„ AULD‰ ACQUAINTANCES SERENADED IN ...€ž AULD‰ ACQUAINTANCES SERENADED IN WESTBURY AUGUST SEES MID-ISLAND CHAPTER RETURN TO SCOTTISH GAMES MID-ISLANDERS WIN HUGE CHEERS AT

„ AULD‰ ACQUAINTANCES SERENADED IN WESTBURY AUGUST SEES MID-ISLAND CHAPTER RETURN TO SCOTTISH GAMES

MID-ISLANDERS WIN

HUGE CHEERS AT ANNUAL EVENT

WESTBURY, NY— Thousands of delighted attendees at this year’s Long Island Scottish Festival and Highland Games got the chance to hear a special performance by the Long Island Har-monizers Chorus and quartets as they did during the festivities in 2012. The members of the Mid-Island Chapter accepted an invitation to return to Old Westbury Gardens and offer a concert of close to an hour. The festivi-ties, drawing huge throngs to the 200-acre setting, were co-hosted by Scot-tish Clan MacDuff. Day-long activities for the annual event included scheduled entertainment, games and food The Nassau Mid-Islanders offered a wide variety of old and new barber-shop songs in four-part harmony, and won enthusiastic cheers and applause during their show, ably emceed by the Chapter’s own born and bred, kilt-clad Scotsman, Michael Creaney.

A tradition at Old Westbury Gardens for about 40 years, the Scottish Games attract many dressed in traditional Scot-tish garb. Attendees can bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on while watch-ing the competitions and performances. Vendors sell Scottish kilts, jewelry and more, while the available food ranges from fish and chips, toffee pudding and Scottish pies to hamburgers, ice cream and nonalcoholic beverages. Each year, the opening ceremonies showcase Scot-tish bagpipers in a march down the Gar-den’s’ majestic North Lawn. The Scottish Games, attended by six to eight thousand people, are acknowl-edged as one of the highlights of the Westbury Gardens season. It is believed that the traditional Scot-tish games were begun by the ancient highland chieftains to help them select the strongest men for their armies. After their performance that conclud-ed with the singing of “God Bless America,” members of the Long Island Harmonizers had the opportunity to distribute literature about the Chapter, answer questions about weekly rehears-als, offer invitations to attend and pro-vide details about upcoming events.

The Nassau Mid-Island Chapter hopes that it will again be invited to the event in 2014, when it will have added many more songs to its already wide reper-toire.

HICKSVILLE, NY — August saw the return of Nassau Mid-Island Chapter members at a fundraising Summer Fair arranged at Our Lady of Mercy Church. The chorus was one of two musical groups that performed at the Hicksville event that additionally featured carnival rides and games. It marked the second time that the Chapter took to the stage. They did so in 2011 and were so well received that they were asked back again by the fair’s committee organizers.

LI HARMONIZERS ALSO GRAB FAIRGOERS ATTENTION

NEW HYDE PARK - Eva Milauskas, Toosday Toons staffer, has announced the August birth of Michael Jonathan, to her daughter, Elaina, and husband, Jason. It is the couple’s first child. The happy parents are already prepared for what will assuredly be Michael’s editorial leanings, with the purchase of a "playpen."

LATE NEWS

Bill Vesely photo

Bob Merrill photo

PAGE 2 TOOSDAY TOONS SEPTEMBER-2013

Toosday Toons A monthly publication of the Nassau Mid-Island Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, a nonprofit, charitable and educational society. Chapter meetings into early September, Tuesdays at 8:00 pm at Calvary Protestant Church, 2801 Park Avenue, Baldwin, New York. All articles not accompanied by a byline have been written by the editor and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the members nor of the officers of the Nassau Mid-Island Chapter. Opposing points of view are welcomed and encouraged. All editorial submissions must be received no later than the 21st of every month prior to the upcoming issue in order to be considered for publication.

