It is difficult to use words to do justice to an incredible experience…

Freddie King, legendary Barbershop comedian, has just finished his outstanding show. His words about his life in Barbershop were inspiring to say the least. He is a man that has fun. At the age of 19 he had all of his teeth knocked out, setting him off on a life of "denture" comedy. He is constantly cracking people up, in airports or on busses, by slipping in his prop teeth and flashing them at an unsuspecting victim. He is a man that has FUN.

His lifestyle seems to be an example for us all as he gets (& gives) a lot of joy out of life. His comedy is second to none, and, as a former International Quartet Champion, his musical abilities are unquestioned. In his routine he uses 20 - 30 different sets of false teeth which result in the crowd rolling in the aisles. But throughout all the laughs he is a living example that music is the centre around which all the other great experiences can occur. As he describes the night he got hooked on barbershop he leaves the crowd reaching for the Kleenex.

Harmony College is a unique experience unlike any other I can recall. The sense of fellowship, which is brought about by the joy of Barbershop music, is inspiring.

Freddie’s description of that important night, back in the early 50’s, when he got hooked, for life got me thinking about where I will be 46 years from now. Will I have brought laughter and joy to some small part of the world, as he has done, and will music have been at the centre of my life.

Each morning at Harmony College we gather, 700 voices strong, and learn a new song together. The sound that is created send chills up & down your spine. The faculty talk about the healing power of Barbershop singing and it’s purity when the right chord is struck. If this is true, then Harmony College is the place to go for your annual treatment. Many in attend year after year.

The days are jam-packed and long. Each day starts around 7:45 a.m. with classes or scheduled activities often until 11:00 p.m. Each morning 700 or so singers (a few sleep in since they sang all night) make their way to the general session, where, the awesome power of our combined voices inspire us once again each day. As you drag yourself away from singing another tag on the corner at night you wonder how the day went by so quickly.

With a minimum of five classes each day there is a lot to process. However, the motivation to do so is very strong when you hear the sounds made in every corner of every building you enter. Throughout the day there is virtually nowhere you can go where you do not hear chords ringing. If you are totally alone even the buildings are providing you with a pitch that draws your mind to a song waiting to be sung.

The caliber of the faculty & guest instructors is world class. The students, themselves, are equally impressive. All around you see International Champions and medalists proudly wearing their coveted medals around their necks. By the end of the week, if you are not too timid, you will be amazed at how many of these people you have sung with. The knowledge and skills they have available hopefully rub off as you interact with them each day. They, like every one else, are just trying to improve their skills.

The bass for World Champion’s Night Life, showed up on Friday afternoon. When he walked in many of the Next Generation Kids rallied around and got him to sing with them. I listened in and was very impressed with what I saw. A young fellow singing lead went real "sour" in the song and even with one of the world’s greatest basses it was pretty horrible. The young fellow was pretty discouraged since he blew his big chance. Brett stayed with the kids and they worked on a few things and the next song they did sounded pretty good. The supportive atmosphere of the College should encourage anyone who is a little scared of quartet singing to give it a try. Despite he fact that there is World Champions every where the focus is not on star gazing, rather, everyone is treated the same. You are there to try to improve your skills and enjoy new friendships.

The quality of the music & the experience of barbershop singing with people of all abilities, from around North America and the World, was a terrific time for me and I would like to thank the chapter for their support. I have many thoughts and suggestions and would be glad to share my thoughts with any or all of you. Also, I hope to get a chance to sing a tag or a quartet with all of you before the year is done. My experience at Harmony College has taught me that the more singing we do before & after class, particularly in quartets, will be the difference in improving the sound & enjoyment we get out of singing in the chorus. Through putting the music first we will gain more than just improved sound, rather it will impact on our lives in areas we never thought of before. More to come.

Time goes whizzing by, and it is easy to lose track of people. For instance, at the time the Edmonton Chapter got its charter, four of us formed a quartet, and performed at the first ever Parade. Ed Power was the mover and shaker who got things going. He had moved from Winnipeg, had been in the chapter there, and was really keen.

I had lost track of him completely. Then, at Medicine Hat, where we attended a workshop in February 1995, Gordon Massena, one of the charter members at Edmonton, showed up. It was like - I can't describe how wonderful it was to see a fellow charter member after nearly 40 years!

