The first public performance for the Strathroy
Barbershoppers was at the West Middlesex Arena on November 14, 1995 for the Salvation Army
Foodbank Telethon which was broadcast on local cable.
In November and December of 1995, this fledgling
chapter held a contest to "Name the Chorus" of this new chapter. Over 130
entries were submitted and Vocal Federation was selected to be the name of the chapter's
chorus.
On February 24th, 1996, the Vocal Federation
entered its first competition. The chorus placed second to St. Thomas in the Western
Division Small Chorus Contest.
The Strathroy Charter Show was held on May 11,
1996 at the Strathroy District Collegiate Institute Auditorium. Almost 600 people attended
as The Elginaires, The Bluewater Chordsmen, High Time, Tribute and the Vocal Federation
entertained.
In August, the Vocal Federation performed at the
Poplar Hill Beef Producers Barbeque. On September 18th, the Chapter hosted an Anniversary
Banquet for members and wives with High Time providing entertainment. In November, the
chorus performed on the Salvation Army Foodbank Telethon for the second consecutive year.
As 1997 opened, the Vocal Federation entered
another Western Division Small Chorus Contest and again finished second to St. Thomas. In
April, the chorus put on a fund raising show in Bothwell for Newbury United Church.
The second Annual Show starred the Twin City
Harmonizers and as an incredible bonus, the quartet Contagious, with it's original
personnel, sang their final swan song at the show and afterglow. An afternoon show,
starring only Strathroy Chapter Talent, was presented for the first time.
In July, the Federation performed at the
Middlesex Pork Producers Picnic at Poplar Hill Park. In August, a V.L.Q. (Very Large
Quartet) of Federation members performed the unforgettable "Sing-out from Heck"
at the Strathroy Turkeyfest.
The Vocal Federation was very busy late in the
year singing at Sprucedale Care Centre and carolling at many Downtown Businesses just
prior to Christmas.
Strathroy hosted the Western Division Novice
Competitions in February 1998 and took home the Small Chorus Championship for the first
time. The Vocal Federation carried that enthusiasm to the District Convention stage for
the first time in April 1998 at the Inn-On-The-Park in Toronto and finished ninth in a
field of sixteen.
Once again, May brought around the Chapter Show
with Burlington's Roadshow being the guest chorus and Tribute and Classic Four the guest
quartets.
Summer was quiet but Fall and Winter were very
busy with performances at Glencoe Fair, Sylvan United Church, Caradoc Community Centre,
Mount Brydges United Church, Kenwick Mall and Strathroy's Downtown Businesses.
2006 Highlights
January 6/8 - Annual District COTS,
Geneva Park, Orillia, 7 members attended
May 30 - 18 members traveled to Seaforth for inter-chapter visit
Jun 2/4 - Harmony College North, Guelph, 7 members attended
July 2/9 - S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A. 68th Annual International Convention in
Indianapolis. Attended by Jim and Sylvia McDougall, Leigh & Phyllis
Laughton, Bob & Eunice Fennell and Orval & Norma Allen.
Aug 7 - Chapter received $29,100.00 grant from the Ontario Trillium
Foundation. Funds are for capital assets purchases (i.e. risers,
electronic equipment, clothing, shoes etc.)
Aug 16 - Annual Horseshoe Pitching Championship
Sept 5 - Vocal Federation Chorus sang at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church
Service
Sept 23 - Annual Family Golf Day at Caradoc Sands
Oct 14 - Annual Barbershop Cabaret at Slovanian Club. The Vocal Federation
Chorus and 3 quartets; Rural Roots, Sterling Silver and Symmetry
entertained a near capacity crowd.
Oct 29 - Vocal Federation Chorus sang at Thedford United Church Service.
Nov 18 - Vocal Federation Chorus entertained at Middlesex County's
Warden's Banquet in Mount Brydges.
Nov 26 - Vocal Federation Chorus sang at Annual Christmas Concert
in Seaforth.
Dec 2 - Vocal Federation Chorus entertained at McNaughton Home Building
Centre in Newbury.
Dec 18 - Vocal Federation Chorus visited 18 Strathroy businesses on their
annual Christmas caroling tour.
2005 Highlights
2005, the chapter’s 10th Anniversary, was a
very busy year for us.
In January, 5 members attended COTS at
Geneva Park in Orillia. In February, two Quartets delivered Singing
Valentines. We had a Sing Out at Watford’s Quality Care Centre.
