2006  News  - and Where We Sing...

Just a bit of entertainment for residents, staff, booth participants,  and friends of this fundraising event for the Alzheimer's Association.  Our thanks to Bonnie Moore for thinking of us and allow us to provide a breath of fresh barbershop harmony for all those in attendance!

Many thanks again to Wendy Cornwell, wife of baritone Tim Cornwell, who heads up this magnificent effort for/by the hospital for the community each year!  Great job!

Performance at Frost Free Library - Marlborough, NH

A perfect evening: crisp, clear air, gentle breezes, blue sky; green lawns and busy dragon flies... a beautiful evening for a summer concert!   And again, we so appreciate returning to the residents of Marlborough and region to the Frost Free Library for a evening of fun and harmony.  Their Summer Concert series concluded its 2006 season with 42 Cheshiremen in formation and an enthusiastic audience just wanting great barbershop harmony!  We delivered!  Nice sound!  Plus, a real treat this year... a performance by two Chapter quartets - the new Heart's Accord and our old favorites Junction 1-3-5.  We enjoyed our evening immensely and look forward to returning next summer!     

Many thanks to the Library and the Town for having us again.  We love singing for you!  

Harmony College Northeast 2006 - Fitchburg State College

Fifteen Cheshiremen enriched their knowledge and vocal abilities this weekend by making the short trip to Fitchburg, Mass. and participating in a full day of educational and fun courses all about barbershop harmony and singing.  Classes like "Vocal Care through Proper Singing Technique" and "Sight Reading/ Sight Singing", "How to Be an Effective Section Leader" and "Song Themes in Presentation", "Tag Singing with a Tag Lord" and "The Inner Game of Music" were presented and attended by various Cheshiremen throughout the day.

Between classes were General Sessions which included a Song Fest, learning a brand-new tag which no one has seen before, as well as a Masters class, featuring Bob Hartley of the 2001 International Championship quartet "Metropolis", who demonstrated with a volunteer quartet how to "go over the top" when performing.

That volunteer quartet was a quartet from the Keene chapter!  A new quartet from Keene, "Heart's Accord", featured three guys from last year's "Heart" quartet - with a new bass!  They were the "Guiney pigs", so-to-speak, and learned quickly to improve their performance and really "Go Over The Top"!  Thanks, Bob!  Great going, Mark, Jim, Larry & Leif of Heart's Accord!

On Saturday night, everyone was treated to some VERY fine barbershop performances!  The first, by the boys/men of the concurrently held Harmony Explosion Camp for high school youth.  An exquisite experience for these guys, 84 boys performed pieces that were learned over their 3 day camp stay.  A quartet from the Hanover, NH chapter, "The Honeymooners", a mixed couple quartet, truly entertained us next.  Then, the staff and music educator attendees of Harmony Explosion sang a couple of pieces they learned.  The second half of the show featured guest quartets and International Champions "Men In Black" and "Metropolis" in some incredible and enjoyable performances.  Wow!  Amazing barbershop harmony and great fun too!

Our sincere and deepest appreciation goes out to our leaders in the Northeastern District of the Barbershop Harmony Society for another superb "college" experience this year.  We all left Sunday having learned much and appreciating this fine craft even more.  Our free time (not much), in all cases, was spent singing with various pick-up quartets or VLQ's - there was no shortage of harmony - during the barbeque, in the dorm lobbies, in the cafeteria, on the street and in our classrooms.  Fun, fun, fun!  Thanks, guys!  

Keene American Legion Band Summer Concert with the Cheshiremen - Central Square - Keene

We are honored to have been included in the Band's program in this performance at the gazebo/bandstand on Central Square this evening.  The Band invited the Cheshiremen to join them in three pieces they played that night, among their entire program of exquisite band selections that in itself honored Keene composer, E.E. Bagley.   A band music composer, E.E. Bagley lived and composed a good deal of his life in Keene and is credited for writing probably the most acclaimed band selection of OUR time, the National Emblem March.

The Cheshiremen, however, sang with the band on three selections, all patriotic, including "God Bless the USA" with soloist Mark Brosseau.  A bold, beautiful and moving selection that features the bass voice section as well as the band's trumpets!

The Cheshiremen also sang during the Band's intermission, providing the large assembled audience with some classic barbershop harmony                .

