2008 Woodie Awards
Singing group goes international
By: Sarah-Jane Cousins
Issue date: 11/16/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Three hours of practice on Wednesdays.
Decades upon decades of collective experience. They are 42 strong, and have never placed lower than second in their district in three years together
All of that paid off when the Mountain Town Singers earned the top score at last month's district-wide Barbershop Harmony Society competition.
In July the group will travel to the international competition in Nashville where quartets and groups from around the world will go head-to-head.
"After so much time and effort it feels like the effort has finally paid off," said Holt sophomore and singer Ryan Collins.
The group practices under the tutelage of David Gillingham, School of Music professor.
"For me personally this represents a lifelong achievement. After barbershopping for almost 40 years, a goal of mine has always been to win a bid to the international competition, and this year I have done it," Gillingham said.
The MTS has male singers ranging from 18 to 70 years old.
"It's very neat to be a part of the group, where some of our members have competed for 50-plus years and have never reached this accomplishment," Collins said.
Hancock senior Dave Peterson said he knew all the hard work paid off when they received a standing ovation after their performance.
"When we hit our final chord and the sound resonated through the hall it was the most amazing feeling I've ever had, and I've been singing my whole life," he said.
MTS will perform Chords and Cuisine at 6 p.m. Sunday at the Soaring Eagle Inn, 5665 E. Pickard Road. A catered dinner will be served at 4:30 p.m., tickets are $35 and can be purchased from any MTS member or at the door.
"This year I get to take a chorus and the feeling is beyond words," Gillingham said. "This chorus was founded based on a mission of singing excellence, and this year's goals were to have 50 men standing on that stage and get a bid to the international competition."
The group is raising money by offering singing Valentines, available in February, for $25, which include a rose, card and two songs.
news@cm-life.com
Decades upon decades of collective experience. They are 42 strong, and have never placed lower than second in their district in three years together
All of that paid off when the Mountain Town Singers earned the top score at last month's district-wide Barbershop Harmony Society competition.
In July the group will travel to the international competition in Nashville where quartets and groups from around the world will go head-to-head.
"After so much time and effort it feels like the effort has finally paid off," said Holt sophomore and singer Ryan Collins.
The group practices under the tutelage of David Gillingham, School of Music professor.
"For me personally this represents a lifelong achievement. After barbershopping for almost 40 years, a goal of mine has always been to win a bid to the international competition, and this year I have done it," Gillingham said.
The MTS has male singers ranging from 18 to 70 years old.
"It's very neat to be a part of the group, where some of our members have competed for 50-plus years and have never reached this accomplishment," Collins said.
Hancock senior Dave Peterson said he knew all the hard work paid off when they received a standing ovation after their performance.
"When we hit our final chord and the sound resonated through the hall it was the most amazing feeling I've ever had, and I've been singing my whole life," he said.
MTS will perform Chords and Cuisine at 6 p.m. Sunday at the Soaring Eagle Inn, 5665 E. Pickard Road. A catered dinner will be served at 4:30 p.m., tickets are $35 and can be purchased from any MTS member or at the door.
"This year I get to take a chorus and the feeling is beyond words," Gillingham said. "This chorus was founded based on a mission of singing excellence, and this year's goals were to have 50 men standing on that stage and get a bid to the international competition."
The group is raising money by offering singing Valentines, available in February, for $25, which include a rose, card and two songs.
news@cm-life.com
Be the first to comment on this story