Photos

Vocal Artisans GFS Trade Show

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:54:47 -0500

Octber 7, 2009 Grand Rapids Chapter Vocal Artisans performed for the Gordon Food Service Trade Show at the Grand Rapids MI DeVos Place Grand Gallery. They had food, drinks, and every kind cooking equipment. We sang for 90 minutes at the enterance then another 90 minutes inside the Grand Gallery. It was a huge event with 20 long aisles, we sang about 2 songs per aisle.

Vocal Artisans webpage is www.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

Singing Valentines 2010

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:27:03 -0500

February 12-14th, 2010. Photos from Valentine quartets Fountain Street Friends, Great Lakes Pride, Off-Tones, and Vocal Artisans

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Great Lakes Pride performed at Forest Hills Eastern HS. One end of the 2nd floor lunch room where the Singing Valentine was performed had large windows over the main entrance and students started to crowd there seeing 4 guys in white tuxes walking up to the building and making there way inside. The roar of hundreds of students went completely silent as the Great Lakes Pride quartet sang for a teacher and they all applauded at the end. Great Lakes Pride then followed the Valentine sweetheart to her Biology lab to perform in front of her class of students there as well.

The pickup quartet the Off-Tones performed for about 15 residents at Waldon Woods Retirement Village of Lifehouse plus all their family and friends waiting in each room.

Vocal Artisans performed at a Rite Aid pharmacy and grocery, a salon, also for the Covenant Village Of The Great Lakes Covenant Retirement Community, and 32 residents and family at the Crystal Springs Lifehouse assisted living facility. Several of residents were sung to during lunch in the dinning one at a time among the hanging Valentine's Day decorations, center pieces, and Valentines on the tables.

Fountain Street Four with lead substitute performed for several Grand Rapids area businesses including Art Van, Jack Keller Ford, Charter cable call center, Renaissance Recovery Solutions, as well as Sunset Manor assisted living facility in Jenison. And still they made time for the quartet to sing to their girl friends over the phone. Great Lakes Chorus member Denny Grabill had a surprise for his sweetie at the line dance class in Coopersville Farm Museum. Sneaking away he substituted as bass in Fountain Street Four and sang to his lady in front of the whole dance class. He even gave a touching speech that the lyrics included the "L" word and was the first time he said it to her. They sang her another song and then he dropped to one knee and presented her with a rose. To top off the evening Fountain Street Four went to the Farm Museum's main entrance which was a cement silo for some silo singing and sang several tags and songs with substitutes Mike, Michael, and Denny, the echoes ringing at the top of the silo and lasting forever. FS4 thought they had made a new discovery until Denny informed them that it wasn't uncommon in farm country.

Fountain Street Four (plus) Video- Silo Singing click here

Fountain Street Four (trio) Video- silo singing tag click here

I couldn't find out a lot about it but here's an interesting excerpt I did find online.

Canadian Mennonite Volume 10, No. 13 June 26, 2006. Silo singing a resounding experience. Conestogo, Ont.

http://www.canadianmennonite.org/vol10-2006/10-13/localchurch.php

"He got the idea in 1999 when, as a retired farmer near Conestogo, Ont., he was recovering from knee replacement surgery. Some of their neighbouring Old Order Mennonite young people came to visit and sing for him. Then they spoke of going afterward to sing in an empty silo before the fall silo filling. Apparently, they do this each fall before corn harvest. Regarding the first silo singing five years ago, Shantz wrote in their church newsletter: 'At the end of it all, what felt like half-an-hour was really an hour-and-a-half! A Sunday afternoon in October and an autumn breeze encircles a farmyard outside of Conestogo. Thirty people of all shapes and sizes, and even a few with prosthetic replacements, wedged their way through a small ground level opening into an empty concrete silo. Any a pensive mood soon dissipated as our voices joined in harmony in this acoustical wonderment for our first silo singing.'�

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

Singing Valentine Photo Favs

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:08:15 -0500

A tuxedo-clad barbershop quartet will deliver two love songs, a red rose, a personalized card, a box of candy and a photographic memory of the event to your loved one

Anywhere in the Greater Grand Rapids Area

To order go to GreatLakesChorus.org

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October 2009 Rehearsal

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 09:40:54 -0500

October 13th, 2009 rehearsal just before competition

President Doug Weaver announcing that GLC member and Private Kyle Herring kyle.herring@us.army.mil is being shipped out to Afganistan soon.

Bill Robbins presents Brandon Ciesielski and Matt Neier with their membershop packets and Director Aaron Bouwman with his first Man Of Note for Matt Neier.

Bud Kraft wins raffle

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

Christmas Show 2009

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 08:05:01 -0500

December 5th, 2009 Grand Rapids Barbershop Chapter Great Lakes Chorus 13th Annual Christmas Show Holiday Harmonies with special guests the Sweet Adeline Grand Rapids Chorus and area barbershop quartets. Matinee and evening show at Forest Hills Presbyterian Church, corner of 36th St SE and 7495 Cascade Rd SE in Cascade.

