The Capitol Chordsmen Chorus An Overture Hall headliner!

Here's what we were doing in 2005 12/05/2005

In rehearsal before our annual show.

The following Chorus events are in addition to our weekly rehearsals and Chapter meetings (Tuesdays starting at 7 p.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church on University Ave.). For reasons of space, only selected appearances by the Chorus and its quartets are listed.

WE DELIVERED 1,000-PLUS POINSETTIAS. We started delivering over 1,000 beautiful poinsettias throughout Dane County Dec. 6, ones ordered from the Chorus by those wishing to celebrate the holidays in a festive way and to help the Chorus in its annual fund-raiser to finance some of its year-round activities.

OAKWOOD VILLAGE EAST. The Capitol Chordsmen Chorus performed a one-hour program Thursday, Dec. 1, at 7:30 p.m. at Oakwood Village East.

The show, in the facility's chapel, was part of Oakwood East's "Hanging of the Greens" Day. Also appearing on stage with us was the Heartsong quartet.

We sang some seasonal holiday songs as well as others from our standard songlist.

WE HELD OUR OWN 60TH ANNIVERSARY BIRTHDAY PARTY. It was a special afternoon of barbershop harmony Nov. 13 as Madison's Capitol Chordsmen celebrated the group's 60th year with a free 1 p.m. concert at Oakwood Village Auditorium, Oakwood Village West, 6209 Mineral Point Rd. We had about 100 in the audience, and treated ourselves and the audience to punch and birthday cake after the show.

It also marked our last concert under the direction of Elaine Smiley, who departed after five years in that position. The Chapter began a search for a new director, with Alex Martin of the bass section stepping in as interim director. (Update: Joshua Oxley was hired as our new director in January.)

AREA STUDENT RECEIVES CHORUS YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP. A June 2005 graduate of Mt. Horeb High School spent a week of intensive study the first week of August with the greatest teachers in the world of barbershop music. He was the recipient of an annual Chorus scholarship. Read more here.

BACK PORCH CONCERT IN MONONA. The Capitol Chordsmen returned as the headliners July 21 at the popular summer Thursday evening Back Porch Concert series sponsored by the Historic Blooming Grove Historical Society at the Dean House in Monona.

The concert was held on the Society's lawn at 4718 Monona Drive, with the Chorus and three quartets -- Sound Factory, Tag-along, and State Street -- singing until dusk. Over 100 persons attended.

SINGIN' FOR THE MALLARDS. Members of the Capitol Chordsmen had lots of fun June 25th at a Madison Mallards baseball game at Warner Park when we sang the National Anthem for over 5,400 fans and then stayed for the evening Northwoods League game! The Mallards beat the Rochester (Minn.) Honkers 4-3. The Chorus also held its annual picnic outside the ballpark before the game.

CHORDSMEN VISIT SUN PRAIRIE. Chordsmen visited Prairie Gardens Assisted Living, 900 O'Keefe Ave. in Sun Prairie, Sunday, May 15, where we did nearly a half-hour show with some show tunes and patriotic numbers. We also demonstrated the different voice parts with "My Wild Irish Rose" and a quartet sang the Singing Valentine song, "Heart of My Heart".

SO HOW DO YOU GET TO CARNEGIE HALL? Ever hear this old joke? A guy stops another pedestrian on a New York street and asks, "hey, bud, how do I get to Carnegie Hall?" The reply? "Practice, practice, practice!"

In mid-May, a member of the Capitol Chordsmen had another answer to the question that includes more than just practice. Find out how he did it here.

OUR FIRST "WANNA SING?" NIGHT OF THE YEAR was held May 10, with visitors learning about the barbershop sound and the Capitol Chordsmen, and having a chance to sing a little with us. Other "Wanna Sing?" Nights will be held Sept. 13 and Nov. 15.

ANNUAL SHOW A BIG SUCCESS! Read all about our biggest show of the year on April 23 here.

MOST IMPROVED. The Capitol Chordsmen participated April 2 in the annual Barbershop Harmony Society contest for men's barbershop choruses in and around southeastern Wisconsin, in Pewaukee, and was chosen as the most improved chorus.

WE DELIVERED DOZENS OF 'SINGING VALENTINES' throughout Dane County Saturday, Feb. 12, and Monday, Feb. 14 in one of our annual fundraisers. Read more here.

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, returned on a second visit to coach us in rehearsal Jan. 18.

PHELPS NAMED 'BARBERSHOPPER OF YEAR' BY MADISON CHAPTER

Chorus member Roger Phelps was named the recipient of this year's Barbershopper of the Year Award! The announcement was made Jan. 8 at the Madison Chapter's annual Awards and Officer Installation banquet. The award is presented to an outstanding member annually by the Chapter and its Capitol Chordsmen Chorus. Phelps was recognized for, among other achievements, his accomplishments as our Vice President for Music and Performance for two years and as a recent annual show chairman.

For a list of officers installed for 2005, click here.

OUR WEB SITE IN THE SPOTLIGHT

The Capitol Chordsmen Web site was selected by the madison.com Community Pages as its Web Site of the Month for January!

For a look at some of the things we did in 2004, click here.