”Romantics” was the Quartet that won at our Annual Chapter Novice Quartet
Contest. The 2004 Member Achievement Award was presented to Les Campbell,
for the second consecutive year. The chapter participated in the Western
Division Novice Contest in London. On April 2nd the chapter presented its
tenth Annual Spring Show “It’s a Great Day For The Irish”. Both
performances were sold out. April saw us perform at the annual Strathroy
Art Council Day In May, Harold’s Angels held a successful garage sale at
Diny & Gil Craenen’s. June was a busy month, in which we hosted 18 members
from the St. Thomas Chapter, we had 7 members attend Harmony College North
in Guelph, we participated in the “Big Bike Ride” and raised $ 1,400 for
the Heart and Stroke Foundation. We sang at Henry Wiersema’s retirement
party and sang at Caressant Care Nursing Home in Woodstock. In July, four
of our members and their wives attended the S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A. 67th annual
International Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah and watched Mark Gough
sing lead lead in the “Misnomer” quartet that represented Ontario District
and placed 16th in the Collegiate Barbershop quartet contest. On July 9th,
20 members sang at Eunice and Bob Fennell’s 50th Wedding Anniversary
celebration. In August we held our Annual Horseshoe Pitching Championship,
hosted by Bill Robertson, at the home of his son Michael. September saw
the Vocal Federation Chorus and “Rural Roots” quartet sing at the
Strathroy YMCA’s 15th Anniversary. The chorus later sang at Doug Simpson’s
funeral service in Glencoe. Doug was a Chapter charter member. On the
21st, 21 members, spouses and guests played at the annual Family Golf Day
@ Caradoc Sands. On the 28th, we entertained residents at Chateau Gardens
in Parkhill. In October, we sang at the London and Region Women’s
Institute 98th Anniversary at Mount Brydges Community Centre. On the 15th,
the Vocal Federation chorus competed at Ontario District Fall Convention
in Brantford and placed ninth. November saw us participate in Strathroy’s
annual Santa Claus parade, the chorus and Rural Roots sing at televised
Evening of Sharing at the Strathroy Senior Centre, and our chorus and
Rural Roots quartet sing at Western Division annual Christmas Concert at
Grace Grace United Church, St. Thomas. December 4th, Chapter charter
member Bill Stanley passed away after a long courageous battle against
cancer. On the10th we went caroling at various Strathroy businesses. That
same day we had our wonderful Christmas/ 10th Anniversary Celebration,
attended by 81 current and past members and guests at the St. Andrew's
Presbyterian Church. We sang at Knox Presbyterian Church in Komoka on
December 11th and we entertained for 2 hours at the new Canadian Tire
Store in Strathroy on the 24th.
2004 Highlights
2004 was a very busy and eventful
year for the Vocal Federation.
In January,5 members attended
COTS. In February, three quartets delivered 35 Singing
Valentines, March saw a Western Division inter-chapter St.
Patricks Day Social, hosted by our chapter. Our ninth annual
show, "Make 'Em Laugh" sold out for both performances. May was a
busy month with Hot Dogs & Hamburger sales @ Zehrs, raising $822
which was topped off by our chapter to a $ 1,000 donation to the
"Thermal Imaging Unit" fund raising campaign for the
Strathroy-Caradoc Fire Dept. Harold's Angels held a successful
garage sale at Diny & Gil Craenen's. The Chorus performed @ Zion
United Church,Crediton,150th Anniversary Service. June was also
busy, with 4 members attending Harmony College North in Guelph.
Vocal Federation team rode in the "Big Bike Ride" for the
"Heart& Stroke Foundation. We raised $1,582. Chorus performed @
Knox United Church, Newbury,Anniversary Service. June 2004 was a
milestone for the chapter, as we incorporated as "Strathroy On.
Chapter of SPEBSQSA, Inc. In July, the Chorus performed at the
Middlesex Pork Producers BBQ at Poplar Hill. August saw our
annual Horseshoe Championship hosted by Jeanne & John King. Also
a Sing-out and regular rehearsal at Chateau Gardens
Seniors/Nursing Home, Parkhill. In November we had a sing-out &
regular rehearsal @ Brookside Manor Retirement Home, Watford. We
did our annual Christmas Carolling at many Strathroy Businesses
& Performed at the Chamber of Commerce "Biz-After-Biz" at
Copperfields in Strathroy. To close off a busy December, the
Chorus performed at the "Children's Christmas Festival @
McNaughton's in Newbury, and our Chorus and Quartet performed at
the Knights of Columbus Christmas Party in London.
