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.
2009
Show “Remember When”
Vocal Federation “ Clowning Around”
Quartet Rural Roots
Quartet Station FJRB