Editor In Chief Bob Heim

[email protected] Editor At Large

Chiz Bell [email protected]

Assistant Editor Bill Ruth

[email protected]

Editorial Assistants Bess Bell, Wayne Lazar

Photography

Bob Heim, Eva Milauskas Bill Vesely, Marvin Goodman

Nameplate Design

Dan Gilmartin, Chapter Webmaster

Chapter Census (as of August 31, 2013)

Life 1 Regular 32 Senior (L) 18 Senior (N) 5

Total 56

www.longislandharmonizers.org

Jon Ayers, Chapter President

It’s been the custom of our chapter to make charitable gifts. These are largely made up of our half of the annual show raffle, to which the chapter adds an amount decided by the board. In the recent past, this gift has gone entirely to the Nassau County chapter of AHRC, committed to enriching the lives of people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. Following last year’s show there was some feeling among the board members that it would be nice if we could make a portion of our gift to a charitable organization in which one or more of our members was active, and this was made known to the membership. We got two responses, both worthy of consideration, but one of them struck a real chord, the U.S. Volunteers, who, upon request, provide military funeral honors for deceased veterans at no cost. Their immediate problem was that in its infinite wisdom, the Army had recently required that these services must be rendered dressed in Blues rather than OD, but of course didn’t send along any money to pay for this, and this was creating a hardship for some who already paid for all their own expenses. The subject remained dormant until this year’s show, after which the board directed that our donation be divided equally between AHRC and the U. S. Volunteers. We haven’t heard from AHRC as yet, but we received a very nice letter from the commanding officer of the 11th NY Regiment of U. S. Volunteers, signed by its commanding officer, one Joseph J. Massaro.

(The letter from Joe will be posted on our rehearsal bulletin board. A photo of the check presentation is found on page 14. Ed.)

CHARITY BEGINS

AT HOME

FROM THE CORNER OFFICE

SEPTEMBER-2013 TOOSDAY TOONS PAGE 3

Every chapter that prepares to sing in its first contest anticipates winning a prize. They honestly believe this because they have prepared their two songs so much better than anything in their entire repertoire. They hear a vast improvement in execution. They are justifiably proud, and even their wives compliment their efforts. Unfortunately, since many have not been in contest before, they have no idea of the range of skill levels to be exhibited by the competition. Their world is narrow. Many have not heard a chorus or a quartet from outside their division, no less their district.

In my first International contest with the “Big Apple,” we placed third, and we all thought that we were robbed. I would later say to our members: “Hang on. Have you ever attended a rehearsal of another chapter? You might be in for some surprises. Some of them do not work as hard as we do for two-and–a-half hours. You might find the other chorus singing out of tune and not realizing it, or perhaps simply accepting mediocrity. Another surprise would be to attend a rehearsal of a top-level chorus like the Vocal Majority, and discover that our rehearsals are quite similar. You would hear the same suggestions: “Sing through that “OH” vowel, don’t over sing, blend with the unit, smile more, move more, express the music, don’t spread the vowel!”

As far as our particular chapter here on Long Island, I can honesty say that we continue to make a good many strides. We are singing better. We are doing more. And we are uncommon for choruses of our size and age. We do some things that make us a bit unique.

“Big Apple,” for example, recently asked every member to buy a tuxedo, that is, buy with their own money. A deposit for this outfit when it was issued, and accessories were paid for out of their own pockets. As the chapter prepares to go to District in Rochester, members were glad to hear that they could get round-trip air fare for only $111. The room fees will be about $250 for two nights and the registration is anticipated at $50. All this members are expected to pay for, with a smile for the privilege of competing.

Con nued on page 12

AN UNCOMMON CHAPTER


Back in January of ‘93 I wrote a “bio” of Vinnie Colonna in which it was reported he was born in Brooklyn; drafted into the Army where he worked undercover for the OSS; then was em-ployed at Western Electric/ATT installing illegal wiretaps. Since that time he and his wife, Mary, have been very productive having their own four children plus eleven grandchildren. (Talk about undercover work.) Within the chapter he has been very busy serving in various positions on the Board of Directors as well as multiple years as Chapter President. Sandwiched in between these activities he was a well deserved Barbershopper of the Year” as well as lead singer in two quartets, the latest of which is “Cloud Nine.” I had the privilege of working with Vinnie and Gene Kammerer for several years on the Annual Show script committee. He had the great ability to coalesce all our thoughts into a finalized prod-uct. (He asked me to say that.) As one of our standout leads (he wanted me to mention that, too) Vinnie is known for his accel-erated singing tempos which was probably a car-ryover from his raining as a Morse Code radio operator in the Second Armored Division sta-tioned in Germany. (We all know how fast those operators were.) Outside of singing Vinnie is active in his parish church “Our Lady of Peace” in Lynbrook, where he runs several programs including the assign-ment of ushers for each of the Sunday masses. (His suggestion to install surveillance cameras has increased collection amounts tenfold.)

