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Worldwide Barbershop Quartet Association
The Monthly Pitch
SEPTEMBER 2026
Issue 26-09
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The American Worker
The American Worker, a symbol of strength,
From sunup to sundown, they go to great . . . . . lengths,
Through fields, factories, and offices they . . . . . shine,
Their diligence and dedication, a virtue that . . ..never declines.
Annomyous
Thank God for all the American workers who made this country what it is!
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LAKE ERIE LODGE #15 HAS FIRST SHOW!
Lake Erie Lodge had their first ever show on August 22nd and it was a 'great' success in spite of the severe weather conditions that interrupted the beginning. A great audience that truly enjoyed the show and appreciated what we did. Our songs were sung well along with a smooth program.
George Szent-Kiraly
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NORTH ALABAMA LODGE #12 - The Fraternity of Brotherly Love (NAFOBS) PERFORMANCE
We had 15 singers present for our performance at Monark Grove in Madison, Alabama. The performance Monday was energetic and well appreciated by the large crowd, who squeezed into the magnificent foyer. The tall ceiling provided acoustics that were flattering to our barbershop style. After singing the Star-Spangled Banner, we introduced our debut of 'The House I Live In'. Thanks to Grady Nixon who directed several songs and gave me some needed rest between songs. Ken Reed addressed the audience with the spoken word and Colin Bagwell handled the voice-over nicely during the 'Patriotic Medley' and also sang in the 'No-Name Quartet'.
Kenny Hatton, Music Director
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ANGEL FUND ESTABLISHED TO HELP MEMBERS 'IN NEED' TO ATTEND THE CONVENTION
WBQA is establishing an 'Angel Fund' to help some of our members with Convention expenses. This fund will be funded by contributions from our members and non-members (click here to contribute to the 'Angel Fund'). The fund is designed to be awarded as stipends that will help cover the costs of lodging and registration for a WBQA Member applicant to attend our Convention, who could not otherwise afford to attend. Our target during this first year of the fund is $5,000. That will cover up to half of the overall convention expense for up to 8 members.
To Qualify:
- Must be a WBQA member in good standing
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Must fill out an application (click here for the form)
- Stipend is limited up to 50% of the anticipated cost of the applicant's attendance
- No money will be sent to the applicant in advance
- The applicant must provide his own transportation to and from the Convention and meals that are not included with the Convention registration.
- The stipend will be designed to cover Convention registration and HQ hotel room for three nights (to be paid directly to the hotel by WBQA).
- The 2026 Angel Fund-raising effort will begin September 1st and continue until October 31st.
- In the event more money is raised in 2026 through donations than is needed, the remainder will be left in the fund for future years.
- The application must be submitted to the Membership Vice-President whose committee will review and approve the recipient and amount based on need.
- The names of the applicants will be known only by the Membership Committee and the Treasurer.
Click here to download the Angel Fund Request Form
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MEMBERSHIP VP MUSINGS
Where Can I Find Singers?
Thursday, my car died in a very hot Houston Walgreens parking lot. During the next hour, three different guys in pick-up trucks stopped to offer a jump. None worked, but the unsolicited help was a happy surprise. I was about to call a wrecker when a little blue car pulled up and its 25-year old driver politely said: "Sir, do you need some help?" He pulled some testing equipment from his trunk, checked some things under the hood and declared "Sir, your battery is fine, but a jump isn't going to fix this." I called road service.
Seeing that I was now in serious heat stress, he said: "Sir, you go into the store and cool off, I'll wait for the wrecker." I did. When the truck arrived and had my car loaded, the young man said: "Sir, why don't you ride with me. It will be more comfortable than in that hot truck." I did. Turned out he was from Austin, in town to visit his parents and saw an "old guy" in distress. (His parents raised him well!)
During the 25 minute ride to the repair shop, I casually asked "Do you like to sing?" (Yes!) We skipped supper and drove straight to Houston's new a cappella men's quartet group, the Men In A Chord. Two hours later, he left with a huge smile, a bunch of guest music and a promise to bring Dad next week! (He did!)
POST SCRIPT: The next day I ordered a LYFT to take me to my car and its new starter motor. My driver was a 43-year old computer engineer between jobs. I casually asked: "Do you like to sing?" He LOVED quarteting in college and didn't know there was a way to continue that thrill. Did he show up for the next sing-fest? Of course! Beautiful Baritone!
Where can you find singers? Just ASK every stranger you meet. Send me your favorite recruiting story, and I'll send you a 'Round Tuit'.
Steve Shannon
Membership VP
Worldwide Barbershop Quartet Association
713 927-7369
sshannonsings@gmail.com
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WBQA 5th ANNUAL QUARTET CONTEST NOW OPEN!
Calling all Barbershop Quartets! Here is your chance to compete to become the next WBQA Champion Quartet!
