sleep. Sing.
It's his Barbershop Harmony Society T-shirt and Hansen is the 2010 recipient of the Award for Barbershop Excellence, known in Illinois as the ABE. He was chosen for his work in founding and organizing the Youth in Harmony festival, an annual event in Bloomington for young barbershop singers that began in 1998 with 23 Mount Zion High School students and has expanded to include more than 1,000 youth from all over the state.
"It's given out each year to a member of the Illinois district who has contributed in some way, shape or form more than others over the past year," Hansen said. "The nominations come from past ABE award winners and past presidents of the Illinois district."
Most districts are comprised of more than one state - and there are chapters in other countries, too - but Illinois is its own district. Hansen is the fourth winner of the award in both of his barbershop quartets.
Barbershop singing is a cappella, no instruments, and the harmonies are close, making special use of the dominant seventh chord that is so closely associated with the style that it's often called the "barbershop seventh." Think of Bert and Ernie singing "I Love You Truly" in "It's a Wonderful Life." Of course, there were only two of them and real barbershop harmony requires four parts, but the style is the same. Ideally, the voices blend so well that no individual singer's voice is detectable. Though one usually pictures four men in straw hats and striped shirts, barbershop has come a long way, baby, and a lot of groups do contemporary music. Women form groups as well. The Sweet Adelines are an example.
Hansen is a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society, whose rules for members' conduct includes the interesting entry, "We shall refrain from forcing our songs upon unsympathetic ears." He sings with Sound of Illinois, Coles County Chorus and Sound Opportunity, which includes his former student, Matthew Trusner, a 2001 graduate of Mount Zion High School, where Hansen teaches history.
"It's a cappella and extremely challenging," said Trusner, 27. "There's no instruments to hide behind. It's just you and three other guys' voices and that's it. If you're weak on a certain part or you don't have your act together, you will stick out. That's the thrill and the challenge, and I love it."
Like many fraternal organizations, Hansen said, the members of the Barbershop Harmony Society are mostly older, with few young men to carry on into the future. His reason for starting quartets at Mount Zion High School was to do his part to interest young people in the musical form, and Mount Zion groups won state championships in 2008 and 2009. Next year, he'll have a boys' group, two girls' groups and a boys' ensemble.
Hansen first became interested in barbershop music at age 16, but got away from it until college, when a professor talked him into trying it again, and he's been at it ever since. Barbershop and a cappella vocal music are enjoying a burst of interest now thanks to the Sing Off competition on NBC.
"It's become popular again and we're kind of riding that wave," he said.
For more information: vwells@herald-review.com|421-7982
Originally posted at The Herald Review in Central Illinois on Sunday, June 13, 2010 8:00 pm
MOUNT ZION - Rich Hansen's T-shirt pretty much says it all: Eat. Sleep. Sing.
It's his Barbershop Harmony Society T-shirt and Hansen is the 2010 recipient of the Award for Barbershop Excellence, known in Illinois as the ABE. He was chosen for his work in founding and organizing the Youth in Harmony festival, an annual event in Bloomington for young barbershop singers that began in 1998 with 23 Mount Zion High School students and has expanded to include more than 1,000 youth from all over the state.
"It's given out each year to a member of the Illinois district who has contributed in some way, shape or form more than others over the past year," Hansen said. "The nominations come from past ABE award winners and past presidents of the Illinois district."
Most districts are comprised of more than one state - and there are chapters in other countries, too - but Illinois is its own district. Hansen is the fourth winner of the award in both of his barbershop quartets.
Barbershop singing is a cappella, no instruments, and the harmonies are close, making special use of the dominant seventh chord that is so closely associated with the style that it's often called the "barbershop seventh." Think of Bert and Ernie singing "I Love You Truly" in "It's a Wonderful Life." Of course, there were only two of them and real barbershop harmony requires four parts, but the style is the same. Ideally, the voices blend so well that no individual singer's voice is detectable. Though one usually pictures four men in straw hats and striped shirts, barbershop has come a long way, baby, and a lot of groups do contemporary music. Women form groups as well. The Sweet Adelines are an example.
Hansen is a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society, whose rules for members' conduct includes the interesting entry, "We shall refrain from forcing our songs upon unsympathetic ears." He sings with Sound of Illinois, Coles County Chorus and Sound Opportunity, which includes his former student, Matthew Trusner, a 2001 graduate of Mount Zion High School, where Hansen teaches history.
