Masters of Harmony

Masters of Harmony Update - Summer 2008

Ron Larson, Oct 25, 2008

Ambassadors of Harmony Director Jim Henry once said that our music can be a ministry to others, that we are privileged to be able to give gold medal moments to the people for whom we sing, and that our music can change lives and feed souls. The truth of Jim’s inspirational statement was never more obvious than at the memorial service for Rich Hasty (pictured), whose untimely passing shook the Masters family to its core not long after we returned from Nashville. Those in attendance at the Anaheim First Christian Church on Sunday, July 20, filled every available seat and standing area. They heard groups Rich had directed: the California Promise Chorus, the Mission Viejo Sweet Adelines Chorus, Gold Medalist Realtime (a quartet that eagerly awaited arrangements he crafted for them), Chords Gone Wild (his last quartet), and the Masters of Harmony (the chorus he helped establish twenty years earlier). The legacy of this multi-talented man with a truly unique sense of humor will live on as groups touched by him in turn share the ministry of music with those Jim Henry had in mind, those in need of the healing and uplifting power of our music.

Rich, along with Mark Hale, Alan Gordon, Chris Peterson, and Phil Ordaz served our barbershop community as certified judges. Hoping to add their names to this list are nine Masters members who recently met the requirements for advancement to the status of judging candidates. They include John Brockman, Ken Potter, Justin Miller (Music), Sean Devine, Sam Papageorge and Gary Steinkamp (Presentation), Jeff Baker, Craig Ewing, Brett Littlefield (Singing). Congratulations to these nine men…and good luck as the hard work now begins!

On September 20, the Masters were in a Citrus College sound studio for an all-day recording session. Songs recorded there will be part of a new Masters CD to be released at the Anaheim International Convention next July.

One week after the recording session, the Masters made their first concert appearance in Northern California in over a decade when they opened the 2008-2009 Sacramento Community Concert Series. For 40 years, this series has showcased a variety of musical artists and styles, but never before a group featuring barbershop music. The concert was well received and its success may open the doors to other barbershop choruses and quartets on future concert billings.

From October 10-12, the Masters had the privilege of hosting the Far Western District Fall Convention and Contests in Bakersfield. The Masters hosts were skillfully organized and led by Masters member and Bakersfield resident, Bill Rosica. The hosting experience gained will be put to good use in Anaheim next July when the Masters family hosts the entire barbershop harmony family at its annual convention. Congratulations to Dr. Greg Lyne’s Voices in Harmony, winners of the chorus contest, and to quartet champion Masterpiece.