Sweet Adeline Grand Rapids Chorus Director Ann Jarchow with Asst. Director Judy Westers, and Asst. Director Denise VanDyken.

Great Lakes Chorus Director Aaron Bouwman and Asst. Director Peter Westers.

A wonderful Christmas show this year! It's been a few years since we've done a show with the Sweet Adelines Grand Rapids Chorus and they were a real treat. There was a lot of positive audience feedback about how nice it is to have a holiday show with both the girls and guys choruses.

The show started with a joint chorus performance of Home For The Holidays with pianist Diane Cosby and then the girls sang the first half of the show while introducing guy quartets. About 64 of The Sweet Adelines sang mostly secular holiday songs including a beautiful song Love In Any Language which included some of their members using sign language. Some amazing numbers including the chorus split into 2 and singing 2 separate songs simultaneously under direction of the 2 assistant directors. And there was the ever cute I want A Hippopotamus For Christmas songs featuring the adorable pre teen girl quartet the Grand Rapids Singing Angels, 2 of their members' having to stand on milk crates to reach the mics.

Then the 2nd half of the show the 36 guys sang while introducing the girl quartets. The Great Lakes Chorus sang half secular and half sacred music the sacred including a short moving number with an echo quartet singing from the opposite end of the church sanctuary. There was also the traditional rowdy 12 Days Of Christmas Barbershop Parody staring the antics by GLC tenor and resident elf Paul Slack plus the new addition of grumpy FedUp delivery man (parody on FedEx delivery). Somebody please let me known his name so I can list it here, he was brilliant!

The Westers Family Quartet also performed including 11 year old GLC member Silas, sisters Abbie and Kobby (who needed the milk crates), their dad and GLC Asst. Director Peter Westers, and mom GRC Asst. Directory Judy Westers.

The show ended with Grand Rapids Chorus joining the Great Lakes Chorus on stage singing enmasse Do You Hear What I Hear. Pianist Diane Cosby

Afterglow at Brann's Steakhouse and Grille 28th St near i-96.

In order of appearance quartets that sang and some captured video clips...

Vocal Artisans- Doug Weaver, Robert Ryan, Michael Baribeau, and Patrick Ryan.

Vocal Artisans webpage is www.GreatLakesChorus.org/VA

Vocal Artisans Video Clip

Great Lakes Pride- Paul Slack, Aaron Bouwman, Bud Kraft, and John Baker.

Great Lakes Pride Video Clip

Fountain Street Four- Phil Spencer, Brandon Ciesielski, Owen Sharpe, and Dan Winer. Collegiate quartet.

Fountain Street Four webpage is www.FS4quartet.com

Fountain Street Four Video Clip

Yuletide- Patrick Ryan, Toby Shaver, Robert Ryan, and James Masalskis.

Yuletide Video Clip

Grand Rapids Singing Angels- Koby Westers, Kelsey Jarchow, Haley Wassenaar, and Eden Witvoet, ages 6-11. Their families include GRSA Master Director Ann Jarchow and Assistant Director Judy Westers.

Grand Rapids Singing Angels Video Clip

Top Notch- Jane Perrin, Marcia Shanken, Ann Jarchow, and Reath Schooley

Top Notch Video Clip

12 Days Of Christmas Barbershop Parody with 'Tag' Quartet- Patrick Ryan, Peter Westers, Aaron Bouwman, and Dan Winer.

X-position- Jeanne Martin, Linda Rozeman, Pattee Bender, and Leah Williams

X-position Video Clip

Blue Champagne- Jeanne Martin, Teresa Fuller, Pam Latus, and Leah Williams

Blue Champagne Video Clip

fLip fLop- Laura Stuber, Sandy Cheeseman, Diz Frederick, and Debbie Pfennig

fLip fLop Video Clip

While By My Sheep 'Echo' Quartet- Phil Spencer, Aaron Bouwman, Dan Winer, and Owen Sharpe.

Westers Family Quintet- Abbie, Kobby, Silas, Judy & Peter Westers.

Westers Family Quintet Video Clip

Click here for more photos greatlakeschorus.org/pics/091205/phpshow.php

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

GRSA Show With CROSSROADS

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:01:50 -0500

September 12th 2009, 2pm and 7:30pm the women's Sweet Adelines 2009 Regional Champion Chorus Grand Rapids Chorus Fall Show Harmony Gold with the men's Barbershop Harmony Society 2009 International Gold Medal Quartet Crossroads and appearance by BHS Grand Rapids Chapter GLC Collegiate Quartet Fountain Street Four. Show at Forest Hills Fine Arts Center, 600 Forest Hill Ave SE., Grand Rapids, MI 49546. Tickets were $10 or reserved seating (only 100 per show) $40 for 2pm, $50 for 7:30 (includes pre/afterglow).

The audience was filled with barbershoppers from all over the district. Our men's group the Grand Rapids Chapter Great Lakes Chorus was also well represented including GLC Director Aaron Bouwman plus retired GLC director and Wildcard bari Curt Struyk were in attendance. Chapter President Doug Weaver and wife Lynn were also there working the punch table for the Pre-Glow.