"It's a cappella and extremely challenging," said Trusner, 27. "There's no instruments to hide behind. It's just you and three other guys' voices and that's it. If you're weak on a certain part or you don't have your act together, you will stick out. That's the thrill and the challenge, and I love it."
Like many fraternal organizations, Hansen said, the members of the Barbershop Harmony Society are mostly older, with few young men to carry on into the future. His reason for starting quartets at Mount Zion High School was to do his part to interest young people in the musical form, and Mount Zion groups won state championships in 2008 and 2009. Next year, he'll have a boys' group, two girls' groups and a boys' ensemble.
Hansen first became interested in barbershop music at age 16, but got away from it until college, when a professor talked him into trying it again, and he's been at it ever since. Barbershop and a cappella vocal music are enjoying a burst of interest now thanks to the Sing Off competition on NBC.
"It's become popular again and we're kind of riding that wave," he said.
For more information: vwells@herald-review.com|421-7982
Common attributes of successful chapters
Here’s the chance to add/subtract or discuss the list on page 13 of the May/June 2010 issue of The Harmonizer. Apologies if you came to this site earlier and didn’t find this post as mentioned in the magazine. I just came back from vacation to find that the printer had managed to mail the issue [...]
Barbershopper Auditions for Commercial Spot
Barbershopper Dan Scott is a member of the Hell's Kitchen chapter in Manhattan and is also a member of the trio ensemble Astoria Boulevard. They were recently given the opportunity to put their musical skills to the test to earn a chance to be official freecreditcarore.com promoters and get more exposure themselves in the process.
The Society in no way endorses freecreditscore.com itself, but we always endorse expression through song and harmonies, and we certainly wish our brothers in song the best of luck in their endeavers!
Astoria Boulevard is a folk pop trio led by Dan Scott, Philip Drennen and Max Demers. Their influences range from Simon and Garfunkel, Peter Paul and Mary to the indie songwriters of our generation, and recently released their self produced EP, "One of These Days."
Freecreditscore.com is now accepting votes for your favorite groups...
The Society in no way endorses freecreditscore.com itself, but we always endorse expression through song and harmonies, and we certainly wish our brothers in song the best of luck in their endeavers!
Astoria Boulevard is a folk pop trio led by Dan Scott, Philip Drennen and Max Demers. Their influences range from Simon and Garfunkel, Peter Paul and Mary to the indie songwriters of our generation, and recently released their self produced EP, "One of These Days."
Freecreditscore.com is now accepting votes for your favorite groups...
2010 International Collegiate Quartet Contest Order of Appearance
The last of the Collegiate Quartet Preliminary Contests is over, and we’re excited to announce that 29 collegiate quartets qualified for the International CBQC – which will be taking place on Tuesday, June 29 at 6:00pm in Philadelphia! Below is the order of appearance for what is going to be an amazing demonstration of musical [...]
2010 Int'l Collegiate Quartet Contest Order of Appearance
See the Quartet Order of Appearance on the BarbershopHQ blog
OOADISTRICT/AFFCONTESTANT1SWDVarsity2NEDSnapShot!3EVGHHHHHHHHHHH4SNOBSLemon Squeezy5ILLAfter Hours6JADSteel City Incline7PIOYoung Guns8SLDQuiet Hours9SWDPleasant Street10FWDThe Silver Staters11DIXRush Hour12SNOBSGo Fish!13SWDLevel Up14RMDLights Out15BABSMonkey Magic16CARInstant Classic17AAMBS3MAAT18SUNPower House!19JADPrestige20SWDPhantom Fifth21CSDTag Team22NEDBlend Tech23SUNSpanglish24SLDLake Effect25ONTRendezvous26LOLCounterPoint27SNOBSSwedish Match28MADNext Stop29LOLExpedition
