[From the Ontario District's newsletter, The Trillium, issue 59-03, July - September, 2005 , Waldo Redekop, editor.]

Fifth annual Songfest
 — A truly warm feeling

By Ron Whiteside

It’s nice to afford old people an opportunity to get out in the world at large and socialize. So a goodly number of Ontario’s senior Barbershoppers (including me) stand indebted to Al Davis and his committee (Bob Burrell, Joe Daybell, Laurie Hart, Jim Lyon, Ross Sutherland and Willy Watt) for once again organizing and running Songfest for us.

This is the fifth annual Songfest, always held on the first Wednesday of June, (June 7th next year).For me, this was my third annual. I swear that I find it more enjoyable each year!

It’s incredibly well organized and provides a golden opportunity to see (and hear) old barbershop buddies that you have only occasionally encountered in recent years. It gives a truly warm feeling and a very good supper too. Oh, and we can drive home in daylight which is very important to we older folk.

As Al’s committee says, they are “Encouraging senior Barbershoppers to keep singing and performing for the enrichment of themselves, their audiences, and their favourite charities.” And, they are succeeding admirably.

There were seven quartets on hand, including the Country Four (Don Staples, Jack Allin, Merrill Brown and Glenn Allin), who have been together for a remarkable (remarkable enough to make the Guiness Book of Records) 52 years. On this occasion, Merrill, still in Florida, was replaced very admirably by long-time Oshawa Barbershopper Merv Scott. These guys sound and look comfortable on stage, and are always a treat for the audience.

Also entertaining the crowd in various ways were A Senior’s Moment (Etobicoke-Mississauga Chapter), Back in Time (St. Thomas Chapter), Graytones (Oakville Chapter), Phase Four (Burlington Chapter),Together Again (South Central Ontario) and The Old Way (East York Chapter).

As well, we were entertained by five Very Large Quartets (VLQs); Big 8 Harmonizers (Brighton Area),Second Career (Kitchener-Waterloo Region ), Vocal Maturity (Barrie), and the guys who did all the work for Songfest, Barons of Barbershop (Scarborough Chapter) and a very large VLQ, Suburbanaires.

But that’s not all. Since participation should always be a key part of the barbershop experience, we had another ringing Roy Keys arrangement, “I Wonder What’s become of Sally” (thank you, Roy!) taught to us by Jim Rehill, a tag taught by Bruce Bonnyman, and songs for all, led by Milt Rainy, George Shields, Roy Keys, Ray Williams and Ron Whiteside.

Risers, and a very good sound system (ably run by Jonathon Woodstra) were supplied by the Scarborough Chapter.

Finally, on behalf of all present, once again, many sincere thanks to all concerned  in the organization and running of this fun event. For those who weren’t there, especially those who’ve never been, put June 7, 2006 on your calendar now. You’ll love it!  k