The Sweet Adelines invited to sing the male Grand Rapids Chapter Collegiate Quartet Fountain Street Four- Brandon Ciesielski, Phil Spencer, Owen Sharpe, and Dan Winer, sporting their new black pants, shirts, and fedoras with white suspenders, neckties, hatbands, and black and white saddle shoes.

Fountain Street Four webpage is www.FS4quartet.com

Sweet Adeline quartets singing were...

Grand Rapids Singing Angels- Koby Westers, Kelsey Jarchow, Haley Wassenaar, and Eden Witvoet, ages 6-11. Their families include GRSA Master Director Ann Jarchow and Assistant Director Judy Westers.

X-position; Jeanne Martin, Linda Rozeman, Pattee Bender, and Leah Williams

fLip fLop- Laura Stuber, Sandy Cheeseman, Diz Frederick, and Debbie Pfennig

Top Notch- Jane Perrin, Marcia Shanken, Ann Jarchow, and Reath Schooley

Blue Champagne- Jeanne Martin, Teresa Fuller, Pam Latus, and Leah Williams

Tanaz- Jane Perrin, Judie Wabeke, Ann Jarchow, and Judy Herrick

Quartet info at GRSA.net

2009 Gold Medalists Crossroads- Fred Farrell, Mike Slamka, Jim Henry, Brandon Guyton

Crossroads website is crossroadsquartet.com

Crossroads lead Mike Slamka is also from the retired Gold Medal quartet Power Play of Michigan. In fact all 4 members of Crossroads belonged to quartets who had also won Gold on the International stage.

Grand Rapids Singing Angels quartet members bring out the box they used to stand on to reach the mics to provide a 'lift' for Crossroads bass Jim Henry

The Sweet Adelines Grand Rapids Chorus is a very active and energetic group with over 80 members.

This excerpt from their program

"We take a performance to the competition stage every Spring among 16 choruses in our region, to be judged on how well we communicate our stories thru barbershop-style harmony. In May 2009 the judges were moved to award Grand Rapids Chorus 1st Place Gold Medals. We are thrilled! And being the 2009 Chorus Champion means we'll get to represent the region in the 2010 International competition... in Seattle".

The show theme Harmony Gold centered on Gold pop hits from groups like ABBA, Beach Boys, and Michael Jackson. At the Afterglow Team Coordinator Sandra Recker pointed out that they had contracted Crossroads 'before' they had won the Gold at International so a bit of serendipity for them all for the 'Gold' theme.

MC Tommy Dylan and Brook Taylor radio personalities from Star 105.7 in Grand Rapids, MI.

The Sweet Ads began the show in elegant black and gold gowns.

In the Beach Boys number they had a quick costume change on stage as the chorus put Hawaiian shirts on over their gowns and produced beach blankets, inflatable beach toys, surf boards, and a brief appearance of a tiny 'beach car' with room for one rider.

The chorus performed Michael Jackson's Thriller including the music video's big dance number with lots of zombie makeup, costumes, theatrical lighting and smoke.

GRSA members went out into the auditorium with props and directed audience sections for group sing-along of Comin' Round The Mountain.

After the Crossroads performance the chorus came back on stage in blue sequin pants and tunic half blue and green used with dramatic visual affect whenever they changed their profile to the audience. They then performed I believe their competition numbers.

The chorus sang an Armed Forces medley. Audience and GRSA members associated in some way with those braches would stand and raise their hands when that service's song was sung. The audience stood at attention as the American Flag was slowly marched to the edge of the stage during the song.

Closing the show they performed their funny Hooked On Classics Medley.

Chorus info at GRSA.net

The quartets and chorus gathered in the lobby to see the audience off. Crossroads was also selling and signing cds. I also saw Westers barbershop family members GRSA Assistant Director and Joyride Inc. quartet member Judy Westers, her husband, GLC member, and retired Wildcard quartet tenor Peter Westers, their daughter Koby Westers of Grand Rapids Singing Angels quartet, and a proud nana.

Afterglow- Centennial Park Country Club Grand Rapids MI. Lots of great food and drink.

Quartets performing for the Afterglow were Grand Rapids Singing Angels, Java Jive, Blue Champagne, male quartet Half & Half, Fountain Street Four, Top Notch, fLip fLop, and Crossroads.

Crossroads sang a few tags afterwards. They sang a song with the very giddy bass Joel Klein from the Battle Creek Chapter. They also sang with quartet double gold medalist Tom Felgen, bass of the Four Renegades and Chicago News 1965 and 1981!

The rest of the evening Fountain Street Four sang tags in the foyer. At one point Crossroads lead Mike Slamka jumped in and taught tags to a star struck group in foyer including Fountain Street Four and 2009 mixed Rockin' Barbershop Campers.

Singing past closing Crossroads and Fountain Street Four moved outside to keep singing late into the night air.

