Masters of Harmony

Bakersfield Show: One For the Road

December 18, 2004 (Bakersfield High School)

Aaron Mood, Jan 2, 2005

The Masters of Harmony completed its 2004 performance season with a benefit show at Bakersfield High School for the Bakersfield Chapter and the music-loving audience of the Kern County area. Show Producer Bill Rosica said that we have performed for the local chapter a total of four times, but the idea behind this show was to assist the guys from the Golden Empire Chorus with a great opportunity to recruit new members, increase revenue for their chapter, and lift spirits all around. We also had the opportunity to perform our Christmas music one more time, hone our performance skills on the risers, and “Master” one more stage as we ramp up for Salt Lake City.

This was the Masters of Harmony’s fourth full performance of its 2004 Christmas show. It was great to see such a huge turnout of singers who came from as far away as San Diego just for the opportunity to sing together one more time and put a smile on the faces of over 400 patrons.

Along with the Masters of Harmony, the stage was graced by a new mixed a cappella troupe called VoCA, consisting of some of Southern California’s finest Barbershop and Sweet Adelines voices, and a special gold-medal quartet comprised of three-fourths of Nightlife — Rob Menaker (tenor), Jeff Baker (bari), Brett Littlefield (bass) — and Mark Hale (lead of Michigan Jake). We didn’t know what to call them, so for a little fun backstage we all tried to come up with a name for this great assemblage. We heard things like “Night-Jake”, “Michigan Life” and “Night-igan Michi-life” but my favorite was “A Little Night Mischief.” No one knows what they decided to call themselves. All I know is what a thrill it was to hear those four powerhouses making music together. Our favorite soloist Pam Pieson thrilled an appreciative audience with her dulcet tones.

Again we enjoyed the benefit of the many talented people who put in uncountable hours of preparation whenever the Masters of Harmony has a show to do. The MOH and Bakersfield Chapter really owe special thanks to Milt Woken and Arnie Johansen who were individually responsible for about 75% of ticket sales. Bill said these guys “always step up to the plate,” putting in as much effort selling those tickets as he did in producing the show.

Well, it is difficult to imagine just how much work went into a show like this, and we should be thankful to everyone for being there to make it such a joy-filled and inspirational event.