Starting the New Year

We have a long-standing tradition of celebrating New Years Day at Phillips Inner Harbor with our families. This year we a had a nice turn out and even welcomed a few former members back. Phillips just moved to a new location and the bar is now just off of the entrance where people wait for their tables. We spent a few hours singing, eating, drinking, and just having a good time.

As we were singing, we noticed a small girl peeking over the railing to see what we were up to. She seemed to enjoy the music, so we sang the next song to her. You can never go wrong with kids and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, so that's what we did. Her face lit up and she left, smiling, to eat dinner with her family. A while later, her mom brought her back to drop off a note for the group, thanking us for singing to her. Now it was our turn to smile. How can you start a new year any better than that?

Have a happy and healthy 2012!

Sing in the New Year

The chorus ended our year with a bang last night as we joined the Chorus of the Chesapeake for their Christmas party. There were great performances by both choruses and a star-filled quartet line up that included Maxx Factor, Lustre, and BSQ. Our chapter was represented by two of our quartets: 3 Wise Men and Chairman's Choice. After the party we all moved across the street for an afterglow with singing into the night.

We'll start the new year with a Heart of Maryland tradition. Join us at 1pm on January 1st (that's 1/1/11 at 1) at Phillips Harborplace for songs and a toast or two. This isn't a performance, just a chance to share a drink and a song with friends at the piano bar.

A Few More Christmas Shows To Go

We're almost through the Christmas singing season. We kicked things off at Harborplace for a big crowd at Tuba Christmas. We sang Let It Snow again, but to no effect this year. If it had started to snow this time we might have to drop that song for good.

After a few private performances, we'll finish out the season with two big events this weekend. We don't want to give away too much about the first one, but if you're near Arundel Mills Mall this Sunday, be sure to stop by the food court at 2pm to check out the Sons of the Severn. It's going to be a great show.

From there we'll be zooming up to Baltimore, just in time to catch the Raven's traffic jam, as we sing for the Baltimore Outreach Services. We've been invited to sing at this annual reunion dinner for mothers and children who are no longer homeless. It's a great event and we always enjoy spreading some Christmas cheer.

Christmas Shows

The chorus is ready for December with a full calendar of Christmas shows. We'll kick it off this weekend at Baltimore Harborplace with Tuba Christmas. The chorus will sing at 3:00 and the tuba concert starts at 3:30. We'll all move to the 2nd floor of the Light Street Pavilion if the weather doesn't cooperate.

Coaching with Hal Kraft

Hal Kraft, former director of the Keystone Capital Chorus, Mid-Atlantic district and seniors quartet champion and singing coach extraordinaire, spent an evening helping the chorus prepare for our annual Flag Day performance. Emotional expression and vowel production were his key topics of instruction. He also worked on vocal preparation for That Old Quartet of Mine and Darkness on the Delta in anticipation of this coming Tuesday's rehearsal with presentation coach Gary Plaag.

Gary is a member of the Alexandria Harmonizers and is also a a coach and instructor active within the Barbershop Harmony Society. We're looking forward a great evening with Gary and strongly encourage all members to attend this first presentation coaching session we've had in many years.

Coaching and Guest Directors

We had a very productive coaching session last night with guest director Glenn Phillips. Glenn worked with us on getting a taller sound and The results were impressive. We'll put this all to good use at our Flag Day performance this year.

Last night also brought a special treat in the form of the PDQ Quartet, who stopped by to sings a few songs for us between gigs. They are the hardest working quartet in show business.

Send a Singing Valentine

Valentine's Day doesn't wait for the snow to clear - it's coming whether you're ready or not. Still haven't done your shopping? No problem. Give the gift of music with a Singing Valentine from the Heart of Maryland Chorus. We'll send a quartet to your home, business, restaurant or wherever to serenade your sweetheart. Order now to reserve yours.

Love Songs at the Mall

Join us on Saturday Feb 13th at Columbia Mall as we sing at the Cardiovascular Clinic for Howard County General Hospital. We will sing a selection of the songs performed by our singing valentines quartets. Sign up to win a free singing valentine! The show starts at 11:00 at the Lord & Taylor's court.

Happy New Year

This year marks the beginning of the fifty-first year for the Heart of Maryland Barbershop Chorus. We can look back to contests, including Mid Atlantic Division wins, an International Contest appearance in Toronto, and two great showings at the Buckeye Invitational. We’ve had annual shows, charity fundraisers, and have served enough spaghetti and lasagna to feed an army. The chorus has sung all around the area - the National Anthem for Baltimore’s sports teams, Flag Day performances at Fort McHenry, and Christmas carols at the Inner Harbor. We’ve sung for local and nationally-known celebrities and have given free shows at local parks and several million (give or take a few) performances at senior centers.

This is only part of who we are. The chorus is more than just performances and contests. It’s also fifty years of fun and fraternity. Men who may have otherwise never met have formed lifelong friendships as we’ve learned and shared our music. We’ve formed quartets and traveled together. We’ve seen the big events come and go – births, graduations, weddings, and have sung at more funerals than we’d like. But even as we’ve lost long-time members, new men have stepped into their places, each one welcomed to share our joy in ringing a chord and seeing the smiles of an appreciative audience.

