New contest format adopted
A bit of remodeling of the traditional way of doing things at our district conventions began in 1976. As a result of the planning that had been in the works for some five years by the District Board and its committees, the quartet preliminaries were moved from Saturday morning to Friday night at 9 p.m. This reshuffling brought about other changes in the routine of the convention, and did help to cut down on the hectic pace that had marked the contest sessions up until this time.
The Board of Directors meeting was changed to start at 2 p.m. on Friday to start the weekend activities. The quartet preliminaries followed at 9 p.m. The House of Delegates meeting was changed to convene at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning, with the chorus contest following at 1:30 p.m. Quartet finals were scheduled to start at 8 p.m. Saturday evening, so that everyone would be able to relax and enjoy the hospitality rooms when the scheduled events were over.
Every competitor was required to register, as usual. Early registration was $8 for an all-event ticket until April 1, after which the same ticket was $9. Individual sessions were tagged at $4 each.
Early spring chapter shows had patriotic flavor
1976 was the year of our nation's 200th year bicentennial celebration, and almost all of the Pioneer chapters participated and made their annual shows showcases for our nation's birthday celebration.
Chapters in the Pioneer District held their chapter shows in the early part of the year, generally during the months of February through May, and 1976 proved to be no exception. Chapters holding shows during this period included Monroe, Holly-Fenton, Pontiac, Oakland County, Wayne, Battle Creek, Grand Rapids, St. Joseph Valley, Flint, Boyne City, Kalamazoo and Alpena. Battle Creek's show theme was entitled a "Salute to America," and many of the chapters adopted this general theme. The Flint Chapter also included the "Salute to America" format on their show on April 10, 1976.
The Grand Rapids Chapter hosted its 33rd Great Lakes Invitational on April 10, 1976, in Civic Auditorium with emphasis on barbershop as part of our American heritage. Along with the 60-man chorus and their local quartets, the show featured the 1967 International Champs the FOUR STATESMEN, the FRONT OFFICE FOUR from Lansing, and the ever popular CITATIONS, international finalists from Louisville, Kentucky. The Wayne Chapter titled their show "What a Country" and featured the OK-4 from Oklahoma City.
The Detroit Chapter went one step further and scheduled a "Bach to Barbershop" show in conjunction with the Bowling Green State University Symphony Orchestra in Detroit's Masonic Auditorium on June 4, 1976. This show not only included the MOTOR CITY Chorus, but the GENTLEMEN'S AGREEMENT and the VAGABONDS as well. The Society's Director of Communications, Hugh Ingraham, came from Kenosha to MC the fantastic show. Bob Whitledge, director of the MOTOR CITY Chorus, put the package together with Dr. Emil Raab and his excellent Bowling Green State Symphony Orchestra.
Washington, D.C. draws largest attendance
More than 1200 barbershoppers and their families congregated in the nation's capitol to make up the biggest attendance at any midwinter convention up to that time. The highlight of the weekend of January 29-30, 1976, was the premiere of the Society's Bicentennial show "Salute to America," at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The show featured the 250-man CHORUS OF THE POTOMAC (made up from Washington area chapters). In addition, numerous area quartets participated to make the show a real classic.
Following a year's consideration of two proposals on increasing the number of competing quartets in international competition, the International Board approved a two-year (1976 and 1977) test program. During the trial period, if a medalist quartet(s) from the international quartet contest competes and qualifies in the following district international preliminary quartet contest, the next eligible quartet(s) from that district will be allowed to compete in the next international quartet contest in addition to the medalist quartet(s).
As approved by the International Board in January 1975, additional facilities to house expanded Society operations in Kenosha were to be finalized about March 1, 1976. The new property consisted of two units, one (a former super market) consisting of 15,000 square feet, and the other (formerly a drug store) consisting of 9,300 square feet. The Society will occupy the 9,300 square feet and lease out the larger portion to provide income. The cost of the building was $350,000.
