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Worldwide Barbershop Quartet Association
~ SPPBSQSUS ~
Society Newsletter
June 2025
Issue 25-6
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As the rockets glare and the sparklers gleam,
We bask in the glory of the American dream.
On this Fourth of July, let's take a stand,
For the principles that make our country so grand.
Happy Independence Day, let freedom ring!
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AIC SHOW LIVE STREAM - July 4th, 7:30pm MDT
The AIC presents 'Remembering Time', the biggest Barbershop Quartet show ever! Some of the quartets featured are the Buffalo Bills, Happiness Emporium, Platinum, Interstate Rivals, OC Times, and many, many more of your favorite all-time international quartets.
To purchase Live Stream tickets, click here.
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NEW TREASURER APPOINTED - Sean Praetzel
We were very saddened when Glen Sparling submitted his resignation due to health concerns. Glenn has been our treasurer since 2022.
However, the Board is pleased to announce the election of Robert 'Sean' Praetzel as our new treasurer. Sean has been involved in Barbershop for over 40 years. With a BS degree in Economics and a Master's Degree in Finance, he is well suited to handle the duties required of the position. Welcome aboard Sean!
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NEW LODGES APPROVED
At the June Board meeting the Lake Erie Provisional Lodge was accepted as Lake Erie Lodge #15 after completion of all ten required steps. Great going, guys, and welcome to WBQA as a fully official WBQA Lodge.
Also approved at the meeting as Provisional Lodges were the Puyallup Washington group and the Spring Texas group. They have both completed steps one through five and are now working on steps six through ten.
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2026 WBQA CONVENTION NOW AVAILABLE! NEW DATE!!
March 11th to 15th, 2026 San Antonio, Texas
Registration: $185 Early Bird until January 1 ($199 after)
We're back in beautiful San Antonio again next year but in MARCH instead of cold, cold January. Many of us experienced weather delays last year, and March should avoid all of that.
This year we have implemented an Early Bird price of $185 if ordered by December 31st. After that and at the Convention, the price will be $199. Price includes the International Quartet Contest, Friday Night Champions Reception, Saturday Night Banquet and breakfast each day. Individual price for the Quartet Contest is $40 by December 31st and $49 after that. So, don't delay in ordering your tickets!
Again, at WBQC-26, we'll have some of the same popular sessions along with plenty of free time for some singing. We're also working on a 'Flash Mob Singers' event downtown at the Alamo. Rich Gray is working to compile 4 or 5 patriotic songs for us to sing. You don't want to miss this!
Also, if your quartet would like FREE coaching, it will be provided by our previous champion quartet members. Quartets, don't miss this opportunity to improve your vocal presence.
Click here to register for WBQC-2026
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HOTEL RESERVATION OPEN
DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton, San Antonio Airport
We were able to keep the hotel room rate the same as the last two years! Just $115 plus tax per room per day. Split a room with a friend and it's just $57.50 per day. These rates are in effect from Wednesday, March 11th through Tuesday, March 17th
Included in your reservation is breakfast each day.
Click here to reserve your room
NOTE:
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The rate on the hotel's reservation form says $117 per day. However, when it calculates the rate for your stay, it will calculate it at $115 per day.
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The dates are preloaded from Wednesday, March 11th through Tuesday, March 17th. If you are staying fewer days, then you must adjust your days by clicking on the 'Edit Stay' link on the line with the dates on the far right.
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4th ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL QUARTET CONTEST
Thursday, March 12th and Saturday, March 14th
Registration is now open to register your quartet for the WBQA WorldWide Quartet Contest. There is no charge to enter your quartet, but all four members must purchase a Convention Registration to qualify. Entries will be drawn for order of appearance after February 1st, so be sure that your quartet registers before that.
Click here to register for the Quartet Contest
Our contest is judged by members from our attendees - no certified judges. But we have found that our novice judges do a pretty good job of selecting our champion quartet. If you are interested, click here for a document explaining what is involved. You can sign up before each contest at the Registration Desk at the Convention.
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JUNE BOARD MEETING NOTES
- The Board elected Sean Praetzel as our Treasurer.
- The Convention Committee is working on reviewing the sessions from last year to decide whether to keep it, expand it, or add new sessions similar to last year.
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The Quartet Committee announced a new quartet, The Echos, registered as an WBQA Quartet. Also, we had our first quartet registration for the Quartet Contest to be held at our Annual Convention next March.
- The Marketing Committee has placed ads in the BHS Convention program as well as 30 second spots on the Jumbotron at the convention.
- Provisional Lodge, Lake Erie, was approved as an official Lodge #15 after submitting documentation that they have completed all ten steps required for a Lodge registration.
- Two groups from Puyallup, Washington and Spring, Texas were approved as provisional Lodges after submitting documentation of completing steps one through five.
- It was decided to no longer issue a number for provisional lodges until they have completed all ten required steps.
- The Fall Academy was postponed until the fall of 2026.
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NEW MEMBERS: JUNE
We are growing! We had 15 new singers join us this month for a total of 2,008 members. Here are the new members who have joined us last month:
- Jake Bartlett, Lincoln, NE
- Scott Tyree, Edmond, OK
- Bob Ruff, San Marcos, TX - San Antonio Lodge #1
- Denis Mathias, San Antonio, TX - San Antonio Lodge #1
- James Gilpin, Kingwood, TX
- Paul Wiegmann, Tomball, TX - Spring, TX Provisional Lodge
- Dwight Cook, Kingwoof, TX - Spring, TX Provisional Lodge
- David Morris, Deer Park, TX - Spring, TX Provisional Lodge
- Andrew Harrop, Houston, TX
- Todd Wilson, Celina, TN
- Donald Davis, Beaverton, OR
- Andrew Yeh, Portland, OR
- Kris Grael, Memphis, TN
- Steve Schmidt, OR
- Don Denman, WA
Be sure to let your Barbershop friends know about us. You might want to forward this email to them so they can see what's happening.
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IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW:
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Member Database - Find other members, find Lodges or find quartets. Link to the database is in the restricted Members page. When signing in, your member number MUST include the preceding letter - Ex M1234. Try it. First time? You will need to click 'Reset Password' after entering your member number. You will be sent a link to the email address on file to reset your password.
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Missed a newsletter? Check the Documents page for the latest Society Newsletter, the Quartet Corner Bulletin or the Lodges in Motion Bulletin.
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Please, please, please DO NOT click on the 'Unsubscribe' link below. If you do, you will no longer receive any communication from your Society. I can only send you a 'Resubscribe' link ONCE!
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