Bush League- Statewide Alert
August 21st 2010 Gaylord MI. Competing this year were 12 quartets. The Grand Rapids Chapter had quite a few members attend the 1st Great Lakes Harmony Brigade. Taking the extreme quartetting to another competition venue, myself Michael Baribeau, joined with Braiders Joel Klein, Tom Blackstone, and Ray Sturdy. Since we all hailed from different corners of the state we called ourselves Statewide Alert. With only 3 rehearsals together we went to compete at the Gaylord Bush League. We didn't score as well as we hoped but got lots of great support and coaching from The Party tenor Kevin Morey, and lead Toby Shaver, and Al Fisk Music Judge.
Quartets in order of performance...
Limited Edition, Happy Our, Olde Thyme Harmony Quartet, Lakeshore Four, M-66 Express, The Growlers, Windfall, By Design, Singular, Statewide Alert, Quad Pro Quo, Break Time
Gaylord Harmonie Meisters President Erv Erickson,
Bush League 2010 has come and gone. What a great weekend! Twelve quartets came to Gaylord to test their current skills in the morning contest and to receive coaching in the afternoon by Al Fisk, Del Sparks, and "The Party", all held together by Contest Administrator Ron Eubank.
When all was said and done, the quartet scoring the most points and the recipient of the Bush League Trophy was "The Growlers". Who are they? Well, if you recall hearing or hearing of "Ebb N' Flow", a Collegiate Quartet from Mt Pleasant, you would be close. Their bass could not come, so they asked an "old" experienced bass from their Chorus to stand in. TR Gerard provided the foundation and "The Growlers" wowed the audience and apparently the Judges too.
CONGRATULATIONS TO, "THE GROWLERS".
The Gaylord Harmonie Meisters want to thank the Judges and Coaches for coming North and volunteering their skills and to all of the quartets who came to allow this event to happen.
The Harmonie Meisters are looking forward to hosting Bush League 2011.
Thanks again to all involved!
"The program perpetuates the fun and informal environment of a non-sanctioned competition while allowing quartets to 'fine tune' their skills for performances and for preparation for the fall District Convention and Contest." The Bush League was begun in 1947 and now in it's 62nd year. Bush League is a baseball idiom for the minor leagues and was adopted here tongue-in-cheek for this barbershop competition also because of its restrictions for competing for The Bush League Brass “Gaboon” (spittoon) Trophy . "Quartets that have previously competed in Society sanctioned competitions and placed 3rd or higher may compete FOR SCORE ONLY. They do not qualify to win the Bush League Trophy. Along with all other competing quartets, they are eligible for coaching, craft development and other singing events. This applies also to quartets that have previously won the Bush League Trophy."
Many thanks to our Bush League hosts the Gaylord Harmony Meisters for all the hard work in organizing this affair and keeping the contest with the “Oldest Revolving Trophy in the Society.” going strong!
