Barbershop Champions Promote University of La Verne’s 3rd Street Sound
On Monday, September 30, 2013, Ron Andreas and Joe D’Amore of the 8-time international chorus champion Masters of Harmony attended the rehearsal of the University of La Verne’s 3rd Street Sound, an ensemble comprised of 20 young men who have a passion for barbershop music. The Sound’s director, Carol Stephenson, another newly bit barbershop addict, recently attended the Barbershop Harmony Society’s Harmony College and benefited from a weekend of classes and coaching sessions specifically designed for musical leaders. We should mention that the Society has 800 chapters worldwide and maintains an active youth outreach music program.
Recently, the Santa Fe Springs-based Masters of Harmony board of directors saw an opportunity to partner with 3rd Street Sound, who will be competing at the Society’s International Midwinter Convention in Long Beach in January 2014. The board awarded the chorus $500 to be put towards sheet music, learning tracks, and costumes. The University is not paying for the group’s expenses because the chorus is considered a club, not an actual class. The students get together once a week to rehearse but do not receive credit towards any class. They are doing it because it is fun, and they enjoy singing! One of their members, Ernie Reyes, recently joined the Masters of Harmony. Several others from 3rd Street Sound are in the pipeline seeking membership.
Andreas and D’Amore presented the chorus with a giant ceremonial check during a rehearsal break. The local press along with the University’s Campus Times provided coverage. University President Devorah Lieberman and other department chairs were invited to attend. The young men, too, were invited to a rehearsal of the Masters of Harmony, as well as to any one of several of their upcoming Christmas shows.
The Masters of Harmony hopes this partnership with the University will be just the first of many ventures to promote and support young singers.
