Golden Memories Page 111

Golden Memories SWD Chapters

HOUSTON, TX
Tidelanders
by Brent Hairston

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Houston Chorus, 1956 - Dick Crockett, Director

The Houston Tidelanders have a rich and proud history that began in 1946. In October of that year (this seems to be the most reliable date) W.H. Anderson, Waiter Jenkins, and others interested in forming a chapter, planned an organizational meeting. At that first meeting, as many as 200 joined the society and the Houston chapter of SPEBSOSA was off with a bang.
Here is one account of that first night by W.M. Anderson (president 1946-1947)
"To have some part in the creation of music, as well as to listen to it, is a stimulating experience. The rare pleasure which comes with the completion of a beautifit Ifour part harmony chord is a sensation comparable to no other experience. One must be a participant to understand this peculiar type of ecstasy. Singing in a good barbershop quartet, or chorus, will produce this spine-tingling thrill
O.C. Cash, a genial gentleman of Tulsa, Oklahoma, recognized the need for a society where men from all walks of hje could meet in 'peaceable assembly for the enjoyment of the last remaining vestige of human liberty' and organized the Society... in 1938. Having been a member of that organization from the early days of its inception, I became thoroughly interested in the movement

In March of 1946, the company for which I work, chose to transfer me from Tulsa to Houston. It, naturally, was a big disappointment not to find a chapter of SPEBSQSA here. Atudous to bring to a new group of men the benejtts of good fellowship and broader acquaintance, a movement was started to organize a chapter in Houston.
During the exchange of correspondence with Carroll P Adams, International secretary of SPEBSQSA, I learned that Walter Jenkins, official song leader for Rotary International at their conventions, and Director of music for the Iiiirst Methodist Church of Houston, might be influential in helping to start a chaptei: ft took three conferences with Mr. Jenkins to sell him on the idea and when he said, "1 believe we can do it, things started to happen fasL
A preliminary meeting was held in his office, the latter part ofSeptembei; 1946. There were about 25 in attendance, and the idea went over so well that it was decided to call an organizational meeting on October 7, 1946. It was at this preliminary meeting that the "Rangers" quartet (Kline, Deaton, Boggs, and yours truly) met for the first time and became the chapter's first quartet Arrangements were made to hold the

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Table of
Contents

Sections:
How It All Began Chapters Chapter Histories International Quartet Champions Choruses Administration
Contests and Conventions Registered Quartets Publications Recognitions In Conclusion