Welcome to the
Enchanted Mountain Chorus
or as we are otherwise known...
"The Olean Barbershoppers"
An official chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society
aka SPEBSQSA
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YOU CAN
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Use the door on the right side of the Church. We are down stairs, turn right go through the small room through to the large room with the stage. |
Check out this feature video by Time.com!
(click picture to open in a new window)
An introduction to Barbershop video
Mission Statement for the Olean Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society
We are guys that like to sing and sing together and we are guys that like to support our community in the best way we know how; with our music.
Barbershoppers are a not-for-profit chapter of a national organization known as “The Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America” or more recently known as “The Barbershop Harmony Society”. The society has a long history of charitable support which we refer to as service projects.
All of the monies we raise each year go back to the community in many forms such as today’s concert as well as providing acapella music education to the schools in support of local young men and women with the “Youth In Harmony” program.
In the last year or so our district has developed a plan to help out local food pantries with the “We Sing To Feed Them All” program.
This program assists us in using our singing talents help the many food pantries in each of our areas to fight the war against hunger.
The Olean Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society is dedicated to;
· Providing opportunities for men to blend their voices in the unique style of barbershop harmony.
· Establishing an atmosphere of fun and fellowship for men of good will in all our activities.
· Encouraging quartet singing within our chorus and among other chapters in the Society.
· Developing our member’s vocal talents and capabilities and consistently improving our performance abilities, so that each time we sing together, we perform at the best level we possibly can.
· Reaching out to the community in musical service with “Youth In Harmony” educational programs to expose young men and women to acapella singing with emphasis in the barbershop style.
· As a not for profit organization, we support charitable endeavors through fundraising and awareness of our community’s needs through our District’s “We Sing to Feed Them All” program.
We are always looking for worthy causes and organizations to share our love of music and to help our fellow citizens.
Barbershoppers are a not-for-profit chapter of a national organization known as “The Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America” or more recently known as “The Barbershop Harmony Society”. The society has a long history of charitable support which we refer to as service projects.
All of the monies we raise each year go back to the community in many forms such as today’s concert as well as providing acapella music education to the schools in support of local young men and women with the “Youth In Harmony” program.
In the last year or so our district has developed a plan to help out local food pantries with the “We Sing To Feed Them All” program.
This program assists us in using our singing talents help the many food pantries in each of our areas to fight the war against hunger.
The Olean Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society is dedicated to;
· Providing opportunities for men to blend their voices in the unique style of barbershop harmony.
· Establishing an atmosphere of fun and fellowship for men of good will in all our activities.
· Encouraging quartet singing within our chorus and among other chapters in the Society.
· Developing our member’s vocal talents and capabilities and consistently improving our performance abilities, so that each time we sing together, we perform at the best level we possibly can.
· Reaching out to the community in musical service with “Youth In Harmony” educational programs to expose young men and women to acapella singing with emphasis in the barbershop style.
· As a not for profit organization, we support charitable endeavors through fundraising and awareness of our community’s needs through our District’s “We Sing to Feed Them All” program.
We are always looking for worthy causes and organizations to share our love of music and to help our fellow citizens.
Barbershop is a “melting pot” product of African-American musical devices, European hymn-singing culture, and an American tradition of recreational music. Melodies are in the vocal and skill range of the average singer, with lyrical emphasis on simple, heartfelt emotions.
Barbershop Harmony is defined as Four-part, unaccompanied, close-harmony singing, with melody in the second voice, called the “lead.” Tenor (counter-tenor voice) harmonizes above the lead singer; bass sings the lowest harmonizing notes, and the baritone provides in-between notes, to form consonant, pleasing chords.
About the BARBERSHOP HARMONY SOCIETY
Governance
The Society is governed by an elected board of directors; administered by a 30-person professional staff at Harmony Hall in Nashville, Tennessee.
Motto: Keep the Whole World Singing
Worldwide
Activity We have affiliated barbershop organizations in Finland, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Ireland, South Africa, Sweden, The Netherlands, and Great Britain. There are also barbershop singers in Denmark, Israel, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and parts of the former Soviet Union.
Founding
First meeting: April 11, 1938 at the Roof Garden of the Tulsa Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Some key activities of the BHS Organization
Youth in Harmony Designed to preserve the art form by introducing it to a new generation of singers, Harmony Explosion camps give high school men the opportunity to explore harmony with their peers. Bank of America Collegiate Barbershop Quartet contest selects a national champion from colleges across the continent. Educator outreach introduces Barbershop to music teachers at all grade levels.
Education: The Society is focused on the education of members and the general public in music appreciation, particularly barbershop singing. For more details about the numerous development seminars and schools held each year, please refer to the Benefits of Membership section. The Society also publishes numerous manuals and produces videos on vocal techniques, singing skills, and chapter administration.
