Singing Buckeyes
From Barbershop Wiki Project
The Singing Buckeyes are a men's Barbershop Chorus based in Columbus, OH. The Columbus, OH Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society and its performing chorus, The Singing Buckeyes, have been in existence since their chartering in 1950. The chapter formed from the Columbus Capitol Chapter, which is still in existence.
The Chapter has produced many members who have held high administrative offices in the International and District levels of the Barbershop Harmony Society. These include Charles "Chuck" Watson, Past International President; George Chamblin, International Vice-president and Jack W. Wentworth, JAD President.
The group is consistently one of the largest chapters in the Johhny Appleseed District of the Barbershop Harmony Society with over 100 members.
The Singing Buckeyes are the only chorus in the Johnny Appleseed District to have won a Chorus championship in all six decades that the contest has been held.
Contents |
Directors
Chad Wulf
Doug Smeltz
Steve Kovach
Erik Kaufman
Gary Wulf
RD Mathey
Mark Stock
Dusty Rhoades
Champion Quartets
International
| Year | Quartet | Tenor, Lead, Baritone, Bass |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Joker's Wild | Steve Iannacchione, Mark Green, Steve Legters, David Kindinger |
District
| Year | Quartet | Tenor, Lead, Baritone, Bass |
|---|---|---|
| 1947 | Buzz Saws | Bruce Lynn, Don Vorce*, George Chamblin, Staff Taylor |
| 1960 | Four-Get-Me-Notes | Ron Morrison, Cline Clary, Bob Durst, George Core |
| 1964 | Wayfarers | Frank Martin, Barry Porter, Paul Shannon, Tom Ewald |
| 1989 | Bowery Boys | Pat Tucker-Kelly, Gary Wulf, Doug Smeltz, Steve Denino |
| 1990 | Joker's Wild | Steve Iannacchione, Mark Green, Steve Legters, David Kindinger |
| 1997 | Dynamics | Dave Wallace, Gary Wulf, Matt Bridger, Bill Baughman |
| 2000 | Park Avenue | Mark Nofziger, Gary Wulf, Matt Bridger, Mark Hannum |
| 2002 | Impulse | Jason Wulf, Chad Wulf, Mike Byrley, Richard Brooks |
| 2003 | Rhythmix | Mike Nessler, Chad St. John, Mike Hull, Matt Rice |
| 2008 | Cadillac Jack | Carl J. Cash III, Mike Harrison, Steve Kovach, Richard Brooks |
Buckeye Invitational - (1989 - 2007)
The Singing Buckeyes chorus has also been a pioneer in inventing new and exciting ways to bring barbershop to the community. One way was through the creation of the Buckeye Invitational Contest. This annual convention was the first to offer a place for the second best choruses in every district with a place to come and compete against other international talent. It incorporated not only contest music but a complete show package to ensure the most entertainment value for the audience. It also was the first contest to include audience judging. 50% of the grand champion vote went to the audience and the other 50% was by the certified panel of judges. Not to stop there the invitational went on to create the first venue where men's and women's choruses would compete head to head against each other. There also was a comedy contest and a mixed voice A Capella contest.
Several groups competed and won awards at the Buckeye Invitational only to go on to win awards at the BHS International Contest:
| 1989 | Quartet 2nd Place Medalist | Power Play | (2003 International Champions) |
| 1992 | Chorus Grand Champions | Ambassadors of Harmony | (2004 & 2009 Intl Champions) |
| 1997 | Quartet Grand Champions | Gotcha! | (2004 International Champions) |
| 1997 | Chorus Grand Champions | Midwest Vocal Express | (International Medalists) |
| 2001 | Comedy Quartet Champions | Hot Air Baffoons | (International Semi-Finalists) |
Buckeye Harmony Camp
The Singing Buckeyes chorus hosts and sponsors a barbershop youth harmony camp every summer since 1994. The camp has grown from 15 boys in the first year to over 300 boys and girls from all over the country. At this four day camp held on the Ohio State University Campus, the students learn 4 songs taught by the best barbershop talent in the world. The get a chance to perform at the Columbus Zoo, the Ohio State Fair, and other local areas of interest. The final performance is part of the Singing Buckeyes "Stars of the Night" show on Saturday night in front of 2,000 or more barbershop enthusiasts.
Contest Placement
International
| 1953 | 1954 | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 | 1960 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ? | ? | ? | 11th | ||||||
| 1961 | 1962 | 1963 | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | .... | 1980 |
| 8th | 7th | 8th | |||||||
| 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
| 8th | |||||||||
| 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 |
| 11th | 10th | 14th | 13th | 13th | 13th | 11th | |||
| 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
| 10th | 11th | 24th |
District
Represents the Johnny Appleseed District.
District Awards
District Barbershopper of the Year
2005 - Paul Shannon
2003 - P. W. "Bill" Miller
1998 - Mike Renner
1997 - Lane Bushong
1989 - Pat Tucker-Kelly
1987 - Chuck Watson
1984 - Dick Dickhaus
1977 - Jack Wentworth
1963 - Robert Maher
1955 - Staff Taylor
District Hall of Fame
1994 - Gary Wulf
1994 - Joker's Wild (Mark Green,David Kindinger, Steve Legters, Steve Iannachionne)
1984 - Chuck Watson
1981 - Frank Martin
1977 - Jack Wentworth
1958 - Bob Maher
1955 - Staff Taylor
1952 - George Chamblin
District Molly Reagon Novice Quartet
1998 - Impulse
1993 - Once Around the Block
1985 - Reveille
1983 - Special Delivery
1979 - Harrington Brothers
Bob Loose Golden Apple Award - Director of the Year
2000 - R. D. Mathey
1999 - Paul Shannon (For directing the Zanesville Chapter)
1991 - Doug Smeltz
1987 - Lane Bushong (For directing the Lima Beane Chapter)
1985 - Bill Miller (For directing the Newark Chapter)
1979 - Roy "Dusty" Rhoades
Bob Loose Golden Apple Award - Coach of the Year
2000 - Mark Green
1997 - Dave Calland
1996 - Steve Legters
1988 - Pat Tucker-Kelly
1987 - Gary Wulf
1979 - Frank Martin
See Also
External Links
- Official website
- Barbershop Music Database: contest history
- Buckeye Harmony Camp
- Impulse Quartet
