FATHERS AND SONS FIND STRONG BOND IN BARBERSHOP HARMONY
When nine-year-old Ian Baker gets stage fright, he just glances around at the grown men standing on the risers around him and remembers he has their complete support. He instantly is ready to sing his notes.
One of those men is David Baker, his father. The father and son are members of the all-male chorus called the Spirit of Phoenix, one of the 800-plus choruses that comprise the Barbershop Harmony Society. Something about barbershop music and the fraternal atmosphere that permeates the brotherhood of singers makes it especially nurturing to father-son relationships.
“For Ian, it is fun one-on-one time with his dad and the dozens of self-appointed uncles and grandpas in the chorus, “said David. “He has grown up in a musical family and now barbershop offers him a chance to just be one of the guys--and be treated special at the same time.”
Ian also hangs out with eight-year-old Joe, son of Eric Bjornsen, another chorus member. Ian, Joe and a third boy new to the group already label themselves The Tenor Trio. They are often featured in the group’s choreography which is a special treat for the boys.
“There is some endearment to an audience when the boys are featured,” said Eric. “But it is not just acting. The boys must learn their parts. They must have at their very young ages the rare combination of music-mindedness and self-control.”
Joe’s first major performance was an intergenerational happening. Eric’s father always attends every performance, but was unaware that his grandson Joe would be joining his father on the stage. Joe was very excited to keep the secret until he walked out on stage sporting his own mini-tuxedo aside his father.
“It was so moving for my father to see me and Joe on stage together,” said Eric. “And, it was such a joy for Joe to be in on the surprise. Barbershop singing is a great opportunity to share so much with my son. We travel together to competitions and go to rehearsals weekly together. But, I am realistic about setting goals with Joe. I don’t push—you cannot squeeze your son into submission, especially for a hobby that requires a lot of repetition and a lot of commitment. He has to want it very badly.”
Sharing a way of life
Some of that desire comes from seeing their fathers’ enthusiasm for what is characterized by many Barbershoppers as not just a hobby but a way of life. There are 11 sets of father-son combinations in the Chorus of the Chesapeake in the Dundalk, Maryland.
Bob Fogle, Sr., has been a 50-year member of the chorus of which his father was a charter member. His brother William, Jr., is a member as is Bob’s son Bob, Jr. The Fogles along with the other 10 sets of father-son teams bring a special sound to the Chorus of the Chesapeake.
“It is great to have 22 voices that blend on a lot of levels,” said Bob, Sr. “We have the chance to enjoy our fathers and sons at regularly scheduled practices and to bask in our successes, like the upcoming international competition.”
That international competition—an annual event that draws the best choruses and quartets from across the globe—is the pinnacle of barbershop harmony events. This year it will be held in Denver July 3-8. All 11 father-son teams in the Chorus of the Chesapeake will on stage.
“We will feature a father-son piece in our performance,” said Bob, Sr. “We are performing “Auld Lang Syne” which will have a very moving and emotional section featuring all the fathers and their sons.”
Kevin King and his father, Freddie King, are also members of the Chorus of the Chesapeake. Kevin sees the competition tribute as a way to honor the fathers as some of the revered barbershop heroes. Freddie is one of only about six people in the history of the competition to have won a gold medal in both a quartet and a chorus.
“My father and I had nine years of Wednesdays and many weekends of very close and precious time together when we were part of the same quartet,” Kevin said. “That’s more than many fathers and sons. I am so lucky. Dad recently recovered in record time from a stroke and singing was part of his therapy. He is a miracle, a person who is loved and honored in the barbershop world as well as in our family. I was very fortunate to forge a strong father-son bond with my dad as well as develop a musical peer relationship. We have competed together and competed against each other. I have even beat him a couple of times and he was prouder than anyone of that.”
Blended families
Blended families also find their place in barbershop circles. Alan Gordon of the Bay Area Chorus will be competing in July against his stepson Graham Pence of Westminster Chorus, both groups in California.
“I joined a barbershop chapter at age 10 with my own father,” said Alan. “Graham’s family is all heavily involved in barbershop; his mother was a strong supporter at first driving him on a four-hour round trip to get involved. His mother and I started dating at the time he was visiting the chapter and auditioning. Oddly enough, I was his auditioner and it took him a few tries to get past me!”
Alan and Graham frequently talk shop and review videos of various groups together and talk about the relative merits of each one. They practice together when Alan is coaching his group. Recently, Alan coached his college quartet and did arrangements for Graham’s current quartet which he is in with his father.
According to Alan, the barbershop world is family-centered and family-friendly.
“People who enjoy music are almost always positive people,” he said. “They are comfortable with themselves and thus share with others more readily. That positive atmosphere is a perfect environment to expose your children to.”
Father-son teams bring commitment
Barbershop may offer much to father-son teams, but these combinations also add much to the barbershop world. Ken Keever of the West Town Chorus in Illinois believes that father-son teams bring commitment and longevity to a chorus.
