Golden Memories Page 127

Golden Memories SWD Chapters

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK.
OK Chorale
by Tom Rush?

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Oklahoma City Chorus, 1961

The Oklahoma City chapter was chartered in 1938 as the third chapter in the brand new SPEBSQSA organization. The very ilrst claim to fame of the chapter was to have one of its quartets crowned the Gold Medalist in 1940. They were the FLAT FOOT FOUR. Yep! Four Oklahoma City police men. They were: Johnny Whalen, Britt Stegall, Red Elliott, Sam Barnes.
Over the years, the chapter met in several locations. These were: the Biltmore Hotel, the Sheridan Hotel, the Huckins Hotel, the YWCA, a Holiday Inn, a Red Carpet Inn, the Skirvin Hotel, the Linwood Methodist Church, and now in the Overholser Elementary School in Bethany.
The first chorus to sing in the chapter was called the SINGING SOONERS (my, my!). In 1982, they took on the name and the look of the OK
CHORALE.
Three of our quartets besides the FLAT FOOT FOUR have competed at International. THE BLENDERS went in 1953, THE OK 4 went in 1971 through 1975. They made the top ten the last four of those years. THE ROCKERFELLERS (Tulsa & OK City) went to International in 1988 mal:ng the top 20 and again competed in 1990.
In addition to these Southwestern District

champs, THE REJECTS also reached that height in
1967. Also, the chorus has represented the district
six times at International, in 1986, 1987, 1989,
1990, 1992, and 1993.
THE OK 4, a highly regarded comedy quartet throughout the Society, also toured with the USO.
Oklahoma City chapter annual shows started in 1945, and have run continuously since. This is among the longest consecutive strings of annual shows in the Society. Shows through the 1960's were of the quartet parade variety. They featured most of the International Champions of those years. In the '70s, chorus theme shows became the norm. Also, in the '70s, the chorus sang for the first of many times with the Oklahoma City Symphony.
With the renewed OK CHORALE theme and costuming of the chorus, western theme shows were frequent features of the annual shows. Various western costume variations, and a rompin' -stompin' front row have been the signature, and the delight of audiences ever since.
Notable individual members from the Oklahoma City chapter include: SOUTHWESTERN DISTRICT HALL OF FAME:
Jim Massey, Bill Thornton, Jack Bagby

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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