Awards Banquet Kicks Off Another Contest Year
Les Weiser Named Barbershopper of the Year
Andy Edwards, Jan 14, 2005
This year finds the Masters of Harmony headed for Salt Lake City in quest of their sixth consecutive international gold medal. The annual awards and installation banquet initiated this important year with a festive affair on January 8 at the LAX Radisson Hotel in Inglewood. Steve Pence served as the banquet chairman and staged a first-class affair attended by more than 200 MOHers and guests.
2004 Award Recipients
Presented at LAX Radisson Hotel, Inglewood
January 8, 2005
Master of Harmony Award
(Barbershopper of the Year)
Les Weiser
President’s Award
Bill Rosica
Director’s Award
Hugh Brown
Hugh Ingraham Award
(Quartet of the Year)
O.C. Times
Pat Claypool, Sean Devine
Drew Harrah, Shawn York
Journeyman Award
(Most Improved)
Greg Cherney, Sam Wang,
Shawn York
Larry Ajer Memorial Award
Gary DePew
Alice Blue Gown Award
Vicki Oldham
Harmony Union Award
Jim & Sharon Ernsberger
Overtime Award
Jeremy Loper
Apprentice Award
(Rookie of the Year)
Luis Padilla
Jack Hines Memorial Award
AJ Manker
With tuxedos and fancy evening dresses on display, the event started at 6 p.m. with cocktails and hors d’oeurves. At 7 p.m., Steve welcomed the attendees and briefly reviewed the schedule for the evening. Ron Perry then gave the invocation, and we proceeded to enjoy an excellent dinner.
The awards portion of the evening was conducted by Marlin Niesley, as he has skillfully done for many years. The awards are determined in various ways. Committees select the awardees for Barbershopper of the Year, Journeyman Award, Apprentice Award (Rookie of the Year), Harmony Union Award, Overtime Award, Alice Blue Gown Award. The presentation coordinator and director determine the recipient of the Larry Ajer Memorial Award. The Director’s Award is selected by the director, and the President’s Award by the president. The Hugh Ingraham Award (Quartet of the Year) is determined by the director and music and performance vice president. The Jack Hines Memorial Award recipient is selected by the operations vice president.
The highlight of the awards ceremony was recognizing the 2004 Barbershopper of the Year, Les Weiser. He has been a tireless contributor since he joined the Masters 14 years ago, serving on the board of directors for many years, and in many other capacities. He has displayed a relentless passion for attracting new members to the chorus, and has been active in encouraging any method that will bring guests to rehearsals. It has been through his leadership that senior activity centers throughout the southland are personally contacted about putting Masters shows on their event calendars. This has resulted in many busloads of seniors being brought to our spring and Christmas shows in the past few years. His footprints will remain in the annals of the Masters of Harmony, as will his familiar phrase as he shakes your hand, “thanks for letting me sing with you.”
Harmony Sweethearts President Gay Place presented a check for two tuition scholarships to Harmony College, for deserving chorus members, and a check for the Young Men In Harmony, on behalf of the Ladies Auxiliary.
Following the awards segment, Nightlife took the stage and delighted the audience with renditions that have characterized their unique style. They were the international quartet champions in 1996, and paid tribute to the Society’s renowned arranger David Wright, with “Fly Me To The Moon,” “Beautiful Dreamer,” “Basin Street Blues” and “Blues In The Night.” David and his wife Sandy were in attendance as special guests of the Masters.
Peter Feeney, president of the Far Western District, then presided over the installation of the 2005 Board of Directors for the Santa Fe Springs Chapter. Ken Custer was installed as president for the coming year along with a number of newcomers to the board.
Jeff Baker conducted the introduction of the keynote speaker, David Wright. The Masters are indebted to David for his many arrangements that have garnered gold medals for the chorus across the years. Again this year, the chorus will be competing in Salt Lake City with another of David’s new arrangements for the Masters “Roll On, Mississippi, Roll On.”
David took us on a journey through the history of barbershopping from its beginnings through the formation of the SPEBSQSA, from the first international convention in 1939, where only quartets were in competition, through the origin of the Sweet Adelines and the introduction of choruses to the competition arena. He related that there was a crucial moment in the Society’s history where choruses were nearly banned, and it was through the influence of legendary Frank Thorne that chorus participation in international convention competitions was preserved. David won his first gold medal in Louisville last July as a member of the Ambassadors of Harmony chorus. While he acknowledged the importance of winning gold medals, he challenged the chorus to attain a higher goal saying, “Give your gift of music to the audiences, because when you perform, you can change people’s lives.”
Ken Custer then presented an “Oscar” to Mark Hale, along with other mementos to David Wright, Peter Feeney and Marketing Consultant Tom Stoker to honor the occasion.
Mark addressed the gathering with remarks that focused on the coming year, the intensity of the competition process, and his positive feelings about the state of the chorus and his anticipation of what the coming years will bring “musically.” He recognized key members returning to active status, and then he asked for those members who have never won a gold medal to stand. With over 25 men standing, Mark committed to help make that happen for them. They will now join the other members of the chorus as we all prepare for another “moment in life.”
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