Dear Barbershopper:
By now, you are probably aware that the "Barbershop Harmony Society" is about to undergo some significant changes.
The governance has been reluctant to give details, except that it is no longer being called SPEBSQSA, and that we will soon have a new logo. There have been some vague references regarding "expanding our musical horizons," and seeing ourselves through "new eyes." We have been told that we need to forge alliances with "other musical organizations."
When translated, this means that the Society is going to change the "Constitution" of the Society and seek to sign up any and all singers they can, whether they sing barbershop or not. This, of course, will ultimately sound the death knell for the music we were chartered to preserve.
The reason for all this is that the Society continues to lose members, no matter what has been tried. The concentration of power of those in charge will evaporate with the continuing decline in membership. Hence, the scramble to save their influence (and jobs) at any cost.
The problem with all this is that the leaders have tried everything except the formula that made us so successful in the first place.
In the 1960's the leaders of that era got the bright idea that if we were to hire some professional musicians to help us gain some sophistication in the way we sing, some benefits may accrue to the members, as well as the leaders themselves. A great "Membership Benefit Program" was sold as the only way for us to move ahead. This all involved a large staffing up to get the program under way. In their infinite wisdom, the leaders asked the membership to approve this grand idea. It happened, and the membership responded, chapter by chapter, and district by district. The response was unanimous....a total REJECTION of the idea!
The leaders then responded by incrementally putting the program in place, until we had over 50 employees doing the work that had been formerly performed by about a dozen people. So much for democracy.
With it came all the programs that ulimately resulted in the disastrous loss of membership.
We first reprogrammed all our singers to techniques employed by classic choral groups. It was the first great example of "shoehorning" other musical styles into barbershop. None of the great quartets that dominated barbershop during the salad days of the Society used these techniques. That is the reason they all developed their own unique sounds and singing styles...and were so great.
To require the quartets to conform to their nostrums, the newly hired music teachers changed the judging system. If foursomes desired to win contests, they had do as the experts instructed.
After the mid 1960's, the quartets all began to sound very much the same, and the popular appeal of the old barbershop sound went out the window.
The great halls of the big cities that once were filled with SRO audiences had to be abandoned for half-filled high school auditoriums. Regular patrons complained that it "just doesn't sound like barbershop anymore."
The great late Val Hicks addressed this subject in the September 1974 issue of the Harmonizer in an article entitled "The Dangers of Sophistication." It spelled out in bold relief what was going wrong with us, and in time predicted what would cause the Society's fortunes to go south.
The emphasis also was shifted from quartets to choruses in the early reign of the elitists, and they began to promote a competition mania.
HEP schools and the Harmony College sprung up as an adjunct to the intensified competition programs. In order to be successful, all choruses and quartets must avail themselves of these programs....as well as using the works of "qualified" arrangers and coaches.....all requiring financial contributions. It is now a very good idea to go along, as these coaches and arrangers just happen, in many cases, to also be the judges. Some may even consider these practices as a scam...but it has been gotten away with for years. "Let's harmonize" morphed into "Go for the gold"...and let us show you how.
This is why a chapter meeting has become a chorus rehearsal. The great Deac Martin, the Society's early historian, once described a chapter meeting as a "Safe haven from the cares of the day." Three hours of chorus practice has driven tens of thousands from our ranks, but the leaders refuse to accept it.
It is time to look at an alternative to all this. If you wish to keep real barbershop alive, here's what you can do.
1. Show up in Boulder City, Nevada, (dates to be announced) to be a part of the formation of the "Barbershop Quartet Preservation Society."
This organization will operate along the lines of the pre-1960 SPEBSQSA, the model for success.
2. We are specifically looking for men who have had either chapter and/or district experience to attend, as well as those who aspire to learn the 5 category judging system (Harmony Accuracy, Balance and Blend, Arrangement, Voice Expression, and Stage Presence). Each worth 20% and the best method proven over 35 years of use by SPEBSQSA. We also need men with writing and computer skills.
3. Everyone else is cordially invited who is interested in having a jolly good time and singing around the clock until the "tenors drop in their tracks." Young guys be there...find out what you have been missing!
4. We are totally aware that the success of this endeavor depends on attracting the hearts and minds of the young people. There will be many old timers who will fall into this easily, but the kids have never known an experience such as this. Think of the fun we all had as members in the earlier SPEBSQSA. Fun is fun, and that's what this organization will be all about. It won't take long for this to appeal to the younger set. The old songs will become hip!
5. We will promote the OLD SONGS. These songs were written for barbershop harmony, and literally thousands of them remain undiscovered. Listen to Jack Baird's library on the internet. Scratchy old recordings for sure, but a treasure of music made for us. There is an endless supply of wonderful quartet music just waiting to be arranged and sung.
6. We envision districts and chapters set up as we know today, and we are suggesting a preliminary district quartet contest in the late spring, and an International Convention Contest in early June...to be held each year in Las Vegas!
This will stop your wives' reluctance to attending and will offer reasonable hotel rates and air fares.
7. We definitely do not discourage chapter choruses. Almost all successful chapters have demonstrated that survival depends on having one. We will, however, not offer chorus competition. The choruses will be encouraged to learn at least 15 new (old )songs a year, and do it all in 90 minutes per meeting, and save the balance for woodshedding and quartets. Chapter visitations, where practical, are also encouraged. Any excuse for a fun get-together! Think of all the old songs we will be able to woodshed after the chorus director teaches them. It really works. Polecat books can be discarded.
8. This organization will operate with a minimum of staff and expense. We will only have enough to administer the basic interests of the members and no more. We will take the money motive out of barbershopping. Our code of ethics will be what you are familiar with, but ours will be enforced!
9. So, if you wish to be in on the ground floor of an organization that will keep barbershop alive for generations to come and will exist for the total pleasure of our members, get on a train, plane, or mule and show up to help put it all together. If you have reservations about leaving the "Barbershop Harmony Society".....don't. We accept dual members. The new name for the Society will, more than likely, be replaced by another in the near future.
Any and all comments are welcome. I will endeavor to answer all constructive ones.
KEEP AMERICA SINGING
Tom Neal
Boulder City,Nevada
P.S.Please read at chapter meetings, and forward to anyone you believe may be interested.
We Get Email about the November Issue
What a beautiful bulletin! Congratulations to all.
Peter Feeney
President
Far Western District
Barbershop Harmony Society
It's a beautiful and thoroughly professional issue of the Squeezin's. Thank you, thank you.
Stan T
Nicely done; great blend of news, color and whimsy.
Dick Girvin
Great issue, m'lady; thank you, once again!
I especially enjoyed the pirated lines off the 'net, as well as all the
news & goings on with the boys back home!
Thanks, again!
[One of the quotes was real familiar! My old youth pastor, from way back
when, had a plaque on his wall, behind his desk. He always said he
didn't want to see it, but he wanted to be sure that *we* always saw it,
first thing in the door! It read: "Blessed is he who aims at nothing...
for he shall not miss!"]
Bill Shoemaker
Scarfed Off The Internet: Holiday Tips
1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.
2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-aholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two.
It's later than you think. It's Christmas!
3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.
4. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.
5. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?
Next Issue:
Next Squeezins' is Jan. 7. Send items to dcacton@earthlink.net.
ORANGE SQUEEZIN'S
