Masters of Harmony Update - Spring 2011
Over the years, the Masters of Harmony have appeared many times at the Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center on the campus of California State University, Long Beach. Most of those performances were Christmas and spring shows. Early on, dating back to 1994, the quality of the entertainment caught the attention of the Long Beach Community Concert Association and its leaders decided to invite the Masters to be part of its concert series. In January, the Masters made their sixth appearance on the series and, once again, the audience responded enthusiastically to the program of rousing, high-energy music and precision choreography. A unique feature of this concert was the use of a see-through scrim instead of the usual heavy curtain separating the backstage area from the audience. This allowed the waiting-to-perform Masters to see without being seen each of the featured quartets, Tenacious Q and The Crush, outlined in the spotlight, as they entertained the highly appreciative audience.
Two weeks later, the Masters of Harmony and the Southern California Vocal Association co-sponsored the 11th Annual Young Men’s Harmony Festival at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa. Once again, the tireless months and the long-organizing efforts of Mark Freedkin helped make the event a huge success. Nearly 200 young men from 30 high schools and one middle school attended the all-day event, and feedback from the participants indicates that it was the best festival ever. OC Times, Dave Tautkus, Rob Campbell and the Society’s Adam Scott helped coach the young men throughout the day. The evening show featured the young men’s chorus, OC Times, Tenacious Q and Masterpiece quartets, the Masters of Harmony, and a finale that put 275 singers on stage for stirring renditions of “Fun In Just One Lifetime” and “America The Beautiful.” Proceeds from the show help support choral music education programs in Southern California schools. Over the 11 years of this festival, over 2,500 students have participated in one or more of these festivals. Undoubtedly, some of these young men will one day add their youthful energy to choruses around the country. Whether they do or not, these thousands have gained greater understanding and appreciation of the vocal potential they have carried around since birth and of their ability to use it to produce four-part harmony.
The Far Western District Spring Convention held in Santa Clara in mid-March featured a combined International Preliminary and Northwest Division Contest for quartets. Twelve foursomes competed and MOH quartets took the first four spots. Masterpiece, The Crush, and The Edge all qualified for Kansas City and On Tap was a close fourth-place finisher. During the convention, Harmony Foundation’s Sean Devine announced to the House of Delegates meeting that the Masters of Harmony was the No. 1 District contributor with the highest per man giving to Foundation activities.
Since the last chapter report, Amnon Avidor (lead), Matt Bohy (tenor), Ross Bronzan (bari), Eric Emmons (bass), Keith Jones (bass), Brad Kelso (lead), Alexander Kulessa (bass), Trey McEachin (lead), Jackson Niebrugge (lead), Satoshi Suga (bari), Jude Thomas (bass) and Kyle Williamson (bass) became members of the Masters of Harmony.
Two weeks later, the Masters of Harmony and the Southern California Vocal Association co-sponsored the 11th Annual Young Men’s Harmony Festival at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa. Once again, the tireless months and the long-organizing efforts of Mark Freedkin helped make the event a huge success. Nearly 200 young men from 30 high schools and one middle school attended the all-day event, and feedback from the participants indicates that it was the best festival ever. OC Times, Dave Tautkus, Rob Campbell and the Society’s Adam Scott helped coach the young men throughout the day. The evening show featured the young men’s chorus, OC Times, Tenacious Q and Masterpiece quartets, the Masters of Harmony, and a finale that put 275 singers on stage for stirring renditions of “Fun In Just One Lifetime” and “America The Beautiful.” Proceeds from the show help support choral music education programs in Southern California schools. Over the 11 years of this festival, over 2,500 students have participated in one or more of these festivals. Undoubtedly, some of these young men will one day add their youthful energy to choruses around the country. Whether they do or not, these thousands have gained greater understanding and appreciation of the vocal potential they have carried around since birth and of their ability to use it to produce four-part harmony.
The Far Western District Spring Convention held in Santa Clara in mid-March featured a combined International Preliminary and Northwest Division Contest for quartets. Twelve foursomes competed and MOH quartets took the first four spots. Masterpiece, The Crush, and The Edge all qualified for Kansas City and On Tap was a close fourth-place finisher. During the convention, Harmony Foundation’s Sean Devine announced to the House of Delegates meeting that the Masters of Harmony was the No. 1 District contributor with the highest per man giving to Foundation activities.
Since the last chapter report, Amnon Avidor (lead), Matt Bohy (tenor), Ross Bronzan (bari), Eric Emmons (bass), Keith Jones (bass), Brad Kelso (lead), Alexander Kulessa (bass), Trey McEachin (lead), Jackson Niebrugge (lead), Satoshi Suga (bari), Jude Thomas (bass) and Kyle Williamson (bass) became members of the Masters of Harmony.