(continued at right)

Vinnie still enjoys golf and can be found most Tuesday mornings at Sunken Meadow Golf Course where he and his foursome are always the first ones out at 5:30 am. (With Vinnie in the lead, I understand they play and complete the round in a record-breaking three hours.) Vin, with that killer smile, and Mary love to travel and can be found at most of our district conventions as well as taking annual trips to Cape May, NJ and other vacation spots. It’s all well deserved, as they truly give more than they receive. Thanks from all of us, friend.

VINNIE COLONNA

As we know, it’s a staple in the repertoires of loads of chapters, ours among them, and most certainly appropriate as the final song at a good many singouts. We’re talking about the revered “God Bless America,” one of more than 1,500 pieces of music credited to Irving Berlin.

The Berlin gem first saw the light of day in 1918, and was slightly altered by him 20 years later when legendary singer, Kate Smith, was given permission to introduce it on her radio show that was broadcast on Armistice Day in 1938. Smith’s initial presentation and some fascinating footage, (including the familiar-faced actor reading Variety), is at: http://www.youtube.com/watch? =28RmH8_ZNCk Another treat is Berlin’s singing of it thirty years later on TV. It can be found at: Irving Berlin "God Bless America" - The Ed Sullivan Show - YouTube .



HOW ABOUT THAT?

There are a lot of holidays during 2013 year that qualify as "unusual," not the least of which is September's "Ask a Stupid Question Day," that “Cute Calendar” says will be on the 28th.. The “day” was established in the 1980s, initially aimed at encouraging students to step up, throw off shyness and ask teachers anything in the classroom. The special time brings to mind the stupid hold-your-tongue questions that we, as barbershoppers have heard, and not in any particular month. Your editor, for example, recalls being told about a telephone call made to the late Bart Peluso from someone considering having his Mid-Island Chapter quartet booked for a party. The question? “How many singers would be in the group?” Arghhhh.

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, established in 1898, is the world’s oldest and largest secret national fraternal society in music. It became a national fraternity in 1900. The opportunity of becoming a Sinfonian is offered to as many men as possible who, through a love for music, can assist in the fulfillment of the fraternity’s objectives and ideals, either through adopting music as a profession, or working to advance the cause of music in America.

The abstract (above) was one of the creations of American painter and printmaker Stuart Davis (1892 - 1964). It’s titled Barbershop Chord. An 1931 lithograph of it signed in pencil was auctioned off at Christie’s earlier this year for well over $30,000, while a Davis 1921 study for it in red conte crayon, went for $62,500 last year at Sotheby’s.

Answer page 9


Just a thought. Can someone urge a major car manufacturer to give one of its 2014 models a name attractive to barbershoppers, or, at the very least, singers? We’ve discovered that there has been a Honda Concerto and Prelude that have graced showrooms. And we know about the Hyundai Sonata. But how about setting sights on the vocal community with something other than the Fit Aria seen in Japan? And how about now? We’re anxiously waiting. Even a car dubbed Harmony would certainly sound attractive for starters. Can we get their thinking caps on? Get them in the mood by having the creative team wear “boaters.” What say? And while I’m on a company kick, let’s put some “barbershop” facts in the wrappers around pieces of bubblegum. Something for youngsters (and maybe a few baseball players) to “chew on” and spark an interest. (Now don’t you all start writing about sugar content and bad for the teeth.) OK, ok, that might not work. Let me get back to the drawing board.

At a rehearsal recently, as you’ll recall, our director used some visual imagery in explaining what has been called “pear-shaped” tones. It’s what Merriam Webster identifies as “free from harshness, thinness, or nasality.” Though the exact origin of the term applied to music is unclear, here’s what one web blogger had to say: “On an oscilloscope or oscillograph, the ‘pear shaped tone’ looks exactly (more or less) pear shaped - in a display of amplitude versus frequency. Regularly spaced harmonics vary smoothly in amplitude, with most of the content in the lower harmonics, tapering smoothly to lower amplitudes. The ‘ideal’ tone contains ‘rich’ harmonics though the upper second octave - the body of the ‘pear.’ Into about the third octave, there are ‘rich’ harmonics, but with lesser amplitude - the neck of the ‘pear,’ with little content above about the third or possibly into the lower fourth octave. A nasal or thready tone (or a free reed like a harmonica), looks more like a rather scraggly Christmas tree,” the blogger observed. How about that?

