The Springfield Harmony Alliance brought home eight district honors, including six championships and two most-improved awards, from the Central States District Fall Convention in Lawrence, Kansas.
The event was held Oct. 8-11 at the Lied Center on the University of Kansas campus and drew choruses and quartets from across the region for competition, performances and fellowship, according to a community announcement.
Springfield-area singers earned awards in both chorus and quartet divisions, with multiple ensembles placing among the top competitors in the district.
Springfield Sound, directed by Marcus Falcomata, won the Plateau I Chorus Championship and finished third overall among 13 competing choruses.
Ozark Overtones, directed by Jeff Veteto,
captured the Seniors Chorus Championship and received the Most-Improved Plateau IV Chorus Award. The 33-member chorus placed fifth overall.
The Springfield Metro Chorus, directed by Paul Olguin, received the Most-Improved Plateau I Chorus Award. The 12-member ensemble, the smallest chorus in the competition, finished seventh overall.
Chorus and quartet singers earn district honors
Springfield quartets added four championships to the community's convention results.
Vintage Vibe, featuring Tawny McCoy, Charlie Barnes, Paul Olguin and Jeff Veteto, won the Seniors Quartet Championship and was named the district's International Seniors Quartet Representative. The quartet advanced to the finals and finished 10th in the district quartet competition.
Seventh on Walnut, featuring Michael La Scala, Josh Robertson, Marcus Falcomata and Maxx Pyle, earned the Novice Quartet Championship and placed fifth in the district quartet competition.
C&J Committee, featuring Jeremiah Hower, Cole Kirksey, Jaron Bryant and Case Warson, received the Youth Quartet Championship.
MFQ (My Favorite Quartet), featuring Lou Stanley, Jennifer Potts, Julie Holt and Marie Lovan, won the Super Novice Quartet Championship.
Moon City Four, featuring Paul Olguin, Steve Long, James McNeal and Michael Wehrenberg, competed in the quartet semifinals and finished 15th among 27 quartets.
For McNeal, the event marked a first appearance in barbershop quartet competition.
"We did great as a chorus, and much better than I could have hoped for as a quartet," McNeal said. "More importantly, I've had a chance to spend time with great friends, make new ones, and sing some fun, satisfying close harmonies."
Event highlights strength of local barbershop community
Olguin participated in three choruses, directed one chorus and competed with two quartets during the convention.
The results reflect the ongoing participation of Springfield Harmony Alliance singers and directors in regional barbershop competition, according to the announcement.
The Springfield Harmony Alliance brings together singers interested in barbershop harmony, musical performance and community fellowship through choruses, quartets and public performances.
More information is available at springfieldharmonyalliance.com.
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This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield Harmony Alliance wins 8 honors at district convention
