Masters of Harmony Update - Spring 2015
In the following weeks, the Masters brought their annual Christmas show to audiences in Long Beach and Riverside. The theme for the 2014 shows was �A World of Christmas Joy� and its centerpieces were two high-energy songs that drew exceptionally loud applause from the audiences � a Ladino Hanukkah song, �Ocho Kandelikas,� and �Betelehemu,� sung entirely in the Yoruban language of Nigeria. The show�s second set featured a gripping re-enactment of the 100-year anniversary of the 1914 World War I Christmas truce, complete with �trench soldiers� in silhouette. As Christmas trees appeared on the risers, soloist Megan Lyne stepped down to the stage singing �Stille Nacht� (Silent Night). Masters �soldiers� on each side of �no-man�s land� joined her in song before exchanging gifts and hugs, just as the real soldiers did on that never-to-be-forgotten (and never-repeated) night of informal truce. The Newfangled Four (Joey Buss, Jackson Niebrugge, Jake Tickner, Ryan Wiesnewski) dazzled the audiences with performances worthy of the International stage.
As the Masters near their 30th Anniversary celebration, they gratefully acknowledge the importance of having an excellent, centrally located rehearsal hall provided gratis by the City of Santa Fe Springs. They repay that generosity in several ways. One way is to provide a free mini-concert at the city�s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, done each year on the first Saturday in December. On nine nights following that event, quartets made up of Masters singers entertain children and their parents with holiday songs. Some of these songs are performed with children on stage with the Masters singers accompanied by frequent clicking of cameras held by doting parents. When the float carrying Santa and Mrs. Santa arrives, children are able to have their pictures taken with Santa. According to city officials, this year these quartets performed to 6,000-7,000 children over those nine often-chilly nights. In addition this year, Far Western District Champion Quartet American Pastime did a mini-concert of its own for the Santa Fe Springs City Council. Many heartfelt thanks to our gracious host city, Santa Fe Springs!
In October, the Masters of Harmony received a welcome check from Harmony Foundation, our 30% �Donor�s Choice� share for contributions to Harmony Foundation. Along with gifts from our brothers in harmony throughout the world, Harmony Foundation received over $3 million in contributions for the first time ever. One result of this outpouring of generosity will be a doubling of the Foundation�s contribution to our Society this year. That means more potential barbershop singers will learn about, and take part in, Society events around the country!
It is with great sadness that the Masters family learned of the sudden passing of Glenn Hennessy. Glenn won five gold medals and one silver with the Masters. His work as Tape/CD Librarian helped numerous singers learn their music on their way to rehearsal or at home. He received the Director�s Award in 2003. Glenn was a warm-hearted man whose love for his Masters brothers was so obvious that many undoubtedly thought of him as one of their best friends.
On January 14, 2015, another MOH father-son team was created when Rob Briner received his membership badge from his well-known barbershop father, Dave Briner. In turn, Dave received his Man-of-Note pin from Rob.
