A Year in the Life of a Barbershop Quartet

Sang at two major hospitals in London ( Chelsea and Westminster and St Mary's) in support of their “ Clean Hands Day” initiatives. Long but very fruitful day's using special words for one of our songs ( Catch a Falling Star became Wash Your Dirty Hands !!) and our entire repertoire on wards from premature babies to Coronary Care.

Almost too many things to write about except to say that the spirit among the staff in both hospitals was absolutely wonderful.

Participated in some publicity with the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health, Lord Warner of Brockley. Not the picture below though which shows Barry the Bug and some miniature body long gone !! Also with staff on one of the wards.

From the office of Infection Control we got the following

You guys were fantastic yesterday....

Thanks

Tina


	The quartet consisting of Mick Kett ( Tenor), Steve Wankling (Lead), Tom Digby (baritone) and myself Mike Lofthouse (Bass) all came together with the Harpenden Chorus The Kings of Herts. The quartet has been together in this formation since about 2000. Now, for the eagle eyed among if you think that the quartet seems to consist of 6 men, then you are correct. The two ‘extras' are stand ins Steve Cornelius and Pat Allen .Thanks to them we were able to take on sing-outs when Tom and our Steve were not available. We have considerable experience singing for a wide variety of clients, each with their individual requirements and here is a flavour of some of the performances that we have given.
	Farewell Party Helped International Alert ( Charity in London ) to say goodbye to their Director General ( Kevin – pictured here with the changed the words to When I'm 64 (requested by his colleagues). The party at the Clapham Picture House went swingingly and we had the following thanks: THANK YOU SO SO SO VERY MUCH!!!!! I have had lots of people approach me and tell me that the Barbershop Quartet was the best part of last night and so thank you very much for making the journey to South London and putting on such a great performance. We really did appreciate it and Kevin was definitely extremely touched. I have circulated the words for the song and also your contact details around the organisation in case anyone needs to get in touch for another event. Thank you once again and please pass on my grateful thanks to the rest of the Chordination quartet. Kind regards, Helen
	Birthday Surprise Helped Michelle to celebrate her birthday at her office. It was a surprise for Michelle however !!
	Roland Hill AGM Sang at the Roland Hill Fund (Post Office) Charity AGM at the Mansion House in London. Chatted briefly with the Princess Royal (Charity sponsor) and the photo was taken just as she told us about her experience of the Inland Revenue (Tom is ex IR !!).
	St. Albans Music Festival Took part in the St Albans Music Festival and came first in the Barbershop Quartet Class with a Distinction from the judge.
	Christmas Bashes Journeyed to New Maldon in Essex to sing for Avon Cosmetics fancy dress ball. We went as a barbershop quartet !! Sang at the RAF Henlow camp Officers Mess Christmas Party. Went a'rovin' around the tables and had a great reception from everyone, particularly the younger generation who seemed to really enjoy the fun of harmony singing "Hi Mike Everything went smoothly and we have already had lots of positive feedback! The Band was excellent and had everyone up and dancing during the first half - the caricaturist was brilliant and the BarberShop outstanding. All in all a night to remember - Many thanks. All the best Mike Forbes"
	Returned to the Castle Village retirement complex in Berkhamsted for the second year running. With Burnley Bill ( a stand – up comedian ) from the Harpenden Chorus, provided an evening of varied entertainment including a buffet supper.
	Another Birthday First sing of the New Year was for June's Birthday ( no age given !!) at an Italian Restaurant in St Albans. Great fun with others in the restaurant asking for us to sing for them.
	Royal Medical Benevolent Association Performed for the Royal Medical Benevolent Association at their annual dinner in Radlett. The Charity raised just over £ 1000 on the evening. Here is a picture of us taken with the Committee Dear Mike, Thanks for great dinner entertainment for RMBA Hope the pictures come through ok Daryll Baker
	Tesco opens another store Sang at a Tesco Metro opening in London ( just off Piccadilly) with young men and women dressed up in Eros style clothing – see photos !! Hi Mike Good to meet you the other day. Thanks for coming out- we were really really pleased with the day - and your performance was a big hit. As promised, I've attached a few pictures from the day - and one of the quartet with the Cupids! Thanks again and best wishes Amy