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

Fall 2009 District Competition (pending)

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:41:07 -0500

Notre Dame Glee Club

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:48:07 -0500

October 21, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. Notre Dame Men's Glee Club www.gleeclub.nd.edu at Cathedral of Saint Andrew 265 Sheldon SE Grand Rapids, MI 49503. I figured I wouldn't take my camera this time but still couldn't resist taking a couple shots with my cell phone:)

Thornapple Covenant Church

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:08:03 -0500

September 27, 2009 Grand Rapids Barbershop Chapter Great Lakes Chorus performed for the morning service at Thornapple Covenant Church 6595 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids MI 49546 www.thornapple.org GLC member Paul Slack's church. I think we sang 3 songs plus of course all the service hymns, etc. After the service GLC member Richard Frye gave us all some watermelons he harvested.

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

September 2009 Rehearsal

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:06:16 -0500

Grand Rapids Barbershop Chapter Great Lakes Chorus rehearsals. A lot of prep work for the District Fall Convention and Competition next month. Including working with Sweet Adeline and choreography coach Judy Herricm.

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

Pack 3264

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 13:47:59 -0400

April 20, 2009 Vocal Artisans of the Grand Rapids Barbershop Chapter GreatLakesChorus.org/VA performed for Rockford MI Pack 3264 Cub Scouts and Webelos (We'll Be Loyal Scouts) at the Rockford Freshmen Center.

Although a Grand Rapid's Chapter quartet, 3 of VA's members live in Rockford. Plus our lead's son Lee is a Cub Scout for Den 15 of Pack 3264. VA volunteered to perform for free at the April Pack Meeting. Den 15's leaders the husband and wife Sheffer duo were hosting this Pack Meeting and agreed.

At the end, after awards were presented to many hard working Scouts, VA was able to sing 4 barbershop songs and announce the GLC's 70th Anniversary show May 16th. We then each selected 2 rows of tables and taught the Scouts the tag Now That You're Around, recommended by the Barbershop Harmony Society for younger voices

Barbershop Tags For Young Voices http://barbershop.org/document-center/category/31-younger-voices.html

All the Den Leaders were called up front to sing the bass because... it was the easiest part:)

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

Slamka Coaching

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 08:24:49 -0400

Sep 11th 2009 Mike Slamka from 2009 Gold Medalist quartet Crossroads and retired 2003 Gold Medalist quartet Power Play from Michigan, gave a coaching session to the GLC. Mike had flown to Michigan because Crossroads had a performance in Grand Rapids the following day for the Sweet Adelines Grand Rapids Chorus. GLC member Bud Kraft was able contact Mike and ask if he would coach our chorus. He agreed and Chapter President Doug Weaver picked him up at the airport. The Coaching was very insightful.

Mike pointed out several members in the chorus he recognized from his earlier days barbershopping including visiting retired GLC director Curt Struyk. He also said how impressed he was with Toby Shaver's quartet The Party who were our district's 2009 reps and placed very well at International.

The biggest things I took away from it were...

"Make the pitch pipe sound flat", sing on the high side of the note so consistently that the pitch pipe eventually sounds flat.

The 'press'. Show energy and presence as soon as the director turns to face the chorus.

"Sing even when your not singing", if you don't sing for a few measures your face should still be telling the story the others are singing.

"Sing with one voice", to demonstrate Mike would occationally stop us and just try to get us to say the word "one" in monotone in perfect unison (it would take many tries). We worked on same pronounciations, plus a warmer 'breathy' sound blends better but use your 'resonators' directing the sound through the cheek bones.

For 3 hours we didn't sing past the opening phrases of the first song but learned a ton.

Slamka Notes

by Lynn Weaver

WE ARE ONE exercise for percision.

Four elements of singing

1. Posture

2. breathing

3. pitch

4. tone

Commit to being eager to perform all the time. Commit to energy.

Everyone sings all the time, even when your not singing.

SING ON PURPOSE

Take a low, slilent breath on the vowel shape you will be singing and roll your sound forward.

The song starts when the pitch blows.

ALWAYS LISTEN. Listen more than you sing.

Stay on the HIGH side of the pitch. Step down onto the note, not up to it. Sing big steps up, little steps down. Being good is fun. Getting there is fun.

First choice; you're not gonna believe what you're gonna hear. If you don't practice like you're performing, you're gonna perform like you're practicing.

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

35th Annual Corn Roast

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 21:01:04 -0400

Aug 25th 2009 GLC member John Baker home at 2765 Bauer Rd Jenison near Grand Rapids MI. Another successful Corn Roast! LOTS of singing, camaraderie, and good grub! Holland even brought up about 20 guys who sang several songs.

The count was 63 voices! I'm afraid I don't have an official tally but I know some of the chapters represented included GR, Lansing, Kalamazoo, Muskegon, Holland, Santa Fe Springs, CA, including our snowbirders to Cape Coral FL.

A big thank you to the Baker family for hosting it again at their home and their large backyard plus all the picnic food and drink! Thanks to Lyle Weeks for some of the sweetest corn I've had all year and Jim Westveld for collecting admission.

Congrates to all the raffle winner including the grand prize cooler won by Chapter Prez Doug Weaver. Also Peter Westers looked very fetching with the gloves and manly music purse he won:) Sorry I don't know where all the prizes came from but I believe the Bakers provided the many Napa Auto Parts t-shirts, hats, etc.

