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Submitted photo
Timbretones. |
Submitted photo
Timbretones. |
[From the Ontario District's newsletter, The Trillium, issue 61-03, July - September, 2007 , Waldo Redekop, editor.]
Timbretones,
A legend in the Ontario District
By Roy Keys
The Kitchener-Waterloo Chapter is one of the oldest in the Ontario District and likely has the longest-running quartet as well. The Timbretones formed about 56 years ago and are still going strong. They are an audience favourite because of their easy-going style and a repertoire of both barbershop and modern styles. Each of the present members has musical know-how and they develop a lot of their own repertoire plus Society material.
The quartet started in Hespeler when Sam Inglis, Hugh and Rod Alexander and Jack Kohli got together with four voices a guitar and string bass and developed their rhythmic style which was, and still is, unique in the district.
Membership has changed little over the years. Wayne Brubacher came in as Bass, and many years later, Chris Scappatura. These two are still there. Others include Harry Holle, Barrie Fox, Don Keith, Ev Smith and Cal Simpson who is still remembered for his rendition of “Scarlet Ribbons.”
Each of the present members is capable of developing most of their own charts. When I first saw them, they opened with “Muskrat Ramble,” then songs like “Anytime,” “Huggin and a Chalkin” (a fat-girl spoof), “Dangerous Dan McGrew,” “Quartet From Rigoletto,” “San Fransisco” and many others.
They were popular in the U.S.A. as well. At one venue, they were forced (?) to share their change room with a stripper. Wayne was the young one in the group, but they tell me he didn’t complain.
They have shared the stage with some high-profile performers like Terry
Walen and Gordon Lightfoot (Teen Timers), Four Chorders, Mid States Four,
Note Crackers,
Buffalo Bills and countless others.
Each of the present members has competed at the chapter level as well. Wayne took the KW chorus to two district championships and all have been in a district championship quartet.
Rod Alexander directed the KW Sweet Adelines Chorus for a time. Hugh Alexander, an original member, passed away in 2000. He was Rod’s brother and Sam Inglis’ cousin. Wayne is a first cousin by marriage so it is a close-knit family as well.
It has been a great trip for the Timbretones with very few bloopers, like the time they showed up for a chapter show one month early (better than late). They did not feel bad about it when the Four Chorders showed up in the U.S.A. one year early for a show.
I’ve been a fan of the Timbretones since I first heard them. They demonstrate how I’ve always felt about barbershopping. Go out and entertain the public with an interesting repertoire and leave them with a good impression about our hobby.
I get to see the Timbretones every year at Songfest.
Catch them at www.contagiousenthusiasm.com/tones/index.htm . k
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Submitted photo
Timbretones. |
Submitted photo
Timbretones. |