The Old Songs

CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE. June 28, 2005 Great Lakes Chorus rehersal every Tuesday 7-10pm at Forest Hills Presbyterian Church. Cascade, Michigan.

It started as a typical rehearsal. Songs we'd been working on lately that we'd sung at the Great Lakes Invitational (which I missed) we polished some more tonight. Plus we cracked out some pieces not done for awhile which for a newbie like me means some frantic sight reading. But the guys are super supportive and happy to help. Working with such gracious people I feel a real sense of brotherhood in the chorus.

Continued below audio clips...

GLC Sweet Hour Of Prayer (interrupted)

GLC Muskrat Ramble

GLC In The Still Of The Night (interrupted)

GLC The Little Boy

GLC Love Letters

GLC You're As Welcome As The Flowers In May

Continued below...

CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE. While we practiced, some folks started wandering into the rehearsal hall. Since it's a church we just kind of ignored them thinking they were on other business but soon about 30 had gathered watching in the chairs before us. I was afraid there was some scheduling mix up for the room but then from their ranks a Gary Branch stood up and introduced themselves. They used to be know as The Old Timmers, mostly barbershoppers retired from official performances. They had now adopted the more politically correct name, The Breakfast Club being that they meet the 3rd Thursday of each month, 10am at the Legend restaurant in Standale, MI for breakfast. Then they began to sing to us. Some 36 voices, a dozen that were women, bright and rich they poured out those old time harmonies. I've gone to plenty of concerts but never have I had one come to me. It was truly an inspiring display of camaraderie.

Continued below audio clips...

TBC Introduction by Gary Branch

TBC Down Our Way

TBC Fun In Just One Lifetime

TBC My Wild Irish Rose

Continued below...

The GLC then formed a ring around The Breakfast Club, with some of them joining us, and together raised our voices to I'm Sitting On Top Of The World.

GLC & TBC I'm Sitting On Top Of The World

Continued below...

They even fed us!

Continued below...

We had another treat this evening. The Bulldogs, baritone(?) Bud Kraft (GLC Pres.), bass John Baker, lead(?) Phil Johnson, and tenor Paul Slack, the winners from the Cascade 25th Annual Pick Up Quartet in May sang for us too! What a great night!

The Bulldogs, Sweet Georgia Brown