won by KINDRED SPIRITS
(Last modified: $Date: 2003/10/23 20:31:41 $)
Sponsored by the SPEBSQSA Singing Buckeye Chorus, the
Buckeye Invitational has become legendary. Last year they added a
mixed quartet contest, which was won by MHBQA's PhilHarmonix,
from Pennsylvania. This year, all five of the competing quartets were MHBQA
members. The contest was on a Friday morning (August 17, 2001) in Columbus, Ohio,
as part of the Buckeye Invitational. The contest was a 12-minute show package
format; during that time the quartet had to sing two barbershop "contest songs" which were adjudicated by the
certified panel of SAI and SPEBS judges. Scores also were submitted by
members of the listening audience, judging the entire performance of the quartet
for entertainment value. Medals and plaques were awarded for Best Contest Scores,
Best Entertainment Score, and Best Overall. Complete details, rules, schedules
etc. may be obtained on the
SINGING BUCKEYES website.
On-the-spot Harmonet reporter Jade Walker posted a blow-by-blow description
of all of the events at the Buckeye Invitational. Here are excerpts from her
report of the mixed quartet contest, as well as comments on the activities of
MHBQA members and quartets at other times during the entire long weekend.
report by Jade Walker for the Harmonet
Early Friday morning was the Mixed Quartet Contest. PhilHarmonix
tested the mics (a 4-microphone setup) with Lazy Day. I had heard them earlier
discussing what they could sing that was "easy." This is easy? Their sound is
so full for early in the morning! Then they checked the two standing mikes with
Straighten Up and Fly Right. Still having some trouble with house speakers vs.
monitors, the judges asked for more, so PhilHarmonix sang Red, Red Robin. I wonder if they adjust
[their singing style] for separate mics vs. the standing mics. Next they
tried the separate mikes again, just in case, with a reprise of Red, Red Robin.
The first contestant was Surprise Package (Flora Beth Cunningham, Stephanie
Powell, Les Leviness, Bob Miller -- SPEBSQSA Seneca Land District & SAI Region 16.)
They launched right in with Chordbuster March. Each voice is featured in
the bridge, and they sang with enthusiasm and energy. They sang of a lover writing
a letter asking Are You Lonesome Tonight? Their voices captured the sad tone
of the letter with just a hint of hope, with the role of lead alternating
between Stephanie and Les. The next song was a madrigal, O, Eyes of My Beloved.
This featured Flora Beth on melody, her voice floating above the others. Body
and Soul, a lush jazz tune, was the last song of the package, a song of utter
devotion.
Next was M.O.D. (Holly Miller, Tawni Miller, John Dudrow, Brian O'Dell --
SPEBSQSA Johnny Appleseed District & SAI Region 4.) They began by singing a radio
call sign -- WMOD. Deejay John noted that the sky was turning orange, which
led into Orange Colored Sky. What a smooth sound! Next was a dedication from
an impoverished listener to his love: I Can't Give You Anything But Love.
Gentle bounces showed how much they were into the rhythm. John was fairly
restrained -- considering his normal mode. There was a foray into Hospital
General with a few groaner medical jokes, and then, after a pause to repeat
the call sign, they sang Hello My Baby. Accellerating from the stomp (repeat
of the second chorus), they kept adding energy. There was a reprise of Orange
Colored Sky for their finale.
Sound Celebration followed (Jerry Schmidt, Marcia O'Neil, Sheryl
Allen, Gerry O'Neil -- SPEBSQSA Seneca Land District & SAI Region 16.) They began
with, oddly enough, Sound Celebration. They have a full, energetic
sound. Their theme was the difference between men and women, although they get
along just fine (well, almost) as demonstrated in Ain't Misbehavin'.
This is the first combo I've heard with a guy on tenor, and I like it -- it works!
The next song was a hopeful plea, For the Sake of Auld Lang Syne.
Marcia crooned the melody with hope and encouragement, and the others supported
her with full fat harmony. They ended with That Great Come and Get It Day
Medley, a rousing gospel number.
Next was Mixed Emotions (Dee Dee Thompson, Don Thompson, Cathy
Olson, Alan Olson -- SPEBSQSA Mid-Atlantic District & SAI Region 19.) On a
Wonderful Day Like Today started their package. They changed a few lyrics
to tell us how they enjoyed singing for us. Doing a cowboy package - after all,
as they pointed out, they came west to get here - they were dressed Westernish
without being kitschy about it. Their next number was Home On The Range.
