About "Play it Again!"

Since forming in the Spring of 2003 as a "Senior" quartet, Play It Again! (PIA!)has represented the Ontario District of the Barbershop Harmony Society at International Competitions every year since, and have once again won that right for January 2008. In January 2006, in Sacramento, PIA! won a fourth-place bronze medal. Preceding this latter contest, they became the Ontario District Senior Quartet Champions for 2005, as well as placing second overall, in the Ontario District Quartet Contest.

Play It Again! performs throughout the Ottawa area for commercial and charitable organizations as well as private parties and shows, as well as shows from Western Ontario to Quebec City. They will wow your audience with their eclectic mix, ranging from novelty numbers to selections from Broadway musicals.

Proud winners

Biographies

Click on the photo above to read the biographies of the members of
Play It Again!

Contact Information:

Besides many commercial venues and shows, Play It Again! has performed at birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, and farewell gatherings. We would love to perform for your next event!

For general inquiries or booking information, please contact: Rod McGillivray at: rod@pia.ca or by telephone: (819) 778-0973.

The individual members of Play It Again!, can be reached at:
Rod McGillivray, Tenor: rod@pia.ca OR 819-778-0973
Jim Whitehead, Lead: 613-728-0988
André Carrière, Baritone: andy@pia.ca OR 613-224-1334
Bill Vermue, Bass: bill@pia.ca OR 613-826-3488

Jim Whitehead:

"For those important events in our lives, we have an indelible memory of time and place. My Barbershop “Epiphany” occurred in the music room of the Ottawa Technical High School in the summer of 1961, at a rehearsal of the Capital City Chorus. Hearing the “Buffalo Bills”, the 1950 Int’l Quartet Champions singing “Lida Rose”, the sound resonated in me, and at that moment I was musically seduced. Now, 46 years, 9 quartets, and numerous performances later, I remain in love with this wonderful art form."

Bill Vermue:

"Barbershopping has been a very big part of my life. My wife, an avid Barbershopper herself, introduced me to the art form not long after we married. Being each other's biggest fans, we have doubled our pleasure, so to speak, by being able to share this journey. Going far beyond musical training, Barbershopping has afforded me the opportunity for personal growth as few pastimes could. It has taught me leadership and personal relations skills that have served me well in my professional life."

Rod McGillivray:

"I have been hooked on singing, and especially quartet singing for the longest time. I have sung lead, baritone and tenor - I even sang bass for a while in my church choir. It seems that singing harmonies has been a part of my life for so long. I remember walking to the busstop, or walking somewhere with my brother and visiting cousins when on vacation, and always a song was close at hand. We would sing in the car when travelling. We sang popular songs by Crosby, The Mills Brothers and Old Blue Eyes to name a few, and of course the old stand-by English, Irish and Scottish folk songs taught to us by our parents. Barbershopping, when I discovered it, turned out to be a wonderful extension of my youth. To plagerize, where in the world can you contribute a mere 25% of the action, and receive 75% in return, but in a quartet."

André Carrière:

"From as far as I can remember, music has brought me a state of joy and serenity. Family sing-a-longs, with 'grand-maman', cousin Bert on the upright, and Uncle Leo on the accordion, are now distant, sweet memories.
Vocal harmony started with High School trios and quartets, singing the doo-wop hits of the 50's, accapella, as well as playing the brass horns in the school concert band.
Thanks to Jazz from the 'swing era' of the 40's, to today's jazz greats, and singing barbershop harmony with three great friends, and our big family called the Capital City Chorus, I will continue to live and enjoy this love of music and friendship, till Gabriel decides to lead the parade.
How sweet the sound of music!"