“Usually, fathers and sons have a strong desire to stay in the chorus a long time,” he explained. “They know they will see each other weekly at the rehearsals and they just want to keep coming back. Plus, these twosomes have such a wonderful blending of voices. I sang with my brother Burt and his two sons, Mark and Ben, and listeners told us they could not distinguish our voices. Barbershop is all about blending voices and it is amazing how the voice character of fathers and sons melds.”
The West Towns Chorus has two other groups of families. They include Jim Ahlgrim and son Craig, Frank Connell and son Kevin, and Joe Krones and his son Chase and Chase’s two grandfathers, Jim Krones and Jerry Hornbacker.
Often dads are anxious to share barbershop with their sons in the hopes that they will join in. But, for Eddie Cazenas of the Four Aces quartet in Alexandria, Virginia, the reverse was true. Eddie joined the Alexandria Harmonizers chorus at age 15 at the suggestion of a church choir member. Eddie knew his father sang as a young man and urged him to come along to a chapter meeting. They sang together for 10 years.
“Barbershop rehearsals gave my father and me a set time to be together,” said Eddie. “When he moved some distance from me, it became our time to connect. We would always see each other at the chapter meetings. I could count on that and so could he.”
“He is both a son and a friend”
George and Mike Davidson of NeXus quartet in Colorado will be competing in their home territory at the July international competition. They are members of the Denver Mile High Chapter. Mike grew up listening to the sweet sounds of his father’s international champion quartet, Classic Collection. George started “hauling” Michael to chapter meetings at age six and he made the decision on his own to join the group at age nine.
“It has been wonderful to see Mike want to participate in my lifestyle as well as make it his own,” said George. “As a result, he is both a son and a friend. As a kid, all the Barbershoppers were his grandfathers, then his fathers, and now as an adult, they are all his compadres.”
George subscribes to the idea that the family genes contribute to good harmony.
“Because the physical characteristics of the body mechanically help you to sing, fathers and sons have similar voices,” he explained. “Beyond that, the mentality, personality and emotions of fathers and sons may be similar and all those enter into a performer’s makeup.”
Mike’s first barbershop convention was at nine months. He was born on July 10 just after his mother and father returned from the July 4 convention in 1979.
“Like most sons, I idolized my dad and was always interested in what he was doing,” said Mike. “I grew up seeing my dad involved and was lucky to have some musical talent myself. It’s in the genes, I guess. I saw Dad’s success and dedication and wanted to be a part of that. I am so blessed to have had all the time together with my father. With him recently losing his father, our time together feels even more special.”
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More father-son teams
Other father-son teams in groups competing at the Barbershop Harmony Society’s international convention July 3-8 in Denver:
California
Voices of Harmony in San Francisco Bay area
Dr. Greg Lyne (singersedge@yahoo.com) and son, Cameron Lyne
Will Sousae (wsousae@sfoasj.com) and son John Sousae
Don Norcross (donnorcross@sbcglobal.net) and son Michael Norcross
David Haedtler (davidhaedtler@gmail.com) and sons Patrick and Jordan Haedtler (Westminster Chorus)
Texas
From The Vocal Majority Chorus in Dallas: Chuck and Christopher Denton, dentonchuck@yahoo.com; Jim Clancy and son Greg clancygreg@aol.com, Dennis Hale and son Scott: dennis.hale@sbcglobal.net scott_hizle@yahoo.com
Tim Lowrance and son Sam: tlowrance@sbcglobal.net sjlowrance@sbcglobal.net
Don Webb and son David: don_a_webb@raytheon.com david.webb@unt.edu
Indiana
In the Northern Union Chorus in Valparaiso. Father Scott Kitzmiller with sons Kyle and Kohl. Scott at buckscott@juno.com
Ohio
The Alliance Chorus in Greater Central Ohio: Father Al Castrodale casetc25@yahoo.com; son Mike Castrodale mcastrodale@fcsg.com
Kansas
Kansas City Heart of America Chorus . Contact chorus manager Vince Perry sjmovp@stjoelive.com
Ron Fortino, his two sons Mark and John, and two grandsons, Anthony Fortino (Mark's son) and Jonathan (John's son.)
Mike Mathieu and son Rob.
Grant Hunget and step-son Stephen Duncan
Bruce Wenner and son Tom
Illinois
Greater Chicago Area West Towns Chorus. Contact chorus manager Ken Keever k.keever@sbcglobal.net
Joe Krones and son Chase Krones and Chase's grandfather Jerry Hornbacker. Jim Ahlgrim and son Craig Ahlgrim
Frank Connell and son Kevin Connell
Michigan
The GUARDIANS OF HARMONY, Macomb County Chapter, in Michigan has two father-son combinations. Co-directors, Jack and Mike Slamka, are the heartbeat of the chorus. The Anderson family has 3 generations involved: Dave is the father, Rick is the son, Christian is the grandson. Contact Ed Conn, Chorus Manager, conn_james@yahoo.com
New York State
The Vocal Agenda Chorus in Batavia
Peter Avery, oldest son George, next oldest, Dennis, and youngest, Thomas,
