Welcome to The Gold Note Chorus
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The Gold Note Chorus invites you to become better acquainted with our aims, our activities, and the benefits and
advantages our members enjoy. We are the Fresno, California chapter of the Society for the Preservation and
Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, Inc. ("SPEBSQSA", or just "the Society"), an organization
that for more than fifty years has supported the truly American art form of barbershop music. (Material about the Society
is available separately; Here's The Pitch is focused primarily on the Fresno, California chapter.)
What does the Gold Note Chorus do?
The Chapter's purpose is to promote the singing of barbershop harmony in chorus ensembles and quartets. To
accomplish this, we seek men who accept the challenge of musical excellence. With this as a goal, we have developed a
quality of choral sound that has provided many thrills for our members and audiences alike.
Also, we sing for our own enjoyment. In order to promote maximum satisfaction from our hobby, each of our meetings
emphasizes barbershop singing in an environment of good fellowship. If you like to sing four-part male harmony, you can't
miss with the Gold Note Chorus.
Why would I want to sing with the Gold Note Chorus?
Membership in the Gold Note Chorus offers enjoyment and benefits. Of course, the outstanding attraction of being a
member is the opportunity it affords to meet weekly with a group of congenial men who love to sing four-part harmony.
During our meetings we devote most of our time to singing. Our musical leadership includes expert musicians who know
barbershop music from "do-re-me" through the most complicated concepts of music theory and artistic interpretation.
The Gold Note Chorus is proud of the quality of our chorus singing, and work hard to maintain that quality. The rewards
for that hard work can be substantial. Singing quality barbershop is not just fun; it can provide some memorable musical
experiences. We strive to maintain a high standard of musical quality by emphasizing improvement in individual skills.
Learning music is made easier through learning tapes made especially for each voice part, for every song in the repertoire.
As a member, you have the opportunity to become a better singer through instruction from our musical team.
What about quartet singing?
We also encourage and promote quartet singing. Quartet singing may be casual or intensive. It may be aimed at having a
little fun in one's own living room with three friends, or at winning a District or International Championship. Our organized
chapter quartets sing privately for their own enjoyment, entertain at chapter meetings, and perform in public at other times
and places. Or four men may get together informally, even at chapter meetings, to sing an old standard or a song from the
chorus repertoire.
During the year we sponsor contests for such informal quartets in the chapter as a means to encourage men to get
together for the fun of singing a couple of songs before chapter members and their families. In the Gold Note Chorus, we
encourage everyone to try his hand at quarteting whenever he finds it appealing. There is singing for everyone - whether
you get your barbershop "kicks" from chorus singing, quarteting or both.
Where do you find 'barbershop' music these days?
The musical arrangements for all this singing come from both the Chapter and the Society. Over the years since the
Society was founded in 1938, hundreds of good barbershop arrangements have been produced. Within the Chapter and
the Society, there are a number of talented arrangers who are skilled at writing and arranging new and old songs in the
barbershop style. The Gold Note Chorus repertoire contains music from both Chapter and Society arrangers. In our
chapter, the new member receives a notebook of music, which contains our chorus repertoire. The Society also provides
arrangements of the old standards, also called "polecat songs", which are known by barbershoppers everywhere.
Where does the Gold Note Chorus perform?
The Gold Note Chorus sings at benefits and shows throughout the Central Valley. These shows have included
appearances at conventions, outdoor festivals, banquets and military events, at Bulldogs football games and on local
television. We are proud members of the Clovis Adult School and the Clovis Chamber of Commerce and support these
groups through local performances.
Once a year we hold a major show of our own. The annual show presents the chorus and chapter quartets, set in a
particular theme (e.g. Broadway, Western, Pirates) and includes a story line, dialogue and various chapter quartets, and
often includes a performance by a top caliber guest quartet from out of town. In addition to singing, our members write,
produce, direct and design lighting and scenery for these shows.
Does the chorus ever compete?
Yes. Each year the Chapter eagerly looks forward to the several contests staged at different levels of the Society. These
contests involve both chorus and quartet competition. The level of competition is intense, but friendly and gentlemanly; the
preparation for contest also helps to improve the quality of singing all over the Society. These contest weekends are also
great fun
What are the competition levels?
The Fresno chapter belongs to the Northern California East Division of the Society's Far Western District. The District,
one of sixteen in the total Society, includes Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and South Utah.
When are the various contests held?
Contests are held at the Division level in the spring to select those choruses and quartets that will represent the NorCal
East Division at the Far Western District championship contest in October. Approximately 150 quartets and 80 choruses
compete at the five Division contests, from which about 25 quartets and 18 choruses qualify to compete at the District
contest. The Gold Note Chorus and quartets are frequent competitors at the District contests.