OOADISTRICT/AFFCONTESTANT1SWDVarsity2NEDSnapShot!3EVGHHHHHHHHHHH4SNOBSLemon Squeezy5ILLAfter Hours6JADSteel City Incline7PIOYoung Guns8SLDQuiet Hours9SWDPleasant Street10FWDThe Silver Staters11DIXRush Hour12SNOBSGo Fish!13SWDLevel Up14RMDLights Out15BABSMonkey Magic16CARInstant Classic17AAMBS3MAAT18SUNPower House!19JADPrestige20SWDPhantom Fifth21CSDTag Team22NEDBlend Tech23SUNSpanglish24SLDLake Effect25ONTRendezvous26LOLCounterPoint27SNOBSSwedish Match28MADNext Stop29LOLExpedition
2010 Int'l Collegiate Quartet Contest Order of Appearance
See the Quartet Order of Appearance on the BarbershopHQ blog
OOADISTRICT/AFFCONTESTANT1SWDVarsity2NEDSnapShot!3EVGHHHHHHHHHHH4SNOBSLemon Squeezy5ILLAfter Hours6JADSteel City Incline7PIOYoung Guns8SLDQuiet Hours9SWDPleasant Street10FWDThe Silver Staters11DIXRush Hour12SNOBSGo Fish!13SWDLevel Up14RMDLights Out15BABSMonkey Magic16CARInstant Classic17AAMBS3MAAT18SUNPower House!19JADPrestige20SWDPhantom Fifth21CSDTag Team22NEDBlend Tech23SUNSpanglish24SLDLake Effect25ONTRendezvous26LOLCounterPoint27SNOBSSwedish Match28MADNext Stop29LOLExpedition
OOADISTRICT/AFFCONTESTANT1SWDVarsity2NEDSnapShot!3EVGHHHHHHHHHHH4SNOBSLemon Squeezy5ILLAfter Hours6JADSteel City Incline7PIOYoung Guns8SLDQuiet Hours9SWDPleasant Street10FWDThe Silver Staters11DIXRush Hour12SNOBSGo Fish!13SWDLevel Up14RMDLights Out15BABSMonkey Magic16CARInstant Classic17AAMBS3MAAT18SUNPower House!19JADPrestige20SWDPhantom Fifth21CSDTag Team22NEDBlend Tech23SUNSpanglish24SLDLake Effect25ONTRendezvous26LOLCounterPoint27SNOBSSwedish Match28MADNext Stop29LOLExpedition
SoundStage - In House
2010 Harmony Sweeps Los Angeles Regional Winner SoundStage is a talented mixed voice (4 men, 2 women) Contemporary a cappella sextet who drew a huge ovation with great harmonies and lead at the recent Sweeps Finals in San Rafael....
Britonet: Barbershop groups get a rush of new blood
From The Independent, Sunday, 23 May 2010
With their slick suits, coiffed hair and tight vocal harmonies, Monkey Magic could be virtually any aspiring boy band. Only the four young men's pitch-perfect singing gives away that they are actually barbershop singers and among the growing number embracing the unfashionable genre.
Traditionally the preserve of middle-aged men in stripy waistcoats and straw boaters, the British Association of Barbershop Singers (Babs) has seen youth membership double in the past six months; a surge that some attribute to a wider rise in the popularity of singing among boys and young men. This week, 2,500 people will head to Harrogate to take part in the annual convention of British barbershop singers.
"One thing driving the increase in young people attending is the availability of barbershop videos on YouTube. We get lots of people who have seen clips and want to get involved," said Alan Goldsmith, 60, chairman of Babs. "A lot of people think that young people only like pop songs, but that is not true."
While the National Barbershop Youth Chorus sings barbershop versions of modern songs, when entering competitions members are restricted to performing a list of traditional songs.
The popularity of TV shows such as The Choir - in which choirmaster Gareth Malone taught choral singing to those who have never sung before - and the hit series Glee are also thought to have encouraged non-singers to take part. Total membership of Babs has risen by 20 per cent in the past 15 months to more than 2,200, while nationwide "Learn to Sing" barbershop courses were heavily oversubscribed, with some choruses having waiting lists of 100.
Some experts believe that it may be the single-sex nature of barbershop quartets that appeals to shy youngsters. "The thing which embarrasses them is girls," said Martin Ashley, professor of education at Edgehill University, who has published extensive research into boys and singing. "Between the ages of 11 and 14, girls put boys off singing by the million. Then by the age squeaky, the singing then becomes a good way to impress girls."
More than £40m of government funding has been spent encouraging young people to sing during the past three years, via the national "Sing Up" programme in schools, with the aim of increasing children's confidence and communication skills through song. Barbershop singing also offers boys an alternative to singing in church choirs, where the high-pitched songs put off some youngsters.