LETS HEAR IT FOR CHIZ: Word has come to us that “Toosday Toons” has placed third in the 2013 International Bulletin Contest (2012 Publications) conducted by PROBE (the BHS-affiliated organization of Public Relations Officers and Bulletin Editors. We join in grateful thanks to Chiz Bell (Editor of “Toons” then; Editor-At-Large now) for his notable and considerable contributions to our society and chapter. Bravo, Chiz.

COULD THAT BE YOU? “If in-tune were a dollar, you’d have about ninety-five cents.” Quote attributed to Dr. Paul Nesheim, Augusta College Choir Director, Rock Island, IL

PAGE 8 TOOSDAY TOONS SEPTEMBER–2013

Bob Heim

A number of years ago, comedienne great Carol Burnett appeared on several TV talk shows offering her daily strategy to change the attitudes of those having sub-par days. Take a moment, said Burnett urging others to follow her lead, to simply tell whoever it might be — a stressed employee at the checkout counter, an overworked gate agent at the airport, an impatient tourist on a long line — something nice about them. Anything. Great posture. Attractive tie or jewelry. Whatever. Then, she added, watch their mood dramatically shift as they start to feel better about things. Carol’s way is most assuredly the barbershopper way. “Cheerleading” related to what we do as a chapter, comes from many sources. Just listen to the interaction, positive comments and camaraderie between members, old and new, at our rehearsals. When those rehearsals are over, we quickly discover an upbeat e-mail set to all of us from our director, assessing the time

together, underscoring some of the things to remember, reviewing accomplishments and pointing us confidently ahead. And the chapter’s barbershop “cheerleaders” extend, of course, to our wives, family members and significant others. You are sure to find many of them seated at our singouts, eagerly listening to our performances, and applauding enthusiastically no matter how many times they may have heard the songs. It is the reason why we gave them the special badge (pictured below) at the recent Division competition. Cheerleading. It moves us all forward. Have you complimented a fellow barbershopper today? Do so. You might very well get one back, generating instantaneous results and making both your days.


Tom’s Tune Tale Time by Tom Wheatley Musical History Nut

And Former Editor of the Dundalk Chapter ‘s Publica on Charivari

(Borrowed With Thanks From the January/June 2013 Issue)

“I’ve dropped my tube of tooth paste.” No, that’s not the right expression. Oh, yeah, I remember what it is. “I am crestfallen.” For many years, I’ve heard the story behind the writing of “Danny Boy.” You probably also recall how it goes. The song tells of a Irish father’s words of farewell as his beloved son is preparing to leave home. Whether the son is bound for war or is going across the sea to seek his fortune isn’t clear, but the emotional impact is as strong either way. “The pipes are calling” implies a military connection. No concert of Irish music is considered complete without “Danny Boy” being performed. However, there is a small catch. The original score was actually written by an Englishman, Fred Weatherly. If you’ve ever seen the sheet music, you may note a publication date of 1913. The song originated in 1910, but Fred’s original melody didn’t go anywhere. Then, in 1912, his sister-in-law heard a tune identified simply as “A Derry Air,” but she lived in Colorado, way across the big pond. She mailed Fred a manuscript that she got from some local musicians, and Fred made his Danny Boy lyrics fit the tune in 1913, ascribing the melody to “A Londonderry Air.” (You may ask, “What’s the difference

between Derry and Londonderry?” Politics! The name Londonerry came into use in 1613, when “ownership” of the Irish location known as Derry was transferred to the London Company by King James I. (Both names are still in use and each side knows that the other is wrong.) More bubble bursting: Weatherly wrote that he originally intended this piece to be sung by a gal to her love. He noted that if a guy wanted to sing it, he should change the name to “Eily Dear.” That the melody originated in Ireland is not in doubt, and the tune was first published in Dublin in 1851 within a collection of Irish songs. The air apparently was carried across the sea by Irish emigrants, and that’s how Fred’s sister-in-law, Margaret, came to hear it in Colorado, making this a truly international song. There is no indication that Weatherly ever set foot in Ireland. All the above notwithstanding, I really prefer to use the Irish dad and son idea. It has much more impact. Faith and begorrah, the next thing you know, somebody is gonna be trying to tell me that St. Patrick actually came from England! How gullible do they think I am?