Thanks are due to the Keene American Legion Band, and its director and our (!) director, Mr. Jim Flanders, for the very kind and generous opportunity to join them again on stage.  We make beautiful music together!

Stoddard Olde Home Days: Performance on the Stymest front lawn.

What a glorious day it was!  Another fine year for Stoddard and a fine day for a celebration. What an incredibly warm and gracious audience, too!  There were about 25 Cheshiremen singing on the front lawn, beside the tree, and - all the men were decked out in their NEW red twill summer shirts.  Very sharp, indeed!

Many thanks again this year to our dear friend and Cheshiremen supporter, Mary Lou Stymest - one of only a few actual sweet "Mary Lou's" we can sing THAT song to!  Thanks!  We had a great time and sounded pretty well!  Oh, that bass that almost fainted - our youngest guy too - he is just fine!  Thanks for the cool, damp cloth, ice water and chocolate!  You revived him quite quickly!

We enjoy singing for the town of Stoddard and extend our best wishes for another great year!

Until next summer!  In harmony!              

In Loving memory of... Al Skinner 1917-2006... 27-year Member

Chesterfield, NH - Asbury Methodist Church, Rev. Jacquelyn Brannen, Rev. Ann Nelson - 2:00 PM

I, personally, knew Al as a Cheshiremen for only five years, but my acquaintance with Al actually was much longer.  You see, Al, as a contractor, came often into the building supply store where I once worked.  It was always a pleasure to work with Al at the counter.  He was one of my five favorite customers to wait on.  He often came in with a material list in his head, but needed to work out the design again on paper, either drawing or listing materials.  It was fun to watch and work with him.  He was always cheerful and a "the glass is half FULL" kind of guy.

So it was not too out-of-the-ordinary when many friends and relatives chose to share memories about or with Al, with the assembly of folks at his memorial service.  He was quite a personable guy.  A craftsman.  A tinkerer.  A problem solver with a smile and usually for free.  Ready and able, always willing and positive.  He touched the lives of many.  He has left his mark in so many ways.  A gentle and blessed soul.

We feel honored and privileged to have been able to sing for Al, literally in the last hours of his life.  An incredible experience for that quartet.

In the words of fellow Cheshiremen... "We are the richer for having had him as a fellow Cheshiremen and mighty poorer at this loss... He is gone - but he will never be forgotten..."

Rest in Peace Old Friend.

Annual Fireman's Memorial Service at the Keene Fire Department

A beautiful Sunday morning service to recognize the men and women who have served our community through the Keene Fire Department.  Chief Lamoureux presiding, remembrance and call of the honor roll of firefighters no longer with us.

We sang four songs throughout the service:

When I Lift Up My Head • Let There Be Peace On Earth • It Is Well With My Soul • I'll Fly Away

Many thanks once again for the opportunity to perform in this service as well as for our relationship with these fine men and women who give so much to our community.  It's a honor to perform and provide for you.

Now... we still believe, Chief, that a "Firehouse Four" Barbershop Quartet is possible someday... soon?!

Rising to the Occasion - Dedication and Inauguration of Additional Risers?!  What?!

Now, who said we are a boring crowd?  I mean, imagine creating a momentous occasion around more risers!  Well, we have certainly accomplished much in this chapter in the last few years.  But now?  Membership!  Yes, thanks to the many NEW members who have recently joined our ranks, we needed to purchase more risers!  So, tonight we recognize the Risers in their first standing ovation! (no pun intended)

Special recognition is necessary.

First and foremost to the most gracious and kind leadership, staff, Board and congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC) in Keene.  For many years, more than I really know, the church and its member have allowed the Cheshiremen to meet weekly and rehearse in its halls, use its facilities and have generally allowed us to call this place "home".  We are so incredibly grateful for this relationship and for their generosity.  Our growth, the increasing sense and bonds of brotherhood and camaraderie have really only been enabled in the Cheshiremen because of this fine church, the structure and its people - this place where the Cheshiremen meet and sing their hearts.  So a hearty and deeply sincere "thank you" to the UCC of Keene.  We truly could not have done it... without you.

Second, we need to recognize another deeply committed organization.  This is new... and old, for us.

For many years, the Cheshiremen have participated and provided musical accompaniment for the annual Keene Fireman's Memorial Service, held each year in June at the fire station here on Vernon Street, next to the church.  We have been honored to be a part of the service for so many years and we continue to accept the opportunity to bring an element of pride, duty and honor to the firemen, and their comrades and families, past and present, who serve and protect our community.