In the bridge, Dee Dee took the melody and flew with it. Dee Dee enjoyed her
solo so much she decided she wanted more, so she took over on the next song,
despite the fact that it was Nellie and she was singing the tenor part.
She tried for the post at the end but lost in a game of chance, and Alan got to
sing it instead. She got in a few extra bows, though.
Last onstage was Kindred Spirits (Holly Beck, Gwen Smith, Jon Smith,
Brian Beck -- SPEBSQSA South West District & SAI Region 25) They began Redhead
with fire. What a blend! Gwen has a very sultry tone to her voice for this song.
The ladies were wearing yellow roses -- and they're from Texas! Next was a gentle
swing tune, P.S. I Love You, a teasing miss-you song. They followed this with
I Don't Know Why I Love You Like I Do. Gwen gave a spoken declaration while
the others formed a trio of string bass, trombone and trumpet. This song showed
off the sexy lows in Gwen's voice. Their last number, Goodbye, World, Goodbye,
was one of the first songs they had sung together, years ago... Holly even got
a verse! The final chorus was quite exciting, even ripsnortin', one might say.
Results:
- Judges Panel: 1 - Kindred Spirits, 2 - M.O.D., 3 - Sound Celebration
- Entertainment: 1 - Kindred Spirits, 2 - M.O.D., 3 - Sound Celebration
- Overall: 1 - Kindred Spirits, 2 - M.O.D., 3 - Sound Celebration
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Other events involving MHBQA members:
After some mic-testing by Philharmonix, the Thursday night "Harmony in
the Air" show went on. It consisted mainly of local talent plus the winners
from last year - chorus, men's quartet, women's quartet, and mixed quartet talent - with one of the headliners being
Philharmonix, the Mixed Quartet Champions from last year's Buckeye
Invitational. There were two MHBQA mixed quartets in this show. About them,
Jade Walker reported:
The first performers Thursday night were M.O.D, a mixed quartet from
the area (Columbus, Ohio). The MC said that we'd noticed that "two are sisters
and two are not." This quartet has a smooth & jazzy sound. [In addition to their Friday contest package - see above
for details - was] See You in September with Holly singing tenderly on
melody. The others gave a warm lush foundation for her.
[Later in the show was] Philharmonix. This quartet has been together 4 years
as of this week. They formed at the 1997 Buckeye late on a Saturday night after
singing together for 2 hours. For this show they led off with Red Red Robin.
Amy led the quartet with a powerful lead line. Tom took the next chorus as the
others did a patter accompaniment. The song got jazzier as it progressed, and
Donna took the melody at the tag. Rick was featured in Puttin' on the Ritz
with the others snapping and accompanying him lightly. Rick picked up tempo
on the third chorus. Tom sang melody on the next song, Once in a While,
showing off his free and pure voice. Amy took over for a bit at the bridge.
This was my favorite song of the evening. They followed that with a song written
by Nat King Cole, Straighten Up and Fly Right. They sang it smooth and cool --
all beatniks will snap in appreciation after this song. For their final song
Rick started the pounding bass line for Happy Together. Tom sang melody and
the Harmony Campers helped with the snapping. The chorus was solid and ringing
and the crowd reacted in a standing ovation. I don't think they'll mind if I
mention that they've just made their first CD, Lazy Day.
On Saturday, after the morning's Mixed Quartet Contest, was a regular quartet
contest, alternating men's and women's quartets. MHBQA's Brian and Holly Beck
(Kindred Spirits) were the MC's for the second half, and Brian Beck led the
audience in a couple of songs while waiting for the judges' tabulation. On the
Saturday evening show, headliners were PhilHarmonix, Bank Street, and
Weekend Edition . About Philharmonix' part of the show, Harmonet reporter
Jade Walker wrote:
PhilHarmonix (Donna Perrone, Amy Carr, Tom Halley, Rick Serpico) --
last year's Mixed Quartet Champions -- began with Lazy Day, a positive and
upbeat song. They make blending voices look effortless, trading the melody
back and forth. Next was I Can Show You, a song from Aladdin.
Donna had the melody, full of optimism. It was absolutely gorgeous. Next they sang
Slap That Bass, featuring Rick. When Tom looked ready to slap him, Rick
warned him off, and continued singing with glee that "the happiest men all are basses...
Yeeeeaah!" They finished their set with the gospel according to Daddy, The
Rhythm of Life. Soon each had their own melody line and wove them among each
other's, finally meeting at "spread your wings." Amy and Donna picked up
percussion for the last part of the song to give it that gospel feel.
end report to the Harmonet - thanks to Jade Walker
Congratulations to all of our MHBQA mixed quartets who were invited to perform and
compete... thanks for representing all of us in MHBQA so well!