DANNY FREEMAN

In the old and beautiful Lebanon Opera House in Lebanon, New Hampshire, my fellow Dartmouth Aires and I collapsed into our seats after a wildly high-energy performance. As I began to catch my breath, the Upper Valley’s North County Chordsmen hit the stage: the LI Harmonizers of the north. I loved hearing the crisp four-part harmony again and I peacefully began to settle into my wooden seat. A bit later, I stood up abruptly and could not stop myself from singing along to the Chordsmen’s final tune. Little Eyes I Love You was enough to bring me right back to the basement of the church where the Harmonizers, with me in attendance, rehearsed in Baldwin.

It’s been quite a few years now since my dad and I first donned our straw boaters as guests for several weeks with you all, but I can’t help but keep barbershop close to my heart today. I am so grateful that Bob Heim asked me to update you all on what I’ve been up to recently, and on what being on NBC’s The Sing Off was like. I just graduated from Dartmouth College and with that I ended my journey with the Dartmouth Aires, Dartmouth’s oldest a cappella group, founded in 1946.

Over the past four years, singing with the Aires has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and has

given me so many incredible opportunities. We competed on The Sing Off in the fall of 2011, and that was unlike anything I had ever done before. Fifteen of my best friends and I got to do nothing else but sing for millions of people day in and day out, and we got paid to do so! For two and a half months, we lived out of our suitcases and held on to our pitch pipes for dear life. Although few people pick me out on the street because of the show, the soon-to-be-revived series allowed us to sing at the White House twice, at Fenway Park, at Lincoln Center, in San Francisco, in Atlanta, and most recently in Aruba!

Now that I am officially a post-graduate, I will be travelling down to Colombia (the country!) to investigate a career in journalism and develop my Spanish skills. I hope to bring some sheet music with me and see if there are any Colombians who will sing some BHS tunes with me! Te Quiero, Ojos Pequenos!


Answer to Quiz on Page 6: C


HOW THEY BECAME NASSAU MID-ISLAND CHAPTER MEMBERS (WE’RE SO GLAD THEY DID)

JOE MASSARO: I joined in March of 1998 through the sponsorship of John Majikas, who was a top ticket seller for the Chapter annual show for many years . We knew each other from our mutual involvement in the Knights of Columbus. I had purchased tickets to several annual shows and John knew of my love of barbershop music. He wouldn’t take no for an answer when he asked me to join the Chapter. STEVE BRAUSA: I joined in the fall of 2006 as a recent retiree looking for a musical outlet. I saw the audition notice in Newsday. BILL McCOY: I joined (in 1985) because I enjoyed signing bass in church and with the Freeport Community Chorus. I wanted to join the chorus when I saw a newspaper article reporting a singing event at county park but there was no information on how to contact them. Then one night the chorus came to entertain a military officers’ group dinner meeting at the New Hyde Park Inn. (That was before Joe Massaro joined that group.) I went "backstage" when they were finished, found out one of the members lived on the next block from me and the rest is "history." CHIZ BELL: For many years before I retired (for the first time) in 1983, I had wanted to join a barbershop singing group, but the hours of my working in my pharmacy made it impossible. When my wife, Bess, met Warren Shields while they were working at a Soup Kitchen in Hicksville, the conversation got around to singing. Warren sang bass in the Nassau Mid-Island Chorus and became the Man of Note when he introduced me to the chapter in September 1990. The rest is history. HAL VERITY: I joined Nassau Mid-Island Chapter after being introduced to barbershop when my daughter was a Sweet Adeline in High School. Lois’s uncle, Art Cocoran, was a member of Nassau Mid-Island and he brought me into the chapter in 1996. ED ANDREASSEN: I have fond memories of the early Mid- Island Chorus. In conversation with a woman at work in 1961, I happened to mention that I liked to sing. She told me about her husband who had joined a men's group signing in barbershop harmony and asked if I would be interested. I, of course, said yes. I received a call from Bill McHugh, her husband, inviting me to come to their meeting which I did, and here I am today. BOB HEIM: The road that led me to the Nassau Mid-Island Chapter and a summertime rehearsal a decade ago (oh

