Masters of Harmony Returns to Long Beach Concert Series
“Good to be home,” greeted Ray Johnson jovially in the beginning of his speaking bid during the Masters of Harmony performance at the Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center on the campus of California State University, Long Beach. That is exactly what it felt like last Sunday; invited “Back by Popular Demand,” as the Long Beach Community Concert Association advertised MOH’s sixth appearance on their Concert Series since November 1994. The Masters seem to return like the admired Olympians, every four years.
Having a chance to perform for a non-barbershop audience has its perks. Even Doug Maddox gets to recycle his jokes one more time. It is also thrilling, as you never know what to expect. This time, however, we got a taste of the patrons’ presence as soon as the chorus entered the stage by virtue of the see-through screen with large MOH logo projected on it. We were able to feel and, depending on the lighting, see them at all times, breathing the same air. We could also hear our quartets sing their hearts out and see their celestial figures outlined by the spotlight. The scrim setup in lieu of a heavy curtain, a choice dictated by a technical problem, was mesmerizing.
Clever and amusing Tenacious Q managed to entertain at the end of the first half of the show with their self-described “mustache, beer and women” approach to good old barbershop harmony. Having fun is their main goal, and the boys inarguably managed to reach it again on stage.
The second half of the show started with a powerful and alluring performance by The Crush, which captured the unsuspecting Carpenter Center patrons with a vengeance.
Mark Hale’s clever and fun arrangement of two Beatles songs about direct sunlight made its world debut on Sunday. The Beatles’ Sunshine Medley featured Joey Buss and Josh Szolomayer as soloists. Their Vaudevillian style soft-shoe dance piece in the middle of the song added pizzazz to their already impeccable performance.
The unexpected climax of the entire show was reached when explosive applause interrupted “Alabama Jubilee” for several seconds at the end of the “I Recall” interlude. Either the loud ringing chord got its well-deserved reaction, or the audience was excited to see the chorus spread like a flaming Spanish fan.
Finally, the chorus received a standing ovation and even some jubilant cheering after “Song Of America.” Little did the audience know that it was not the finale. Ever so majestic, “The Dream Is Carried On” returned the escaping audience back to their seats like a sledgehammer.
After the performance, AJ Manker was brave enough to meet the audience, which was still recovering from the extravaganza, for some feedback. In his e-mail report, AJ shared that a woman described the performance as, “not just wonderful, but tenderful – ten times more than wonderful,” creating an all-new praise word, custom made for the Masters of Harmony. It must be the same lady who consulted Tenacious Q in their name search.
Having a chance to perform for a non-barbershop audience has its perks. Even Doug Maddox gets to recycle his jokes one more time. It is also thrilling, as you never know what to expect. This time, however, we got a taste of the patrons’ presence as soon as the chorus entered the stage by virtue of the see-through screen with large MOH logo projected on it. We were able to feel and, depending on the lighting, see them at all times, breathing the same air. We could also hear our quartets sing their hearts out and see their celestial figures outlined by the spotlight. The scrim setup in lieu of a heavy curtain, a choice dictated by a technical problem, was mesmerizing.
Clever and amusing Tenacious Q managed to entertain at the end of the first half of the show with their self-described “mustache, beer and women” approach to good old barbershop harmony. Having fun is their main goal, and the boys inarguably managed to reach it again on stage.
The second half of the show started with a powerful and alluring performance by The Crush, which captured the unsuspecting Carpenter Center patrons with a vengeance.
Mark Hale’s clever and fun arrangement of two Beatles songs about direct sunlight made its world debut on Sunday. The Beatles’ Sunshine Medley featured Joey Buss and Josh Szolomayer as soloists. Their Vaudevillian style soft-shoe dance piece in the middle of the song added pizzazz to their already impeccable performance.
The unexpected climax of the entire show was reached when explosive applause interrupted “Alabama Jubilee” for several seconds at the end of the “I Recall” interlude. Either the loud ringing chord got its well-deserved reaction, or the audience was excited to see the chorus spread like a flaming Spanish fan.
Finally, the chorus received a standing ovation and even some jubilant cheering after “Song Of America.” Little did the audience know that it was not the finale. Ever so majestic, “The Dream Is Carried On” returned the escaping audience back to their seats like a sledgehammer.
After the performance, AJ Manker was brave enough to meet the audience, which was still recovering from the extravaganza, for some feedback. In his e-mail report, AJ shared that a woman described the performance as, “not just wonderful, but tenderful – ten times more than wonderful,” creating an all-new praise word, custom made for the Masters of Harmony. It must be the same lady who consulted Tenacious Q in their name search.