One new innovation taken by the Board was the recognition of the accomplishments of our international quartet champions. As a token of appreciation, the Society would provide the Association of International Champions with an official A/C ring, effective with the 1976 champions.
Early quartet and coaching workshops successful
Pioneer's hard-working Music Education Director W. D. "Bill" Butler arranged for two workshops which were successfully held on February 27-29, 1976, and again on March 19-21, 1976, at the Olds Plaza in Lansing. The first session was a quartet coaching seminar which featured international staffer Mac Huff, and the second was a Chorus Director's Workshop and Clinic featuring Joe Liles. Bill reported both of these sessions were simply fantastic and very productive, as well as a lot of fun.
All eyes turned toward Lansing
The Lansing Ramada Inn was the headquarters motel for the Pioneer District spring convention on April 23-25, 1976, with the Eastern Auditorium as the contest site. Thirteen quartets vied for the three spots allocated to the Pioneer District for the San Francisco international quartet contest (under the trial rule passed at the recent January 1976, Washington, D.C., midwinter convention).
With three spots to be filled, the remaining 12 entries pulled out all the stops for the judges and gave district fans another great barbershop experience as they battled to the wire. The NORTHERN HI-LITES, representing Grosse Pointe, Wayne, Detroit #1 and Oakland County chapters (Bob Demchak, tenor; Dave Caldwell, lead; Bob Wisdom, baritone and Lee Hanson, bass), three times the bridesmaid, were not to be denied this year as they sang their way to a second place finish, 161 points off the pace set by the VAGABONDS. The CLASSMATES, from the Battle Creek and Saginaw-Bay chapters (Jim Johnson, tenor; Tom Peil, lead; Bob Glover, baritone and Len Johnson, bass) came on with some consistent scoring and a fine showing in the arrangement category to grab third place and a trip out West. PATCH CHORDS grab brass gaboon Thirteen quartets competed at the annual Boyne City "Bush League" contest on May 1, 1976, in what proved to be a real barn burner from beginning to end. Only 126 points separated the second and the thirteenth position. When all the votes were in and tabulated, they showed the PATCH CHORDS from Lansing (Mike Johnson, tenor; Gene Johnson, lead; Don Horton, baritone, and Doug Pearson, bass) to be far and away the best of the lot.
GENTLEMEN'S AGREEMENT took their final bow The GENTLEMEN'S AGREEMENT appeared for the last time on June 19, 1976 at Lars Hockstad Auditorium in Traverse City, Michigan. The show featured all three versions of the GA, number one being with Glenn Van Tassell on baritone, number two with Greg Backwell, and number three with Jim Gross. The quartet was probably one of the most popular and entertaining quartets in barbershopping from 1970 through 1976, and it was sad when they finally broke up. They did get together one time later, at a Pioneer District CAN-AM Jamboree Show in Chatham, Ontario, on June 6, 1987. This was with the original four. A salute to one of the finest quartets ever to have sung in our Society! They probably commanded more respect and admiration than any other quartet in the Society during their singing years. Division I hosted big Send-Off Show A big Send-Off Show was held on Friday, May 21, 1976, under the direction of Division I Vice President Clay Jones and General Chairman Fred MacFadyen of the Oakland County Chapter. Headlining the big event at the Warren Fitzgerald High School on May 21 was the combined chorus of Division I members in attendance (directed by Glenn Van Tassell), San Francisco-bound Detroit MOTOR CITY Chorus with Bob Whitledge, and the new District Champion Wayne WONDERLAND Chorus ecstatically directed by Steve Sutherland. The San Francisco-bound NORTHERN HI-LITES, CLASSMATES, and VAGABONDS headlined the quartet presentations, and were joined by the WARREN G. HARDING MEMORIAL FOUR. Money contributed and taken in at the door was used to defray the cost of sending the representative quartets and chorus to the San Francisco convention. The district was committed to providing $9,000 of the estimated $32-40,000 required to send a chorus and the quartets to the convention ($4500 was already set up in the travel fund). Fortunately, the show was successful both financially and artistically. Some surprises at San Francisco As the editor of the Troubadour at the time, Roger Morris stated, "It was a ding-dong, sing-song of a battle at San Francisco's Cow Palace on July 8-10, 1976, as the INNSIDERS from Houston, Texas, edged the Pioneer District VAGABONDS for the gold medal and the quartet championship of S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A., Inc. The two quartets were one-two from the outset, with the INNSIDERS grabbing a 20-point lead in the Thursday opener, and steadily padding their lead to win the trophy."