WHERE was it?) was suggested by my daughter who spotted a “What’s Happening” Calendar Listing in a community newspaper. (Hurray for public relations.) She knew of my longtime love of music, my quartet and other singing in college, the Air Force and beyond, and wished to encourage an enjoyable activity following the passing of a wife of 40 years. BOB ROTH: I had retired in 1990 and joined the Nassau Golfers Club in 1993. Virgil Christ, a Club member, told me of the Mid-Island Chapter and invited me to a meeting. I have been a member since 1993. . MICHAEL CREANEY: My wife, Dianne and I saw the sing out in 2011 at the Long Beach Kennedy Plaza. We sat in the front row and I found myself singing along with the parts of songs I knew. After the performance, I went up to the first person that was available and congratulated him. It was Charles and he said that he saw me singing along and asked if I was interested in joining the chorus. He said they would love to add me to the chorus and introduced me to Maurice. We exchanged numbers and I lost his. He called a number of times after that, and I finally joined last year just before the Scottish Games singout. TONY LEONE: When did I join? In the winter (Feb 2011) eight months after retirement. This was due to Bob Heim. I was giving a guided tour at the Cradle of Aviation and a strange person asked me if I liked to sing. I said yes, and the rest is history. Music has always been in the family. My brother was a professional and made a living as guitarist and part of a comedy act. I played the accordion as a kid and loved to sing doo wop. My love of music is broad, and includes classical, opera, and some jazz, and (smile) I've even learned to appreciate barbershop, thanks to Maurice. More importantly. I've met a lot of nice people in our chorus. Thanks to all. JOEL FAIRMAN: I was accepted as a member in March 2007. About 10 years before that, my late wife, Claire, noticed that the Harmonizers were performing al fresco at Bailey Arboretum in Locust Valley. Knowing of my untutored interest in choral singing and having heard me vocalizing around the house for a number of years, she brilliantly suggested that this would be a productive activity for me when I retired. Three years after retirement and under continuing pressure from Claire, I appeared at Advent on a Tuesday evening. It was a great call by Claire, and I've enjoyed every minute of my membership thereafter.

An Uncommon Chapter (continued from page 3)

Contrast this with the Nassau Mid-Island Chapter. We issue a tux free of charge. The registra-tion for our last competition was paid for by the chapter, and it was also supplemented with some costs for lodging and transportation. What other chapter does this? NOBODY! Nobody

Did you notice that the chapter had coffee and cake for Saturday rehearsals? Did you notice free ice cream? Did you notice that you were not asked to pay for bottled water available at singouts and summertime rehearsals? Did you notice that we still have a Ladies Night and an elegant dinner that the men go to for “for free?” Free is not generally in the vocabulary of the barbershop society.

And, our chapter is blessed in other ways, as well with great executive boards consistently for years, with an abundance of giving and loving people in our chorus, people we are proud to call our friends, people who visit sick members or unhesitatingly provide rides to those that need them in getting to our meetings.

I know of no other chapter that has had so many talented coaches. We have had three members of the society administration visit and coach us. We have had an opera singer give us singing lessons. Scott Brannon, who we could call our in house coach, was a member of a quartet, The Cincinnati Kids that placed second in International competition. He is presently singing lead with a reformed version of Boston Common, probably the most revered quartet in our history. Roger Payne and Joe Hunter have entered our doors and we have had help from Dave Johnson.

While I have no medals other than the silver and bronze I earned with the Big Apple Chorus. I am a certified barbershop director who has sung under, and learned from the best in the society. I started singing under a legendary barbershop guru, Don Clause, and presently sing under the direction of Jack Pinto, the tenor with a Gold Medal Quartet, Old School. Before that, I sang with Justin Miller, the conductor of the Chorus of the World who also has several gold medals conducting the Westminster Chorus. I am also a certified NYSSMA judge and a veteran music teacher in the public schools. All these people whose skills have impacted on me have hun-dreds of years experience teaching, singing and conducting. It is with pride that some of their skills and tremendous knowledge can now be passed along by me - to YOU.