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(Last modified: $Date: 2003/10/23 20:31:41 $)
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(Last modified: $Date: 2003/10/23 20:31:41 $)
Sponsored by the SPEBSQSA Singing Buckeye Chorus, the Buckeye Invitational has become legendary. Last year they added a mixed quartet contest, which was won by MHBQA's PhilHarmonix, from Pennsylvania. This year, all five of the competing quartets were MHBQA members. The contest was on a Friday morning (August 17, 2001) in Columbus, Ohio, as part of the Buckeye Invitational. The contest was a 12-minute show package format; during that time the quartet had to sing two barbershop "contest songs" which were adjudicated by the certified panel of SAI and SPEBS judges. Scores also were submitted by members of the listening audience, judging the entire performance of the quartet for entertainment value. Medals and plaques were awarded for Best Contest Scores, Best Entertainment Score, and Best Overall. Complete details, rules, schedules etc. may be obtained on the SINGING BUCKEYES website.
On-the-spot Harmonet reporter Jade Walker posted a blow-by-blow description of all of the events at the Buckeye Invitational. Here are excerpts from her report of the mixed quartet contest, as well as comments on the activities of MHBQA members and quartets at other times during the entire long weekend.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Early Friday morning was the Mixed Quartet Contest. PhilHarmonix tested the mics (a 4-microphone setup) with Lazy Day. I had heard them earlier discussing what they could sing that was "easy." This is easy? Their sound is so full for early in the morning! Then they checked the two standing mikes with Straighten Up and Fly Right. Still having some trouble with house speakers vs. monitors, the judges asked for more, so PhilHarmonix sang Red, Red Robin. I wonder if they adjust [their singing style] for separate mics vs. the standing mics. Next they tried the separate mikes again, just in case, with a reprise of Red, Red Robin.
The first contestant was Surprise Package (Flora Beth Cunningham, Stephanie Powell, Les Leviness, Bob Miller -- SPEBSQSA Seneca Land District & SAI Region 16.) They launched right in with Chordbuster March. Each voice is featured in the bridge, and they sang with enthusiasm and energy. They sang of a lover writing a letter asking Are You Lonesome Tonight? Their voices captured the sad tone of the letter with just a hint of hope, with the role of lead alternating between Stephanie and Les. The next song was a madrigal, O, Eyes of My Beloved. This featured Flora Beth on melody, her voice floating above the others. Body and Soul, a lush jazz tune, was the last song of the package, a song of utter devotion.
Next was M.O.D. (Holly Miller, Tawni Miller, John Dudrow, Brian O'Dell -- SPEBSQSA Johnny Appleseed District & SAI Region 4.) They began by singing a radio call sign -- WMOD. Deejay John noted that the sky was turning orange, which led into Orange Colored Sky. What a smooth sound! Next was a dedication from an impoverished listener to his love: I Can't Give You Anything But Love. Gentle bounces showed how much they were into the rhythm. John was fairly restrained -- considering his normal mode. There was a foray into Hospital General with a few groaner medical jokes, and then, after a pause to repeat the call sign, they sang Hello My Baby. Accellerating from the stomp (repeat of the second chorus), they kept adding energy. There was a reprise of Orange Colored Sky for their finale.
Sound Celebration followed (Jerry Schmidt, Marcia O'Neil, Sheryl Allen, Gerry O'Neil -- SPEBSQSA Seneca Land District & SAI Region 16.) They began with, oddly enough, Sound Celebration. They have a full, energetic sound. Their theme was the difference between men and women, although they get along just fine (well, almost) as demonstrated in Ain't Misbehavin'. This is the first combo I've heard with a guy on tenor, and I like it -- it works! The next song was a hopeful plea, For the Sake of Auld Lang Syne. Marcia crooned the melody with hope and encouragement, and the others supported her with full fat harmony. They ended with That Great Come and Get It Day Medley, a rousing gospel number.
Next was Mixed Emotions (Dee Dee Thompson, Don Thompson, Cathy Olson, Alan Olson -- SPEBSQSA Mid-Atlantic District & SAI Region 19.) On a Wonderful Day Like Today started their package. They changed a few lyrics to tell us how they enjoyed singing for us. Doing a cowboy package - after all, as they pointed out, they came west to get here - they were dressed Westernish without being kitschy about it. Their next number was Home On The Range. In the bridge, Dee Dee took the melody and flew with it. Dee Dee enjoyed her solo so much she decided she wanted more, so she took over on the next song, despite the fact that it was Nellie and she was singing the tenor part. She tried for the post at the end but lost in a game of chance, and Alan got to sing it instead. She got in a few extra bows, though.