International Board highlights At the International Board meeting commensurate with the San Francisco convention, International Vice President Sam Aramian of the Far Western District was elected to the office of international president for 1977. Some of the key administrative matters handled by the Board at this meeting which affected Pioneer members included: The Executive Committee will study the feasibility of creating a Rocky Mountain District. As to the Society's motto song, "Keep America Singing," written by Bill Diekema of the Holland Chapter, the Board granted permission to use such alternate words as "Keep everyone singing..." or "Keep the whole world singing..." instead of "Keep America singing...." This was to come back to haunt the Society in later years, since neither Bill Diekema nor his family wanted the lyrics altered in any way. It was finally resolved in 1992 when the Board adopted a second stanza to incorporate the new words, keeping the original first stanza intact. "Star Spangled Harmony" theme of Oakland County and St. John's Autumn Harmony Show The Oakland County Chapter and St. John's Episcopal Church combined for a two-night show on Friday, September 24, 1976, at the church in Royal Oak, Michigan. The show featured the narration of WJR's award-winning Mike Whorf on our American heritage and 200 years of growth, with the WOLVERINE Chorus providing barbershop harmony for the background of the narration. With Mike Whorf's sharp eye for the spirit and substance of the epic events of the past, combined with the excellent sounds of barbershop harmony, the show was a natural. Mike had taken the basic framework of our special bicentennial show package and reworked it to suit his own distinct style and flavor. Headlined on the show in addition to the WOLVERINE Chorus, were the VAGABONDS, the FRONT OFFICE FOUR Sweet Adeline Quartette, and the HARMONICA MEN TRIO. Other Fall 1976 events of note Harrisville over the Labor Day weekend was crowded as usual. Pioneer District Logopedics Chairman Fran Durham reported that the Harrisville outing had provided Logopedics with a contribution of $910.08, quite a sum of money. FOREIGN POLICY wins district title; MOTOR CITY Chorus takes preliminaries Pioneer District barbershop members will long remember the 1976 fall convention; not just for the splendor and the beauty of the trappings of the Hyatt Regency in Dearborn, but for the hospitality of the Grosse Pointe Chapter, and for the high level of competition in both the chorus preliminaries and the district quartet contest.
Board adopts new method of distributing travel funds to contestants The District Board meeting held with the convention on October 9, 1976, adopted a new disbursement schedule of convention net profits. A motion was made and adopted that, commencing with the 1978 fall convention, the distribution of net profits would be split 40 percent-40 percent between the district and the host chapter with the remaining 20 percent reserved for the district travel fund for choruses and quartets competing at the international contests. In House of Delegate's actions, it was announced that the Chapter Officer Training School scheduled for November 13, 1976, had been moved from Lansing to the MEA Conference Center near Battle Creek. A resolution was introduced and passed that the dates for the COT school be changed so as not to be scheduled between the dates of November 10-December 1 of any given year. This would relieve the pressure of chapters having officers who partake of the hunting season scheduled for the same dates. Four members inducted into Hall of Fame The Pioneer District inducted four new members into its Hall of Fame at the fall convention in Dearborn. Wally Joure, from Port Huron and Grosse Pointe; Robert Walker, Grand Rapids; Mike Arnone, Detroit; and Leonard Field, Jackson, were so inducted at the House of Delegates meeting. Mr. Field's award was accepted by Dan LaBumbard, District Zone II Vice President.
