"BACKYARD BOYS" (a VLQ) By: Jim McCarthy

Beginning this past July, the "Backyard Boys" (former ly the "Backyard Gang"), began their 5th year as Greater Pittsburgh Chapter's only Very Large Quartet (more than 4-harmonizers), singing mostly for elderly shut-in groups and disabled veteran patients in an effort to cheer them up.

It all began in July of 1998, under the encouragement and coaching of the Chapter's only "Humble Tenor", Bill Amos. Thirteen members of the Chorus decided to form a VLQ and rotate weekly two-hour rehearsals at each others homes on Wednesday nights.

In October of that year, this VLQ began to sing each week at UPMC's three Senior Care facilities in Penn Hills; Seneca Hills Village; Seneca Manor; and Seneca Place. Beginning in the Fall of 1999 the VLQ "Gang". changed their singing engagement format. Instead of singing each week exclusively at the Penn Hills Seneca facilities, they sang twice a month on Wednesday evenings, alternately at the Seneca facilities and the Oakland VA Hospital. This VLQ's singing format on those Wednesday nights consists of a warm-up from 7-7:30 p.m. and singing to the shut-ins or patients from 7:30-8:45 p.m.

The "Backyard Gang" became the "Backyard Boys" in 2002 when they were mistakenly announced to the audience as the "Backyard Boys". Being that the guys were so flattered by the "Boys" thing, they decided to adopt it.

The current roster of the "Backyard Boys" is as follows: TENORs: Bill Amos; Gary Corpora*; Skip Gillis. LEADs: Fred Dean; Rich Finch; Jim Hughes; Jim McCarthy; Tom Steimer. BARIs: Joe DeFilippo*; Ken Ernst; Bob Parker; Bob Poxon. BASSs: Don Buzzelli*; Fred Donofrio; Vaughn Eggert; John Eichmiller.

All members of the Greater Pittsburgh Chapter Three Rivers Chorus are invited and encouraged to become a member of the Chapter's only VLQ. Contact Jim McCarthy or call 412-793-3157. Come on in, Guys!

* Helps out and Sings with the "Boys" on occasion.

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