Masters of Harmony Update - Winter 2015
What those men launched was an organization that went beyond the wildest dreams of anyone except their own. Thirty years later, the chapter, renamed the Santa Fe Springs Chapter in 1999, attributes its success to rigorous and consistent pursuit of the mission. Masters of Harmony Hall of Famer Bill Roth compiled the following points as evidence:
- Ten international chorus medals, including eight consecutive gold medals, a silver and a bronze
- Twenty members who are international quartet champions and innumerable Far Western District quartet champs
- Nine members who are collegiate quartet champions
- Three quartets that became international champions while also competing with the MOH
- Host of numerous Barbershop Harmony Society conventions
- Five members who direct other choruses
- Several past Far Western District presidents
- Nine current certified Society judges, including three contest administrators
- Pioneer of the highly successful Young Men In Harmony program
- Presenter of the first-ever Master Class by a returning championship chorus at an international convention
These are achievements of an organization that not only accomplishes much but also gives back much to the Society that nurtures it.
There was no better way to celebrate these life-changing years than by throwing a big party! The chapter held its “30th Anniversary Homecoming Gala” in September at Lakewood’s The Centre at Sycamore Plaza. Fifty inactive and former members to renew old friendships, and new members were privileged to meet those who helped build the Masters of Harmony legacy. Besides a wonderful dinner, then chorus performed and over 300 guests enjoyed selections from legendary Masters quartets The Crush, Masterpiece, OC Times and Nightlife. A video of “Memorable MOH-ments” brought back precious memories of people and performances. In the finale, everyone who could remember commingled on the risers to sing our first opener, Let A Smile Be Your Umbrella, and the number that is still the highest-scoring song in Masters’ history, Love Me, And The World Is Mine. Three members who played major roles in creating and sustaining the ongoing Masters legacy were inducted into the Masters of Harmony Hall of Fame – Paul Laemmle, Rob Menaker and Brett Littlefield.
If a song truly reflects the ongoing pursuit of excellence set in motion by the founding members, it is Jay Giallombardo’s The Dream Is Carried On (Reach for your dreams, strive from your heart…”) Sometimes excellence is achieved only to be surpassed by an even greater performance by a noteworthy competitor, this time by the legendary Vocal Majority at the 2014 International Chorus Contest in Las Vegas.
The Masters of Harmony won the Far Western District Chorus Contest in Mesa, Arizona, in October with a score of 92.1 percent. Kudos also go to the 2015 FWD Quartet Champion Flightline (Oscar Sotelo, Daniel Huitt, Cody Littlefield, Kyle Williamson) and 2015 FWD Seniors Quartet Champion Blood, Sweat, and Years (Bob Cathaway, Les Weiser). Chapter President Ron Andreas noted that the Masters have produced 28 FWD quartet champions. Now it’s on to Nashville in 2016.
The following officers were elected to lead the chapter in 2016: President–Rob Menaker; Secretary–Maurice Freleaux; Treasurer–Ed Churchill; VP Chapter Development–Jackson Niebrugge; VP Marketing–John Loftus; VP Music & Performance–Patrick Haedtler; VP Operations–Tom Christman; VP Public Relations–Michael Van Schoonhoven; Board Members-at-Large–Charles Carothers, Leonard Jensen, Jason Remley, Ed Schackman, Walter Tang and Dave Tautkus.
With sadness, the Masters notes the passing of former member Chris Wilson, winner of two chorus gold medals with us.
Since the last issue of Westunes, the chapter welcomed Ben Boughton, Cole Dawson, Bart Halberstadt and Adam Marangakis into membership.