Our past champions have been very active across the nation participating in a variety of venues representing WBQA. And there is no cost to compete! Here are the requirements:
- Your quartet must be a WBQA registered quartet
- All members must be a member of WBQA
- All competing members must purchase a registration for the 2027 Convention and Contest
So guys, pick out your songs - they must represent the Barbershop style of music - fill out an entry form and submit it, and start practicing. The contest will be held in two sessions on Thursday, January 21st and finals on Saturday, January 24th.
All entries must be received by December 15th in order to be in the draw. Late entries will sing either first or last.
This is a unique contest unlike any other. No professional judges. Be judged by average barbershoppers who know when they like something. And they have been very consistent and accurate for the past contests.
Click here for a Contest Entry Form
Your quartet not registered with WBQA?
Click here for a Quartet Registration Form
Want to review the rules for the contest? Click here
Our WBQA Champion Quartets
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Continuum
2026 Champion Quartet
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Wheelhouse
2024 Champion Quartet
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Riptide
2025 Champion Quartet
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Brouhaha
2023 Champion Quartet
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN
It's that time again to nominate your Board members for 2027
Nominating Chairman Tim McShane is calling for all interested members to submit names of candidates for next year's Board. Before submitting a name, be sure that the person is willing to be an active participant of the Board. The Board meets on the second Wednesday of each month.
The current Slate of Officers for Re-Election
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President - Kenny Hatton
Immed Past President - Jay Giallombardo
Executive Vice President - Raymond Schwarzkopf
Treasurer - Sean Praetzel
Secretary - Roger Heer
Vice President Lodges - George Gipp
Vice President Membership - Steve Shannon
Vice President Marketing - Mike Nichols
Vice President Quartet Development - Tim McShane
BOARD MEMBERS AT LARGE
Paul Blazek - Term expiring
Ron Rank - Term expiring
Scot Brannon - (continuing term, not up for election)
Keith Richmond - (continuing term, not up for election)
Sylvester Wytle - (continuing term, not up for election)
Please fill out the WBQA Nominating Form and submit to WBQAsings@gmail.com.
Click here for the Board Nominating Form
Forms must be submitted by September 15th to be considered.
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You can now reserve your hotel room at the DoubleTree Hilton, San Antonio airport for the convention. Price is $115 + tax per night.
Click here to reserve your room
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NEW MEMBERS - AUGUST
- Jay Butterfield, Lancaster, PA
- Ed Bejarana, Coeur d'Alene, ID
- Quinton (Q) Zinn, San Antonio, TX - San Antonio TX, Lodge #1
- Mike Bradfield, San Antonio, TX - San Antonio TX, Lodge #1
- Dave Hentchel, Manchester, MO
- Mike Economou, Buckeye, AZ
- Griffin Helms, Newark, OH
- Earl Mote, Houston, TX - Spring, TX Lodge #19
- Kris Waninger, Dublin, OH - Granville, OH, Lodge # Pending
- Pete Stephens-Broen, Skandia, MI
- Dennis Nickell, St. Louis, MO
Welcome to our new members!
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. And tell them to go to our website at WBQAsings.org and on the bottom of the Home page, click the link to sign up to receive the Newsletter.
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AUGUST BOARD MEETING NOTES
- Quartet Contest Entry Form is available on the website as well as the Newsletter and Facebook page
- WBQA Quartet Champion Continuum will perform at Meredith Bay Harmony Jamboree on August 14 - 16, 2026.
- Secretary reported 4 new members in July for a total of 72 new members for the year and a total of 2,133.
- Discussion on bounced emails and members who do not open the newsletter.
- Lodge Report - two potential lodges in Jacksonville, FL and St. Albans, VT nearing completion of process. Six more groups in the process or considering.
- Membership - If each person in a lodge invited one person to join, the lodge would double in size. Personal invitation the most effective.
- Suggestion to group the Barbershop Chestnuts to make it easier to download.
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In Memorium
ARNE THEMMEN
March 27, 1945 - August 14, 2026
Member M0932 since July, 2020
Member Miami Fl Lodge #6
Formally of Teaneck, NJ, Arne retired from the Navy as a Captain, moving to Miami in 1976. Music was a passion of Arne's life. He loved to sing and was an enthusiastic member of the Miamians barbershop group, sharing his voice, humor, and camaraderie with fellow singers. He supported and danced with the Gold-Diggers, a group that raised money for the Leukemia Society.
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IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW:
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Member Database - Find other members, by state or city, 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 or create your password. You will receive an email once approved.
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Missed a newsletter? Check the 'Documents' tab for the latest Society Newsletter.
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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. To 'resubscribe', go to our website and click on the 'Click here to Receive our Monthly Newsletter' link, fill out the form, and submit.
. . Roger Heer, Secretary WBQA and Newsletter Editor
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© 2026 Worldwide Barbershop Quartet Association (WBQA).
This is the official website of the Society for the Preservation and Propagation of Barbershop Quartet Singing in the United States (SPPBSQSUS), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
WBQAsings.org is a registered domain of SPPBSQSUS, Inc.
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