The Capitol Chordsmen Chorus An Overture Hall headliner!

POINSETTIA PROGRAM AGAIN A SUCCESS! Each year the Capitol Chordsmen take orders for beautiful Wisconsin-grown poinsettias for the holidays, in our biggest fund-raiser of the year. Hundreds of orders were taken by Oct. 26, and deliveries of over 1,300 plants began Dec. 7. Thanks to all who supported us in this effort this year. Look for our announcement in September about our taking orders for poinsettias for the 2005 holidays! Meanwhile, find out more about our annual poinsettia fund-raiser here.

OUR WEB SITE SPOTLIGHTED The Capitol Chordsmen Web site was chosen by the Community Pages staff at madison.com as its Web Site of the Month for December.

WE PERFORMED WITH WAUNAKEE YOUTH ON VETERANS DAY. We sang on the Veterans Day choral program at Waunakee Middle School Nov. 11, to an audience of 150-200 people. We were joined on one number at the evening event by the Waunakee Middle School boys choir.

FAMED CHORUS DIRECTOR VISITS, COACHES US. Dr. Greg Lyne, Director of Music Education and Services for the Barbershop Harmony Society and one of the most respected barbershop chorus directors in the world, coached us in rehearsal Nov. 9.

Those who were present agreed it was a remarkable evening, and one we anticipate repeating, perhaps in January, on another visit by Dr. Lyne.

OUR WEB SITE IS SPOTLIGHTED. This madison.com Web site was chosen as the Community Pages Web Site of the Month for November!

WE ELECTED OFFICERS FOR 2005.Lee Swanson was elected President for a second term at elections held Oct. 26. For the complete list of officers, click here.

CHORUS SPONSORS ANOTHER BARBERSHOP HARMONY NIGHT. The Chorus held its second Barbershop Harmony Night of the year Oct. 26 to introduce the unique barbershop sound and techniques to visitors.

Those who attended were invited to join the Chordsmen on the risers to get a feel for the music n "surroundsound." Guests also had a chance to hear the Chordsmen in performance, learn what gives barbershop chords that special sound, and had some refreshments and other fun in a friendly supportive setting. We hold at least two such events a year.

WE HEADLINED IN MINERAL POINT. The Chordsmen performed their "Traveling Through the U.S." show Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. in Mineral Point's historic Opera House in the center of town. It was believed to be the Chorus' first show ever in this southwestern Wisconsin community.

WE TOOK BARBERSHOP INTO OVERTURE HALL!The Capitol Chordsmen Chorus was the headliner Sept. 21 in a daytime performance in the main Overture Hall in the Overture Center for the Arts in downtown Madison.

It all was part of the nine-day gala celebration of the opening of this important new $205 million entertainment venue. We performed at 10 a.m. in a free event called "Musical Memories" which filled the 2,250-seat hall and then some! We had a blast!

WE AGAIN ARE PROVIDING HOLIDAY POINSETTIAS. On Sept. 9 we kicked off our biggest fundraising event of each year as we began taking orders for beautiful Wisconsin-grown poinsettias. The sale helps the non-profit Chorus maintain and expand our music program and support of local charities. We took orders until Oct. 26. Delivery was expected to begin on or about Dec. 7.

CHORDSMEN HEADLINE 'BACK PORCH' CONCERT. The Capitol Chordsmen Chorus and quartets were the headliners July 8 at the Dean House in Monona, as part of the popular summer Thursday night "Music under the Stars" show.

CHORUS TOOK PART IN THE 'SUMMER GOLDMINE' ONLINE AUCTION. The Chorus offered two bid items in the Capital Newspaper's first online "Summer Goldmine" silent auction in late June, ending June 28. Both were special "Singing Valentine" packages -- one which included dinner on Feb. 14, 2005, and the other just about anytime during the year, such as Mother's Day, Father's Day, a birthday, or other special occasion.

WE SANG AT WARNER PARK BEFORE 5,100 FANS.The Capitol Chordsmen sang the National Anthem June 22 to open that night's Mallards-Thunder Bay Northwoods League game at Warner Park, when almost 5,100 fans attended. During the 7th Inning Stretch, we also performed "Take Me Out to the Ball Game." Just before the game, we held our annual picnic for Chorus members and family and friends between the ballpark and the Warner Park parking area.

SUMMER SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE SINGS.We sang three songs June 20 during summer worship services at the first of three area churches where we are scheduled, this time at both services at Asbury United Methodist Church on University Ave. We also sang Aug. 8 at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, 5700 Pheasant Hill Rd. in Monona, and Aug. 22 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1904 Winnebago St. in Madison.

FIRST BARBERSHOP ORIENTATION NIGHT OF 2004! We held our first Barbershop Orientation Night of 2004 on April 20 for males wanting to learn more about barbershop music. We vocalized and socialized at our usual rehearsal location, Asbury Methodist Church, 6101 University Ave., Madison.

Those who'd rather sing along than sing alone sang with the Capitol Chordsmen Chorus as they had fun learning something about this great hobby!

WE HOSTED THE INTERNATIONAL CHAMPS IN MARCH! The international quartet champions "Power Play" sang on our stage for our biggest show of the year, March 27 at Middleton's Performing Arts Center. Also appearing was the comedy quarter, "Nightwatch." Read more about the lineup here.

WE DELIVERED LOTS OF SINGING VALENTINES. The Capitol Chordsmen are Dane County's Singing Valentine people, and Feb. 13 and 14 continued an annual tradition that creates memorable moments for those receiving these special Valentines.

It was the first time ever for a two-day program. Each day, several quartets spread out in Dane County to deliver Singing Valentines that ones who love them had ordered.

Often, it's a complete surprise when four guys in tuxedos walk in, sing two love songs, present a rose, and take a photograph of the person being serenaded with the quartet.

A number of couples took advantage of a special Singing Valentines package that included dinner at Morel's restaurant on Feb. 14.

Find out more about this program by clicking here.

SWANSON NAMED 'BARBERSHOPPER OF YEAR!Incoming Chapter President Lee Swanson was named the Madison Chapter's "Barbershopper of the Year" for 2003 at the Chapter's annual Celebration and Recognition Banquet Jan. 9. For more details, click here.

For a look at some of the things we did in 2003, click here.