In late May, the Masters presented their annual spring show at the Downey Civic Theater with the theme “Livin’ Large in Las Vegas 2014.” Sharing the stage with the Masters were 2013 Barbershop Harmony Society International Quartet Champion Masterpiece and 2013 Sweet Adelines International Quartet Champion LoveNotes. The enthusiastic standing ovations at the matinee and evening performances showed how much audiences appreciated the variety, power and sheer beauty of music performed by three sets of world champions!
Next up was a weekend retreat in mile-high Idyllwild. The singing late Friday night was already at a high level of excellence. Saturday rehearsals featured extensive choreography and vocal drills. The freshman class of 2014 sang for the rest of the chorus and drew thunderous applause. There was time for thoughtful reflection and sharing of how MOH membership has changed and enriched lives. Then, just before a Saturday night talent show, chorus members ran the contest set so well that Director Justin Miller responded with a loud roar of approval!
In early June, about 30 current and former MOH members joined other area barbershoppers at the final rehearsal of the Whittier Choralaires before that chapter closed its doors permanently. The outpouring of love and support touched longtime Whittier members and their wives. Several pictures of that event are posted on the MOH Facebook page.
In the weeks leading up to Las Vegas, several men became members with the badge ceremony, a ritual that honors their commitment to the chorus in front of the chorus and their invited guests. Making the event even more special, the new member’s badge is pinned on by someone instrumental in him becoming a member. We welcomed Edgar Sandoval, badged by Dr. Chris Peterson, who got him interested in barbershop music; Mike Lawton, badged by Royce Ferguson, a fellow member of the 1998 Gold Medal quartet Revival; Egan Carroll, badged by Edgar Sandoval in a ceremony witnessed by Egan’s father in Louisiana via Facetime; Larry Fletcher was badged by his wife, Pamela; Oscar Sotelo was badged by Cody Littlefield; and Pat Claypool badged Daniel Huitt.
Continuing another Ron Andreas innovation, Larry Goodfried was honored with a transition to Emeritus status. During his 21years of active membership with the Masters of Harmony, Larry earned six gold medals, served as a board member for 10 years, promoted ticket sales for a number of years, and coordinated the quartets that sing on the Santa Fe Springs Christmas Float program. Thanks, Larry, for all you contributed to MOH success.
The 2014 International Convention was probably the most anticipated chorus contest in Barbershop Harmony Society history. It featured the first-ever confrontation between the Masters of Harmony, winners of eight gold medals and The Vocal Majority, winners of 11 chorus championships and our original role models and helpful mentors. Singing third, the Masters of Harmony gave one of their best performances ever and the audience responded with the quickest standing ovation a Masters chorus has ever experienced. The consensus among chorus members was that they had given their collective best. Then came hours of anxious waiting to watch the other choruses perform. In a performance that will echo through the ages as one of Barbershop’s all-time bests, The Vocal Majority won the coveted gold medal with a stunning score of 96.8%. The MOH’s score of 95.1% took silver, the second best percentage score the Masters have ever achieved in International competition. When the scoring was announced, Masters men set aside their disappointment, turned toward the VM section of the arena and applauded their win. After receiving their silver medals, the Masters and their families trooped en masse over to the VM’s own medal ceremony to add our hearty applause for the VM’s richly deserved gold medal.
The words of legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden offer guidance to the Masters of Harmony as they move on in pursuit of musical excellence: “Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.” On July 4, 2014, the men of the Masters of Harmony laid claim to that state of mind!
In the final song of the 2014 International Convention, outgoing quartet champion Masterpiece performed “Somebody To Love,” accompanied by the MOH chorus. The audience response proved that barbershop peers hold both groups in high esteem. Later that evening, the MOH joined the VM in their rehearsal room and the two groups took turns performing for the standing-room-only audience, and packed the risers with over 250 men for a stirring rendition of the American Armed Forces Medley. VM Director Greg Clancy noted how amazing it is that we try so hard to outperform each other then when it is over, we party together -- where else but in the world of barbershop harmony!
In quartet competition, special congratulations go to our competing foursomes: The Crush, The Newfangled Four, American Pastime and Flightline.
Shortly after the International Convention ended, we lost our brother Doug Maddox – MOH and Far Western District Hall of Famer; beloved husband of Jan and friend of everyone and everything barbershop throughout the Society; winner of eight gold medals with MOH and one with The Vocal Majority. A memorial service is scheduled for September 14, 2014 (details to follow on the MOH website).