Charitable Activities:
Barbershoppers donate money, time and performances to local charities. They also proudly support the Society’s official charity, Harmony Foundation, Inc. The Foundation mission is “to be a leading philanthropic force dedicated to perpetuating the barbershop harmony art form for present and future generations to enjoy.” Harmony Foundation coordinates support for special projects such as Directors College scholarships, Harmony Explosion Camps and the Interactive Learning Center/ Museum/Hall of Fame facility scheduled to open in 2011 at the new headquarters facility in Nashville, Tennessee. In addition, the Foundation’s endowment program helps ensure the legacy of barbershop music.
Public Performances enhance community cultural life, preserve the art form, and bring cheer to all. Quartets and choruses contribute more than 100,000 man-hours per year singing for more than half a million people at churches, schools, hospitals, senior centers, etc.
Barbershop Harmony is defined as Four-part, unaccompanied, close-harmony singing, with melody in the second voice, called the “lead.” Tenor (counter-tenor voice) harmonizes above the lead singer; bass sings the lowest harmonizing notes, and the baritone provides in-between notes, to form consonant, pleasing chords.
About the BARBERSHOP HARMONY SOCIETY
Governance
The Society is governed by an elected board of directors; administered by a 30-person professional staff at Harmony Hall in Nashville, Tennessee.
Motto: Keep the Whole World Singing
Worldwide
Activity We have affiliated barbershop organizations in Finland, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Ireland, South Africa, Sweden, The Netherlands, and Great Britain. There are also barbershop singers in Denmark, Israel, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and parts of the former Soviet Union.
Founding
First meeting: April 11, 1938 at the Roof Garden of the Tulsa Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Some key activities of the BHS Organization
Youth in Harmony Designed to preserve the art form by introducing it to a new generation of singers, Harmony Explosion camps give high school men the opportunity to explore harmony with their peers. Bank of America Collegiate Barbershop Quartet contest selects a national champion from colleges across the continent. Educator outreach introduces Barbershop to music teachers at all grade levels.
Education: The Society is focused on the education of members and the general public in music appreciation, particularly barbershop singing. For more details about the numerous development seminars and schools held each year, please refer to the Benefits of Membership section. The Society also publishes numerous manuals and produces videos on vocal techniques, singing skills, and chapter administration.
Charitable Activities:
Barbershoppers donate money, time and performances to local charities. They also proudly support the Society’s official charity, Harmony Foundation, Inc. The Foundation mission is “to be a leading philanthropic force dedicated to perpetuating the barbershop harmony art form for present and future generations to enjoy.” Harmony Foundation coordinates support for special projects such as Directors College scholarships, Harmony Explosion Camps and the Interactive Learning Center/ Museum/Hall of Fame facility scheduled to open in 2011 at the new headquarters facility in Nashville, Tennessee. In addition, the Foundation’s endowment program helps ensure the legacy of barbershop music.
Public Performances enhance community cultural life, preserve the art form, and bring cheer to all. Quartets and choruses contribute more than 100,000 man-hours per year singing for more than half a million people at churches, schools, hospitals, senior centers, etc.
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Olean Chapter Officers - 2017
Chapter President Patrick Close Chapter Immediate Past President Marshall Allen Chapter Secretary Gary Johnson Chapter Treasurer Doug Ploetz Chapter VP Member/Development Richard Yaw Chapter VP Music/Performance Mike Hillman Chapter VP Program Lee Shelley Chapter VP Marketing and PR Chapter Board Member at Large John Ross Chapter Chorus Director Eva Hillman Chapter Bulletin Editor Patrick Close Chapter Webmaster Patrick Close Chapter Historian Patrick Close Chapter Chorus Contact Marshall Allen Barbershopper Of The Year 2016 Gary Johnson |
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A Little Chapter History
Phil Embry came to Olean in 1945 after forming the Warsaw, NY chapter and helping in the formation of the Buffalo and Batavia NY chapters. In early 1946, Phil Embry put an ad in the local Olean newspaper announcing a barbershop chapter would be forming. On that first night, over a hundred men showed up.
In those early years, Olean was one of the prominent chapters in the Seneca Land District. They won the right to represent Seneca Land in three International chorus competitions and also became three-time Seneca Land chorus champions. In addition, two Olean quartets, The Clark Angels and The Midnighters represented Seneca Land District in donations to Heartspring. One of the least known pieces of barbershop trivia is that Olean was the beginning of Jeff Bakers’ (baritone of the 1996 International quartet Champions, Nightlife) Barbershopping career.
In those early years, Olean was one of the prominent chapters in the Seneca Land District. They won the right to represent Seneca Land in three International chorus competitions and also became three-time Seneca Land chorus champions. In addition, two Olean quartets, The Clark Angels and The Midnighters represented Seneca Land District in donations to Heartspring. One of the least known pieces of barbershop trivia is that Olean was the beginning of Jeff Bakers’ (baritone of the 1996 International quartet Champions, Nightlife) Barbershopping career.