We were already done eating and most of the way through the quartet performances when we had to move it indoors due to rain but there was plenty of room. After quartets were done singing we all sang tags until late.

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

Vocal Artisans- Sheldon Meadows Living Center

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:38:26 -0400

Sep 22, 2009 Sheldon Meadows Living Center 4482 Port Sheldon St Hudsonville, MI, near Grand Rapids.

Sheldon Meadows Living Center website is www.heritageseniorcommunities.com/sheldon_meadows/index.htm

Great Lakes Chorus Grand Rapids Chapter quartet Vocal Artisans performed 10 songs in the dining/living room for this assisted living facility to an appreciative group of about 20 residence for 30min.

Vocal Artisans webpage is www.greatlakeschorus.org/va

Outside photos from Sheldon Meadows website.

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

Rehearsals February 2009

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 12:09:24 -0400

There was a pickup quartet with Mike O'Donnell, James Masalskis, Curt Struyk, and guest James Ely from the Pride Of Mobile Chorus PrideOfMobile.com singing during break. Guests; Gerald Van Wieren, Denny Grabill, Greg Rhodes, Dave Chase, Ross Douse, and Tag Man Bill Edmonds. Bill also taught the chorus a tag. There was also the Singing Valentine pickup quartet with Patrick Ryan, Mike Odle, Lyle Weeks, and Leon Reisters. visitors as observers John & Renee Welsh from Thornapple Community Church. Jack Schneider drew the for the raffle ticket and Chapter Development, Bill Robbins didn't win raffle but still got to direct the chorus closer. And another night James Masalskis was directing a chorus closer.

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

Festival- GLC

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:35:28 -0400

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 in lines sampling all the different food tents and stage performances in my bright yellow chorus 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.

Historic also as the first grant by the federal National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in its public arts initiative for $45,000 to the city of Grand Rapids.

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

August 2009 Rehearsal

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 11:35:14 -0400

August 2009 rehearsal. We had 3 membership renewals, Al Smith 7 year renewal, David Jones 15 year renewal, and Peter Westers 16 year renewal. Still waiting for their names then will update them here. Guests were John Ashby, Peter Scalabrino, and visitor Lorin Jones.

Denny Grabill's sister whom we sung for last month over his cell phone stopped in and expressed her appreciation.

Peter Westers' son Silas was drawn for the raffle and although he only drew the green marble he got to direct the chorus (and his dad) in the closer Keep America Singing.

A new member asked why our chapter sings the lyrics Keep America Singing instead of the BHS preferred Keep The Whole World Singing. Jack Schneider explained that the original lyrics were by an area chapter member (was it Holland?) but the BHS changed the lyrics somehow against his approval so in an act of solidarity and patriotism the Grand Rapids Chapter still sings the original version. Please correct me if I got this story wrong, I'm going by memory.

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

34th Annual Corn Roast

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:34:45 -0400

The Grand Rapids Barbershop Chapter Great Lakes Chorus and Baker Family Annual Corn Roast Aug 26th 2008. 2765 Bauer Rd - Jenison, MI 49428.

Barbershoppers from all over Western Michigan attend. Last year we had reps from Lansing, Muskegon, Holland, K-Zoo, Bay City, Battle Creek, and of course Grand Rapids. I haven't heard what chapters were in attendance for this year (except for Lansing who made a strong showing) but I think the count was 80-100 voices with singing from quartets like Grand Rapids quartet The Extension Chords- 1952 Bush League, District Champs, and International Reps (according to the Lansing Woodshedder "In the 50's this popular Grand Rapids quartet used to sing radio jingles for Archway Cookie Co."), Grand Rapids quartet Showtime- 2007 Bush League Champs, Grand Rapids quartet Shades Of Grey- 1999 District Senior Division Champs, Lansing quartet Weekend Agenda- 2007 Pioneer District Senior Quartet Champions, Holland quartet No Rehearsal Band, Grand Rapids and Muskegon quartet Harmony Transfer, Grand Rapids quartet Barbershop Style, and Grand Rapids quartet Wildcard- 2008 Pioneer District Quartet International Representatives.

It's a rustic backyard party with lots of grass and trees. It's stag and $5 at the door for all you can drink plus the hot dogs and ears of corn boiled in metal trashcans over a wood fire. While everyone is eating and drinking they wander around singing tags with groups looking for a pickup quartet to sing with in front of the others.

The evening highlight is an outdoors informal quartet performance. Any quartet can sing especially pickup quartets. They sing just a tag or a couple songs, whatever you like. A total of 21 quartets sang.

It was beautiful weather and lots of fun eating, drinking, singing, and catching up!

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

If scrolling through the photo album be sure to check page 2 for more photos.

2009 Bush League

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:40:04 -0400

Aug 21-22 2009 Gaylord MI. Two Grand Rapids Chapter quartets competed at this year's Bush League. The collegiate quartet Fountain Street Four who had formed just last year and this summer had a shake up retiring one member, adding a new member, and moving their tenor to lead. Also from GR was new quartet Vocal Artisans who had formed just this year when volunteering for Singing Valentines.

