| Golden Memories |
|
Chapters |
| .result of an idea by Ray Anthony and supported by the ESQUIRES
quartet. Only those with known singing ability were invited to the meeting
so as to avoid many of the choral difficulties associated with open membership
chapters. Those invited included three from each voice part. Attending
were: Ray Anthony, Ray Belknap, John Burrows, Bob Crockett, Chester Lee,
John Lemmer, Al Moore, Vernon Neice, Ed Rogers, Grady Stebbins, Ralph Young,
and Milt Zaiontz. This meeting resulted in a new chorus called the CHORDSMEN,
with Vernon Neice selected to spearhead the organization. Ray Anthony was
selected as director, more for his "feel" for barbershop harmony and infectious
enthusiasm than for his musical training, of which he had none. The records
do not reflect who proposed the name
CHORDSMEN. The signature characteristic of the new group organization was the policy of accepting new members only in groups of four, one for each harmony part, and with demonstrated singing ability. This policy continued until at least twenty four members had been attained and then was relaxed to allow entry of individual singers. Early in 1955, after the membership had risen to twenty singers, application for affiliation with SPEBSQSA, Inc. was submitted. At that time, eligibility for charter required twenty one or more members, so a friend of the Chordsmen allowed his name to be used for the 21st member. On April 12, 1955, the CHORDSMEN OF ALAMO HEIGHTS CHAPTER was duly accepted and granted a charter. This acceptance was not without controversy locally or nationally, however, because the membership requirements of the new chapter were not universally believed to be in the best interests of the Society. It is an argument that |
continues today. The Chordsmen slighily relaxed their
entrance requirements two years later.
The Chordsmen chorus presented their first chapter show on September 17, 1955, the FESSIVAL OF HARMONY, featuring four out-of-town quartets. This raised funds for the trip to the Southwestern District contest hosted by El Paso in November 1955. Twenty five men made the trip to El Paso on a chartered bus to sing in their first contest. Their uniform was a white satin blouse, red cummerbund, and black tux pants. When the last chord of "When You're A Long, Long Way From Home" ended, they knew they had sung their best. The judges awarded them 2nd place (behind El Paso Border Chorders), a quite respectable showing for a chorus of such tender age, and left them with determination to be the best in their next contest. Barbershop activity in the Chordsmen was on a roll. Five quartets were active in the next year: GLOWTONES (Charlie Ward, Frank Bloebaum, Sim Mistrot, and Mike McCord), ESQUIRES (Milt Zaiontz, Ray Anthony, Chester Lee, and Ray Belknap), ALAMO AIRES (Ben Bailey, Virgil Bohac, Chester Lee, and Keith Warren), SUNDOWNERS (Bffi Briggs, Roland Dubell, Ed Massey, and Arlen Williams), and AZTEC CERAMICS (They cooked their chords to a white-hot glazed finish, but their personnel are lost to history!). It was during this period that a long association with the Pearl Brewing Company began. HARMONY IN REVIEW was presented on the charter night anniversary show at the Pearl Corral, a small auditorium on the brewery grounds. A BOYSVILLE BENEFIT SHOW was presented before a large crowd at the Municipal Auditorium with Ed Sullivan (Yes, THE Ed Sullivan!) as Emcee. The new chapter was prospering. |
Alamo Heights Chordsmen with Ed Sullivan, 1956
- Ray Anthony, Director
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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