Greater Pittsburgh hosts multiple-chapter group sing

On May 7, 2005, Greater Pittsburgh chapter hosted a multiple chapter gathering for the express purpose of fellowship and group singing. An exact attendance was not obtained as many attendees by-passed the sign up table, but a "show of hands" head count indicates approximately 100.

Chapter attendance (estimated ) was Greater Pittsburgh (37), North Hills (15), South Hills (20), Pittsburgh Metro (18), McKeesport (8), Alle Kiski (1) and Hanover, New Hampshire (1).

Bob Rowland from the Hanover chapter gets the prize for traveling the greatest distance. Actually, he and his wife Muriel were in Pittsburgh for the Senior Olympic Games. Bob and Muriel compete in senior shuffleboard and table tennis representing the Springfield, Vermont Senior Center.

Greater Pittsburgh president, Bob Parker started the evening with an introduction of chapter presidents and directors. Presidents included Dick Boch, North Hills; George Fritsch, South Hills; Howard Scanlon, McKeesport and Leo Stefano, filling in for Metro president Rich Stephans.

Directors on stage included, Joe Veltre, Gr. Pittsburgh, Ken Williams, South Hills; George Lepsch Jr., Metro; Sid Guest, Mckeesport; and asst. director Joe KIug, North Hills.

Pittsburgh member Tom Koch then took over the event as emcee for the "on stage" activities.

Joe Veltre started things off by warming everyone up directing some "pole cats." Then Ken Williams taught everyone the "Sonny Boy" tag, which incidentally is in the last Harmonizer. Next, sheet music to Irish Lullaby was passed out and George Lepsch spent some time instructing in the chorus portion of this song.

Next, four local quartets performed with two selections each. Performing Quartets were: Note 4 Note, The Travelers, Randon Choice and Kings of Heart.

The best was yet to come. Everyone took to the stage in a combined chorus to sing several numbers under the direction of Joe KIug, Ken Williams, and Joe Veltre. The last number, of course, was keep The Whole World Singing. This combined chorus included participants from the following choruses; Three Rivers, Harmony Line, Keystone, Steel City Harmonizers, County Line, Showtime, and North Country Chordsmen.

How great it was to hear the sound of this "pick up" combined chorus. I know each director was wishing they were all his all the time

The evening wasn't over yet. The group left the stage and retired to the cafeteria for some refreshments and informal singing. Pittsburgh member Joe DeFilippo took charge at this point and organized some "pick-up" quartets and "tag" quartets. As to be expected, there was a lot of quartet singing going on in various corners of the room.

This multiple chapter gathering was the "mass sing" originally proposed by George Kosak at the "Futures" meeting (see page 5 of this bulletin) and was organized by George Kosak, Gordon Knapp, and Bob Parker Everyone enjoyed themselves so much that many present said we should do this at least on a quarterly basis. Perhaps each local chapter will take a turn as host?