CARVING OUT A NAME FOR HIMSELF IN WOOD, AS A MUSIC TEACHER AND WITH BARBERSHOPPERS

RYAN OLSEN

SEPTEMBER–2013 TOOSDAY TOONS PAGE 13

Your editor’s discovery of an masterfully carved piece entitled “The Barbershop Quartet” (pictured above) was followed by personal contact with its creator, Ryan Olsen (also shown), a middle school teacher (band and choir) and native of Idaho. Here’s what Ryan, a vocalist and musician classically trained, told us about his musical life, his skills as a wood carver and his interest in barbershopping: “I have been carving for about 20 years now. I be-gan by carving cowboys and western themes, but started carving musical themes about six or seven years ago. When I was singing opera profes-sionally, part of my creative process was to sculpt the different characters I was portraying out of clay. Something about creating a three dimensional figure helped me to become the character. Carving these characters seemed like a natural progres-sion. When I was on the road performing opera, I would fill my motel room full of chips and carve figures for gifts to cast members. My opera carv-ings have gained national attention recently earning a second best of show and a best of show in national competitions. “I am a member a national organization called the Caricature Carvers of America. This is a group of 25 top carvers from around the country. We work to promote the art form and to challenge ourselves to become better. I have found great fulfillment in sharing my art with others with the same passion. I think this is also a key to artistic balance. Barber-shopping is the same way. Coming together with large groups of people with similar interests fills many deep down artistic needs. Creating something spectacular with three other guys, well, that is just artistic nirvana.

“This year, we decided to carve an entire street sce-ne from the 1940's. When Steve Prescott said he was going to be building a barbershop, my first thought was, "that barbershop needs a quartet!" I looked at many pictures of 1940's barbershop quar-tets, including Norman Rockwell's portrayal. The first instinct was to carve them all in the traditional stripes, but I decided individual clothing told more of a story. In order to get the movement and interac-tion I was looking for, I had to carve three of the figures from one piece of wood. To accomplish it I molded a model in clay around a wire armature and then sculpted them from clay. I used that as a model and carved the figures from that. The entire process took about 25 hours. I painted them will acrylics and boiled linseed oil. I was very happy with them. They will be featured in the CCA's book which will probably be released in November. “I am primarily a solo singer, but am very drawn to barbershop and I will never forget my first experi-ence singing four-part harmony. I was a sophomore in high school and was asked to sing J.C. Squires in Music Man. I have found that singing barbershop well can be as challenging as any type of music. Learning to tune to a true fifth and not a tempered fifth is not an easy task. When those overtones start bouncing around, it can be very gratifying. I have performed some barbershop arrangements of operatic pieces, and have had a ball doing it. It is fun to mix the two genres a bit. I am a proponent of using barbershop in the training of young ensembles. By dividing the men's choir into quartets in similar skill levels, stu-dents can reach new levels of musicality and blend.”

CHAPTER QUARTETS A erGloWorms Harold Verity, Tenor Bob Miraglia, Lead

Steve Stojowski, Bass Maurice Debar, Baritone

Contact: a [email protected]

All In A Chord Bill Ruth, Tenor

Steve Brausa, Lead Bernie Genzer, Bass

George Seelinger, Baritone Contact: [email protected]

Cloud 9 Jon Ayers, Tenor

Vinnie Colonna, Lead John Brolly, Bass


Just Duckie Harold Verity, Tenor Steve Brausa, Lead Maurice Debar, Bass


Long Island Express Bill Ruth, Tenor

Gene Kammerer, Lead Joe Massaro, Bass Bob Roth, Baritone

Contact: bjr52@op mum.net

No Treble At All Bernie Genzer, Tenor

Bill Vesely, Lead Ken Wunsch, Bass

Wayne Lazar, Baritone Contact: [email protected]

Quatrain Bob Kelly, Tenor

Steve Marrin, Lead Al Fennell, Bass

Paul San no, Baritone Contact: [email protected]


Bob Heim

HEARTFELT THANKS: The Nassau Mid-Island Chapter used a recent rehearsal to musically sa-lute a group of dedicated work-ers present on Long Island to help local residents still cop-ing with the ravages of Hurricane Sandy. After being serenad-ed with a variety of songs in four-part harmony, the Sandy Re-lief volunteers joined the Long Island Harmonizers chorus to proudly sing "God Bless Amer-ica."

Bob Heim

"CAUSE" AND EFFECT - Steven Stojowski (right), Treasurer of the Nas-sau Mid-Island Chapter, recently pre-sented a charitable contribution on be-half of the Long Island Harmonizers, to member Joe Massaro (Colonel, USAR, Ret.), to help in the work of the 11th New York Regiment (Cavalry) of the United States Volunteers - Ameri-ca, whose mission is to render military honors at the burials of honorably dis-charged veterans. The donation of $500 will be used by Massaro's Honor Guard Regiment to assist in the purchase and upkeep of uniforms and weapons. The Chapter monies came from a portion of the proceeds taken in at its last annu-al show.

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