Phoenix midwinter well attended
Phoenix proved to be everything it would be for approximately 500 barbershoppers and their wives who attended the midwinter convention in that great city January 25-27, 1974. At the Board meeting, Past International President Charles E. Abernathy reviewed 1973 achievement which included reaching an all-time high of 35,091 members on December 31, 1973. He also reported that contributions to our SERVICE PROJECT totaled $196,551, just short of his $200,000 goal. Contributions to Logopedics during 1973 showed an increase of $27,668 over 1972 receipts.
Actions taken by the International Board at this meeting that affected the Pioneer District were as follows: The standard chapter by-laws were revised to provide that non-attendance at regular chapter meetings may be considered, at the discretion of the chapter Board, as conduct detrimental to the best interests of the Society and therefore grounds for suspension or expulsion from membership. In addition, chapter elections must now be held prior to October 15 of each year rather than in the month of October as in the past. A proposed dues increase of $5 was adopted by a vote of 17-4, to be effective beginning March 31, 1974.
Also, a request by Pioneer District to eliminate the associate status for chapters was presented at the Portland Board meeting. Based on a review of the Society's history of chapters with less than 25 members since 1956, the Executive Committee recommended that associate status not be eliminated. The Board voted to table the results pending an in-depth study by a special committee.
Other happenings throughout the district in early 1974
While most of the district was beginning to tune up for the upcoming Traverse City convention in April, other events and happenings were occurring throughout the district. It was announced on Oakland County's show in February that Carl Dahlke was stepping down as director of the WOLVERINE Chorus and was being replaced by Glenn Van Tassell of GENTLEMEN'S AGREEMENT fame. Carl retired with a record unmatched in the district, his chorus having entered seven international preliminaries and/or district contests, reaching the winner's circle each time.
Continuing a tradition of many years, the Saginaw-Bay Chapter hosted another St. Paddy's Day Thaw in Bay City's Lincoln Road Hall, on March 16, 1974. Entertaining were the TIMBERLAND CHORDSMEN, under the direction of Herb Benjamin, the RING MASTERS (Dave Szutkowski, tenor; Bob Glover, lead; Randy Meldrum, bari and Dick Mueller, bass), a new quartet called the CLASSMATES (Frank Bateson, tenor; Tom Peil, lead; Jim Gross, bari, and Len Johnson, bass), and topped off by the BEAN TOWN FOUR (Fred Kienitz, tenor, and Ron Gillies, lead, who are members of the Flint Chapter; Doug Beaver, bari, and Bob Deming, bass, who are members of the Saginaw-Bay Chapter).
Spring convention was one of Pioneer's greatest
To many in the Pioneer District, the memories of this great convention will linger on. The Traverse City Chapter on April 26-28, 1974, went all out with splendid hospitality and arrangements, and the large crowd at the morning preliminaries and the afternoon chorus competition, and the full house at the evening finals capped off a most successful day.
Wolverine "74"
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Oakland County's WOLVERINE Chorus returned to barbershop warfare after a layoff of two years and a change in directors, but the results were the same old song—another first-place finish and another beautiful performance. Glenn Van Tassell, who replaced Carl Dahlke following the chapter's annual show in February, captured not only the Pioneer District championship, but the hearts of a packed house at St. Francis as they gave a stirring performance in song and stage presence.
The host Traverse City's CHERRY CAPITOL Chorus, under the direction of Marty Chirgwin, came on strong to capture second place to the wild approval of all present. Unfortunately for Russ Seely and Grosse Pointe's LAKESHORE Chorus, it was the stage presence category that was their undoing, in a costly disqualification by the judges which denied them a much higher finish in the standings. Larry Swan and his Battle Creek CEREAL CITY Chorus captured third place and the Silver Award. Other choruses competing and their finishes included Grand Rapids (fourth), Niles-Buchanan (fifth), Saginaw-Bay (sixth), Cadillac (seventh), Windsor (eighth), Grosse Pointe (ninth), Port Huron (tenth) and Gratiot County (eleventh). Three other choruses sang but were declared ineligible, Flint, Holly-Fenton, and Sault Ste. Marie.