	Singing Valentines Friday 13^th !! Sang to a hairdresser ( male ) for his partner who happened to be having her hair done at the time. Great hilarity as well as a good degree of embarrassment ! The note from Kate says it all !! I would just like to say thanks so much for today, Carlo was totally gob-smacked and it took him nearly 10 minutes to recover after you left. It was one of the best surprises I have organised so far, which was totally down to your professionalism and superior voices. It has set our weekend off to a terrific start, as my mother gets married tomorrow and then Carlo and I go on holiday Sunday for 7 days to Dubai. I will email you the photos when I get them. Thanks again, you were all great; I haven't laughed so much in ages! Kate
	Saturday 14^th – Really Valentines day Sang around St Albans and district while delivering flowers for a number of lucky Valentine day people. Thank you so much for coming and singing yesterday. It was such fun, and so romantic! We are looking forward to seeing the pictures when you are able to email them to us. Thanks again and kind regards Lynn and Martyn


	Hospital Cleanliness Campaign Sang at two major hospitals in London ( Chelsea and Westminster and St Mary's) in support of their “ Clean Hands Day” initiatives. Long but very fruitful day's using special words for one of our songs ( Catch a Falling Star became Wash Your Dirty Hands !!) and our entire repertoire on wards from premature babies to Coronary Care. Almost too many things to write about except to say that the spirit among the staff in both hospitals was absolutely wonderful. Participated in some publicity with the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health, Lord Warner of Brockley. Not the picture below though which shows Barry the Bug and some miniature body long gone !! Also with staff on one of the wards. From the office of Infection Control we got the following You guys were fantastic yesterday.... Thanks Tina


	6th Form Graduation Sang at the reception for a 6^th form school ball in Watford. Difficult to compete with the pulse of the pop music but got some good feedback from the students concerned.
	Weddings It has been a pleasure to be a part of the wedding celebrations of many couples. Usually we entertain the guests in small groups while the photographs are being taken but on occasion we have also sung as part of the ceremony. Sang for Amy and Chris at their wedding. Modified the words of Mary Lou to Amy Lew(is) and performed to small groups of guests for 2 hours. We got the following feedback : Chris and I would like to pass our thanks to you and the rest of Chordination for making our wedding ceremony so special. When we first got engaged we had the idea of having a BarberShop Quartet sing at our wedding. You not only made that dream come true, but you entered into the spirit of our wedding and made our day even more special. When we speak to our guests everyone mentions how wonderful you all were so you all definitely made an impact! Amy (Lew)
	Fenchurch Street Station Singing early in the morning is difficult but the opportunity for us to take part in the 150^th anniversary of the Southend to Fenchurch Street Railway Line was too great to miss. Despite the early hour of the event there was obvious enjoyment on the faces of commuters as they alighted from the trains to the sounds of four-part close harmony singing. The MP for Southend ( Sir Teddy Taylor) enjoyed the morning and joined with us in a couple of chords as you can see here. Hi Mike, I thought you might be interested in the attached - not often that you see an MP in such a jovial mood so early in the morning! Many thanks again for all your hard work last week - it was great! Kind regards, Jane
	Another Birthday Party Due to laryngitis our great friends Sounds Familiar were unable to sing for a birthday girl in London so we were asked to substitute. A big honour for us to step into their shoes ( not easy ) but the evening went down a storm. Here is what the Celia said : Mike So glad you also enjoyed yourselves. We all had a ball - as you probably noticed - and everyone was thrilled with your singing. It was a brilliant idea to serenade people at their tables - so much more intimate than doing a 'spot' and also resolved the timing problem. Thanks so much for your contribution and for stepping in at such very short notice - I do hope Jean's throat is better very soon. Celia

	Mobile Communications Sang for a supplier to a mobile phone company in Chiswick. Modified the words to A'int Misbehavin in line with the clients request. Stunned silence from the office personnel where we sang but reports back were very favourable.
	Oxfordshire Golf Club In between these two events we performed for the annual ball of the Oxfordshire Golf Club ( fabulous setting – see photo). Two hours of almost non-stop singing including a birthday special for Jules left us hoarse but very pleased with the evening's work. Here are some words from the Kirstie Dear Mike I just wanted to say a very big thank you to you and the guys for entertaining us so well on Saturday night. The feedback has been excellent and you did a fantastic job. It was a pleasure to meet you and I hope you will return to The Oxfordshire. Take care and once again a big thank you to you all. Kind regards. Kirstie
	We sang for nearly 2 hours on board HMS President on the Victoria Embankment for an event with the Theme Showboat. Here we are pictured with Rett and Scarlett ( Nick and Natalie really) and the fabulous Can Can girls. Now that's what I call a good evening out !! Mike, Great photos. Will pass them on to SRS-WORLDHOTELS. Everyone very complimentary about you guys, by the way. Client very happy. So, thank you very much. Nick Full Fat Films Ltd
	We hope you have enjoyed the story. The quartet certainly had a great time during the year and we have many fond memories to look back on. If you would like to be part of it in the future and have an event where we could add value, give us a call.