At the District contest, the new District chorus and quartet champions are selected. The winning chorus represents the
District at the International Championship contest the following summer, competing with the champion choruses from the
other fifteen districts, as well as one championship chorus from each of our affiliate organizations. The International
Convention is often attended by over 10,000 barbershoppers, their friends and families. The International Convention is
hosted by a different city each year, and attending the convention as a competitor or a spectator is a thrilling experience.
How do quartets qualify to compete at the International contest?
Quartet competitors qualify for the International contest in a separate International Preliminary Competition in March,
singing for the honor of representing the Fare Western District. Usually five or six of the District's best are chosen to be
among 40-50 quartets which compete for the International Championship.
How is the Chapter administration organized?
Our weekly chapter meetings are devoted to as much singing as possible. The planning of chapter policy is left to the
Board of Directors, which is elected by the members and meets once a month and on special call. All members are
welcome to attend those meetings, which are chaired by the chapter President.
Other chapter officers include Vice Presidents for Membership, Music, Program and Public Relations, the Secretary,
Recording Secretary, Treasurer, Chorus Manager, and four at-large board members. There are also several committees
responsible for carrying out administrative duties in areas such as finance, uniform procurement and maintenance,
long-range planning and music. It takes a lot of behind-the-scenes effort to run a chapter as active as the Gold Note
Chorus. In addition to assisting in the administration and leadership of the Gold Note Chorus, a significant number of
chapter members have contributed their talents at the District level.
Do you only accept professional singers?
We welcome all male singers; not only the expert, but also the man who can just sing a melody line. He may become one
of our best leads (the voice part that sings the melody) in a matter of months. Or, if his voice is higher or lower than the
lead's register, he can be encouraged to sing one of the harmony parts. Each of the four parts is important and fun to sing.
Perhaps you know which part your voice fits best. Perhaps you don't. A member of the Vocal Assessment team will
conduct a private voice evaluation prior to your submitting a formal membership application in order to help you
determine what voice part you should be singing. Also prior to submitting your membership application, a member of the
Stage Presentation team will meet with you to explain the types of choreography, gestures and facial expressions that
members are asked to perform while singing. At this meeting you'll be asked to demonstrate various moves and facial
expressions. Once an application is filed, the next step is to prepare for an audition - which must be passed before you
can become a member. You may proceed at your own pace in preparing for this audition.
What about financial and time obligations?
We encourage prospective members to have a good idea of what it means to become a member, prior to joining,
including the financial and time obligations which are expected. While we don't require perfect attendance, except
immediately before contest and annual show appearances, we do expect members to be active and to contribute their
talents to the chapter as much as they can. The chapter will benefit and so will you. Information about specific financial
obligations and scheduled rehearsal and performance events can be obtained from the Membership Vice President.
Are there any annual dues for membership?
The dues structure includes chapter, District and International dues which are paid on an annual basis. Dues rates and
payment plans should be discussed with the Membership Vice President. Other costs for which you will be responsible
include travel to chapter meetings, uniform expenses, and travel and lodging costs for Division, District and International
contests.
We hope you will come to appreciate the joys of barbershopping. We work hard - there are periodic requirements for
tape recording your own voice part during rehearsals and submitting the tape to the section leaders for critique. We also
concentrate on the visual aspects of performance. Contest preparations include occasional sessions outside of normal
Tuesday rehearsals where we learn about physical involvement in projecting the mood of the contest songs. The intensity
of our work grows as contest and show times near. Being a Gold Note Chorus member demands time and effort, and the
rewards are substantial.
So how do I become part of the Gold Note family?
We are a performing group, certainly, but in every sense we are a family, too, and the "Gold Note family" welcomes your
interest. Please feel free to discuss aspects of membership in our organization with other members, in general, and with the
Membership Vice President, in particular. He'll fill you in on all the details. You may want to visit and sing with us a few
times before you complete a membership application. We look forward to your interest and enthusiasm!
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Barbershop Harmony Society
Code Of Ethics
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The Society aspires to preserve for its members and for all future generations of prospective members, the sacred right of
men to seek haven from the burden of their daily cares through indulgence in old-fashioned quartet harmony, and to abide
by the precepts of the Code of Ethics:
1. We shall do everything in our power to perpetuate the Society.
2. We shall deport ourselves and conduct the Society's functions in such a manner as to reflect credit upon the Society
and its membership.
3. We shall conform in all respects to the By-Laws of the Society and the rules from time to time promulgated by its
International Board of Directors.
4. We shall accept for membership only congenial men of good character who love harmony in music or have a desire to
harmonize.
5. We shall exhibit a spirit of good fellowship toward all members.
6. We shall refrain from forcing our songs upon unsympathetic ears.
7. We shall not use our membership in the Society for personal gain.
8. We shall not permit the introduction of political, religious or other similar controversial issues into the affairs of the
Society.
9. We shall, by our stimulus to good music and vocal harmony, endeavor to spread the spirit of harmony throughout the
world.
10. We shall render all possible altruistic service through the medium of barbershop harmony.
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