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Essentials in
Youth
4-B-We
MBNA America Collegiate Barbershop Quartet Contest competitors adventure at East Coast A Capella Summit
Updated: 12/17/2002 8:36:00 AM
Editor’s Note: The East Coast A Cappella Summit, held each year at Boston University, has proven to be a fabulous performance venue for our MBNA America Collegiate Barbershop Quartet Contest competitors. Our quartet representative this year was 4-B-We from Five Towns College in New York. Their host/escort for the appearance was Brian O’Leary, who provided this report.
It was awesome! I have never been more proud of our Society, our unique style of music and 4-B-We than I was at that Summit.
It all started with a “can you help me out” phone call from Jim DeBusman. After all the wonderful things I have had the opportunity to experience and share by saying “yes” instead of “no” whenever possible (there’s a message here!), I checked my calendar. It was clear, so we cleared up a few logistics based on my knowledge of the area and we were off and running.
Saturday morning dawned cold and rainy. I met four guys, tired from doing a Friday night show, prepared to provide whatever they needed for the Summit. They spent the day grabbing some sleep and preparing for the show. We arrived at Boston University at the appointed hour, only to find that we were an hour early. Further, the weather was worsening by the minute and it did not augur well for a good turnout.
However, we were warmly received and soon were caught up in the preparations for the evening show. Five colleges from Maryland, Massachusetts and New York were on the playbill. As the time for the performance neared, the hall started to fill with exuberant college students, interested parents and supporters and a smattering of musicians who were there to attend the summit. The atmosphere was pleasant, but not charged with the excitement that I had anticipated. First “out of the box” was 4-B-WE. They had their job cut out for them and they sensed it!
They not only commanded the stage, they owned it! Resplendent in black tuxes, vests and appropriate accessories, they opened the show and charged the audience with such a level of excitement that the reaction from the first song equaled, if not exceeded, the response I am accustomed to hearing for our International Champion quartets at the international conventions. The show was, indeed, on and from that point, there was no doubt that 4-B-We had set the level for the evening. They had a “great hit” as they performed up tunes and ballads with quality singing and energy. They were only allowed six songs….everyone there wanted more!
I was so proud of four guys that I had just barely become acquainted with. They closed to a rousing standing ovation accorded only to two other performers. They had filled the hall with expanded sound that made the sound system unnecessary. They had captured the hearts of those in attendance and brought an art form, so cherished by the members of our Society, to people who truly understood and appreciated it.
In spite of the outstanding performances of the evening, it was “barbershop” that everyone talked about. Several people in the audience wanted to know if I was their teacher or coach. The gentleman seated behind me wanted to know if one of the quartet members was my son. I guess my enthusiasm showed!
But the “clincher” of the evening for me came in the hallway after the performance was over. While the rest of the fine musicians were packing up their gear and preparing to head out into the storm, 4-B-We were in the hallway talking to people about the barbershop and their quartet. When, in response to a request for “just one more song”, they obliged and the hallway became silent as everyone listened. 4-B-We then sang a few polecat songs with members from the other groups who savored the chance to sing in a really good quartet. And, as is the style of a true-blue barbershop quartet, they sang until everyone who wanted to, had an opportunity to sing with them. With all the talent that was in that hallway that evening, the only musical group who could provide such impromptu entertainment was a barbershop quartet. What a magnificent statement of who we are and what we are all about!
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