Masters of Harmony

Masters of Harmony to Compete for Sixth International Gold Medal

Dane Hutchins, Nov 23, 2004

As with other artistic endeavors, the range of skill levels in the world of vocal harmony is broad. At one side are singers only beginning to understand the dynamics of vocal production and the delicate interplay of melody and harmony. Like six-year-old children learning to play the violin, beginning vocalists can at times be unpleasant or even painful to hear, and only a tiny percentage will be inspired and disciplined enough to reach any level of acclaim. On the opposite side, consider how an accomplished violin section melds with other instruments in a masterful orchestra to produce enthralling music for their listeners. In similar fashion, a skilled vocal ensemble paints auras of such depth and beauty as to bring tears to the eye and flush the senses.

Entire societies have formed to encourage the vocal art form and to preserve the finest songs of the world’s vast repertoire. One such organization is the Barbershop Harmony Society, the planet’s largest all-male singing assemblage, with more than 30,000 members in nearly 800 chapters across the United States and around the world. Scores of local and regional contests are held each year, with quartets and choruses judged against rigid performance criteria in music, singing and performance categories. Only the very best advance up the ranks to the Society’s prestigious week-long International Convention, heard annually by upwards of 11,000 fans in attendance, plus tens of thousands more listening via live Internet broadcasts.

What is more, all of the groups sing “a cappella,” without an orchestra, so that everything – pitch, tuning, rhythm, visualization and articulation – are entirely dependent on the voices. The singers are exposed – no hiding behind music books or oboes and kettle drums. This is truly world-class musical fare. Few competitors make it to the top ten, and only a single outstanding quartet and a single commanding chorus will take home the coveted gold medals each year. Paid music veterans could not be more “professional” than these dedicated amateurs.

In Southern California, the Masters of Harmony chorus from Santa Fe Springs has won the coveted gold medal five consecutive times, on every occasion that they have competed since 1990. They are already working in overtime voice and choreography sessions, preparing for next July’s International Convention, to be held in the acoustically magnificent new Conference Center in Salt Lake City — the largest theater auditorium in the world. To qualify, the Masters won last May’s local Divisional contest, then went on to win the Far Western District contest in October, against the top-winning choruses from five states. Based on score, they are now seeded first going into the international tourney.

With over 100 active singers, the chorus thrives on the drive, superb “ear” and outstanding musical performance expertise of music director Mark Hale, himself an international Music judge and gold medal-winning quartet member, who has led the MOH since 2000. But even with extra rehearsals and the constant focus on ever more subtle presentation points in an attempt to earn the highest marks possible, the leadership team knows full well that a win is not guaranteed. Excellent, hard-working choruses from Toronto, Northbrook (IL), Phoenix and other cities are working feverishly to dislodge the Masters from their winning cycle. There is little doubt that the July competition will be one of the tightest in recent convention history. Can the Masters win again? They are accustomed to putting their best performances on stage, and most members believe it’s time to make room in the trophy case for some new hardware.