Long Island Harmonizers - Nassau Mid-Island Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society

FOR: Long Island Harmonizers Chorus
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The Nassau Mid-Island Chapter - Barbershop Harmony Society
CONTACT: Bob Heim
E-Mail: heimbob@aol.com

CHAPTER MOURNS LOSS OF ITS DIRECTOR EMERITUS

WESTBURY, NY -- The Nassau Mid-Island Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society has been saddened by the loss of its Director Emeritus Thomas E. McElraevy Jr. who passed away on October 20. McElraevy served as the organization's talented director for 37 years with tireless dedication and an unwavering passion in preserving the musical art form he loved so very much, making his Mid-Islanders an important contributor to the musical fabric of the local community. McElraevy, who also sung with several barbershop quartets in a lifelong association with the society continued to actively add his robust bass voice with the chorus until failing health forced him to miss its weekly rehearsals in recent years. He was honored with a Distinguished Service Award from the chapter in 2007 (see photo below).

In paying tribute to McElraevy at services celebrating his life during which members of the chapter participated with several songs, Maurice Debar, the chapter's current director for 10 years, referred to him as "Mr. Barbershop" and observed that he truly "WAS the Nassau Mid-Island chorus." Said Debar: "The Nassau chapter is outwardly about singing, but it is more. It is about life, caring and love." Sometimes, he added "I think fate brought our worlds together. I am glad that I now sing baritone in a quartet so I may someday harmonize again with his glorious bass voice."

Other sentiments included those expressed by Joe Hunter, director of the chapter's sister Big Apple Chorus located in Manhattan, NY. "Tom was one of the real fixtures in Long Island Barbershopping," Hunter declared. "He had both a joy and sense of presence that made him a leader for so many years and helped keep this hobby alive on the Island. A great loss, but we were all richer for having known him for so long."

Sincere condolences are offered to his family.

Tom McElraevy Jr. (right), past director of the Nassau Mid-Island Chapter for 37 years, was recognized for his enormous contributions to the chapter and its growth with a Distinguished Career Award, presented on behalf of a grateful organization by former president Vincent Colonna in 2007.

FOR: Long Island Harmonizers Chorus
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The Nassau Mid-Island Chapter - Barbershop Harmony Society
CONTACT: Bob Heim
E-Mail: heimbob@aol.com

LOCAL BARBERSHOP SOCIETY CHAPTER
ELECTS OFFICERS AND BOARD FOR 2009

WESTBURY, NY - George Seelinger has been named president of the Nassau Mid-Island Chapter of the international Barbershop Harmony Society for a second term following election procedures to select the organization's board members for 2009. Seelinger has also held the post of secretary, and was selected as Barbershopper of the Year" for 2006. The newly constituted board assumes its responsibilities on January 1 and official installation ceremonies will take place early that month.

Filling other key posts are Eugene Kammerer, who continues as vice president - music and presentation; Bob Roth, re-elected as vice president - chapter development; and Steve Brausa, who returns as vice president - program. Steve Stojowski becomes the chapter's new treasurer, and Chiz Bell has been elected as secretary. Bob Heim has been chosen as vice president - marketing and public relations, responibilities he held both in 2006 and 2007. He also continues as the chapter's webmaster. Also continuing on the board will be the chapter's delegate to the Barbershop Harmony Society's Mid-Atlantic district and past president Vincent Colonna.

Serving as trustees and board members at large for 2009 are Robert Miraglia, Ken Wunsch, Bill Vesely and Will McCoy. In addition, Bart Peluso and Wayne Lazar join the board as trustees for the new year.

The Nassau Mid-Island Chapter of Barbershop Harmony Society, known as the Long Island Harmonizers, is part of a national organization numbering nearly 30,000 members, and is one of over 800 chapters in the U.S. and Canada with affiliated organizations around the world. The chorus, largest of its kind on Long Island is under the direction of Maurice Debar, and rehearses 8 p.m. Tuesday evenings at Winthrop Hall, Church of the Advent, 555 Advent Street, in Westbury, Long Island. It welcomes new members throughout the year.

FOR: Long Island Harmonizers Chorus
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The Nassau Mid-Island Chapter - Barbershop Harmony Society
CONTACT: Bob Heim
E-Mail: heimbob@aol.com

"FALL TUNE UP" MEMBERSHIP DRIVE UNDERWAY

BY CHAPTER OF BARBERSHOP HARMONY SOCIETY

WESTBURY, NY -- The Barbershop Harmony Society's largest chapter on Long Island is currently accepting new members in an annual "Fall Tune Up" drive aimed at expanding its roster. The organization seeks to strengthen all four vocal sections at a time when the active chorus of adult male voices looks ahead to its singout scheduling during the heavy-use holiday period at the end of the year.

