BarberShopping

In August of 1977, I was attending an Audio Visual convention in New Orleans for my (then) business, Potomac Photo Supply. One night I chanced upon a quartet singing in the lobby of the Hyatt and, liking what I heard, sat listening 'til they took a break. I know not what possessed me to shatter my longstanding role as a chronic wallflower (it's a long story but suffice to say I never did anything in front of anybody), but I approached the foursome and offered my praise for their great sound.

They asked me what part I sang….and my first reaction was to ask "What's a part?". After about a minute of intro to 4-part harmony they asked me to sing the "first half of the word love" and hold the note. I was hesitant but they blew a pitch and I did what they asked while they harmonized around my note. WOW! Did I do that? After a short course on "mouth posture" and "support" we did it again. Double WOW!! With a pat on the back they sent me home to look up SPEBSQSA.

That Quartet was "Wonderful Daze" and I credit their lead, Art Swanson, for stepping out (for two notes) and changing my life forever. Back home I found the Frederick Catoctones, joined them in September and sang on my first show in November of '77.

Photo Album [Click on a picture to see a larger version]
Wonderful Daze	Frederick Catoctones (19??)
Frederick Catoctones (19??)	Frederick Catoctones (19??)
Catoctones with new uniforms	TriCountians
TriCountians on stage	Harmonizer Gold 1 of 4
Alexandria Harmonizers in Contest

Three of the chorus members, appropriately a bass, baritone and tenor, also sang in the choir at Calvary Methodist Church in Mt Airy, MD, just a few miles from my home. Basil, the bass, and director of said choir, asked if I might be interested in both - the choir AND a quartet. Remember the wallflower bit? The idea scared the hell out of me (I could hide in the chorus but certainly not in a quartet) but was also thrilled to be asked. We got together a few times, bought matching socks and sweaters, and became The TriCountians. (Another huge crack in that personal shell.)

We stayed together for 6 or 7 years having the greatest of fun. Roger, our tenor, formed another quartet with some school colleagues, and the TriCountians folded. But about that time I was looking for more of a challenge, chorus wise, and joined the Heart of Maryland Chorus. The change from a 30 man to a 100 man chorus was indeed a revelation in sound production. They were certainly more active musically and performance but lacking in direction. After 18 months and three shows I decided it still wasn't what I was looking for and went to visit The Alexandria Harmonizers. (Here's another big WOW.) What I found was a new family, good friends and great music.

But talk about WORK! This was just after the Harmonizers returned from Salt Lake City with their first gold medal as International Chorus Champions. Getting there is one thing; staying there requires just as much hard work and practice. I had originally hoped to find myself in another quartet, but just keeping up with the repertoire was enough to keep me busy for the next few years. And the three gold medals I have earned as a member of this wonderful organization are treasured. What a thrill it is to be a part of that sound.