Fountain Street Four webpage is www.FS4quartet.com

Vocal Artisans webpage is www.GreatLakesChorus.org/va

"The program perpetuates the fun and informal environment of a non-sanctioned competition while allowing quartets to 'fine tune' their skills for performances and for preparation for the fall District Convention and Contest." The Bush League was begun in 1947 and now in it's 62nd year. Bush League is a baseball idiom for the minor leagues and was adopted here tongue-in-cheek for this barbershop competition also because of its restrictions for competing for the Bush League Brass �Gaboon� (spittoon) Trophy . "Quartets that have previously competed in Society sanctioned competitions and placed 3rd or higher may compete FOR SCORE ONLY. They do not qualify to win the Bush League Trophy. Along with all other competing quartets, they are eligible for coaching, craft development and other singing events. This applies also to quartets that have previously won the Bush League Trophy."

Many thanks to our Bush League hosts the Gaylord Harmony Meisters for all the hard work in organizing this affair and keeping the contest with the �Oldest Revolving Trophy in the Society.� going strong! Excerpt from the 2006 Management Team Minutes, "Bush League will continue to be a chapter function, not a district function, but the quartet coaching aspect which was added several years ago will continue to be a district function, with the Pioneer District QCA members contributing their time and talent." And by Marv Burke of the QCA in 2008, "We will provide Judges, Coaches and a feature quartet for the Bush League Contest, mentors will be available to any quartet that have not made the cut in any contest." Kudos QCA, the Quartet Champions Association and the Pioneer District!

Most of us arrived Friday Aug 21st the day before the competition at the Quality Inn on Main St right off the highway. Here was hotel rooms plus the very informative and entertaining C4 master class. All 4 of Chordiology contributed and covered a lot of ground. There were the insights by Cliff's stand-in Matt Tipton and directed some group songs. Paul's Itsy Bitsy Spider exercise (I've been trying to remember Paul's brief summery, could someone please remind me?). Rob and Paul demonstrated the free audio software Audacity. Dave covered stage fright, performance anxiety, also passing along some of the things he learned recently from attending Harmony University. They also covered good suppliers of learning tracks.

The competition started Saturday morning, only a couple miles away at Gaylord Evangelical Free Church (E-Free for short) on M-32 East. The 10 competing quartets were all great! One of the nice parts of being drawn to sing early is getting to hear most of the quartets sing. In order of the draw was Singular, Fountain Street Four, Vocal Artisans, Northbound Sound, The KorVets, My 3 Friends, Just for Kixx, Small Town Sound, Staff Meeting, and Meta-4. All amazing performances! And, wasn't it judge and director Glen Hipple's quartet Staff Meeting that only formed 2 weeks before, where the other 3 were choral singers not barbershoppers, and they still placed well?! I love when barbershop is a family affair. Off the top of my head there was of course the 2008 Bush League Champs Singing With Dad with father and son pairs, my quartet Vocal Aritsans has a father and son team, and the Gaylord Chapter quartet Northern A-Chord has Bush League Chairman and MC Erv Erickson along with his grandson. Many traveled significant distances to Gaylord (about an hour south of 'the bridge'). I googgled Meta-4's Huron Valley and that was a 229 mile drive for them! But everyone said the trip is way worth it!

Congratulations to Small Town Sound from Kalamazoo for winning 1st Place! They performed that evening in the Harmony Meister's chapter show along with 2nd Place winners Meta-4 of Huron Valley and 3rd Place winners Singular of Lansing.

Save for a handful of Harmony Meisters, the quartets, and judges it was a very small audience for the competition portion of the weekend. But for what they lacked in number they made up for with lots of enthusiastic applause. Then there was a really good sized crowd for the Gaylord Chapter show Saturday that evening.

The chapter show was fantastic! The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place winners got to sing 1 or 2 songs each. Then there was the Harmony Meisters Chorus with Director Marlyn Byrd. Quartet champs chorus the Motor City Metro Chorus sang with members from Singing With Dad, Chordiology, and Moxxy. Gaylord Chapter quartet Northern A-Chord which included Bush League Chairman and MC Erv Erickson. There was 2008 Bush League Champs Singing With Dad with Matt Tipton and Paul Ellinger as alternating stand-ins, 2007 Pioneer District Champs Chordiology with Matt Tipton as a stand-in, and a big finale with every barbershopper getting up on stage. Singing With Dad presented Small Town Sound with the Bush League Trophy and pinned medals. Meta-4 and Singular were also presented with pinned medals on stage.

I was singing lead for Vocal Artisans of Grand Rapids and this was my first quartet competition ever. Bush League was a fantastic experience! I was disappointed with my own performance. But the coaching by the judges and by Chordiology were both inspiring and reassuring, giving me many useful things to work on while allaying some of my fears. Judges were Administrator Ron Eubank PIO, Music Judge Al Fisk PIO, Presentation Judge Roger Lewis PIO, and Singing Judge Ken Fisher ONT. Between their input and watching the video recorded by the Gaylord Harmony Meisters I got a new perspective on my quartet and learned that there were a few small changes that would provide big improvements and even help with my little glitches brought on by nerves.