The Fire Department has now come to our aid and rescued us, in a way, from a dilemma brought on by our increasing membership (a good thing!).

The Keene Fire Department is allowing the Cheshiremen to store a new cart - full of new, additional risers and safety railings - in it's garage just beside the church.  The UCC folks had no more storage space to accommodate our sorely-needed additional risers and we were faced with a problem of where to store them - or - find a new rehearsal venue!  Yikes!  We really didn't want to leave!  But then, one very bright and resourceful Cheshiremen had an idea.  The closest, easiest place besides the church might be this small garage on the back of the Fire Station building, right next to the church and literally just 100 feet away from - and on the same level as - the room where we rehearse each week at the church!  Smart guy, eh?

Well, the rest is history, they say.  Now, through the gracious and heroic actions of the Fire Chief, the Cheshiremen now have an easy access storage solution for the risers.  The Fire Department.

Thank you, Chief Gary Lamoureux, for the space, the accommodations, and for responding to our distress call.  We appreciate IMMENSELY your generous and kind sense of duty and community.  The risers and that cart do not take up too much space.  But we appreciate that even though you are faced with storage and accessibility issues yourselves, you have managed to make room for us in our predicament.

That is exceptional.  And special to us.  Thank you again.

Guest Night #2 with Special Guests...

Retirement Dinner, Greenfield School District

Country Club of Greenfield, Massachusetts

Well, Kevin (basso profundo) thought it would be a good idea, a nice gesture, to provide some entertainment at the retirement dinner for four of his colleagues from the middle school in which he teaches.  Indeed, a nice gesture!  Barbershop harmony from a select group of handsome young men singing perfect harmony!?  Entertainment, indeed!  And so, a long-distance traveled and a great showing of Cheshiremen sang at the dinner's conclusion - certainly dessert was never so good!  Yes - we were a hit!  They loved us... and we very much appreciate the opportunity to perform for our way-out-of-town friends as well!  Thanks - Kevin, teachers, our director - for the great time.  Wonderful audience, too!  Now... about Kevin's raise for next year...

111th Birthday Celebration for Mary Jo Ray

Maplewood Nursing Home, Westmoreland, NH

Yes.  She is the oldest person in New Hampshire, the second oldest in New England, the 17th oldest in the US and the 45th oldest in the world.  And we had the honor and the privilege to sing for Mary Jo Ray once again!  She loves "her men" and especially the Cheshiremen!

As one Cheshiremen remarked: "I believe it is her love of music and her enjoyment of sweets that keeps her going. Watching her enjoy her birthday cake was truly amazing!"

An absolutely superb effort in the celebration of this beautiful lady's 111th birthday by the Cheshiremen!  She is a remarkable woman and I dare say we shall never see anyone that we know ever reach this milestone. The Cheshiremen presented Mary Jo Ray with a "Certificate of Recognition" this year - a giant "card" signed by all the men in the Chorus. (See the image)  Our esteemed and beloved member Al Tencati made the presentation and did a super job!

See the Certificate/Card >>> HERE!

See the Photo  >>>  HERE!

(photo courtesy of Steve Hooper of The Keene Sentinel)

Guest Night #1

Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Jim Flanders as Chorus Director (May 2nd)

Maybe he figured something was up when the risers were overflowing with members this week, like no other.   We figured something was up when we noticed that his wife had come this week.  But in true form, Jim Flanders continued with his energy and enthusiasm, dedication and commitment to this chorus, with his tireless effort to improve our singing.  We almost couldn't stop him long enough.  But we did, finally, with his wife and daughter looking on, and so the Cheshiremen presented Jim with a Certificate of Appreciation, honoring the man who earned the Cheshiremen the 2002 Small Chorus Champion (32 men) award and who propelled the Cheshiremen to 2nd place in the 2003 (37 men) & 2006 (42 men) District Divisional Contest.  the 2006 contest returned our Best Ever score!

"On this day, May 2nd 2006, the members of the Cheshiremen chorus, the Keene Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, hereby acknowledge and extend our sincerest appreciation to you, Jim, in enthusiastic recognition of your tenth anniversary as director of our ever-improving barbershop chorus.

Memorial Service for Amy Louise Rust Partner 1914-2006, Mother-in-Law of member John Nelson
Church of the Nazarene, Keene

Competition Success Celebration with Family & Friends!

