The Ontario District gathered on Tuesday for its annual Pep Rally, a night of celebration hosted by the Association of Past Ontario Champions (APOC). Seven quartets and seven choruses performed at the event that helps to raise funds for Ontario District competitors representing the district at International next month in Orlando.
The evening was opened by the APOC Chorus singing “Darkness On The Delta” and “From The First Hello” before the parade of performances. The night closed with the entire hall of 450 barbershoppers singing “Keep The Whole World Singing” directed by Jordan Travis.
During the event, Bill Vermue was awarded the 2017 Jeff Pritchard Outstanding Quartetter Award. The award is given to long-time district quartetters who most closely exemplify the following Jeff Pritchard attributes of true gentlemanliness, humility, pride in achievement, many years (at least 15) of active quartetting, demonstrated dedication to the goals of the BHS, and participation in competitive singing.
Three quartets and one chorus received funding from both APOC and the Ontario District to help offset the costs of representing the district at the Barbershop Harmony Society’s International Convention in Orlando. This year, Ontario will be represented by the Hamilton Harbourtown Sound in the chorus contest, and Playback, Supertonic, and The Aristocrats in the open quartet contest.
Photo by Lee Sperry