In the quartet contest, the VAGABONDS-from the Detroit #1, Lansing and Oakland County chapters-jumped into a first round lead in the preliminaries, as expected, and solidified their position in the Saturday night finals to assure their presence on stage at the Cow Palace in San Francisco in July.
Vagabonds
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Northern Hi-Lites
They were followed by the surprising performance of the SOUND SPECTRUM representing the Port Huron, Grosse Pointe and Clinton Valley chapters (Denis Phelan, tenor; Galen Oliver, lead; Brian Kaufman, baritone and Jack Slamka, bass)-good enough to make first alternate. The FINAL EDITION, a late entry, overcame some sore throat problems to finish fifth and only 16 points away from the alternates. Filling out the top seven were the STATELINERS, the FOUR "D" MINORS and the PATCH CHORDS (from the Lansing Chapter).
The chorus contest found 12 choruses competing, and also found Wayne Director Steve Sutherland set a new record for the high jump when it was announced that the Wayne WONDERLAND Chorus was the new district champion chorus. Steve, long an assistant and associate director under some great leadership at Wayne, achieved success on his first try at the helm of the WONDERLAND Chorus. Grosse Pointe, under Gordon Limburg, finished only 28 points behind and just five points ahead of a surging Grand Rapids GREAT LAKES Chorus that fielded some 60 men on stage. Monroe, with Glenn Van Tassell directing, finished a strong fourth; followed by Saginaw-Bay, Traverse City, Lansing, Clinton Valley, Port Huron, Benton Harbor, Windsor and Gratiot County. Saginaw-Bay, directed by Jim Gross, captured the Silver Division trophy with a fine performance.
Wonderland Chorus "76"
The PATCH CHORDS had formed a year earlier, and were becoming one of the finest entertaining quartets in the district. In the six months prior to the contest, they were particularly busy making a name for themselves in the Lansing and the Owosso area. Their selection of "Sara Jane," "Mister Bassman" and "On Top of Old Smokey" added a lot of comedy to their comedic show routine. The PATCH CHORDS also took their barbershop singing seriously. They attended as many quartet clinics as they could and were coached by that knowledgeable retired chairman of judges, Merle Clayton from Battle Creek.
Motor City "76"
Wonderland Chorus "76"
Vagabonds
Northern Hi Lites
Classmates
It was unfortunate for the VAGABONDS to have finished second in this contest. It is probably one of the few contests where the audience in great numbers disagreed with the judges as to the final outcome. Your author, in talking with knowledgeable barbershoppers throughout the Society who were at the contest, surmised that the overall feeling was the VAGABONDS should have been the winner. However, the judges make the final determination as to the outcome, and the INNSIDERS proved to be excellent champions.
As Roger stated further, "It was Phoenix who captured the chorus competition at San Francisco. It was Scarborough who tore down the house with its great singing and a wild demonstration accompanying its second place finish. But from the grins on their faces, the starry glare in their eyes, the Seventh-Heaven stride in their walk, you would have thought our MOTOR CITY guys had just pulled off the coup of the century."
Detroit and Pioneer District people at the Cow Palace in San Francisco were almost as jubilant when the MOTOR CITY singers were announced as the choice for seventh, the highest finish for a Pioneer representative in many moons, and a great performance by Bob Whitledge and his charges.
While they didn't make the first cut in the quartet competition, the NORTHERN HI-LITES and the CLASSMATES showed a lot of potential, as well as togetherness, in finishing 35 and 36. While that may seem back in the pack, remember there were 48 entries in this year's contest, and hundreds more who did not make it out of their districts. Every one of our Pioneer people deserves a big hand for a great effort in San Francisco.
