Golden Memories SWD Chapters
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GREATER NEW ORLEANS,
LA.
Mardi Gras Chorus by Herman "Doc" Cohen |
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The Mardi Gras Chorus
| The Greater New Orleans Chapter, and its Mardi Gras Chorus,
is in the Southwestern District's most southeastern corner. We're actually
closer to several Dixie District chapters than to most of our Texas and
other westerly located ones. An embryo group was started in 1948, reorganized
in 1954 as the Crescent City Chapter, and chartered in 1955.
With several years of barbershopping and steady growth, a number of members residing across the wide Mississippi river decided to split and form the Riverside Chapter. More years passed, and members in the outlying areas of Metairie and Kenner began an Airline Chapter, adding to the friendly rivalry that already existed. Mter several years of friendly competition, the feeling grew that one large chapter might best compete against the large groups in cities such as Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. After long deliberations and consultations with the International offices, an amalgamation of the three chapters into the Greater New Orleans Chapter, and the Mardi Gias Chorus took place. As proof of the strength in numbers philosophy, the following year, our chapter's best district chorus contest showing occurred when we placed a close second to the Vocal Majority. Several members of the defunct Slidell Chapter have now joined our group. We hosted very successful International conventions in 1971 and 1992. (Did anyone not have fun in "The Big Easy"?) The chapter boasts (since 1955) of having annual shows that are among the best in the society, and of their great after-glows and other parties. Over the years the chapter has had as its |
directors: Kelly Rand, Saul Schneider, Connie Keil,
Danny WIlipple, Mike Ashland, and presenfly, Ken Gabrielse. Several quartets
of more than short duration were: The Noacs, The Butchers of Harmony, Delta
Flats, Beachcombers, Jackson Squires, Remoulads, Wonderful Daze, Chords
'N' Airy Bypass, Basin Street Quartet, Jazzinania, and the Great Stage
Robbery. Some of these quartets have been District champs, and three have
finished in the top ten quartets at International.
The chapter also has an eminent song-writeri arranger in Emar Pederson. Three International judges are members: Charlie Hill (Administrator), Saul Schneider (Presentation), and Herman "Doe" Cohen (Emeritus Judge in Stage Presence). Our chapter newsletter, "The Doubloon" appears monthly. Besides our sing outs throughout the years, our chorus and quartets opened the World's Fair in New Orleans, appeared with the New Orleans symphony, and at the famous Jazzfest. The chorus sang before a crowd of 84,000 at the Sugar Bowl, and was heard by mfflions of television viewers as they sang the National Anthem before the start of a Superbowl game. We now meet at 7:30p.m., every Tuesday night, at Delgado Community College, in the third floor music room. We welcome all barbershoppers and visitors. The chapter's biggest problem has been recruiting; primarily because of competition with the great diversity of activity (sports, recreation, jazz, etc.) in the New Orleans area. Our chapter is dedicated to encouraging and preserving our |
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Contents |
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How It All Began Chapters Chapter Histories International Quartet Champions ChorusesAdministration
Contests and Conventions Registered Quartets Publications Recognitions In Conclusion