C h a p t e r     H i s t o r y

Longs Peak Chorus is the singing organization of the Longmont Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. Formerly the "Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of BarberShop Quartet Singing in America", the largest singing organization in the world with more than 30,000 congenial men who love to sing four part harmony in the barbershop style. The Longmont Chapter was chartered in 1948.

The ability to ensure the quality of our performances, comes from within the Society. Each year, "The Rocky Mountain District" holds Fall and Spring conventions, where choruses and quartets compete.  Society certified judges score there performance on criteria of vocal quality, music selection, and presentation.  Longmont's "Longs Peak Chorus" secured the Plateau II - Championships in 1998 and 2000 with John Coffin directing.

The Chorus rehearses weekly under the musical leadership of Chris Vaughn, since August of 2004 (see the directors page for his bio). In just 6 weeks, under his direction, the chorus achived the "most improved chorus" award in October of 2004... And won it again in 2005! This was the first time the award went to the same chorus two years in a row in the Rocky Mountain District. At the same time our standing improved from 5th to 4th place of 38 choruses in the district. After 5 years of steady improvement, he led the chorus to its highest score in their 60 year existence and won the Plateau II (41 to 75 members) Championship in 2009. It was also 2nd place overall. The first place chorus (Sound of the Rockies) had 99 men on stage to our 55.

The Chorus prepares for an annual Spring show (usually in May), as well as other private and civic performances. A highlight of the year for these men in their hobby, has to be the December caroling at senior residences and nursing homes. Annually, over 15 locations receive caroling sessions between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The caroling usually replaces our weekly rehearsals. From 1992 to 2006 the chorus had Performed a Christmas concert at the "Life Bridge Church of Longmont" as the "thank you" to the community for their support of our musical hobby.
A strong winter storm in 2007 cancelled the concert. In 2008 the concert was held at the 1st United Methodist Church of Longmont. In 2009 the concert had three performances, Friday night, Sunday afternoon, and on the following Friday night the chorus went to Estes Park (YMCA of the Rockies).

Within the chorus, are several quartets that fill chapter obligations to civic and private performances in venues that would not normally accomodate the much larger chorus.  Every February since 1997, quartets of the chorus have sung to men and women in celebration of St. Valentines day.  These "Singing Valentines", are a fund raiser for the chapter for continued growth and improvements needed to support our harmonious hobby. Several of our quartets over the years have qualified as top ten finalists at both Spring and Fall District conventions.