On that night in the fall of 1953, when we first met to organize a chapter, Ed Power (lead) and Tommy Shandro (bass), and two others sang "Cony Island Sweetheart" to show us what Barbershopping was about. I couldn't believe that such a wonderful sound could be created by such obviously ordinary individuals; and Bruce Winterton, who had taken me to the meeting, and I, lost no time in recruiting two others and formed a quartet.

And where are they now? I don't even remember the names of the other two members of our quartet, nor the name of it! All I know is that Bruce is dead. Ed Power, the last I heard, was alive, but in poor health. And Tommy Shandro is dead. It happens.

What about our own former members? Tiny Eyre, Carl Stroh, and Fred Rodgers are not in good health. Greeting cards have been sent to each of them. We'll try to get more information about them for next time. What about Mel Friesen? Don Gardiner? Murray LaSalle? Bob Megaw? Garry Proctor? Mike Sanders? Dave Slinn? and John Stecyck? In a future Bulletin, I hope to have answers to these questions. Actually, it would be nice if those who have information would pass it on to me, so I can collate it and spread the word. Let's hope it won't take 40 years!

The only way we can keep track of our Barbershop brethren is if those who know something to get in touch with me. Now that we have a Social and Charities Chairman, and it has been agreed that "social" includes keeping on top of "where our guys" are, sending cards, etc., there is someone to report information to, a focal point: please lend a hand.

As for charities, I had hoped to get the information about how much financial support we have given to Heartspring, and to our local charity, The Regina Early Learning Centre, for this issue of Sharp Notes, but with summer being what it is, we don't have the information yet. Speaking of the Early Learning Centre, I spoke to the Director, Anne Luke, a recipient of our Harmony Award a few years ago, and she is willing to come to our next visitors' night (or some other time, if it is deemed to be better), and tell us about the exciting and vital work that she is doing. [My daughter-in-law teaches at Herchmer School, and was saying just last night that some of her Grade 1 kids don't even know how to open a book. I said, they should have attended the Early Learning Centre, but then how could they? It already has a long waiting list. However, that is exactly that sort of handicap that would have been overcome at the Early Learning Centre. For our purposes, however, the Centre fits our criteria more specifically in the work they do with the speech impaired kids, which is not the Centre's only calling, but is indeed significant]. The newer members of our Chapter have not had the uplifting experience of touring the Centre, and owing to their work, and the difficulty of getting time off, are not likely to be able to have that luxury; therefore, it is all the more important to have Anne come and tell us about it.

Keep tuned.

Ron Evans has been busy preparing music binders for each chorus member. If you have one, remember to bring it with you to practices. If you haven't received a binder (and inserts and a cover complete with our chorus name, SPEBSQSA emblem and your name) see Ron. Please ensure that you put all your music for our current repertoire (list is on the back of the binder) into your binder and bring it to every meeting.

We still have learning tapes for most of our repertoire. Purchase tape 1 and 2 for $1.50 each. If you have an 'old' tape, turn it into Ron and get a new one.

Don't forget to save Campbell labels and UPCs for Jared!

Having had the Prime Rib Buffet at the Hilton we asked if they could put it on for the Barbershop Convention. YES -- Saturday night October 18, 1997 between the Chorus competition and the Quartet finals.

WHERE? Oshkosh Convention Center (site of the ADC Show and Afterglow).

CASH BAR @ 4:00 P.M. BUFFET @ 4:30 P.M.
Crisp Garden Salad with dressings and toppings, Cole-slaw, pasta salad, Soup du Jour,  Mashed potatoes, Vegetable du jour, Assorted rolls and butter, Coffee, Tea or Milk, Peel and Eat Shrimp, Baked Chicken, Sliced (chef carved) PRIME RIB au jus

All this for $14.00 advance, tax and tip included, $16.00 at the convention
Make your checks payable to LAND O'LAKES DISTRICT and mail before Sunday October 12, 1997 to CARL A. GRAHN  N 7851 HWY. 44-49, RIPON, WI 54971
Phone calls will not be accepted, must have check.

At the registration desk you will pick up the number of tickets equal to the amount of your check divided by $14.00. Choruses and/or Quartets may make out one check.  Put your return address on the envelope, as that is what your tickets will be in.

Bass-fully,
Carl Grahn