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April 2008                Archive | Ads | Submissions | Links          Online Edition #4



Saginaw Bay Chapter


Participating in the Program were a Congressman, County Executive, local Red Cross Director, Deputy Sheriff, School District Official, and perhaps most importantly local Veteran Organization Officials including a Color Guard.  The script calls for reading various tributes to the Military, our Country and its Citizens.  We put 43 on stage.  Several men who sing in local vocal groups and church choirs as well as our Chorus and five fellow Barbershoppers from the Flint Chapter (John Noteware, Dave Lonsbury, Bob Longroy, Dave Flattley and Bob Bammert).  We extend a great big thank you to them.
 

INTRODUCTION:

"Throughout our country, we have seen a resurgence of patriotism as each American has expressed in his own way, "United We Stand!" Tonight, we invite you to enjoy and partake in a program that will give each of us a chance to stand and sing some wonderful songs of America.  Our program features the voices of many of your friends and neighbors as they sing in a special men's chorus sponsored by the Bay City Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society.  Not all of these singers are necessarily Barbershoppers.  We have come together to express our national pride and love of our homeland united through song.  Please welcome your friends as they proudly present "United We Sing!"
 
Harbor Sounds Chorus on Stage

United We Sing
(click image to enlarge)

by Ralph Brown
Harbor Sounds Chorus

I think it is a good thing to look back at some of the highlights of the past year.   One of the most enjoyable events was our show at a local movie theater which has been restored to its' original state.  The facility took me back to the late forties and fifties when my Dad operated a similar small Theater in Vicksburg, Michigan, where I was raised. 
 
Our Director, Chuck Brooks, introduced us to the "United We Sing - A Patriotic Song Fest" which is a scripted program from the International that pays tribute to our Country and all of the Armed Forces that guard our borders and Freedoms.  We followed it almost to the letter and with the help of many Chapter Members we put on a wonderful Show. 
 
So the evening began; the chorus sang America.  With various intermittent readings we continued with "The Star Spangled Banner" (audience participation), "This Is My Country", as we sang the Armed Service Medley, Service men in the audience stood as their anthem was sung and some local Boy Scouts presented each one with a small United States Flag.  God bless them each and every one.
 
We sang "Battle Hymn of the Republic", "Eternal Father Strong to Save", "America the Beautiful", "USA Medley" (which brought them to their feet) and concluded with "Let There Be Peace On Earth".
 
We had over 300 in attendance and each person was filled with excitement and were caught up in the moment as their hearts swelled with love of Country and a renewed sense of Patriotism. "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED"
 
For those of you who have put on this Program or attended one, know how great it feels to be a part of it, and those who have not should give it a try.  The experience is awesome.  People around town are still talking about how pleased they are to have been there and shared some magic moments.
 
Hope to see all of you at Convention in Battle Creek!
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