past Chapter
President was its first recipient.
Each year the local chapter votes for one of its members
whose contribution to the success and well-being of these men's a
cappella singing organization was the most critical and
significant. Gary Monroe is a relatively new barbershop
singer, he
started 3 years
ago and he thoroughly enjoys singing with the rest of the guys in the
chapter. Gary sings baritone, the most difficult part in barbershop
harmony style of singing. He is also VP for Music and Performance. "Our
priority is to have fun singing together, yet we strive to make our art
of singing four-part men's a-cappella harmony better through hard work
and excellent direction from our music team", says Gary. "Both my mom
and dad were musical. My mom played the organ at our church, and both
of them were in special Christmas choruses. My dad proudly played
the
sousaphone in the national FFA band in the 40's. They
Gary
Monroe 2007 BOTY
by Alexander Boltenko
PR Writer & Webmaster
Kalamazoo Barbershop
Chorus
At its annual meeting on
December 14,
2007 Kalamazoo Barbershop Harmony Society that includes Kalamazoo
Barbershop Chorus and quartets, named *Gary Monroe* from Schoolcraft as
their *Barbershopper of the Year*. This award --
officially
Gary Brown Memorial Award, was started in 1977 and Gary Brown,
long-time barbershopper and
got me involved
at a young age with piano
lessons at the age of 7 that I gave up at the
age of 14 when I joined the band program. I was very active in the high
school band playing trombone and bass guitar in the concert, marching,
jazz bands and rock bands. I also sang bass for our high school choir,
and also sing bass in my church choir", says Monroe. "I strive for
perfection in everything that I do, yet I try not to take life too
seriously. That's my way of trying to keep everything in my life: God,
family, work and pleasure in balance, and in a priority that works best
for me. I'm honored and humbled by receiving the Barbershopper of the
Year award for 2007 for our chapter because there are so many in our
chapter that are just as worthy of this reward". Gary Monroe. A
computer technician has been married for 32 years and he lives in
Schoolcraft. All his 3 sons sing and enjoy barbershop and sports.