The Logopedics Spectacular which took place in Battle Creek on September 11 was sponsored by the Battle Creek Chapter. It was a very exciting show with Jim Miller of the THOROUGHBREDS directing a massed chorus of 92 men and the DEALER'S CHOICE and the GRANDMA'S BOYS as featured quartets. In addition, the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo choruses had special spots on the show. There were numerous quartet and solo spots throughout this bicentennial presentation. Dick Smith, of the Battle Creek Chapter, did a super job as narrator. Doran McTaggart was his superb self as master of ceremonies.
The HURON HARMONY Chorus was privileged to sing the national anthem at the Tiger's ball game on August 22 in a spirited show set up to honor former Tiger players. The chorus, along with the harmonica players from SPAH (that's Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica), put on a brief show, after which the chorus sang the "Star Spangled Banner" in front of a huge audience including national TV coverage.
The HARMONY HOUNDS announced a reorganization of the group that had been entertaining audiences for some 14 years. Lowell Wolfe announced that he was moving south to Florida, and Roger Lewis decided to retire at the same time. Dick Smith took over the lead from Roger Lewis and Dorn Burrill replaced Lowell in the baritone spot.
The first annual "Milltown Festival of Harmony" was held in Grayling High School on July 31, 1976. The HURON HARMONY Chorus from Port Huron took home the "Pole Town Award" as a symbol they were "tops" on the judges' score sheets. The Alpena chorus was runner-up. Others competing in the festival, designed for small chorus rivalry, were Boyne City, Cadillac, and the host Au Sable Valley Chapter.
The VAGABONDS traveled to Chicago on September 20, 1976, along with the FRONT OFFICE FOUR Sweet Adeline quartette, where they starred on the popular Phil Donahue show, which was aired live on WGN-TV, Channel 9, at 11 a.m. The entire show was dedicated to barbershop harmony, with the Pride of Michigan and Michigan's current Queens of Harmony carrying most of the load. It was a great performance by our champs, and some solid public relations for the Society.
Bob Whitledge and the MOTOR CITY Chorus cleared the first hurdle in the big ballroom at Dearborn's Hyatt Regency on October 9 by taking a 101-point win over the runner-up Wayne WONDERLAND Chorus and eight other entries, including Grand Rapids, Monroe, Oakland County, Grosse Pointe, Battle Creek, Lansing, Kalamazoo, and Holland. As a result, the MOTOR CITY Chorus won the right to represent the district at the 1977 Philadelphia international chorus contest.
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Motor City "77"
The FOREIGN POLICY quartet scored a big win to take the district crown in one of best sing-offs seen and heard in the district in many years. With 17 groups entered and the vastly improved quality of the participants, the entire Pioneer District came out a clear winner.
Foreign Policy
The new champs-with John Wearing singing tenor, Russ Seely lead, Don Humphries baritone, and Thom Hine bass-registered a solid 150-point victory over the GREAT LAKES EXPRESS. The SOUND SPECTRUM, tied with the GLX after Friday evening's semi-finals, finished third by a mere ten points.
Monroe's COUNTRY ESTATE finished sixth to take the novice championship, with the PATCH CHORDS and the ROLLING TONES just ahead of them in fourth and fifth place. Other quartets competing included the FRINGE BENEFIT, HARMONY HOUNDS, CEREAL CITY CHORD COMMITTEE, PERSONAL EXPRESSION, WARREN G. HARDING MEMORIAL FOUR, GOLDEN OLDIES, VILLAGE RAMBLERS, CHORDWOODS, YE OLDE LAMPLYTERS, SUBTLE IMPRESSIONS, and the RAPIDAIRES.
Officers unanimously elected to serve the Pioneer District in 1977 were President John Gillespie, Immediate Past President and International Board Member Don Funk, Executive Vice President Doran McTaggart, Treasurer Jack Schneider, and Secretary John McClinchey. Division Vice Presidents elected were Clay Jones, Division I; Dan LaBumbard, Division II; Fran Jones, Division III; Warren Marsh, Division IV; and Dick Guerin, Division V.
 Wally Joure
|  Robert Walker
|  Mike Arnone
|  Leanord Field
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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.
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