| Golden Memories |
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Chapters |
| .Plans were made to go to the next District contest in Houston.
Director Ray Anthony was unable to make the event, so Ralph Ewing, a professional
voice teacher, was secured for coaching and directing the Chordsmen in
their second contest.
On November 3, 1956, with thirty four voices on stage competing against eight other choruses, the Chordsmen were acclaimed District Champions. Additionally, four of the chapter quartets competed. It says a lot about the enthusiasm and pride of the two-year-old Chordsmen chapter that about half (16 of 34) of the chorus was competing in the quartet contest! With the District Championship Cup came the task of raising funds to go to the International to be held in Los Angeles. The Chordsmen put on nine shows including the now traditional annual show. The wives, very much a spirited part of the Chordsmen, held bake sales and raffled off a handmade Christmas tablecloth. By train, plane, bus, and automobile, thirty two singers made it to Los Angeles to compete for the first time as one of eleven of the nation's best choruses. The Chordsmen took seventh place and felt good about it. Berkeley, CA won the title that year. During evaluation, one member, Cecil McKee, said "You can't blame me for any singing errors. I was too scared to make a sound." The quartets were doing well, too. The ESQUIRES, with Frank Bloebaum on bari, won the Southwestern District quartet championship in 1957. A new quartet emerged, the TEXAS CAVALIERS, with Charlie Ward (T), Dick Loebakka (L), Jimmy Gause (B), and Mike McCord (Bs). This quartet qualified for International their first try in 1958, and went on to win the Southwestern District quartet championship at Abilene that same year. This marked the first time that the trophy was won in succession by two quartets from the same chapter, 50 we saw the ESQUIRES crown the TEXAS CAVALIERS. To top that off, the ESQUIRES were semi-finalists at International that year and the 46 singers of the Chordsmen won the Southwestern District Chorus competition as well, a first-place sweep for the Alamo Heights Chapter at District. The Chordsmen went into training in more ways than one in getting ready for the 1959 International, for they traveled by train to Chicago for the big event. With a music staff now consisting of Frank Bloebaum (arranging), Mike Mc Cord (barbershop craft), and Ray Anthony (directing), they were rapidly maturing into the excellent singing organization envisioned by the founders. They nailed down second place, just 15 points behind the Pekin, Illinois, chorus. The TEXAS CAVALIERS finished in 18th place. All in all, a very successful outing for the young chapter, full of promise for the future. |
The Chordsmen went right back to work to defend their
district title, which they did successfully. They won their third consecutive
district contest in 1959 by edging out the great El Paso Border Chorders
once more, setting the stage for their third run at the big title in 1960.
Since the old San Antonio Chapter had folded by this time, the name of
Alamo Heights was dropped in favor of a new name, the SAN ANTONIO CHORDSMEN.
1960 was to be a great year for the Chordsmen. It was an active year for the chapter with eleven local performances, four out-of-town package shows, a TV special, a movie premiere of "The Alamo", and a new Southwestern District quartet champion, the PLAYBOYS, with Franklin Spears (T) Ben Binford (L), Dale Deiser (B), and Scott Mullin (Bs). Another group arrived on the scene destined to become one of the most popular quartet comedy acts in the Society - The FREELOADERS - Jim Grim (T), Chuck Remling (L), Chester Lee (B), and Ben Bailey (Bs) (replaced early on by John Bowden). To put the icing on the cake for 1960, the Chordsmen claimed the International chorus championship at Dallas, beating out the Berkley, CA chorus, the '57 Champs, who came in second. The PLAYBOYS qualified at the 1961 International prelims and went on to Philadelphia to take 23rd place at International. Continuing the tradition, another great quartet from the Chordsmen chapter placed second that year at District, their first time out (1961) - The CHECKMARKS, with Charlie Ward (T), Ray Anthony (L), John McCord (B), and Mike McCord (Bs). Along with all the singing activities, the Chordsmen had a very active social calendar with eight interchapter social events. About this time, they were selected to be the host chapter for the 1962 Southwestern District International prelims and the 1964 International Convention and Contest. During this period the chapter was one of the most active, involved, and well-rounded chapters in the entire Society. As an example of this, the year following their International title, the Chordsmen had fourteen local performances and three major social events. They added new uniforms (gray flannel trousers, red coats, white shirts, black ties and shoes). They developed a mailing list of patrons to be used for the annual show. Cotton and Gertrude Jaroszewski started a tradition by having a lavish Christmas party for all members and guests, the first of many such events. Further, after each Monday night meeting, most of the chorus members retired from the Gunter Hotel to L. D. Hipp's Bubble Room for more singing, fellowship, and woodshedding. The 1962 Southwestern District International prelims came off without a hitch. That fall, the |
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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