"Participation in a chorus such as our Long Island Harmonizers not only results in vocal enjoyment, but can have physical rewards as well," observes George Seelinger, the organization's president. The results of a joint Harvard-Yale study, Seelinger notes, revealed that choral singing increased the life expectancy of the population of New Haven by promoting both a healthy heart and an enhanced mental state. Other testimonials claim that singing releases feel-good endorphins, improves posture, and also increases mental alertness through greater oxygenation.

The Long Island Harmonizers chorus under the direction of Maurice Debar, rehearses Tuesday evenings at Winthrop Hall, Church of the Advent, 555 Advent Street, in Westbury from 8 until 10:30 p.m. Those interested in joining are welcome to listen and apply for membership by singing a simple melody.

The non-profit chorus serving the community for over 50 years is part of a national society with some 30,000 members in the U.S. and Canada with affiliated organizations around the globe. For additional information call 516-378-5137

FOR: Long Island Harmonizers Chorus
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The Nassau Mid-Island Chapter - Barbershop Harmony Society
CONTACT: Bob Heim
E-Mail: heimbob@aol.com

LOCAL BARBERSHOP HARMONY CHAPTER LOOKS TO

(WELL, OF COURSE) BARBERSHOPS IN SCHEDULING LIVE

'CUT TIME' PERFORMANCES TO GENERATE INTEREST

WESTBURY, NY -- They were gathering places where the love of four-part unaccompanied singing became all the rage in the early 1900s. Four or more men with one of them more likely than not holding tools of his trade -- a comb and long, extremely sharp scissors. Or maybe a lather-filled mug. A place where "sharp" often referred to music as well as use of a straight razor. It was the barbershop -- years before a society would be formed (in 1938) that today boasts close to 30,000 members (including 1,500 registered quartets), with affiliates overseas.

Now, members of the Nassau Mid-Island Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society (largest on Long Island) intend to return to those places where its special art form gained momentum to offer a bit of serenading under a "Barbershop For Barbershops" program that will be kicked off during October. Informal performances lasting about ten minutes, will be provided to barbershop patrons and others on hand to listen -- by foursomes from the Long Island Harmonizers chorus -- all aimed at producing awareness in this kind of music, and interest in joining the organization that has been serving the local community in song for over half a century.

"We are looking forward in underscoring the historical connection between the barbershop and the joys of barbershop singing," says Bob Roth, vice president-chapter development for the Long Island Harmonizers chorus. "Under this special program, the barber pole will once again act as a beacon in attracting those who enjoy such music."

For more information about the Nassau Mid-Island Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society continue to check its website at www.longislandharmonizers.org or call 516-378-5137.

(SEE EVENT LISTING ON UPCOMING EVENTS PAGE)

FOR: Long Island Harmonizers Chorus
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The Nassau Mid-Island Chapter - Barbershop Harmony Society
CONTACT: Bob Heim
E-Mail: heimbob@aol.com

VERITY HONORED WITH 'BEYOND THE BATON' AWARD

WESTBURY, NY -- Hal Verity, a member of the Nassau Mid-Island Chapter of Barbershop Harmony Society's Nassau Mid-Island Chapter for more than a decade, one of its section leaders, as well as the tenor in the chapter's AfterGloWorms and Lighthouse quartets, has been honored for his non-singing contributions as well with the organization's special "Beyond the Baton" award. Verity, the fourth recipient of the award since its inception, was recognized for continuing "get ready" efforts that include staging and sound system setups at chorus performances during the year.

"We have a good many 'unsung heroes' in our chapter that regularly perform non-singing duties to make the organization run as smoothly as it does," noted George Seelinger, president. "Hal is one of those who can always be counted on to assist."

The a cappella nonprofit Long Island Harmonizers, led by its talented musical director, Maurice Debar, has been serving the Nassau community with its singing for over 50 years.

The Nassau Mid-Island Chapter (Long Island Harmonizers chorus) wishes to salute all of its brothers in song that competed in the Barbershop Harmony Society’s 70th Annual International Convention held recently in Nashville, TN...and in particular, the chapter's neighbors on an island as well -- the Manhattan-based Big Apple Chorus -- that placed 13th (out of 28) in the finals of the 2008 International Barbershop Chorus Competition. We are particularly proud that our musical director, Maurice Debar, as well as Bill Grieshaber, Bill Ennis, Peter McArdle and Dan Tuck, who hold memberships both in our chapter and Big Apple, were on hand to sing. Representing our Long Island Harmonizers chorus in Nashville as well, were Mary Jane Debar, Harold (and Lois) Verity, Steve Stojowski, Dave (and Caroline) D'Antonio, and Steve Marrin. Way to go.