About Us
The Dayton Metro Chapter of the SPEBSQSA (now known as the Barbershop Harmony Society) was chartered in 1983, uniting two existing chapters, Dayton Suburban and Centerville.
The Dayton Suburban chapter was founded in 1950, under the leadership of Pat Nurenbrock. Pat had been with the previously existing Dayton chapter in the 1940s.
During the '50s and '60s the Dayton Suburban chapter featured annual quartet "parades", much in vogue at that time. In 1963 the chapter's top quartet, The Blazers, won the J. A. D. championship and gained wide recognition. The Blazers' lead was Trask Beery, later the chorus director and booster of "woodshedding".
The Centerville chapter was formed in the 1970s. The chapter chorus, The Colonial Chordsmen, was directed by Hank Schuster, former associate director of the Singing Buckeyes. Later the chorus name was changed to Miami Valley Music Men and the name was retained at the time of the merger in '83.
Key leaders in the merger of the two chapters were Troy Kaper and Lou Wilson with Centerville and Larry Ager and Joe Jenkins with Dayton Suburban.
During the 1980s the Music Men blossomed under the direction of Scott Brannon, lead of The Cincinnati Kids quartet. In '84 the chorus was honored as the most improved in the J. A. D. and in '85 the Music Men placed second in the district contest.
The chorus again thrived in the 1990s, inspired by the enthusiastic direction of the renowned Randy Chisholm, lead on the International Champion quartet Marquis.
Now in 2006, with Tom Larsen, long-time Singing Buckeye, directing the chorus, we are once again moving toward greater achievement - and more enjoyment - in both show performance and inter-chapter competition. We would love to have you visit us at rehearsal; we meet Mondays at 7:00 P.M. at 2745 S. Smithville Road.
Contributed by Lynn and Vera Jenkins
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