Now that I had a game plan on how to improve the disappointment eased. But at the Afterglow ALL that disappointment disappeared while getting to listen to, sing for, and sing with the same guys we were competing against. I was running around taking photos but the guys made a point to occasionally grab me and pull me into a circle and make sure I was singing too. What amazing camaraderie, I love these guys... but we're still going to try and kick their butts in the Fall District competition:)

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

More photos available at pioneerdistrict.org/troubadour/online/2009/08/bushleague/

Singing Valentine Photos

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 10:52:17 -0400

February 12-14th 2009. Grand River Serenade quartet photos are on album pages 1 and 2, all other quartets like Wildcard, Barbershop Style, Odle Quartet, and Vocal Artisans are on pages 2 and 3.

To download your photos look for yours in the album, be sure to check all pages in the album, left click on yours for larger version, right click larger photo and to save select "Save As", select a folder to save to (ex. Desktop) or just to print select Print.

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

Fall District 2008

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 10:51:01 -0400

October 17th-19th 2008 Pioneer District Convention and competition for International Chorus and Senior Quartet Representatives and 2008 District Quartet Championship at the McCamly Plaza Hotel and the WK Kellogg Auditorium Battle Creek MI.

Great Lakes Chorus of Grand Rapids directed by Curt Struyk scored 766 taking 5th of 14 competing district choruses. We were surprised we hadn't scored higher what with Curt's wonderful direction and the fantastic choaching session we had at Camp Geneva by the quartet Chordiology. We of course continue to strive to improve but we felt really good about the performance and while on stage heard really positve laughs and applause from the audience.

MountainTown Singers of Mount Pleasant Chapter County directed by David Gillingham won as 2008 Pioneer District International Chorus Representatives and Plateau 1 Champion scoring 906

Photos of the GLC on stage by Lynn Weaver.

Competing for the 2008 District Quartet Championship was Grand Rapids quartet Showtime scoring 1553 and Grand Rapids quartet Shades Of Grey scoring 1474.

Something Big!! of Lansing, Mt Pleasant, and Motor City Metro won as 2008 Pioneer District Quartet Champions with score totals from Prelim and Finals of 1646.

Showtime also competed for the District International Senior's Reps (wild card drawn for Midwinter Convention competing for Sr Int) scoring 784.

Resisting-A-Rest of Grosse Pointe, Hillsdale, Mt. Pleasant, and Lansing won as 2008 Pioneer District International Senior Representatives scoring 899

*A couple weeks after this competition there was this announcement by Director Contest & Judging Ron Eubank, �Please join me in congratulating the members of Showtime! They have been invited to compete in the International Seniors Quartet Competition at our upcoming midwinter convention. Jim Johnson, Tom Weidner, Wayne Hodgson and Allan Smith will be traveling to Pasadena, CA, to compete against 24 other senior quartets at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on Friday, January 30, 2009.�

Showtime was selected by Barbershop Harmony Society wild card process to also be competing in Pasadena detailed in this notice to Showtime by BHS Music Administrative Assistant Becca Box, �Congratulations! Based on your score, you are eligible to compete as a �wild card� quartet at the International Seniors Quartet Competition. Each of our 16 districts have chosen their representative and the next nine quartets with the highest score are being invited to complete our slate of 25 quartets.�

Grand Rapids quartet and 2008 Pioneer District International Representatives Wildcard also performed on stage to raise donations for the QCA.

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

Christmas Show

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 10:41:52 -0400

December 13th, 2008, the 12th annual Grand Rapids Barbershop Chapter Great Lakes Chorus Christmas Show direct by Curt Struyk at the Forest Hills Presbyterian Church who also graciously provide us with our weekly rehearsal hall.

The Show featured performances by Grand Rapids quartets Grand River Serenade, Barbershop Style, Harmony Transfer, the new quartet the Fountain Street Four and 2008 District International Quartet Representatives Wildcard. Also performing were beautiful choral arrangements sung by the 30 men and women's member chorus Jenison High School ChamberSingers directed by Les Rowsey.

I was unable to sing this year's Christmas Show but I got the pleasure of listening to the chorus sing for the first time. It's a lot different from being on the risers and although I really enjoyed the show I was really itching to be up there on stage with them (or sanctuary chancel). It goes so fast I wish I could take notes but I'm so busy taking pictures it makes it tough. What stuck out were fine performances by Barbershop Style with that funny bit with sunglasses and Grand River Serenade. Grand River Serenade even got to sing again in act 2. Harmony Transfer had some touching and some funny songs, plus a joke with a pair of women's nylons that got big laughs. Fountain Street Four, a brand new quartet of young men one of whom is a member of our chorus did a wonderful job! Wildcard got a standing ovation with beautiful sacred songs. My only regret is not standing to encourage an ovation for the Jenison High School ChamberSingers who were absolutely fantastic! And then of course the Great Lakes Chorus who have a really warm sound and persona, plus they had a few choreography jokes that were hits. I wish I could hear the chorus sing again at the next gig in spring but I'll be too busy having fun singing with them!

