The Old Songs

July 20, 2005 the Great Lakes Chorus was scheduled to sing outdoors at a park in the town of Sparta north of Grand Rapids, Michigan. A handful of us showed up at the park wondering where everyone was but then a car pulled up and planted a sign in the grass changing the concert, because it had been raining earlier that day, to a place we didn't know... 15 minutes before the show!

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We found the new spot now at Ridge View School. The show was running behind waiting for the audience to find the new venue so we had time for warm up in some kind of storage room while more lost members trickled in.

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We had a fair sized crowd assembled in the school gymnasium and were well received. My 4 year old son and his grandparents were there also to root us on (I'm 41 and my folks still come to my concerts:) I froze up a little but the more I sing the more I want to get better.

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GLC Star Spangled Banner (Gary Branch intro)


GLC Grand Old Flag (Gary Branch intro)


GLC California Here I Come (Gary Branch intro)


GLC Love Letters (Gary Branch intro)


GLC In The Still Of The Night (Gary Branch intro)


GLC Muskrat Ramble (Gary Branch intro)


GLC Ain't Misbehavin' (Gary Branch intro)


GLC Basin Street Blues (Gary Branch intro)


GLC I'm Sitting On Top Of The World (Gary Branch intro)


GLC God Bless America (Gary Branch intro)


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Two prestigious barbershop quartets among the GLC also performed. Here, Shades Of Grey, 1999 Pioneer District (Michigan USA plus Windsor Ontario) Senior Division winners gave a wonderful show! From the left, baritone Gary Branch, bass Jack Sidor, lead Lynwood "Bud" Kraft, and tenor Ron Thomet.

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SOG I've Been Working On The Railroad (Gary Branch intro)


SOG Walking My Baby (Jack Sidor intro)


SOG My Wild Irish Rose (Bud Kraft intro)


SOG Old St Louie (Ron Thomet intro)


SOG Barefoot Days (Gary Branch intro)


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(CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) Also an inspiring performance by the 2004 Pioneer District (Michigan/Windsor) champs, Wildcard. From the left tenor Peter Westers, next one of our co-directors lead Dave Miller, bass James Masalskis and then our other co-director baritone Curt Struyk. After the concert they sang to the lady pictured here who was moved to tears.

WC When Sunshine Comes Along (Gary Branch intro)


WC It's Only A Paper Moon


WC Always (Peter Westers intro, interupted)


WC Swing Down Sweet Chariot (Dave Miller and James Masalskis intro)


WC The Irish Blessing (Curt Struyk intro)