Life and times of the Barbershop Bass

2007 Plateau A Champions

nospam@example.com (Jeff Harris) — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 00:35:00 +0200

Over the past weekend, the Chorus performed at the NorCal West/Hawaii Division convention of the Far Western District. I thought we sang the first song very well, and the second broke down a bit in the middle. Maybe it was just singing in a new environment, but it just didn't sound so perfect to me.

After the competition part of the evening, and the judges tabulated their scores, they announced the winners. First place was going to be a no-brainer. The Voices in Harmony, with 85 men on the risers and a former Barbershop Harmony Society president as director would be first place. The only question with them would be their score.

"In third place, Palo Alto-Mountain View!" My mind started thinking, "hmm." The Palo Alto-Mountain View Chapter had been "The next chorus" to beat. Since we didn't have a chance to hear any of the choruses, I was wondering who was in second.

"In second place, qualifying for District Convention in Phoenix, Arizona, and Plateau A Champions," the room was brought to a silence.

My mind raced, "Monterey? Santa Rosa?"

"'With a combined score of 62, Fremont-Hayward Chapter." The room went nuts.

There it is, two years running, Plateau A Champions. Now if only we could actually have a major public performance instead of all these private performances and little semi-public gigs.

December

nospam@example.com (Jeff Harris) — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 08:19:00 +0100

Now that it is finally December, I can stop spending so much time on my National Novel Month writing excersizes, so I can get back to arranging the song that I was working on. I use Lilypond for engraving, rather than Finale, mainly because of the cost differential, but I think it makes better prints and it is faster to enter the spots. Lilypond is currently available as stable version 2.10 for most operating systems. My barbershop template is right here. Make sure to right-click and choose "Save As..." The file is saved in a Unix format.

In other, slightly related news, I forgot to backup my database before formatting my hard drive and crashed some of my other sites...

The Quartet

nospam@example.com (Jeff Harris) — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 01:57:00 +0100

So the barbershop quartet is back in business. After our tenor left to pursue other employment schooling and didn't have any time for the chorus or quartet, we were treading water while we were looking for plan A.

Plan A was that we find another tenor. Didn't happen.

Plan B was that we found a lead who wanted to sing tenor. Didn't happen.

Plan C was that our bass (me) expand his virtuosity and become an even better singer by singing tenor and adding a new bass to our mix. That's what we have now.

The good news is that we have a quartet, the bad news is that until I get some good tenor chops, we won't be winning anything. The good news is that since I now have a target, I'll be able to get my chops working pretty quickly.

2006 Fall FWD

nospam@example.com (Jeff Harris) — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 03:00:00 +0200

Had an incredible time over the weekend at Far Western District Fall Convention. From my vantage point on stage, I thought we brought it. The entire New Dimension Chorus was on fire. Seven hours later, the scores came out and I wasn't happy.

Before the contest, I was expecting a score of 63-68. The score sheet was ten points below my expectation level. It was frustrating to have been working so much on our show package since spring contest to have a drop in points. We didn't go to Contest to compete with Westminster, http://www.vihchorus.org/, or Greater Phoenix, but I was disappointed with the way we sounded.

Congratulations to The New Westminster Chorus, for their incredible performance, and we wish you well in International Competition next July.

Barbershop Harmony

Barbershop Works

nospam@example.com (Jeff Harris) — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 13:30:00 +0200

There's a Little White Church (In the Valley),

Music by Arthur Lange, words by Jeff Branen. For Men's Barbershop. The first complete arrangement by the Barbershop Bass. It's an uptune that tells the story of a young guy who's excited to meet Sal in the Little White Church where they will be married today. A sample will be available as a PDF format shortly. $2.39 per copy via paypal, 39Â¢ discount per copy for cash/check.

How To Order

To order by PayPal, simply click the "Add to cart" button, then enter quantity. For cash/check discount, send a note describing pieces requested, quantities, and payment to the Barbershop Bass at the address below. All checks for over $100 and any personal checks must clear the bank before shipping. When ordering multiple quantities, you will receive one copy of each piece and an authorization letter giving you permission to make copies up to the number of copies purchased. DO NOT LOSE THE AUTHORIZATION LETTER. All pieces are licensed by ASCAP. All prices include Domestic USPS shipping. Inquire directly to the Barbershop Bass for international shipping.

or mail payment to:
Jeff Harris
BarbershopBass.com
2530 Silsby Ave
Union City, CA 94587

Pieces for SATB Chorus

nospam@example.com (Jeff Harris) — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 13:18:00 +0200

Kyrie Elieson, for SATB Chorus.

The 1992 winner of the Los Medanos College Choral Competition, a delicate expression of "Christ Have Mercy." The first page will be available as a PDF format shortly. $2.39 per copy via PayPal, 39Â¢ discount per copy for cash/check.

My Field, for SATB Chorus and Piano.