Vagabonds
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Sharplifters
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The SHARPLIFTERS and the VAGABONDS locked horns once again in the district preliminaries as these two quartets battled twelve other entries for the right to represent the Pioneer District in the international finals at Kansas City in July. Both quartets found themselves in heavy company, however, as the NORTHERN HI-LITES came on with a strong performance to take the alternate spot again, and the CLASSMATES, making their first bid in district competition, moved in on the fourth spot with an excellent score. The district champion GALAXIES ended up in fifth place, followed by the RING MASTERS, and the LAST CALL to round out the finalists. Other quartets competing but failing to make the finals included the PHIDAVONICS, the VOICE QUAD, FOUR "D" MINORS, USED PARTS, INNOCENT BYSTANDERS, ABOUT FOUR, and the PERFECT-A-CHORDS.
At the time of the contest, the membership in the district stood at 1,486 members. There was a deep concern about this by the District's Board of Directors, since the district was so close to sending a third quartet to the finals. It was felt that at least three quartets, and even four, were quartets of international calibre, and should have that chance. The answer obviously lay in the membership figures.
Big Charter Show in Alpena on May 11th
Alpena, Pioneer's newest licensed chapter, was presented with their charter by District President Donald Funk on May 11, 1974, at their charter show in Alpena High's beautiful auditorium. The charter, representing 36 new men, was presented to Chapter President Alan Piggot. The VAGABONDS were the highlight of the evening, along with the CLASSMATES, the BEANTOWN FOUR, and two quartets from the new chapter, the JOKERS WILD, and the CHORDWOODS. The TIMBERLAND CHORDSMEN of the sponsoring Saginaw-Bay Chapter thrilled the crowd with a stirring concert in true barbershop style. It was a great evening all around for both the members of the Alpena Chapter and their guests, many of them getting their first taste of barbershopping.
Boyne City "Bush League" still going strong
The Boyne City "Bush" League quartet contest continued its popularity among the district quartet hopefuls, and 1974 was no exception. Over 1300 people jammed the evening show at the high school gym to hear the GENTLEMEN'S AGREEMENT, the participating contestants, the SNOW BELT Chorus directed by Dale Hanson, and those grand old gentlemen, the PITCH PIPERS from Grand Rapids, who carried home that gaboon 25 years ago. In the contest, Detroit's VOICE QUAD (Les Marhoff, tenor; Dick Barron, lead; Ed Conn, bass, and Dave Carey, baritone) received the old brass gaboon from the retiring champs, the CLASSMATES. Another tremendous day in the history of the Boyne City "Bush" League.
Other district news
At the House of Delegates meeting in Traverse City William D. "Bill" Butler was named as coordinator of a new committee on Urgent Communications. For some time it was felt that the district needed a clearing house to notify the membership of serious illness or death of members, so that appropriate action can be taken by the district. Bill had formulated a tentative plan which involved the president of each chapter naming a member to call him when sickness or death occurs within a given chapter. The idea was that when Bill receives the word he would then notify the district president by phone, the zone vice presidents, and the Troubadour editor. The zone vice presidents would then contact each of the area counselors or a responsible member.
Herman Dykema, the vice president of Zone II, announced his resignation at the Board of Directors meeting in Traverse City. His duties were assumed by Executive Vice President John T. Gillespie.
Dave Eddy, WBCK radio, Battle Creek, hit a milestone in March when he aired his 300th weekly program of the Old Songs. His programs featured barbershop recordings and live and taped interviews.
Pioneer elects eight to Hall of Fame
The first selections to the Pioneer District Hall of Fame were announced from the stage at St. Francis gymnasium in Traverse City during the spring contests, and appropriate plaques were presented to honor these men who had done so much for barbershopping in our district and Society. Named in alphabetical order, they were:
Carroll Adams, Willis Diekema
Ben Landino, Mark Roberts
Chase Sanborn, Ed Schwoppe
Edwin Smith, Joe Wolff
Carroll Adams
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Willis Diekema
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Ben Landino
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Mark Roberts
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Chase Sanborn
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Ed Schwoppe
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Edwin Smith
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Joe Wolff
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We do not have pictures of the individuals named in the blank frames. If you have a picture of any missing individual and are willing to share it, please contact Steve Sutherland.
Kalamazoo Send-Off Show was great
The Kalamazoo Chapter hosted the annual International Send-off Show on June 8, 1974, at the cavernous Miller Auditorium on Western Michigan's campus in Kalamazoo. District Executive Vice President John Gillespie, chairman for the event, didn't heave a sigh of relief until the house started filling up rapidly. Doran McTaggart was introduced as the master of ceremonies, and he in turn introduced the entertainment.
