March 28, 2024
Annapolis, US 47 F

Annapolis Barbershop singers score big in regional competition

 

Last Men Standing topped a field of 25 quartets to become the 2015 Mid-Atlantic District  Quartet Champions on Saturday night in Wildwood, NJ.  (l to r: Ed Bell, baritone; Mike Kelly, bass; Drew Feyrer, lead; TJ Barranger, tenor) (photo by Jeff Porter, Bryn Mawr, PA Chapter)
Last Men Standing topped a field of 25 quartets to become the 2015 Mid-Atlantic District
Quartet Champions on Saturday night in Wildwood, NJ.
(l to r: Ed Bell, baritone; Mike Kelly, bass; Drew Feyrer, lead; TJ Barranger, tenor)
(photo by Jeff Porter, Bryn Mawr, PA Chapter)

Singers representing the Annapolis area captured multiple honors late last month at the Barbershop Harmony Society’s annual Mid-Atlantic District Convention in Wildwood, NJ. Last Men Standing won the quartet championship, and the Sons of the Severn chorus placed sixth overall in the chorus competition. Both groups represent the Anne Arundel County, Maryland Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society.

In the largest and most hotly contested regional competition in the Barbershop Harmony Society, Last Men Standing (baritone Ed Bell, bass Mike Kelly, lead Drew Feyrer, and tenor TJ Barranger), bested a field of 25 quartets in a nail-biter, maintaining a two-point margin of victory over two rounds. On Saturday night, they were crowned the 2015 Mid-Atlantic District Quartet Champion in the Wildwoods Convention Center before an audience of over 1,200 barbershop enthusiasts.

In July, Last Men Standing placed 29th in the Society’s international quartet competition. But as tenor singer TJ Barranger explains, the quartet was not counting on an easy win at the district level. “The level of talent in this district is incredible,” he said. “There were at least four or five international caliber quartets in this contest, and they all had every reason to expect to win. So it’s humbling to have come out on top.”

Per the Society’s contest & judging rules, the quartet may continue to compete at the international level, but is no longer eligible for Mid-Atlantic District contests.

In the district chorus competition, the Sons of the Severn, directed by Barranger, placed sixth out of 28 choruses, and improved upon their plateau championship score from the divisional round in the Spring.

“This was an immensely successful weekend for the Sons,” said chapter president Dave Bankard. “We’re proud of our accomplishments, and especially proud of TJ and his quartet for representing us in splendid fashion.”

In addition to the quartet championship and an excellent showing in the chorus contest, the Sons of the Severn were well represented at the district’s achievement awards ceremony on Saturday afternoon. Barranger and director emeritus Robert “Diz” Disney were acknowledged for fifteen years of service as chorus directors. Disney was also inducted into the Mid-Atlantic District Hall of Honor in recognition of his 40-year legacy as a quartet champion, director, international medalist, arranger, and songwriter.

Rounding out the top three quartets were MADMEN (Harrisburg, PA), and Gimme Four (Montclair, NJ). The Alexandria Harmonizers (Alexandria, VA) won the chorus division, followed by Brothers In Harmony (Hamilton Square, NJ), and Voices of Gotham (Hell’s Kitchen, NY).

The Barbershop Harmony Society is the largest all-male singing organization in the world. The Mid-Atlantic District is comprised of chapters and quartets in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. For full results and scores, visit www.MidAtlanticDistrict.com.

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