Annual Show A Success
By Tom Koch
The Greater Pittsburgh Chapter annual show, "Let There Be Music Let There Be Love," was held April 1, 2006 at Soldiers & Sailors Hall in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh. It's been years since we have used this venue and the remodeled building was an excellent choice, with parking, show auditorium and afterglow banquet hall all in one building.
I will mention that show chairman, Bob Parker did a great job bringing it all together. Kudos to everyone else who helped. I'm not going to try to list everyone who participated as I would probably forget someone and the list is long. Check out the show committee listing on page one of the show program.
Attendance was up this year over recent years. Credit must be given to our MC Bill Cardille for his many show "pitches" on his radio show on WJAS. Our finances will be helped by the members who got out there and sold program ad space. The advertiser's Index in the program lists 93 advertisers.
The action started Saturday afternoon at the hall with our final rehearsal, set-up and afterglow preparations. Check the photos on page 6.
Our show kicked off at 7 PM that evening and the MC and chorus pulled a little "April Fool" joke on the audience with our "where's the director" routine. The kazoo and wash tub bass accompaniment to our second song was also a bit of a surprise. How does Tony Sangermano manage to play that thing?
The "Just For Now" quartet with Gordon Knapp, Tony Sangermano, Joe DeFilippo and John Power stepped out of the chorus and let John solo on "Old Man River." How many times do you think you've sung that, John?
The overhead large screen video showing chapter members with their young daughters and grand-daughters was a touching addition to the chorus song, "Little Girl." Director Ron Brooks did a great job producing this DVD video presentation.
The "In Cahootz" mixed barbershop quartet with Director Ron Brooks, his wife Lynda Brooks,Tamara Callahan, and Dave Patton was a hit with the audience. There are many who feel that we will be hearing more mixed quartets in the years to come.
Next we featured the ever popular "Pittsburgh Banjo Club" under the leadership of their director, Frank Rossi. Their mixture of music and singing has pleased audiences for many years. Talk about age range! They have two young singing brothers, ages 5 and 6, who were loved by the audience, contrasted with the singing of another member in his late 90's.
In the second half of the show, our featured quartet, the "Hot Air Buffoons" with Danny Price, Harry Haflett, Mark Lang and Randy "Beef" Baughman took to the stage and delighted the audience with their combination of comedy and great singing. Their blend of ringing chords, comedy routines and costumes is hard to beat.
Following the show, approximately 300 guests joined us in the upstairs banquet hall for "Afterglow." As part of the afterglow we featured more entertainment by the Three Rivers Chorus, the Pittsburgh Banjo Club and the Hot Air Buffoons. Check the Fred Donofrio photo montage on page 7.
Going back to the beginning of the show, the Mayor of Pittsburgh, the honorable Bob O'Connor, was introduced by MC Bill Cardille, and came on stage to present Chapter President, Bob Cavanaugh with a special Proclamation honoring The Barbershop Harmony Society, Greater Pittsburgh Chapter and naming April 1, 2006 as "Barbershop Harmony Society Day" in the City of Pittsburgh. The following photo shows (not shown) chorus manager, Jay Garber and President Bob Cavanaugh holding the Proclamation at a recent meeting.
The text of the proclamation has many typical whereas's, therefore be it resolved, and witness whereof, which can be read at a chapter meeting. Ask president Cavanaugh to let you read the full text.
To highlight, the proclamation recognizes the chapter's 65 years of dedication to barbershop and the presentation of an annual show for 62 years.
Other pertinent highlights: "The members... welcome not only the musical skills of the highly skilled male singer but the lover of the casual style that sets barbershop harmony apart from others the world over. Members... have served the local VA hospitals for seventeen years, singing every Wednesday morning to special needs patients... include a group known as the "Backyard Boys" who entertain patients at the Oakland VA. Performances... include nursing homes, senior centers and community festivals... have entertained as far away as Phoenix, Arizona... encouraging the participation and involvement of men of all ages and occupations living in the Allegheny County area in the art of Barbershop Harmony."