Duluth-Superior Harbormasters seek more harmonizers
Sep. 1—DULUTH — The lobby of Kenwood Lutheran Church filled with four-part harmony Tuesday, Aug. 27.
Songs such as "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" and "Nearer My God to Thee" rolled out from members of the Duluth-Superior Harbormasters, a male barbershop chorus.
The weekly rehearsal is something members said they look forward to.
"I just love singing and I like the camaraderie," said Dave Tucci, 81, of Duluth, who has been with the Harbormasters for 39 years.
The chorus performed Aug. 18 at a trio of churches in Duluth. They also sang an impromptu version of "My Wild Irish Rose" while getting a snack at a Culver's restaurant.
"Part of the fun of it is to be sitting at Culver's and, out of the blue, this group of guys start singing," said Don Johnson, of Superior, a tenor with the group.
There's something special about singing barbershop, members said.
"I like the closeness of the harmonies," said Benjamin Brekke, of Cloquet, who takes the lead part when he can, but is also available for the baritone line.
"This is therapy for me, and it's a lot less expensive," said Phil Wilder, of Duluth.
Wilder ticked off the things he believes make the group special.
"We all take our parts. Good humor, lots of laughs. It's fun. When we ring a chord at the end, it's a blast," said Wilder, who performed with a barbershop chorus in southern Minnesota before moving to the Gary New Duluth neighborhood.
The group also offers a chance to socialize and make friends.
"How many opportunities in life do you get to have intergenerational communication, you know," said Brekke, who is the youngest member of the Harbormasters at 39.
The barbershop group is seeking more voices to join the chorus, particularly tenors and baritones.
In addition to reaching out to choir directors at local universities, members will hold
a night of pizza and four-part harmony
from 6-9 p.m. Sept. 24 at Vintage Italian Pizza in Superior. Everyone is welcome to the free recruitment event.
"Most people are afraid they can't sing, but anybody can sing," said Chuck Morris, 94, of Duluth, the oldest member of the chorus.
The chorus is also on the hunt for a director. Interim Director Steve LaPatka lives in Virginia, Minnesota. He makes the weekly trek to Duluth to lead the band of crooners. His interim title is a bit misleading, though. LaPatka has been directing the group for eight years. He added his theme song, "Home on the Range," to the chorus warmups.
The group meets every Tuesday for a companionable two-hour vocal session. It kicks off with warmups, and then members step up to form quartets. After a snack break, they cap off the night with more harmony.
"If it became work, then it wouldn't be fun," said Don Christensen, of Cloquet, who sings bass. "It's nice to be with the guys and sing."
Christensen and Brekke have been with the group for about six months.
"I've been singing barbershop for, oh gosh, maybe like 12 years now," said Brekke. "I like the camaraderie and the fellowship, and I like to sing."
He started up a barbershop chorus in Cloquet, but decided to combine their members with the more established Harbormasters, a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society since 1953.
People don't have to wait until the pizza party to join the Harbormasters. Newcomers are always welcome at the Tuesday rehearsals, which take place from 7-9 p.m. at Kenwood Lutheran Church.
The Harbormasters will perform on Veterans Day at the Elks Club in Superior and on Pearl Harbor Day, Dec. 7, at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center.
"And then during December, we'll probably be singing three or four afternoons, evenings at nursing homes in Duluth and Superior," Johnson said.
Visit the
Harbormasters Facebook page
for more information and videos of performances.