2003 Highlights
VOCAL
FEDERATION wins first place in chapter and quartet HARMONY
JUNCTION wins bronze at Western Division Novice Championships in
St. Thomas, Annual shows at SCCS – Grampa’s Attic, International
Convention held in Montreal, Horseshoe Championships at Les and
Donna Campbell’s, Golf Day held at Wardsville Golf Course hosted
by Tom and Elaine Lindon, Western Division Christmas Concert
hosted by Strathroy – proceeds went to COPS FOR TOTS, Annual
Christmas party and caroling for the Strathroy businesses.
2002 Highlights
Quartet LATE DATE wins 2 golds at
Western Division Novice Championships in Strathroy, Annual shows
at SCCS – The Melody Lingers On, Horseshoe Championships held at
Les and Donna Campbell’s, Chapter performs at Glencoe Arena
church service and the International Plowing Match main stage,
Golf Day hosted by Tom and Elaine Linden, Chapter attended the
Western Division Christmas Concert hosted by Sarnia Chapter,
Annual Christmas party and Caroling for the Strathroy
businesses.
2001 Highlights
VLQ wins at Sarnia Novice..Singing
Valentines....retreat...Disney Show at Strathroy CC School...horseshoes..golf...Roy
Thompson...Big Band...Christmas Concert...school singouts
2000 Highlights
Singing Valentines...gold at western
Division Novice...Down Memory Lane with Harolds Angels...Bear
Creek...Sentimental Journey at SDCI...Royal Bank
pensioners.....garage sale...International at Kansas City...Strathmere
Lodge...horseshoe tourney...golf tourney...Lieury United...Appin
United...5th Anniversary Party..singouts at schools
1999 Highlights
Feb 27 3rd place at Western Division
Novice..VLQ's entertained at Strathmere and Sprucedale..14th at
district convention...Newbury United Church...the Campbell
wedding...Grosvenor Club...Sylvan United...Harvest Dance... pool
Party..horseshoe tourney...Evening of Sharing...Cabaret with
London Sweet Ads...london Christmas Concert...carolling..school
singouts
MARCH 99
After hours of practice and repetition we felt we were ready for our
district competition. Our new vests were ready. Anticipation ran high. Unfortunately we
drew last for the second year in a row. We shuddered - long hours in back rooms and
endless waiting. Some of us arrived Friday with the remainder arriving Saturday morning.
The opportunity to attend the Joe Barbershopper session came up and several of us attended
before we had to leave for our warm up and walk through on stage. After our walk through
many of us returned to work with the mass chorus. What an experience! Dr. Greg Lyne
was outstanding. The sound he drew out of the chorus was wonderful. Unfortunately our
practice time made it impossible to sing with the Joe Barbershopper Chorus.
During our rehearsal session we were still correcting wrong notes,
trying to get our pitch uniform for the first time and trying to sing in unison. It must
be frustrating for our directors to keep repeating themselves and yet the errors keep
occurring. However, we tried to do our best. Several of the ladies from Harold's Angels
helped us with our make-up and we then sported our new vests. We looked good!
Most of us had the satisfaction of stating we felt better than last
year. We sang our best.
When the results came out we were disappointed. 14th! Most of the
fellows felt dejected. However, when we examined the marks, it was not as bad as it
seemed. For our second song, Four Leaf Clover, one judge in the music category gave us a
mark 18 points lower than the other judge in the category. If this mark had been better we
could have placed as high as 10th or even 9th. Our presentation and singing marks were
good and were better than higher placed finishers. The judging is very subjective and this
years judges were not looking for the same things as last years judges. We were also not
able to see the other choruses and therefore we do not know how we stacked
up against them. When we saw the championship show Saturday night we could see why we were
down so far, WOW! Greater Toronto was outstanding.
Even with all of this difference, I feel great that we made the effort and presented
ourselves so well. We have to consider our purpose as a chorus. All of us had the
opportunity to sing if we wanted to. We were not hand picked. We did not work on the same
two songs for a year, in fact we learned eight other new songs. All of us have faults and
strengths. As a group of people we enjoy what we are doing. We have fun singing. We must
realize that unless you have a chorus of 70 or 80 to work with or unless you become very
selective, you can never make it to the top. Therefore, we just sing, enjoy performing and
singing and strive to make ourselves better and use both our audiences and judges at
performances and competitions to become better at our hobby.
