For the third year, I had the privilege of attending the Columbus Buckeye Chapter's Harmony Camp. As in the past, it was held on the Ohio State Campus the third week in August (Tuesday to Friday). This is the same week that this aggressive chapter holds it's much respected "Buckeye Invitational." It also serves as the highlight of the camper's week as they are a featured act on the big Friday night Invitational Show that attracts an audience of 2500.

The camp attracts high school attendees from many states outside of Ohio. This year, I believe, there were teens from nine states from as far away as Arizona and Minnesota. A goodly number (both male and female) were' sponsored (and paid for) by barbershop chapters. The "head count" this year was 300 with gals outnumbering the guys, 180 to 120. The staff, numbering about 50, was about equally divided between Staff (administrative and faculty) and Counselors (both senior and junior). We were all housed in the OSU student dorms (separated by gender, in separate buildings).

The days were mostly made up of rehearsals. Some were for the full group, but most were divided into girls and boys choruses. Each chorus learned three songs and both groups learned a common fourth song that would be used as a "closer." Morning, afternoon and evening rehearsals were held and most students were "off the paper" by the second day (they had received music and learning tapes in advance before coming to camp). We had breakfast at 7 AM and "lights out" at 11 PM (Yea, sure!). The training, coaching and singing were phenomenal. This year's group was considered the best sounding ever (from starting with 17 students back in 1992). Evening activities, starting at 9 PM, included talent shows, quartet contests and sing alongs. Each event was finished off with refreshments (pizza, cookies, chips, etc.).

Wednesday evening we put the show together and sang on campus for invited high school music teachers (many were invited - not many showed - their loss!). Thursday afternoon we sang outdoors at the Columbus Zoo, and tried to cool off after the performance with a picnic dinner. Friday afternoon we had a final "brush up" performance in the campus theater (again for invited high school music teachers - same results).

The Friday night concert brought down the house and the students headed back home with the knowledge and pleasure of knowing that their accomplishments were appreciated by a very discerning audience. Many of the kids were attending the camp for their third or fourth time. Most of the junior Counselors were former campers. Barbershop's future bodes well for both the camp and the campers.

Tenor Gary Corpora wins
Quartet Trophy at 2005 Apple Corps

Talk about being at the right place at the right time! Gary Corpora, Bob Parker and Jay Garber went to Apple Corps this year, but Gary walked away with the Pickup Quartet Trophy (well, at least 25% of it). Gary's name was drawn near the end of the contest, when most of the names of the other parts were already drawn. No one left but the "ringers!" Yep, baritone from the Hot Air Buffoons; lead was the director of the Buckeyes; you get the picture. Gary says that all he had to do was; 1) remember the words and music to "Sweet and Lovely," 2) sing them the way they were written, 3) follow a strong lead and 4) applaud like crazy when they asked for the applause vote. That's all it took to be the best and win the contest.

At the Saturday night show, after the encore performance of "Sweet and Lovely", the baritone announced that the quartet would not leave the stage until they got the trophy. [Guess baritones aren't a trusting lot.] No one ever saw Joe Jenkins move so fast. The trophy had originally been misplaced, but Joe managed to find it fast! The trophy will be passed around to all the members of the quartet and then returned (hopefully) to Apple Corps next year.

Says Gary, "You just can't have enough tenors, you know." [one thing about tenors... they're always humble.]