Rehearsal photos from June 16th and 23rd 2009. The June 16th rehearsal we worked in preperation for the Middleville concert for the 19th. Gary Branch renewed his membershop for his 39th year. Peter Westers drew a green marble losing the raffle but getting to direct the rehearsal's closer song


June 23rd was the last rehearsal with our Director Curt Struyk for his retirment. Curt has been baritone for the quartet Wildcard who are also retiring but years ago had also sung in the quartet Prizm. 2 of his old quartet members Jay Smits and Tom Wheeler put together a video montage of Prizm's history, gave speaches, and presented Curt with a going away gift. The chorus provided cake and pop.


Guests Jim Grescowlo from Ionia, Richard Frye of Middleville (heard our Middleville show) and Tom Ford of Battle Creek and Guardians of Haromony. Jim Westveld won the raffle


Included are some favorite photos of Curt the last few years.


Prizm webpage is www.GreatLakesChorus.org/Retired/Prizm


Curt Struyk Bio webpage is www.GreatLakesChorus.org/about/curtstruyk


Wildcard webpage is www.GreatLakesChorus.org/Retired/Wildcard


If scrolling through the photo album be sure to check all pages for more photos.


For high speed internet users the Slideshow function link in the upper right corner of the album is recommended or click here

June 19th, 2009 The Grand Rapids Barbershop Chapter Great Lakes Chorus performed for the free Middleville River Bank Music Series outdoor concert in Middleville MI. Due to the chance of rain the concert was moved from the Stagecoach Park to the Middleville United Methodist Church just a couple of blocks down Main St. from the park. It didn't rain during the concert but the church provided dry seats and a break from the humidity. Not only did the church open it's doors to us but the concert was also made possible thanks to the fine area business sponsors Middleville Downtown Development Corporation, Middleville Marketplace, and Pharmacy Care! Many thanks to GLC Music Librarian and Middleville resident Derek Hatley and Middleville Council Member Catherine Beyer for working so hard to help organize the show.


This was an emotional concert for the chorus and in particular the Grand Rapids Chapter 2008 International Quartet Wildcard. Our Director Curt Struyk who is also Wildcard's baritone is retiring. Although at the May Great Lakes Invitational Grand Rapids Chapter spring show was Wildcard's official farewell performance they agreed to this one last hurrah in Middleville.


Middleville MI is a charming little town on the banks of the Thornapple River south of Grand Rapids. The audience filled the church's sanctuary including the balcony and seating in the wings. It was one of the most electric performances I've ever been too. After the chorus sang the first song the audience applauded enthusiastically and did so after every song. Director Curt Struyk was smirking at the chorus the whole time like the cat who caught the canary. There were many standing ovations for the quartets and for the big finale with all the quartets and chorus on stage singing America The Beautiful. Wildcard's performance was stirring and the guys hugged each other at the end to yet another standing ovation.


In order of appearance quartets that sang were...


Reverie- Ralph Mueller, Robert Ryan, Jeff Chesnut, and Patrick Ryan.


Reverie webpage is www.GreatLakesChorus.org/Reverie


Vocal Artisans- Doug Weaver, Robert Ryan, Michael Baribeau, and Patrick Ryan. No that's no typo, father and son Robert and Patrick Ryan sing in both quartets.


Vocal Artisans webpage is www.GreatLakesChorus.org/VA


Showtime- Wayne Hodgson, Tom Weidner, Al Smith, and Jim Johnson. International Seniors Quartet.


Showtime webpage is www.GreatLakesChorus.org/Showtime


Fountain Street Four- Phil Spencer, Andrew Magnussen, Owen Sharpe, and Dan Winer. Collegiate quartet.


Fountain Street Four webpage is www.FS4quartet.com


Wildcard- Peter Westers, Dave Miller, James Masalskis, and Curt Struyk. 2008 International Quartet.


Wildcard webpage is www.GreatLakesChorus.org/Retired/Wildcard


At the end, after loading the risers onto a small open box trailer, Curt generously treated the entire chorus and quartets out to pizza at Phil's Pizzeria in Middleville. Director Curt Struyk and Wildcard have admirably represented our chapter and our district not just in performing but in coaching, supporting other quartets, and encouraging formation of new quartets. They exemplify the ideals expressed in the once tongue in cheek old society acronym SPEBSQSA, Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America.