Professor Ashley said: "The boys in barbershop quartets are often popular types, who play football as well. Barbershop singing isn't uncool. Whereas when we asked secondary school boys what they thought of boys singing high-pitched songs, they unanimously thought that they shouldn't be singing like that."
Alan Hughes, 24, a member of the quartet Monkey Magic, started barbershop singing when he was 10. "When I was at school people thought it was a bit weird, so I didn't tell many people, but by the time I got to university people just thought it was unique. A lot of my friends now are singers too," he said. "We practise every weekend at one of our houses, most of the time we do a gig on Saturday nights. It can be quite testing on a relationship; three of the four of us have girlfriends who are barbershop singers too, so they understand."
While barbershop quartets may not be jostling Lily Allen for position in the Top 40, record companies are on the lookout for new barbershop acts. Young a cappella group Voces8 signed a recording deal with Signum Classics 18 months ago, and their barbershop-inspired album of Bond film themes enjoyed good sales. Many quartets regularly perform in small venues and private parties.
"It is mostly weddings and anniversary parties. It doesn't make us a profit but it covers our expenses and we've got to travel all over the world, which is a perk. We went on Britain's Got Talent but went out in the first round. I don't think they want people with actual talent," Mr Hughes said.
With their slick suits, coiffed hair and tight vocal harmonies, Monkey Magic could be virtually any aspiring boy band. Only the four young men's pitch-perfect singing gives away that they are actually barbershop singers and among the growing number embracing the unfashionable genre.
Traditionally the preserve of middle-aged men in stripy waistcoats and straw boaters, the British Association of Barbershop Singers (Babs) has seen youth membership double in the past six months; a surge that some attribute to a wider rise in the popularity of singing among boys and young men. This week, 2,500 people will head to Harrogate to take part in the annual convention of British barbershop singers.
"One thing driving the increase in young people attending is the availability of barbershop videos on YouTube. We get lots of people who have seen clips and want to get involved," said Alan Goldsmith, 60, chairman of Babs. "A lot of people think that young people only like pop songs, but that is not true."
While the National Barbershop Youth Chorus sings barbershop versions of modern songs, when entering competitions members are restricted to performing a list of traditional songs.
The popularity of TV shows such as The Choir - in which choirmaster Gareth Malone taught choral singing to those who have never sung before - and the hit series Glee are also thought to have encouraged non-singers to take part. Total membership of Babs has risen by 20 per cent in the past 15 months to more than 2,200, while nationwide "Learn to Sing" barbershop courses were heavily oversubscribed, with some choruses having waiting lists of 100.
Some experts believe that it may be the single-sex nature of barbershop quartets that appeals to shy youngsters. "The thing which embarrasses them is girls," said Martin Ashley, professor of education at Edgehill University, who has published extensive research into boys and singing. "Between the ages of 11 and 14, girls put boys off singing by the million. Then by the age squeaky, the singing then becomes a good way to impress girls."
More than £40m of government funding has been spent encouraging young people to sing during the past three years, via the national "Sing Up" programme in schools, with the aim of increasing children's confidence and communication skills through song. Barbershop singing also offers boys an alternative to singing in church choirs, where the high-pitched songs put off some youngsters.
Professor Ashley said: "The boys in barbershop quartets are often popular types, who play football as well. Barbershop singing isn't uncool. Whereas when we asked secondary school boys what they thought of boys singing high-pitched songs, they unanimously thought that they shouldn't be singing like that."
Alan Hughes, 24, a member of the quartet Monkey Magic, started barbershop singing when he was 10. "When I was at school people thought it was a bit weird, so I didn't tell many people, but by the time I got to university people just thought it was unique. A lot of my friends now are singers too," he said. "We practise every weekend at one of our houses, most of the time we do a gig on Saturday nights. It can be quite testing on a relationship; three of the four of us have girlfriends who are barbershop singers too, so they understand."
While barbershop quartets may not be jostling Lily Allen for position in the Top 40, record companies are on the lookout for new barbershop acts. Young a cappella group Voces8 signed a recording deal with Signum Classics 18 months ago, and their barbershop-inspired album of Bond film themes enjoyed good sales. Many quartets regularly perform in small venues and private parties.
"It is mostly weddings and anniversary parties. It doesn't make us a profit but it covers our expenses and we've got to travel all over the world, which is a perk. We went on Britain's Got Talent but went out in the first round. I don't think they want people with actual talent," Mr Hughes said.
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