Troubadour

Pioneer At 2008 Internationals

The convention included an honorary induction into the BHS for the Oak Ridge Boys who accepted on stage and sang a moving gospel, a-cappella of course.

Along with the competition there was the American Harmony - The Movie - Viewing, seminars, slide show tribute plus meet and greet with Gaynotes and Side Street Ramblers, AIC show, and Harmony Foundation Presents Show.

Wildcard lead, Dave Miller gave the following report.

It was simply a joy to be able to represent the Pioneer district at the international competition. I really appreciate all of the support that we have received from our friends in the district and the Grand Rapids chapter. They have been very supportive of their international reps in the past and continued to do so for us. We have an AWESOME district and chapter.

Being on the international stage was not as stressful as we had expected. We couldn't see the crowd because of the bright lights. We knew they were there, but couldn't see them.

The crowds at the international are very supportive of the competitors. Everyone in the audience wants the competitors to do well, without exception. It doesn't matter from which district you come or who your favorite quartet is, when they are announced, you cheer for them as loud as you can and support them. When the quartets do well, the audience always wins because they have received the gift the quartet/chorus was there to give, that of song and beautiful harmony.

My favorite moment was when Doran McTaggart received the Dave LaBar MC award. I was so happy for Doran. He is such a good friend and talent, it was great to see him recognized publically for his efforts. We spent some time with Doran in Nashville, and it was very clear the amount of time and effort he puts into his seemingly effortless delivery. He was always trying out new material to get a reaction. He is an awesome talent.

Singing on the Larry Ager fundraiser was a thrill. Being on the same stage as all of those great quartets and being roasted by Kenny Hatton was fun. It was great to be able to give back to a cause which has helped so many barbershoppers in the past.

Next year, I look forward to competing along side more of my friends from Pioneer as we strive for the magic 912 points.

I love barbershop and am thankful for the opportunity to represent the District, my chapter and perform for such a wonderful audience.

Dave Miller
wildcard lead
wildcard4.com

Here's a link to a photo and website of each 'mens' 2008 International Quartet District Representative courtesy of Sweet Adeline quartet In The Mix www.inthemixquartet.com

Established only three years ago the Pioneer District International Chorus Representative MountainTown Singers of Mount Pleasant Chapter had a solid sound with fun choreography with one of their songs arranged by their own director. They scored 2238 averaging 74.6% placing 28th of 28.

Reps Thank Pioneer
(click image for album)

Barbershop Haromoy Society

By all accounts, webcast or live in person, the BHS Nashville 2008 Internationals were very exciting. The new BHS headquarters in Nashville proved a wonderful host for Internationals. There were many positive reports of the venue and of the eateries within walking distance. Nashville lived up to its reputation as the Music City with music pouring onto the street from a myriad of taverns and restaurants. The competition was July 2nd-5th at the Sommet Center, Nashville Convention Center, 601 Commerce St. Nashville, TN 37203

Representing the Pioneer District was the Grand Rapids Chapter quartet Wildcard, tenor Peter Westers, lead Dave Miller, bass James Masalskis, and bari Curt Struyk competing for their first time at Internationals. In the quartet quarterfinals they scored 2215 points for a 73.8% average, placing 49th of 51. They had a sensitive and beautiful blend singing their songs It's Only A Paper Moon and Always (I love that tender tenor post).

Wildcard baritone Curt Struyk is also director for the Grand Rapids Chapter Great Lakes Chorus. At the GLC rehearsal following Internationals Curt regaled us with the excitement of the 'big' stage, its blinding footlights, and all the talented barbershoppers he met.

He relayed to us of the well deserved BHS Dave LaBar MC of the Year Award presented to Doran McTaggart of Pioneer's Windsor Chapter and of a fun 'groaner' Doran told while emceeing there.

Curt said he was impressed with the professionalism of the performers. Especially the chorus who didn't miss a beat while the Independence Day festivities boomed in through their set and declined a 'do-over'.

He was pleased his top two picks were right, although it was really close. The top five quartet finalists were...

1 OC Times FWD

2 Crossroads CSD
(lead Mike Slamka from Power Play)

3 State Line Grocery DIX

4 Redline DIX

5 Old School MAD

Also in their first appearance at Internationals Pioneer District Collegiate Quartet Champion Harmony101 with tenor Nathan Masterson, lead Garrett Gillingham, Bari Kevin Dunckel, and bass Mark Spring scored 768 with a 64.0% average placing them 20th of 22.

GLC Chorus member Leon Reister who attended said he was really impressed with all the collegiate quartet youngsters and their fresh arrangements. Doug Weaver was able to snap a few photos and said he thought all the quartets proved they were of international caliber.

This next is a report from their Director David Gillingham.

The international experience is like none other. It is hard to get one's mind around the fact that there can be so many people (10,000) in one place that enjoy barbershop. It is also very hard to comprehend all the mind-boggling talent in one place. The quartet contest was probably the best ever...the college quartet contest is now getting close to looking and sounding like the "big boy's" contest. And, the chorus contest is like watching you "show of shows".

The MountainTown Singers have made tremendous strides in their three short years of existence and plan to continue to improve and grow in barbershop craft and singing excellence. The international contest was a breath taking experience. Most of the guys, including me, thought of our time on stage as a "blur". I wasn't even sure how we did.....most people asked each other.."did we do well"....four to five minutes on stage felt more like 30 seconds. I have watched the replay of our performance on the webcast and it is really good. In my opinion our average score should have been closer to an 80 considering the improvement we have made from the fall qualifying contest. However, the stigma of the seeded points you enter the contest with seem to be a better predictor of how the chorus will rank. We went into the contest seeded last and came out last. With the exception of only two or three choruses, most all of the choruses fared just the way they were seeded. That being said, we will take a deep breath, swallow our pride and work even harder for the fall contest in Battle Creek. We know what we have to do, and we are up to the task.

The best part of international for me was just watching and hearing the contest. It is like going to a barbershop show where all the quartets and choruses are "headliners"!! The only "downer" for me, was when the buses picked us up at the hotel for contest. They were 30 minutes late as they thought we were in a different hotel. Thus, we were literally rushed through the process getting to the stage. However, a less rushed schedule would not have changed the outcome.

I should especially note that this was an experience of a lifetime for our 16 college students who sang with us. Their feedback about the contest has reflected "awe" and disbelief at how very refined this art form is. The society will reap the benefits whenever they can get college students to attend international, much less have them participate in the contest. They are tomorrow's barbershoppers and we want them to be "bitten by the bug" and sustain the hobby for life.

It has been a supreme honor to represent the Pioneer District in this year's international contest and a personal dream come true for me.

In harmony,

David R. Gillingham
Professor of Music
989.774.1961
email
www.GillinghamMusic.com
www.mountaintownsingers.org



July 2008 Archive \| Ads \| Submissions \| Links Online Edition #7