Welcome to the Barbershop Harmony Society Newsletter
LiveWire brings you a quick read of current and upcoming activities and programs of the Barbershop Harmony Society. We hope you'll share this information with your chapter, quartet and district to help all Barbershoppers get the most from the barbershop hobby.
To view past issues of LiveWire, click here.
| AIC Patriarch Marty Mendro Passes
1914-2010
by: Grady Kerr, Society Historian
Gold medalist and Society Hall of Famer, Marty Mendro, passed away on March 15th, 2010 at the age of 95. He won his gold as lead of the 1949 Mid-States Four of Chicago.
The quartet consisted of Bob Mack, Forrest Haynes, Art Gracey and Marty. They became well known for their ability to combine smooth styling of currently popular songs with madcap comedy and serious barbershop ballads. They were featured on barbershop chapter shows throughout the United States and Canada and appeared with many big-name entertainers on commercial shows. They performed in all but three states and traveled throughout Canada, The Bahamas, Korea and Japan.
In 1950, during the Korean conflict, the Mid-States Four did 33 shows and traveled more than 24,000 miles entertaining more than 52,000 United Nations troops. Their schedule took them to recreational areas and hospitals as well as to the front lines.
Some of their most popular songs include: Up and Down the Monon, Can't Go Wrong with a Song, Oklahoma Indian Jazz, Rural Rhythm, Finger Prints on the Window Pane, and Sidewalk Waltz.
They left the show circuit around 1966 but came out of retirement in 1982 with Phil Hansen replacing Art Gracey.
Marty also served as Judging Chairman between 1954 and 1960 during which time he developed the Society's judging program. For a number of years he was also editor and publisher of AIC's Medallion.
A memorial service was held March 22nd near Marty's home in Twisp, WA. In addition to being an icon among barbershoppers, he was also very well known in his local community. More than 300 people attended and paid tribute to this legend. The celebration of life included a ragtime band and a barbershop quartet, of course.
Marty is survived by two sons, five grand-kids, eight great grand-kids, an extended family and thousands of friends and fans world-wide.
Mid States Four Bari, Forry Haynes, still lives in Florida. Both last visited together in October last year and spent quality time reminiscing. The reunion was video taped by the Society and will be available soon.
| Barbershop Contest in
Garden Grove, CA
Have you ever heard of the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival in Garden Grove, CA? Well this year, they're holding a talent competition featuring barbershop quartets, and all are welcome to participate or simply attend!
Please visit the website for more information, or email Judy Cooper with questions/concerns at
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.
| Sing on the International Convention Risers Every Week!
Peery Products Co., Inc and the Barbershop Harmony Society have partnered together to bring you the best risers on the market. Choruses which are part of the Society already receive a 5% discount. Peery provides risers to the Society's International Convention each year and will be selling them while in Philadelphia. These risers are what choruses stand on to compete on the main stage. There is also a complete set in the warm-up room as well as the photography room. We are pre-selling these risers at a healthy discount.
Due to the significant discount, these risers are only being sold as sets - 3-Step, 4th Step, Back Rail. A minimum of three sets is required for purchase.*
For this offer, we require a signed estimate and 100% prepayment in check form no later than June 1, 2010. Credit Cards will not be accepted for this offer. Offer is valid while supplies last.
If you have any questions or would like an estimate, please contact Kat at (800) 336-0577 or
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.
| PROBE Outstanding
Achievement Awards
Nominations are now being accepted!
PROBE is reinstating the Outstanding Achievement award - first started in July of 2000 and discontinued in 2005. The awards will cover the preceding 12 months, and will be announced each year at the PROBE General Session during the International Convention. The PROBE Board will make the final selection.
Criteria for these awards to Districts, chapters, quartets, or individuals is:
1. Creativity
2. Impact
3. Exposure
4. Results
Members of Society Affiliates are also eligible for these awards.
We are not looking to recognize only "the best;" we are looking to recognize those who do an outstanding job and can be an example to others and inspire them to believe that they too can accomplish such deeds. This is NOT a contest. Please submit your nominations via email to Grady Kerr at
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.
Each winner will receive a handsome certificate and Society-wide recognition. After the announcements at the annual PROBE meeting at the International Convention, the list of recipients will appear in the convention bulletin, LiveWire, PROBEmoter, on the PROBE website, and later in The Harmonizer.
| Youth Enrichment Program
From the humble beginnings as a Harmonet project, the Youth Enrichment Program has now grown to include all barbershop singers, both male and female, in the United States and Canada.
