This is a competition sanctioned by the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America, or SPEBSQSA. The competition is hosted to raise the level of competency in performance of both choruses and quartets.

The Banks of the Wabash won first place in the chorus portion of the contest. The following quartets finished as follows:

* Michigan Jake, first place

* Wabash Avenue, fourth place

* Backstage Johnny, eighth place

* Greenstreet Harmony, twelfth place

* Quorum, first place college quartet competition

All of these quartets are made up wholly or in part of members of the BOW chorus.

The SPEBSQSA is an organization that was formed in 1938 to perpetuate the art form that started in local barbershops.

It is made up of approximately 800 choruses and 2,000 quartets in the United States, and many more around the world. Its charity is the Institute of Logopedics. The name of the institute was changed in 1997 to Heartspring to reflect a change in purpose, but the basic purpose remains -- that of treatment of children with aphasia and other speech-related challenges.

Music is one of the basic methods of treatment, so members of the SPEBSQSA felt it was a good fit for them, and part of the proceeds from members' performances goes to this effort.

BOW chorus members will participate in their next contest in October, and would welcome men who would like to join them in the effort.

Call Ron Farlin at (812) 466-1566 or (812) 243-4937 for information about membership or upcoming performances.