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

Singing Valentines

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 10:39:20 -0400

Quartet Barbershop Style photos on album pages 1 and 2, all other quartets like Wildcard and Grand River Serenade are on page 2. To download your photos look for yours in the album, be sure to check both album pages, left click on yours for larger version, right click larger photo and to save select "Save As", select a folder to save to (ex. Desktop) or just to print select Print.

I had a great time shooting for the quartet Barbershop Style. I got the day off from work and we met at a Big Boy restaurant at 8am for breakfast. I got a video clip of the guys singing to our waitress that I later put on our GreatLakesChorus.org website and on Barbershop Style's page GreatLakesChorus.org/bstyle.html using YouTube.com. Besides doing homes and businesses they also performed at 2 different church luncheons, one was a large audience where they were well received performing for over 30 minutes. My favorite stop was at an assisted living home's filled dining hall. A gift from her daughters the elderly mother broke down in tears before the guys even started singing and was then surrounded by her daughters and granddaughters weeping and smiling as Barbershop Style serenaded them all. I did get to 'sit in' for their lead and sing one Valentine for my Grandpa. It was dinner time at his assisted living home and we hid around the corner waiting for the evening benediction to conclude. Then we strode in to the dining hall and sang to a 'full house'. He was glad to be the talk of the evening among all the ladies.

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

HS Barbershop Competition & Salute To Mothers

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 10:35:36 -0400

The Great Lakes Chorus held the 2nd Annual Grand Rapids Area High School Barbershop Competition at the Grand Rapids Christian High School's Devos Center of Arts and Worship auditorium on Saturday afternoon May 10th, 2008. The winning quartet was City High School, four gentlemen dressed all in black each with a different color necktie (Director Darla Jewel). Taking first in the small chorus (5-10) category was the Hastings High School group directed by Pat LaJoye, all freshmen ladies in their green t-shirts saying "The Fabulous Freshmen".

The large chorus category was won by Ionia High School directed by Rose Scheller, all gentlemen singers in white dress shirts, black pants and ties.

Performing between groups were Grand Rapids professional quartets the men's Grand River Serenade, Barbershop Style, new collegiate quartet Post-ed Notes, and the women's Joy Ride Inc.

Judges were GLC members Director Dr. Curt Struyk and District Judge Mike O'Donnell.

Publicity Chairman Orson Coe spearheaded organizing the competition with assistance from Youth & Harmony VP Ralph Mueller.

Several members of the GLC also helped as chaperones back stage. Al Smith noted how impressed he was by these young performers doing so well singing in a new venue and in the barbershop style that they only had a short time to prepare. Doug Weaver enjoyed seeing the kids all excited to be at the competition and having lots fun. Jeff Chesnut had a similar impression saying the students were very enthusiastic, that he could see all the hard work that they had committed, and that it made the audience smile to see the winners so elated. GLC chorus choreographer John Trestrail even gave tips on stage presence to the teenagers.

The winning groups were invited to perform that evening in the 65th Annual Great Lakes Invitational A Salute To Mothers by the Grand Rapids Barbershop Chapter Great Lakes Chorus. City High School quartet and the Ionia High School group were able to sing in the show. The students were a big hit, there young faces beaming as they sang to the large audience on the day before Mother's Day. All the professional men's quartets also performed as well as guest comedy quartet Hot Air Buffoons, also area quartet Harmony Transfer, the Grand Rapids Chapter quartets Shades of Grey and 2008 Pioneer District International Quartet Representatives Wildcard.

The hosting of the High School Competition by the Great Lakes Chorus and inclusion of High School groups in GLC shows has been inspiring to the chorus members. The Chapter is committed to the encouragement of barbershop singing in the Grand Rapids area.

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

For highspeed internet users the Slideshow function link in the upper right corner of the album is recommended.

2008 District Spring Convention

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 10:34:36 -0400

At Battle Creek Michigan's newly renovated W.K. Kellogg Auditorium Saturday morning and noon April 26th 11 choruses competed for District Chorus Champion. Our Great Lakes Chorus of Grand Rapids directed by Curt Struyk took 2nd place scoring 795 points. No photos of us on stage because I was too busy singing:) Guardians of Harmony of Macomb County won Pioneer District Chorus Champion scoring 887. In the evening was the quartet finals.

These are the Finals photos, more pictures in the next album from quartet preliminaries.

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

For highspeed internet users the Slideshow function link in the upper right corner of the album is recommended.

Fall District Quartet Competition

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 10:30:00 -0400

October 26-28, 2007 Pioneer District Fall Competition at Kalamazoo's Radison Plaza. There were 4 Grand Rapids area quartets including Harmony Transfer, Showtime, Barbershop Style, and Grand River Serenade. Harmony Transfer made Finals with 4th Place scoring 1577 as well as Showtime with 8th Place scoring 1524. District Quartet Champs was Chordiology winning with 1631 points. We had a great hospitality room and gobs of food and quartets visiting, a great time! There are 2 pages of photos so be sure to check out both.

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

For highspeed internet users the Slideshow function link in the upper right corner of the album is recommended.