Director Curt Struyk Bio Webpage is www.GreatLakesChorus.org/About/CurtStruyk


Thank you to Lynn Weaver for providing many of the photos.


If scrolling through the photo album be sure to check all pages for more photos.


For high speed internet users the Slideshow function link in the upper right corner of the album is recommended or click here

June 13th 2009, Michigan Community Blood Center Grand Valley office at 1036 Fuller Ave Grand Rapids. As part of the Barbershop Harmony Society's international 2nd Annual Singing For Life blood drive, the Grand Rapids chapter performed in the blood center lobby organized by our Blood Drive Chairman John Baker. The Great Lakes Chorus sang from 10am-noon.


Also performing was Grand Rapids Chapter quartet and 1999 District Seniors Quartet Champs Shades Of Grey.


Shades Of Grey Webpage GreatLakesChorus.org/SOG


Chapter President Doug Weaver was able to take a couple shots of the quartet.


The GLC joined efforts again this year with Oldies 98.7 WFGR radio, their live broadcast from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. and their classics car show Cruisin' For Life Car Show and Blood Drive which included Dash plaques and awards. Food for donors was courtesy of local area restaurants.


This report from Kristen M. Sisson Director of Special Events, "I thought you’d like to know how we did – 96 people attempted to donate, 66 pints were donated and 12 new people signed up! Great numbers for a show that should have been rained out."


Last year we were able to get 118 donors signed in, with six new donors and collected 92 pints of blood. So not as much blood as before but really good donor turn out plus doubling the number of new donors from last year!


For high speed internet users the Slideshow function link in the upper right corner of the album is recommended or click here

Grand Rapids 40th Annual Festival Of The Arts June 5-7, 2009. A weekend of music, dance, demonstrations, food, movies, and art in the closed off streets of downtown Grand Rapids. On Sunday the 7th the Great Lakes Chorus performed on the outdoor Calder Stage named after the giant 4 story red steel monument behind it. The Great Lakes Chorus performed 6 mostly uptune songs directed by Curt Struyk and Assistant Director Aaron Bouwman. Curt also performed on stage between the Chorus set in the Grand Rapids Chapter International quartet Wildcard.


Wildcard Webpage GreatLakesChorus.org/Retired/Wildcard


Grand Rapids Chapter quartet Shades Of Grey with their new bass John Baker also performed on stage.


Shades Of Grey Webpage GreatLakesChorus.org/SOG


Chapter quartet Vocal Artisans performed along Ottawa street as a wandering quartet.


Vocal Artisan Webpage GreatLakesChorus.org/VA


It was overcast for awhile which kept the heat down. There was a lot of positive feed back from everyone from the audience, other performers, directors, educators, and even the sound crew. After the show as I stood inlines sampling all the different food tents and stages in my chorus bright yellow shirt and black tux pants I was repeatedly told by people how much they enjoyed the performance. It felt real good!


Thank yous to Lynn Weaver for taking many of these photos.


*Side Note; Alexander Calder 1898–1976, aka Sandy Calder, was an American sculptor and artist and inventor of the mobile. The Grand Rapids monument is know by locals simply as The Calder but is officially named the La Grande Vitesse translated as "the great swiftness" or "the grand rapids". It measures fifty-four feet long, forty-three feet high, thirty feet wide, and weighs over 42 tons.


For high speed internet users the Slideshow function link in the upper right corner of the album is recommended or click here

June 7th 2009 Grand Rapids Festival. After singing on stage with the Great Lakes Chorus my Grand Rapids Chapter quartet Vocal Artisans sang as a wandering quartet. I really enjoyed just singing to small groups in the street, it made for very little stage anxiety (stage fright:). We walked along the blockaded Ottawa St singing to crowds who were trying all the ethnic foods. Ottawa St blockade started near Michigan St at the Calder Stage and we worked from there, past Lyon St, close up to Pearl St. There were performance stages at each point including belly dancers near Lyon St with their sound system going. The trick was either singing between other acts or getting out of ear shot of them. Determining who to sing to was done simply by walking along till we saw someone we knew and while singing to them a few songs a crowd would gather. Funny thing about Festival is how often you run into friends.


Vocal Artisans Webpage GreatLakesChorus.org/VA


For high speed internet users the Slideshow function link in the upper right corner of the album is recommended or click here