C:\PROGRA~1\WS_FTP\GTRPGH~1\PBP903~3.HTM Quartet Beat - by Tom Koch

Well, contest is over for another year. We're busy starting to learn new music for next years show, so what better time for you to get involved in quartetting? As a new quartet, start with our new music and kill two birds with one stone (develop quartet repertoire and learn chorus music at the same time). Sure, you will need to get together outside of meeting time to practice, but so what! Better than wasting time watching the tube! Pick any four guys as a quartet and I'm sure at least one of you will have an on-line computer. Go to the SPEBSQSA web site, click on the "sing & perform" tab and you will find several sub-sections such as "Singing Skills" with many good articles about our craft and how to hone your singing skill. Also, "performance skills" with many tips about how to present yourself (quartet or chorus) to an audience. Under the "Quartetting" section you can download an Information Manual for Barbershop Quartets. Want some music of your own? Go to the "Get Music" tab and you will be able to download "Free & Easy" music which is exactly as the name implies.

After you have a little practice as a quartet and you feel you need some coaching, go to the JAD Web Site, click into the "Standing Ovation Program" section and you will find instructions on how to contact Fred Schmidt, District VP Music & Performance and arrange for a quartet evaluation.

Another valuable resource and a "must read" for any quartet or chorus member is the SPEBSQSA manual, "Successful Performance for the Quartet and Chorus."

So what's your excuse for not getting together with 3 other guys and forming a quartet? Remember, you don't have to aim for the contest stage if that is not your bag. Just sing for the chapter, small local groups or functions, or just to yourselves for the sheer fun of it. I for one firmly believe that you are not truly partaking of the barbershop experience until you sing in a quartet. Any one can stand in the midst of 50 guys and "lean on" the other guys around you singing the same part, but singing with just four guys and being solo on your selected voice part; that's where it's at!


OK, put the soap box away! What have our few quartetters been up to?

On August 16th, Random Choice (with Bob Parker' filling in for the vacationing Tom Koch) sang at the Dravosburg Centennial. August 23rd, a pickup quartet (don't know what name they used) consisting of Bill Hamilton, Tom Palamone Sr., Tom Palamone Jr., and Jack Cox (No. Hills) sang at the 100th Anniversary of Oakmont. August 27th, Random Choice sang for the Friends of Bob O'Connor & Gov. Ed Rendell, 13th Annual Riverboat Cruise.

On Sept. 4th, the Backyard Boys (Bill Amos, Jay Garber, Tom Koch and Jim McCarthy) sang on the 19th Annual Sharing & Caring Boat Trip for crippled veterans. The next day, Sept. 5th, Random Choice was singing at the annual Turtle Creek Days. On Oct. 15th, Random Choice sang throughout the new Kaufmann's department store at the Waterfront in Homestead as part of their grand opening.

At the Orpheus on Thursday night, Oct 2nd, the original "Treble Makers" (Jay Garber, Don Smith, Kenny Williams and Clete Schirra) had a reunion and entertained those present with some of their old numbers.

In an "almost" quartet action, a VLQ consisting of Bill Amos, Joe DeFilippo, Jim Hughes, Tom Koch, Jim McCarthy and Bernie Sippel (No. Hills) sang the National Anthem and God Bless America at the dedication of a monument honoring Italian American War Veterans (ITAMVETS). The monument was erected on the grounds of the Highland Drive Veterans Hospital complex. In singing, the VLQ was joined by Ron and Clyde of the Highland Drive Chorus and Adella Pokovich, Post Mistriss and volunteer extraordinaire of the vets hospital. Talk about "Shining Star" volunteers; at last count, Adella has logged over 40,000 hours of volunteer time. Also present at the ceremony was local entertainer Johnny Fontaine who sang the American Trilogy with invited audience participation.



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