|
Page 4 InCider Press May 2007 |
|
Have you ever seen a Barbershopper wearing a little lapel pin which has a smiling cat's head on top of a red-and-white-striped barber pole? Have you wondered what that little pin meant and why its owner was so proud of it? I can't help you with the first question, but here is the answer to the second: In 1971, International SPEBSQSA President Ralph Ribble launched a new Society activity known as the "Barber-pole Cat Program": To encourage quartet activity at chapter meetings; To enable Barbershoppers to gain confidence in performing in a quartet in an informal, supportive atmosphere; an To teach Barbershoppers a repertoire of easy arrangements that a beginning quartet can perform. |
|
In the last 36 years, many Barbershoppers have participated in and enjoyed the Barber-pole Cat Program The goal is not necessarily the formation of registered quartets (although that would be a great result if it were to happen); rather, the program introduces men (and boys) to the joy of singing with three other guys. I hope the Barber-pole Cat will become your favorite animal. And now a personal note: When I first joined our chapter (early 1978?), a LOT of quartetting took place during the break. Believe it or not, I was afraid to sing in a quartet, so I went home at break time just so I wouldn't be asked to join a "pick up" quartet! But I practiced the tenor voice-part tape diligently, and one night, when the person who had the key to the church was late and the rest of us waited outside for maybe thirty minutes, I finally got my courage high enough to ask three other guys to sing with me, and we were able to complete ELEVEN of the 12 Barber-pole Cat songs while waiting for the key to arrive! At break I convinced someone to sing the twelfth song with me, so I earned the Certificate and Pin the same night, and here I am now, trying to convince YOU to join the program and sing with me! |
|
Polecat Barbershop Style Myron Calhoun. Assistant Director |
|
Currently, our chapter has 16 members who have earned Barber-pole Cat pins: Bart Bartholomew, Bill Hanson, Bob Ridley (the ONLY member of our chapter who has earned pins singing TWO voice parts!), Chuck Marr, Don Thomson, Frank Carpenter, George Dickerhoof, John Schlender, John Trail, Larry Hansen, Leonard Purvis, Melvin Emig, Mike McCaffrey, Myron Calhoun, Sam Kvasnica, and Wayne Bailie. An additional 14 men have received Barberpole Cat Certificates: Bob Swenson, Chas Martin, Gene Klingler, Jim Gardner, Jim Lindquist, John Desper, Ken Lyle, Loren Alexander, Pat Caffey, Pete Cooper, Steve Fisher, Terry Nanninga, Tom Hart, and Tom Miles. What's more, two of these men lack ONLY ONE SONG and another lacks ONLY TWO SONGS to earn the Pin! |
|
There were seven members singing in their first show this year. They are from left to right: Terry Smith, John Coty, Steve Cross, Fred Wachsmuth, Larry Bowers, Brian Arthaud-Day , and Dave Fink |
|
The new "Music Leadership Team" has been named. If you would like to have input, or would like to be involved with the Music Leadership Team, please contact one of the following: Tom Fish, Vice President for Music Performance; Ken Lang, Chorus Director; Don Thomson, Associate Director; Myron Calhoun, Assistant Director; Bob Ridley, Librarian; Ken Garwick, Tenor Section Leader; Bob Swenson, Lead Section Leader; Steve Fisher, Baritone Section Leader; and, Leonard Purvis, Bass Section Leader |
|
Music Leadership Team named |