The lyrics won the Concord (California) Young Poetry Contest of 1987. A remembering sonnet telling the tale of urban sprawl across a child's world.

The first page will be available as a PDF format shortly. $2.39 per copy via PayPal, 39Â¢ discount per copy for cash/check.

How To Order

or mail payment to:
Jeff Harris
BarbershopBass.com
2530 Silsby Ave
Union City, CA 94587

Works for Sale

nospam@example.com (Jeff Harris) — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 11:22:00 +0200

Step Right Up! Be the first on your block to own a copy of the Barbershop Bass' unique musical scores.

Instrumental Works

Works for SATB Chorus

Barbershop Pieces

How To Order

or mail payment to:
Jeff Harris
BarbershopBass.com
2530 Silsby Ave
Union City, CA 94587

Jack Baird Music Library

nospam@example.com (Jeff Harris) — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 17:04:00 +0200

I was perusing the Jack Baird Music Library, and heard this wonderful song about a guy meeting his girl at the church, and thought, "This is it." Then, I figured out what "It" is. It is the first song of which I am going to complete an arrangement in the Barbershop Style.

Then, the fun began. Where to find a copy of the old music? I found the Edison Library. Chock full of rich nougaty goodness, this has one of the best archives of public domain/expired copyright sheet music that I've been able to find.

Once it's done, I'll release it to the world. Check back right here to this domain for details about the song and ordering information. It may take a while, since I have to work for a living right now, but I plan on scouring the Jack Baird library and finding another couple of pieces that sound really nice and arranging them.

Fritibrulation

nospam@example.com (Jeff Harris) — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 04:21:00 +0200

I was unable to attend Harmony College this year, because I'm fairly new to directing. Doug Parker wrote to me:

Hi jharris@...

You weren't at HC this year?

Dr Don Campbell coined the term to illustrate the shaking, too-much-to-be-contained, bubbling energy and anticipation of a little kid that wants to break out but can't because they just don't know what to do. He used it to differentiate between the two phrases in You Make Me Feel So Young when the lyrics repeat:

You make me feel so,
You make me feel so,

Dr Don was directing the Directors Chorus and during rehearsals he said, "No, no, wait, I want you all on the second one to fritibrulate. C'mon, now let's try it again..." and of course everyone looked at each other with blank faces. That's when he dumped the definition on us.

The baritones are leading the move to get the term popularized and on the web. Someone else surely has a better definition than mine. We're considering a temporary yahoogroup to get some of the details talked out, but that may be overkill.

Doug Parker

Fritibrulation: (vi) to Fritibrulate.

Fritibrulate: (vi) the shaking, too-much-to-be-contained, bubbling energy and anticipation of a little kid that wants to break out but can't because they just don't know what to do.

Love it, learn it, use it.

Open House 2006

nospam@example.com (Jeff Harris) — Sun, 06 Aug 2006 22:29:00 +0200

Open House 2006! Coming to the Fremont-Hayward Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society on August 17, 2006 at 7:00. Join us in the Music Building (Building 1200) at Chabot College on Thursday, August 17, 2006 for an evening of 4 part harmony and light refreshments. Nonsingers are welcome.

Shadow of Your Smile

nospam@example.com (Jeff Harris) — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 06:43:00 +0200

We were introduced to the Shadow of Your Smile tag. Our baritone requisitioned for the quartet copies of the arrangement. It's an interesting arrangement, to say the least. It does have a bass melody, though. As we progress, I'm sure it will get better. I hope.

Visiting San Mateo

nospam@example.com (Jeff Harris) — Sat, 03 Jun 2006 06:35:00 +0200

I visited the Golden Chordsmen Chorus last week during their quarterly Quartet Night. The night is built around impromptu quartets. One person is selected, then they select a song and the rest of the quartet. No matter how the song sounds, thunderous applause follows. It is rather interesting, as a guest, because I don't know the interpretations of the other guys. It really makes you listen to, and react to, the lead. They've got a nice group, and I'd like to plan a trip back out to visit.

Awesome!

nospam@example.com (Jeff Harris) — Thu, 18 May 2006 16:39:00 +0200

Had chorus rehearsal tonight (last night, actually). Found out that the Far Western District needed a couple more choruses for the upcoming Fall Convention. The New Dimension Chorus has been invited as a wild card. Dude! Six years of history. Twice "Most Improved Chorus" in the past 3 years, and now Fall District Convention. Honestly, not a chance of winning the District Contest, but we'll have a definite "Hey, listen to these guys" following the contest.

Post Number 1

nospam@example.com (Jeff Harris) — Wed, 17 May 2006 00:10:00 +0200

Welcome to the world of the [tag]Barbershop [/tag]Bass. Right now, that life isn't the most glamorous, but we've just started a [tag]quartet[/tag], and we're perfectly poised for next year's contest season.