We needed to celebrate!  This Tuesday night just after our competition needed to be a night to reflect, acknowledge and enjoy our accomplishment of this past weekend.

Many thanks were expressed, but special heart-felt thanks went out to our wives and friends who supported us at the contest... as well as weekly and daily, in this hobby of barbershop harmony.

Eastern Regional Contest, Granite & Pine Division, Peabody, Mass. - CHORUS Competition
Northeastern District of the Barbershop Harmony Society

The Keene Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, the Cheshiremen, returned home from Peabody, Massachusetts recently – feeling pretty good about themselves.

Forty-two of the 55-man chorus returned from their barbershop competition recently held by the Society’s Northeastern District.   The Eastern Regional Division Quartet and Chorus Competition in Peabody was the chance to qualify for the district level competition to be held later this year in Providence, Rhode Island.  And the Cheshiremen did a fine job indeed!

A total of sixteen choruses and thirty quartets performed two songs each - and competed before a panel of nine certified judges, who came from Society Districts all around the country.  The judges, whose expertise covers every aspect of barbershop harmony, rated the strengths and weaknesses of the competitors.  They assigned scores by judging how well voices blend, the interpretation of the lyric and melody, stage presence and choreography, and adherence to the barbershop style.

Following the competition, the judges explained their scores while offering an evaluation with tips and suggestions on how the singers can improve.

The Keene Cheshiremen chorus placed second in their Granite & Pine division among eight choruses that competed!  They left with a raw score that was their best in their entire 53 year history – and one to be very proud of!

Also competing in this contest were two quartets with members from the Keene Cheshiremen – Heart and Junction One Three Five. (see accompanying article) 

For only six weeks, the Cheshiremen chorus devoted only an hour or so, at each Tuesday night rehearsal, to the competition songs – “As Time Goes By” and “I’m Alone Because I Love You” – two classic barbershop arrangements.  Plus, of the forty-two Cheshiremen who competed, more than half had never competed before - and about a third are new members within just the past year!  The judges were impressed by that effort, and commended the men and their chorus director, Jim Flanders of Spofford, for a job more-than well done!

At a celebration that the Cheshiremen and their families held shortly after the contest, Flanders spoke of the amazing hard work and dedication of the chorus and for excelling with these two songs.  He also thanked the families for their unwavering support of their men and their hobby of singing barbershop.

It is true, that for the Cheshiremen, this is just a hobby of singing barbershop.  They are not a competitive chorus, as some barbershop choruses are.  The Cheshiremen last competed in 2003 in Lake Placid, NY, and only do so to better their own previous score… to mark and show improvement within their own ranks and the community.  The Cheshiremen sing for the love of barbershop harmony and the fellowship that is derived from it.  You probably won’t find them on-stage at the 2006 International Contest and Convention in July in Indianapolis, but you will be treated to a wonderful barbershop harmony production on September 30th at their 54^th Annual Show at the Keene Middle School!

The Barbershop Harmony Society, founded in 1938, is the largest all-male singing organization in the world.  It now has over 30,000 members in 810 chapters in the United States and Canada. The Keene Cheshiremen meets every Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM at the great white church at the head of the square, the United Church of Christ, in downtown Keene.  Men are welcome anytime to sing a few chords or become harmony members.  (PR by Steve Salamin, 4/14/2006)

Eastern Regional Contest, Granite & Pine Division, Peabody, Mass. - QUARTET Competition
Northeastern District of the Barbershop Harmony Society

Competing in the quartet finals, which began at 7 PM Friday night, were two quartets with members from the Keene Cheshiremen.

The quartet "Heart" appeared second on the list of 32 competitor quartets that night - with Keene Cheshiremen members Jim Kirschner (lead) of Keene, Mark Brosseau (baritone) of Sullivan, and Leif Arvidson (tenor) of Harrisville.  Brad Taylor (bass) of Peterborough completed the foursome, who is a member of the Nashua chapter.

