[From the Ontario District's newsletter, The Trillium, issue 60-01, January - March, 2006 , Waldo Redekop, editor.]

Seaforth Harmony Kings benefit local hospital

By Doug Procter

Looking for ways to increase attendance at their annual fall show in October 2005, the Seaforth Harmony Kings decided to try doing a variety show rather than the traditional barbershop show. The only barbershop singing would be from the Seaforth chorus and quartets.

Realizing that not everyone appreciates barbershop singing as much as those who sing it and that many people have never even heard barbershop singing, the show was promoted as a community variety show with local talent.  Naturally, it was hoped that some of those uninitiated would realize what they had been missing and give barbershop singing a try.

To give the community an even better reason to attend the show, the Harmony Kings voted to donate all ticket sales to the fundraising efforts of the Seaforth Community Hospital Foundation. The money would be used to help purchase a Computer Radiology Reader to provide immediate digital x-rays for the technologists.  

Seaforth, with a population of less than 3,000, is the smallest town in the Ontario District and maybe in the Society to have a barbershop chapter.  The Harmony Kings know how hard it is for the chapter to survive and the same can be said for the local hospital.  People like Marlen Vincent, who is both Harmony Kings president and on the board of the hospital, help both to thrive.

With all show entertainers volunteering their time and talents, the Seaforth Harmony Kings were able to present a cheque for $5,000 to the Hospital Foundation at a Radiothon sponsored by Wingham radio station CKNX on October 22, 2005.  At the same time, they also promoted their hobby by entertaining the volunteers for this event.  

The Harmony Kings are planning a similar project in the hope that others in the community can benefit from the joy of barbershop singing.

Submitted photo

Seaforth Harmony Kings presenting a cheque
for $5,000 to the Hospital Foundation
at a Radiothon sponsored by
Wingham radio station  CKNX
on October 22, 2005.
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