Glenn Van Tassell and the WOLVERINE Chorus, fresh from capturing the district championship at Traverse City, captivated the big audience as they got a taste of the great acoustics of this auditorium.
The NORTHERN HI-LITES, '74 alternates to the international, gave the crowd the first sample of solid quartet music and showmanship, followed by the SHARPLIFTERS and their own beautiful brand of barbershopping. Thom Hine and the MOTOR CITY Chorus thrilled the fans with their big sound, presenting songs prepared for the international contest in their repertoire. The VAGABONDS topped the evening off with a dazzling display of harmony that left the faithful yelling for more. All in all, the evening was a complete success, both artistically and financially.
Pioneer District Chorus Director's School
The first Chorus Director's School in the Pioneer District for many years was held on Sunday, June 21, 1974, at the Olds Plaza in Lansing, Michigan. The three-day school featured as instructors Tom Gentil, director of the 1973 International Champion SOUTHERN GATEWAY Chorus of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Douglas Miller, director of the 1974 Fifth Place Medalist ARLINGTONES, of Arlington Heights, Illinois.
The thirty-five participants represented sixteen of our district chapters. Topics the instructors highlighted included qualifications of a director, his relationship and responsibilities to other chapter officers, song teaching methods, goals, song selection, conducting skills and techniques, learning principles, problems of amateur singers, development of a song, rehearsal programming and techniques, unison concepts, professional development and, finally, the practical application of all the theory discussed. Tom and Doug did an admirable job of team teaching. Merle Clayton made all the necessary arrangements for the school; and it was so successful, another school planned in the near future.
REGENTS prevail at Kansas City convention
Determination, dedication, four great voices and a lot of hard work were the ingredients that carried the REGENTS to the pinnacle of the barbershop world in Kansas City's Municipal Auditorium on Saturday, July 13, 1974. Never out of first place from their initial appearance in the quarter finals, this fine quartet gave a solid performance in every category to win going away before a sell-out crowd of cheering fans. The PACIFICAIRES of the Far Western District, perennial bridesmaids in the internationals, once again laid claim to being the most experienced silver medalists in barbershopping as they bowed to the quartet from the East.
The Pioneer District VAGABONDS and OK-4 exchanged places from the previous year in the sixth and seventh spot, with the VAGABONDS gaining the nod over the crowd-pleasing clowns from Oklahoma City. A close analysis of the scoring summaries reveals a lot about the type of performance the VAGABONDS rendered in the contest. They finished only 39 points out of the medalist bracket. The SHARPLIFTERS, despite their excellent offerings, failed to make the cut, slipping to 22nd.
In the chorus competition, the Louisville THOROUGHBREDS broke out of the starting gate from the No. 3 spot the year before as they attained the winning spot and the international championship for the fourth time. Pioneer's out-manned MOTOR CITY Chorus found the going tough from the outset and fell back to finish 14th in one of the classiest fields ever to grace the international stage.
At the International Board meeting held in conjunction with the convention, Dick Ellenberger, from Schenectady, N.Y., was elected the Society's new president for 1975. In actions affecting the Pioneer District, two important ones regarding dues came out of the Kansas City deliberations. The first authorized a 50 percent reduction in dues for senior members of 10 years or more who had attained age 70, if the member applied for the reduction; and effective January 1, 1975, a new dues structure was established for full-time students under the age of 23. A companion action authorized headquarters to end acceptance of applications for life membership.
The Board finalized details for official affiliation of the British Association of Barbershoppers (BABS). Don Amos, chairman of BABS, attended the international convention and presented the proposed affiliation to his clubs on his return to England.
Wayne WONDERLAND wins trip to Indianapolis
The Wayne WONDERLAND Chorus stunned a jam-packed audience of barbershop fans in Windsor's Cleary Auditorium on Saturday, October 12, 1974, giving them a clean sweep in every category. Their fine performance won them the right to represent the Pioneer District at Indianapolis the following June in the international finals. Wayne's big win was a particularly sweet victory for this live-wire chapter, which overcame the handicap of changing directors just a few weeks before contest time and went on to nose out a great WOLVERINE Chorus from Oakland County by a mere 46 points. Grosse Pointe finished third with a solid effort and strong stage presence; but when it was all over, the day belonged to Wayne. Their win was a popular one with the big turnout of barbershoppers and their fans. Grand Rapids in fourth competed with their smallest chorus ever. Director Chuck Buffham did a sterling job with only 23 men on stage.
