HistoryIn 1945, Willis A. Diekema, president of DePree Chemical Co., organized the Holland Windmill Chapter with about 30 local businessmen. The first meetings were held in the Tulip Room at the Warm Friend Tavern. Soon a local quartet, The Tulip City Four (W. Driesenga, J. Swieringa, J. Essenberg and A. Gravengoed), joined the chapter; they had previously been singing only religious music. The following year the chapter put on its first show at the high school, aided by quartets from Grand Rapids and Muskegon. At that time, a high school quartet called The Harmaniacs (Irv Smith, Chet Oonk, Jack Oonk and Bill Vander Yacht), joined the chapter. They became the Bush League Champions of 1946 in competition among new Michigan barbershop quartets. In the late 1940's, the chapter moved its annual show to the Holland Theater. Willis Diekema was now a top arranger of music sung nationwide by members of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America. Clarence Jalving of Holland was soon to become president of SPEBSQSA. The 50's saw a dramatic rise in the popularity of barbershop singing both internationally and in Holland. The annual Holland show began to draw international champion quartets. In 1954 the Windmill Chorus under the direction of Francis Hodgeboom represented Michigan in international competition in Washington, D.C. The decade also saw the development of a new quartet, the Chord Counts (Myke Lucas, Chet Oonk, Jack Oonk and Marty Hardenberg). By the end of the decade the Chord Counts and the Extension Chords (from Grand Rapids and Holland) were representing the district in international quartet competition. By 1960 the Chord Counts were district champions, and the chorus had moved to the second floor above the old Woolworth store. In the 1960's, Mayor Bosman assured the Windmill Chorus a continuing showcase for its music by aligning the chapter's annual show with Holland's Tulip Festival. The chapter moved again, above Hansen's Drug Store. In 1963, the Holland Windmill Chorus won the district championship. Still active today from that chorus are singers Dale Bekker, Bob Bos, and Mike Oonk and chapter members Cal Verduin and Don Lucas The decade witnessed one of the greatest barbershop events of all time, held right here in Holland. When Willis A. Diekema retired from arranging barbershop music, a farewell salute to him became a two-night extravaganza featuring the quartets from all over the country, including the Buffalo Bills of Music Man fame. Almost 30 quartets participated along with the Windmill Chorus and other fans of Diekema's more than 200 arrangements. In 1988, Myke Lucas, who had directed the Windmill Chorus to its district championship in 1963, again assumed the directorship. He challenged the Holland chorus to work toward another championship. It took five years, but in 1993 the Holland Windmill Chorus again won the district trophy. In addition to competition, the Holland Windmill Chorus and chapter quartets perform throughout western Michigan. In 1992 and 1993 the chorus competed in the Buckeye Invitational in Columbus, Ohio. In 1994, chorus members cheered a new chapter quartet as Genuine Blend won the district championship. Genuine Blend, composed of Butch Lievense, Mark Garlock, Kirk Wood, and Dan Doctor, also competed in the 1995 and 1996 international quartet contests. In 1995, the Holland chapter observed its 50th anniversary with a three-day "Whopper Weekend" of song. The celebration included a "Diekema Bowl" singing contest using the arrangements of Willis A. Diekema, a "50 Years of Harmony" show and a "Hallelujah Amen" gospel concert. |
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