Release Date: Monday, March 15th 2010
Akron Derbytown Chorus readies for its upcoming annual show
by April Helms
Special Products Editor
Ray Stone said he first heard the Akron Derbytown Chorus -- or, actually, one of its quartets -- at Akron's First Night celebration.
"I think it was at the first First Night celebration," said Stone, who grew up in Cuyahoga Falls and currently lives in West Akron. "I went with friends, and we were on our way to get some hot chocolate. We were going through the church on High Street, and I heard this quartet singing. I thought 'man, that's good.' The rest of my friends left, but I stayed and later talked to them.
"I never did get my hot chocolate, but I found a wonderful hobby I enjoy."
Stone and the other members of the Akron Derbytown Chorus have been readying for their upcoming spring show, "That Old Gang of Mine," which will be performed at the Cuyahoga Falls HIgh School theater on March 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m.
There are about 50 singing members in the chorus, who sing a cappella in four-part harmonies, said Jim Elliott, a member for eight years. The Akron Derbytown Chorus started in 1945.
"Barbershop harmony has been around a while," Elliott said. "It is one of two mainstays of music in the U.S., the other being jazz."
Barbershop gets its name from the times when men would meet at a barber's, Elliott said.
"The men used to meet at the local barbershop on Saturday mornings and start singing," he said. "We try to find barbershops to sing in."
In addition to the main chorus, there is a matinee group that performs in the daytime, several quartets and a newly-formed gospel chorus, Elliott said.
Scott Giles, the director of the Derbytown Chorus, said the chorus likes to "put a smile on" the audience's face with their shows.
"We like to take them away from the reality of their problems and take them to a place of simpler times," Giles said.
The upcoming show will span about four decades of music, from the 1920s to the 1960s, Giles said.
Albert Talcott, 18, a senior at Stow-Munroe Falls High School, said he joined the Derbytown chorus about a month and a half ago.
"I was just interested in doing more choir stuff," Talcott said. "I am going to Bowling Green for music education, and I thought this would be a good way to hone my skills and get ready for the fall. It's been a great experience for me."
Show information
As well as the Akron Derbytown Chorus, "That Old Gang of Mine" will feature two headline groups, Our Town and Bustin' Loose.
Our Town, the show headliner, features men with championship ranking in the Barbershop Harmony Society and a cappella circles. Our Town won the prestigious Harmony Sweepstakes (America's oldest a cappella competition) and Barbershop Harmony Society Northeastern Districts' competition in 2008.
Bustin' Loose, another show headliner, features a past international champion tenor and three other members who have sung with acclaim. The quartet in 1984 won the extremely competitive Johnny Appleseed District award, one of only 16 U.S. districts. For eight successive years the group sang together, then went separate ways until regrouping late last decade.
The show's master of ceremonies, Tom Gentry, is an international barbershop performer, past music category specialist for the Barbershop Harmony Society and a music arranger for more than 40 years.
Ticket prices are $18 for adults, $5 for those 6 to 18 years old, and children 5 and under are free when accompanied by someone with a paid ticket. For groups of 10 or more, tickets are $15 each. Cuyahoga Falls High School is at 2300 Fourth St. in Cuyahoga Falls.
For tickets and information, call 330-958-2729 or e-mail wilveith@hotmail.com. Information also can be found online at www.derbytownchorus.org.
E-mail: ahelms@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3153