By TR Robertson
Wednesday afternoon, a sizable audience filled the Community Room at the Vista Branch of the San Diego County Library listening to the harmonizing sounds of the Music Men Chorus. This group is a North County men’s barbershop acapella choir that entertains at various locations around North County. The non-profit Music Men Chorus is the performing body of the Palomar Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. The organization is dedicated to the preservation of this unique style of 4-part, close-harmony acapella singing. The free concert is part of the Vista Library’s concert series and part of the “Feeling Fine in the Summertime” program. The free concerts are offered every 1st Wednesday of the month. During the summer the Vista Library also offers in the Community Room a variety of activities for young people.
The Director of the Music Men since 2017 is David Garstang, who has been involved with Barbershop quartets for over 53 years. The twelve members performing in the Vista Library Wednesday was a small portion of the Music Men Chorus. David referred to the group performing today as the retired portion, men who had the time to sing at an afternoon event. Members range in age from 16 years old to 94-year-old Tal Klaus, who was on stage today. Tal has also been singing in Barbershop quartets for 53 years. David said the North County Music Men Chorus has been invited to compete for the first time in the Barbershop Harmony Society competitions in Fresno in October. Twenty-five Barbershop chorus will be in the competition.
The Wednesday performance featured 17 group songs and 4 quartet numbers. Over 70 audience members were treated to a variety of song styles including ballads, pop tunes, movie and show songs, inspirational and patriotic songs. The performance began with a greeting from Librarian Nicole Diwag, who is setting up this year’s concert series. Assisting in the performance was Marlene Garstang, who introduced each number telling significant information about the songs the chorus would sing. A few of the songs the audience heard included “Sentimental Journey”, “Hello Mary Lou” by Ricky Nelson, “When I’m 64” by Paul McCartney, “Shenandoah”, “Breaking Up Is Hard”, “Sunrise, Sunset”, “This is My Country”, “America the Beautiful”, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”, and “Circle of Life”. Two quartet groups performed numbers like “I Don’t Know Why” and “Wild Irish Rose”.
Marlene Garstang thanked those in attendance and reminded them that the Music Men Chorus is always looking for new members and told the women in the audience that there are Barbershop Chorus and quartet type groups available for them to join. Men interested in joining the Music Men Chorus can contact Bill Olszanicky at 760-585-6315 or email wolszanicky@yahoo.com. You can also attend a Tuesday evening rehearsal at 7:00 pm at San Marcos Lutheran Church, 3419 Grand Avenue, Luther Hall. You can also visit www.musicmenchorus.org. If you are interested in more information about the Vista Library you can contact The Friends of the Vista Library at www.friendsofthevistalibrary.org .
