| Golden Memories |
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Chapters |
| The Big D Chorus was, for many years, a regular at district
chorus contests and won the SWD championship in 1950, 1954 and 1957. They
won the Small Chorus Championship in 1988. Southwestern District quartet
champions from the Big D Chorus were Beau Jesters (1949), Dallasaires (1951),
Doo-Dads (1965), and the Stage Door Four (1970). Big D's Southwestern District
Senior Quartet Champion was Geri-Atrix (1994).
The Big D Chorus was noted for its super annual shows usually in the State Fair Music Hall, later in the Convention Center Auditorium. Always present was one highly ranked international guest quartet. Not unknown was the booking of two such groups for the same show. In the 1954 show both the Mid-States Four and Buffalo Bills were performers. Featured quartets in other years were the Schmidt Brothers, Four Hearsemen, Confederates (several times), Gentlemen's Agreement, Gaynotes, Gala Lads, Four Renegades, Friends in Harmony, Four Pitchhikers, and the Evans Quartet. The Big D chapter was always a party chapter. Hardly a weekend went by without a party. Sites were scattered but Tom Helzer's digs was always in vogue. Other sites were the Piercy's, Solomon's, Parish's, Woodall's, Mitch and Edwina Jones' place, John Edwards, a patty boat on White Rock Lake -etc. |
Big D alumni were not strangers in the upper echelons
of the Society. Joe Lewis was twice International President, ex-Big D'er
Ralph Ribble was also international president. Longtime Harmony Accuracy
judge Hank Lewis was from Big D.
The nucleus of the Garland (later Town North) chapter and the Vocal Majority were mainly Big D members: their spin off sure didn't help Big D but they were certainly great for barber shopping. Any long time Big D ex or current member will always remember: - The Dallasaires singing "When Pa Was Courtin' Ma". Clarence Geisen yodeling with the chorus backing. Chet Mayforth singing "The Night That Pattie Murphy Died" - Praffails of Mavericks Miles Middough. - Goofy outfits and antics of the Knights of Harmony. - Lobby Shows at the old Adoiphus. - Some of the strange folks from the audience who helped us stage these shows, i.e. Chill Wills. - Afterglos at the Oyster Bar on Akard. - Afterglos at the Rhinerscherof - Paul Baker and banjo with "the world is waiting for the sunrise." - Deep Basso profundo Pop Myers and his Wolf |
Dallas Big "D" Chorus, 1991 - Jim Devenport, Director
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Contents |
Page |
How It All Began Chapters Chapter Histories International Quartet Champions ChorusesAdministration
Contests and Conventions Registered Quartets Publications Recognitions In Conclusion