1997 Fall Contest Happenings

Four points!

In one of the closest competitions in recent memory, the Great Lakes Chorus from Grand Rapids won the Pioneer District fall chorus contest.

Just 4 points behind in the scoring were the Capital City Chordsmen from Lansing.

Grand Rapids won the right to represent the Pioneer District at the Society convention in 1998 in Atlanta, as it did in 1997 in Indy. Directed by Ann Jarchow for the past year, Grand Rapids performed "You Keep Coming Back Like a Song" and "Rose-Colored Glasses." The chorus, in white tuxedos, outpointed Lansing on presentation on the first number, and on presentation and singing on the second.

Lansing improved upon its 30-some point lag of Grand Rapids last fall. This year, again directed by Jamie Carie, the chorus won the music scores on both songs and the singing score on the first. Lansing's package was the unlikely combination of "Roll On Missipppi" and "Heart of a Clown," both done with quite varied, appropriate costuming and a riverboat set.

Grand Rapids scored 902 with 56 men on stage. Lansing earned 898 points with 71 men. Following the two was the Harmony Heritage Chorus from Macomb, directed by Jack Slamka of the quartet Power Play, scoring 837.

Winning as the 1997 new district quartet champion was the new The Detroit Sound Co., with 1631 points, 42 ahead of Resolution (Grosse Pointe, Macomb and Motor City).

Comprising The Detroit Sound Co. are:
-- Bari Jim Ryan, who has sung with several quartets, including Passport and Signature, and the Macomb County and Grosse Pointe choruses.
-- Lead J. Kelly Brummett, who has sung with Cammaraderie and Chordiology, among others. He also is assistant director of the Huron Valley Harmonizers.
-- Tenor Rudi Krampf, who also sings in the quartet Endeavor and with the Rochester Chapter. He has also sung with Grosse Pointe and Motor City Metro choruses.
-- Bass Al Fisk, outgoing director of the Rochester chorus and also a member of the Chordmeisters quartet. He also has sung with and/or directed Lansing, Oakland County, Macomb County and Motor City Metro.
Return to Pioneer District Contest Summaries Page