The Northumberland Hills Chapter (Ganaraska Chordsmen), newest Chapter in Ontario District, has developed an unique relationship with a local radio station, Northumberland 89.7 FM, in Northumberland County. The Chapter V.P. of Public Relations, Rick Faulkner, hosts a weekly radio show featuring Barbershop chorus’ and quartets. The show also showcases upcoming events and activities of the Society in general as well as the happenings of the Ganaraska Chordsmen. The show is featured between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. to catch the morning driving listeners.
Northumberland 89.7 FM is a not for profit community-based volunteer radio station providing news, views, events coverage and music to the residents of Cobourg, Port Hope, and Hamilton Township (West Northumberland County) on the FM dial at 89.7
. Also providing web-based access to the programing at http://northumberland89.7.ca; providing full streaming of the signal over the internet to ensure listeners can stay tuned where ever they are.
The show was to be a temporary activity however; the station has received numerous calls asking for more of the show. It has now continued for a year. Ontario District Champion quartets such as Yonge Guns and Shaken Not Stirred have both tentatively agreed to live interviews with station program Director, Jim Glover to add to the variety of the show’s content. Jim Glover has attended more than one Ontario District Convention as well as the Oakridge Division Novice Quartet Night and the Annual show of the Ganaraska Chordsmen allowing him to gain a better understanding of our style and unique 4- part harmony.
Program Director Jim Glover stated:
“I was looking for a way to introduce barbershop style of singing, A cappella, four part harmony and chorus’. I was fortunate to meet Rick Faulkner from the Northumberland Hills Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, the Ganaraska Chordsmen. For over a year we have introduced A cappella music to the community with much success by calls to the station or people coming out to weekly meetings.”
The Northumberland Hills Chapter were presented with their Charter by District President Frank Knoll this past spring at their Charter show which included sponsoring Chapter, Peterborough Aces of Harmony. The Ganaraska Chordsmen is the successor to the Pine Ridge Chorus which merged with Peterborough in 1995. Now, 20 years later a new Chapter has risen with the active support of Peterborough members.
Local residents are able to hear the weekly show at Northumberland 89.7 FM on the radio dial, however is it also available worldwide on the Web by searching for http://www.northumberland897.ca/ and listening to the show at 7:40 a.m. every Thursday. Should you hear the show and enjoy it e-mail the station at info@northumberland897.ca and tell them where you are from and your thoughts?
You can also write us at ganraskals@gmail.com.
Signing off now until next time; Rick Faulkner, V.P. Northumberland Hills Chapter, Ontario District.
Article submitted by Rick Faulkner and Roger Wilson. Photos Courtesy of Roger Wilson