The MALL CITY Chorus from Kalamazoo was fifth; GATEWAY from Niles-Buchanan, sixth; HURON VALLEY from Milford, seventh; the HURON HARMONY Chorus from Port Huron, eighth; Benton Harbor's FRUIT BELT Chorus ninth and Alpena's LUMBERMAN Chorus making their first try in competition since being chartered, was tenth.
FOUR "D" MINORS excel in finals
Four D Minors
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The FOUR "D" MINORS from Battle Creek (Dean Burrill, tenor; Howard "Dick" Spear, lead; Dorn Burrill, bari, and Don Burrill, bass) spotted Oakland County's ROLLING TONES (Gene Bulka, tenor; Bruce LaMarte, lead; Dan Davey, bari, and Jim Lekander, bass) 25 points in the morning semi-finals, and then came on with a great performance in the evening final session to capture the Pioneer District quartet championship, as their nearest rivals faltered to finish second. It was a great win for the popular foursome from the Cereal City, and the full house at Cleary let them know it with a loud ovation.
Traverse City's LAST CALL moved up one notch in the evening competition to take third spot over the PHIDAVONICS from Niles-Buchanan. The PHIDAVONICS finished fourth, Wayne's FINAL EDITION, making its first go at the competitive wars, finished in fifth place and won the novice trophy. The HARMONY HELMSMEN, Traverse City's other entry, placed sixth to give that chapter a good showing in the quartet division. Port Huron, another new chapter in 1974, cheered wildly for their TUNE-BY-FOURS, who finished seventh, after surviving the morning cut.
Other quartets competing and the order of their finish were the GOLDEN OLDIES, Grand Rapids, eighth; GENERATIONS, Hudson, ninth; KAMPGROUND QUARTET, Detroit, Lansing and Jackson, tenth; and the PERFECT-A-CHORDS, eleventh.
International President Avakian addresses House of Delegates
The meeting of the House of Delegates on Sunday was enlivened by the attendance of International President Leon Avakian, the guest speaker. In major action, the Delegates added a new list of illustrious members to the rolls of the Pioneer District Hall of Fame. Joining the eight members inducted at Traverse City in the spring were: Loton Willson, Lou Harrington, Ed Geikema, Cecil Fisher, W. Carleton Scott, Bill Pascher, Bill Butler and Duane Mosier.
Loton Wilson
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Lou Harrington
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Cecil Fisher
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W. Carleton Scott
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Bill Pascher
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Bill Butler
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Ed Geikema
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Duane Mosier
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We do not have pictures of the individuals named in the blank frames. If you have a picture of any missing individual and are willing to share it, please contact Steve Sutherland.
Two changes were announced relative to future district conventions. One was that the price of all-event tickets was raised to $9, with no break for competitors. Those registering before April 1 could obtain an all-event badge for $8. A second major change involved the elimination of the Saturday night afterglow. Because inflation had taken its toll on district funds, like everything else, the Board had decided on these changes. It was felt eliminating the afterglow would provide more time for visitations to various hospitality rooms and promote a better opportunity to get acquainted with fellow barbershoppers.
COTS sessions in Lansing were best yet
The 107 Pioneer District chapter officers who attended the Chapter Officers Training School at the Lansing Olds went home with a feeling of solid accomplishment, a new perspective in administration, and an urge to get on the job. Bill Fitzgerald, the dean of the school, brought a highly competent staff for the school, including Joe Lindy, Rapid City, S.D., who instructed the class for chapter presidents; Steve Hanrahan, Huntington, W.V., vice presidents; Ken Fletcher, Bellevue, WA., treasurers; Don Harbon, administrative V.P.'s; and Tom Coogan from the headquarters staff.
Dave Stevens was also on hand to conduct a special class for chorus directors. Roger Morris, the district Troubadour editor served as moderator for the district's first school for chapter bulletin editors and public relations officers. It was announced that the district would be holding the first of what was hoped to be an annual competition to determine the district's "Bulletin of the Year."
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