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September 2006 InCider Press Page 7 |
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My name is Don Thomson. I am married to Joan and we have three girls. Joan and the girls have all so graciously supported me in this hobby and I would be remiss if I didn't, first of all, thank them for their support, encouragement, and understanding. They have truly done all those things, and clearly have shown their love to me as well of all my friends in this hobby with their support. As most of you can tell, I am very pleased to be part of this organization, and really enjoy the hobby of Barbershopping. I guess I first heard a barbershop quartet when I saw the movie "The Music Man". I enjoy all kinds of music, but somehow the sound was so unique and inspiring. I remember as a music student in college a friend of mine mentioned that he was singing some barbershop music at Christmas time with some guys from "in town". But, he never invited me to come sing with them, and of course I was busy enough with the college curriculum to think about adding another activity to my schedule. It wasn't until Christmas 1972... we were stationed in Germany, and my mother sent two Barbershop Quartet albums to us as a Christmas gift. I remember playing those albums over and over and actually weeping because of the beautiful close harmony...I loved it! I still had no idea that Barbershop music had a society or had any kind of organization...until February 1977. By then we had been reassigned to Ft. Riley, Kansas (God forbid!) and since there were no quarters in which to live, we found a place in Manhattan. We had wonderful neighbors, and one of them, Gary Mott, mentioned that he had been to a gathering of Barbershop Singers and wondered if I would like to come to a meeting with him the next week. I said YES! The small group was just organizing, and I became a Charter Member of the Manhattan Chapter, and sang with the chorus in our first annual show...in March of 1977! The rest, I guess, is history. Thank you Gary Mott!!! Barbershopping has given both my family and me so much enjoyment. It is through barbershop that I was invited to direct the choir at First Christian Church (which I did for about 15 years); I was able to sing in a quartet called "The Classic Impressions" for a few years until our bass left to a new job out of town, then our lead took a job in Washington D.C. Fortunately (for me) the tenor of another quartet (Myron Calhoun) accepted a sabbatical assignment somewhere in Africa, and the Manhattan Music Machine asked me to sing with them. Joan and I have enjoyed traveling about the country and listening to and singing with different barbershop groups from Orlando, Florida to Seattle, Washington, and from WestPoint, New York to Phoenix, AZ. In addition to singing with the Manhattan Music Machine, a lot of my enjoyment comes from creating and directing the annual spring show. With the help of many good friends in our chapter who accept appointments to several show committees, we select the music, create the theme, insert choreography, and then with the help of McCain personnel, insert lighting, sound, and visual effects that has been quite successful in terms of how we have entertained audiences for the past 25 years. (The 2007 show is well on its way. You can read more about it in this month’s Incider Press.) For us, the Manhattan Chapter has been more than "an organization"...it has become almost "a family". We enjoy the singing and fellowship with all of you and look forward to many more years of singing and fellowship with "The Little Apple Chorus". Don Thomson, Assistant Director ♪ |
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Meet Member Don Thomson-Assistant Director |
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Mike Sexton was presented the chapter’s Barbershopper of the Month Certificate for his continuing excellent service in organizing the transportation of risers and equipment to our performances as well as being a faithful member. President Bob Swenson, after consulting with members of the Board, presented the certificate at the August 31 chapter meeting. Photo by Bart Bartholomew |