Last onstage was Kindred Spirits (Holly Beck, Gwen Smith, Jon Smith, Brian Beck -- SPEBSQSA South West District & SAI Region 25) They began Redhead with fire. What a blend! Gwen has a very sultry tone to her voice for this song. The ladies were wearing yellow roses -- and they're from Texas! Next was a gentle swing tune, P.S. I Love You, a teasing miss-you song. They followed this with I Don't Know Why I Love You Like I Do. Gwen gave a spoken declaration while the others formed a trio of string bass, trombone and trumpet. This song showed off the sexy lows in Gwen's voice. Their last number, Goodbye, World, Goodbye, was one of the first songs they had sung together, years ago... Holly even got a verse! The final chorus was quite exciting, even ripsnortin', one might say.
Results:
- Judges Panel: 1 - Kindred Spirits, 2 - M.O.D., 3 - Sound Celebration
- Entertainment: 1 - Kindred Spirits, 2 - M.O.D., 3 - Sound Celebration
- Overall: 1 - Kindred Spirits, 2 - M.O.D., 3 - Sound Celebration
Other events involving MHBQA members:
After some mic-testing by Philharmonix, the Thursday night "Harmony in the Air" show went on. It consisted mainly of local talent plus the winners from last year - chorus, men's quartet, women's quartet, and mixed quartet talent - with one of the headliners being Philharmonix, the Mixed Quartet Champions from last year's Buckeye Invitational. There were two MHBQA mixed quartets in this show. About them, Jade Walker reported:
The first performers Thursday night were M.O.D, a mixed quartet from the area (Columbus, Ohio). The MC said that we'd noticed that "two are sisters and two are not." This quartet has a smooth & jazzy sound. [In addition to their Friday contest package - see above for details - was] See You in September with Holly singing tenderly on melody. The others gave a warm lush foundation for her.
[Later in the show was] Philharmonix. This quartet has been together 4 years as of this week. They formed at the 1997 Buckeye late on a Saturday night after singing together for 2 hours. For this show they led off with Red Red Robin. Amy led the quartet with a powerful lead line. Tom took the next chorus as the others did a patter accompaniment. The song got jazzier as it progressed, and Donna took the melody at the tag. Rick was featured in Puttin' on the Ritz with the others snapping and accompanying him lightly. Rick picked up tempo on the third chorus. Tom sang melody on the next song, Once in a While, showing off his free and pure voice. Amy took over for a bit at the bridge. This was my favorite song of the evening. They followed that with a song written by Nat King Cole, Straighten Up and Fly Right. They sang it smooth and cool -- all beatniks will snap in appreciation after this song. For their final song Rick started the pounding bass line for Happy Together. Tom sang melody and the Harmony Campers helped with the snapping. The chorus was solid and ringing and the crowd reacted in a standing ovation. I don't think they'll mind if I mention that they've just made their first CD, Lazy Day.
On Saturday, after the morning's Mixed Quartet Contest, was a regular quartet contest, alternating men's and women's quartets. MHBQA's Brian and Holly Beck (Kindred Spirits) were the MC's for the second half, and Brian Beck led the audience in a couple of songs while waiting for the judges' tabulation. On the Saturday evening show, headliners were PhilHarmonix, Bank Street, and Weekend Edition . About Philharmonix' part of the show, Harmonet reporter Jade Walker wrote:
PhilHarmonix (Donna Perrone, Amy Carr, Tom Halley, Rick Serpico) -- last year's Mixed Quartet Champions -- began with Lazy Day, a positive and upbeat song. They make blending voices look effortless, trading the melody back and forth. Next was I Can Show You, a song from Aladdin. Donna had the melody, full of optimism. It was absolutely gorgeous. Next they sang Slap That Bass, featuring Rick. When Tom looked ready to slap him, Rick warned him off, and continued singing with glee that "the happiest men all are basses... Yeeeeaah!" They finished their set with the gospel according to Daddy, The Rhythm of Life. Soon each had their own melody line and wove them among each other's, finally meeting at "spread your wings." Amy and Donna picked up percussion for the last part of the song to give it that gospel feel.
end report to the Harmonet - thanks to Jade Walker
Congratulations to all of our MHBQA mixed quartets who were invited to perform and compete... thanks for representing all of us in MHBQA so well!