"The Keene-based barbershop quartet Junction 1-3-5 is standing a bit taller after the recent Eastern Regional Quartet & Chorus Competition in Peabody, Massachusetts.  Appearing 22nd that night, Junction 1-3-5, the local barbershop quartet (known to many in the Keene area as “the school board” in the Lions Club 2005 production of The Music Man) shared the limelight with 32 quartets, each performing two songs under the critical eye of a panel of nine judges.    Junction 1-3-5 placed 7^th in their division and achieved their personal best score, enabling them to compete in Providence, Rhode Island this October at the Northeastern District Convention.  This next level of competition will bring together quartets from all over New England, Eastern New York and Eastern Canada.  Junction 1-3-5 has been performing together for seven years and its members are: Mel Andrews (baritone) of Spofford, Casper Bemis (lead) of Marlborough, Andy Cooke (bass) of Keene and Allan Treadwell (tenor) of Washington, all of whom are members of the Keene Cheshiremen Barbershop Chorus." (PR by Allan Treadwell, 4/14/2006)

Valentine's Day 2006

The Keene Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, the “Cheshiremen” Barbershop Chorus, under the direction of Jim Flanders, was honored to provide, in cooperation with the Alstead Third Congregational Church, a presentation ceremony within a “free” benefit concert.

Keene’s own Cheshiremen were the FIRST charitable organization to respond in Cheshire County, in October 2005, after the devastating floods that affected so many region residents.  At their 53^rd Annual Show concert, already scheduled for the very next Saturday evening after the floods, the Cheshiremen decided to redirect the entire proceeds from ticket sales. The Cheshiremen surmounted their own production difficulties and obstacles associated with the floods and emergency management.  Plus, the guest quartet, Reveille, the show’s second half performers, cancelled the night before the scheduled performance due to the hospitalization of one member.  In spite of all these last minute rearrangements, the Cheshiremen were incredibly successful in raising, including additional donations, over ten thousand dollars and presented these funds to the City of Keene and the NH West Chapter of the American Red Cross to assist the victim of the floods.

Additional donations, by our non-appearing guest quartet, Reveille from New York City, and by other Society, District, and Chapter members and friends of barbershop harmony, inspired us to provide a means with which to make an addition contribution – in song as well as the money raised.

Special appreciation and thanks to Rev. Janice Howe of the Alstead 3rd Congregational Church and to the Barbershop Harmony Society Quartet “Reveille” – for without their assistance, none of this would have been possible.

The special presentation was conducted by Steve Salamin and Jim Flanders of the Cheshiremen to Rev. Howe.   Snow was falling lightly that evening.

2006 Officer Installation & Awards Dinner at The Pub Restaurant

The evening began with a wonderful dinner provided by the Pub Restaurant.  Roger then spoke a few very kind words about his relationship and history with the Keene Chapter.  Then, officers for 2006 were invoked (sounds like we were "choked").... (more later)

UCC Farewell Celebration for Rev. "Woody" Shook at Keene High Auditorium

"A Night of Tributes and Thanks" for Rev. Charles "Woody" Shook, outgoing Assoc. Pastor of the Keene UCC.

Northeastern District Chapter Operations Training Seminars (COTS)  --  Warwick, Rhode Island

For the best thinking, interplay and personal instruction in barbershop chapter management, attending COTS is not just a resourceful experience, it's fun, too!   And... it's not just for officers anymore: COTS is for all members interested in building a successful barbershop experience.

This annual school is specifically for incoming and continuing officers but also for any member of chapters in the Northeaster District of the Society.   At COTS, chapter officers are offered day-long classes in the areas of their responsibility.  After a general session with all participants in attendance, which includes learning a new barbershop arrangement, groups then break out into rooms with instructors from other Districts who teach the basics and advanced responsibilities needed to run the chapter.  Here, you can sharpen your knowledge of the duties of the chapter officers, and you can begin your team effort to kick-off the year.  Inevitably, a large part of the sessions, which ran this year from 8 AM to 10 PM with breaks for stretching, harmony and meals - is sharing the experiences, successes and even foibles of various COTS participants and their chapters.

Five members of the Board of Directors of the Keene Chapter attended this year's training, held each January.  Attending the 2006 COTS were incoming President Pete Ketcham and VP-Activities Wayne Miller, with incumbents Roger Martin (Treasurer), Steve Salamin (VP-Marketing & PR), and Jeff Incandella (VP-Membership).

One highlight of the day's work again this year was the viewing of a 25 minute video of "Leadership: The Art of Possibility".   This is a marvelous, phenomenal experience and  journey about leadership from the perspective of Benjamin Zander, world- renowned conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, as he expressively teaches a new and improved style of leadership in this video program. Ben and his partner Rosamund coach leaders to speak possibility from any position, in any organization, anywhere in the world.