The purpose of this program is to support and encourage high school vocal music programs. All barbershoppers are also asked to be a voice of advocacy for vocal music programs in the nation's high schools. It is important for all of us to do whatever possible to ensure the vibrancy and continued survival of local high school vocal music programs.
The program has established a goal of touching the lives of 100,000 high school students in, at least, 500 schools by June 30, 2011.
All participants will be eligible for a prize drawing which will include the opportunity to sing a song or tag with, and receive a free CD from, a BHS medallist or several other fine International level quartets. A very special grand prize will also be announced soon.
Fore more information about the program, visit the Youth Enrichment Program page on the Society's website. For information about resources and for more details, contact Montana Jack at (406) 777-0759 or
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.
| Shawnee Magazine Spring 2010 Features Central Standard Chorus
Central Standard puts Shawnee on the
map among male chorus ensembles
Story by Ryan Brown, photography by Tim Anderson
(Originally printed in Shawnee Magazine Spring 2010 Edition)
With a snappy blend of barbershop quartet and contemporary selections and plenty of energy, Central Standard offers a unique sound that is the result of hard work, dedication and a fraternal bond that borders on brotherhood.
Read the rest of their story about dedication and hard work behind the success. | FREE TUITION to Harmony University... TIME RUNNING OUT!
Directors and Quartets...act now to take advantage of free tuition and room & board to the PREMIER event for Barbershop Harmony education.
Directors - Scholarship applications must be postmarked by April 1 to be considered. Click here for more information.
Quartets - You have TWO opportunities to receive FREE MONEY! The Bring Your Baritone Free goes to the first 20 quartets (must be a registered quartet with the BHS) that sign up for Quartet College. Also, you may eligible to receive FREE MONEY for the ENTIRE QUARTET through the Larry Ajer Scholarship. Be sure to check those sites for more information!
Time and FREE MONEY are running out...so act fast.
| The Director Search Continues!
The Visalia Mighty Oak Chorus, in the heartland of California, seeks a Director to inspire and enhance the skills and talents of its fourty members to make an entertaining and successful chorus. They have four assistant directors and a music team ready to help. If you're interested in the position, contact Music VP Bob Peden at
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. Visit www.mocv.org for more information about their chapter.
The Color Country Chorus is a small, but growing chapter located in sunny St. George, Utah.They are now accepting candidates for the position of Chorus Director.Qualified candidates should contact Nate Holden at
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for more information.
Deadline: May 31, 2010.
The West Towns Chorus is accepting resumes for the position of Chorus Director. Interested candidates should submit a resume via email in either Microsoft Word doc. or PDF format to
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. Click here for more information regarding the position.
The Sweet Adelines Florida chorus, Women of Note, needs a new director! They have accumulated one international and seven regional 1st Place awards in their division! They require an enthusiastic, progressive director to help make their goals a reality. Visit their website for more information and to download an application.
Email the application to
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and call 877-WON-SING (966-7464) if you have any questions.
| Play the Philly Game with us!
How would you like a $50 gift certificate to the Harmony Marketplace? Or a chance at winning two FREE front row seats for the 2010 Philly International Convention? Play our game by visiting the Philly Page!
Here is how the game is played (all times are based on the Central Standard Time Zone):
1. Each Monday by NOON (CST) we will update the chart above on the website.
2. Guess what the new registration total will be each week by sending an email to
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by 8am (CST) on each Monday between now and June 21, 2010. (You may guess each week but make no more than one guess per week.)
· Include your name and member/associate ID number in the email with your guess.
3. Each Monday by NOON we will update the chart on the website and announce the 10 people who guess closest to the actual number.
4. Those 10 people will be entered into a drawing (to be held the week before the Philly Convention).
5. If you guess the exact number for the week you'll receive a $50 Gift Certificate to Harmony Marketplace.
6. The grand prize winner of the drawing (to be held on June 21, 2010) will receive two front row seats for the Philly Convention.
*Must be registered for the Philly Convention by NOON on June 21, 2010 to win. Recipient will be reimbursed for the cost of the two original registrations.
To play the game, visit the 2010 Philly Convention page.
Thanks for playing!
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