The next half-century starts today and we’ve ready to get started. Our Director, Kevin King, is still helping us move forward and teaching from his seemingly limitless knowledge of music. Already this year, we have plans for two contests, a dinner show, and two days of Singing Valentines.

Come join us on a Tuesday night and find out how you can be part of the next fifty years of the Heart of Maryland.

Maxx Factor

We have a performance tonight, but we'll be running from there to the nearest TV to cheer on Maxx Factor on The Sing Off. Baltimore and Barbershop are well represented tonight!

Tuba Christmas

We sing today to start off the Tuba Christmas event at the Light Street Pavilion. The chorus sings at 3:00 and the tuba concert starts at 3:30.

Christmas Carols at the Inner Harbor

Santa's House opens at Harborplace today and the chorus will be there to join the festivities. We'll sing carols at 4:30 to get everyone in the holiday spirit. This year we don't even need to worry about making it snow again - the forecast calls for a 60 degree day.

Santa arrives in Baltimore by boat - how cool is that? Be sure to stick around for the tap dancing Santas. More details are on the Harborplace site.

50th Anniversary

This year is the 50th Anniversary for the Heart of Maryland Chorus! Check out this great picture from 1963. Stay tuned for details of the big Golden Anniversary Broadcast show, coming up in October.

Lurman Theatre

We had a big crowd for the free concert at the Lurman Theatre last weekend, despite the heat and humidity. Even a Christmas in August visit to Let It Snow and Jingle Bells couldn't help the summer weather.

The quartets were out in force: Elderly Brothers, 3 Wise Men, Free State Four, Beltway Blues, and even a bonus sextet of Harmony Brigade singers. The chorus finished with a patriotic set that brought the crowd to its feet. All in all, a great night for barbershop music.

Be sure to check out the pictures on the Heart of Maryland FaceBook page. Don't forget to add yourself as a fan if you haven't already.

Two Great Events This Week

Who says that summer is a time for relaxing? Our performance calendar is filling up fast. First up, the Son's of the Severn NCEON Benefit Show this Sunday. This performance is drawing choruses and quartets from around the area to support the North County Emergency Outreach Network. The show starts at 7pm at the Chesapeake Arts Center. Admission is free with the donation of a canned food item.

We are also presenting a free concert at Westview Park in Catonsville this Thursday, July 2nd, starting at 7:30pm. Bring a lawn chair and a cold drink and enjoy a cappella harmony in the great outdoors. The park is at Gilston Park Road and Chesworth Road, just off of Rolling Road.

Video from Flag Day

There's a video from the Flag Day Performance on YouTube. We had a perfect day - excellent weather, a big crowd, and lot of guys from our chorus and the Chorus of the Chesapeake. 3 Wise Men debuted a new song to demonstrate the barbershop quartet sound and the chorus brought out it's new song, God Bless the USA. We wrapped it up with the salute to the armed services, complete with the color guards from the different service branches. Throw in some free fireworks and you have a perfect evening in Baltimore. We're looking forward to next year already.

Flag Day

We are going to let you in on one of the best kept secrets in Baltimore. Everyone thinks of July Fourth for fireworks, but there's a great show happening downtown a month earlier. Every year, Fort McHenry celebrates Flag Day with singers, bands, a flyover, and a great fireworks show over the harbor. This is a free event, but without the huge crowds of the Fourth.

Come see the Heart of Maryland this year at the Flag Day celebration. We'll be joined by the Chorus of the Chesapeake to sing patriotic songs at the birthplace of the Star Spangled Banner.

The event starts at 6pm and concludes at nightfall with the military band and the fireworks. Bring a picnic dinner or purchase food at the event. More details are on our web site.

Lasagna with Barbershop

Another successful Lasagna show is behind us. Everyone was well fed and well entertained. In addition to PDQ and 3 Wise Men, we had a surprise appearance by our newest chapter quartet - the Elderly Brothers. The chorus performed new material and some old favorites, ending with a salute to our armed forces that brought the crowd to its feet.

Thanks once again to Ed Niehenke for the great photos. He makes us look good, and that's not always easy to do.

Lasagna with Barbershop

There is only one week left before the Lasagna with Barbershop show. This year the chorus will perform with special guest quartet PDQ as well as our own 3 Wise Men. Listen for some old favorites and some of our newest songs.
Sure, we can sing, but can we cook? Have no fear - the lasagna dinner comes from Casa Di Pasta. You'll get the taste of Baltimore's Little Italy, but you only need to drive as far as Catonsville.
The show is on Sunday, April 5th, 5-8pm at The Lodge in Ellicott City/Catonsville. Tickets are $20 for adults and only $15 for children 12 and under. Visit the chorus web page or call 410-788-4595 for more information.

Singing Valentines Delivered

We spent a fun-filled day delivering singing Valentines on Friday. We visited offices, homes, schools, restaurants, and anywhere else in and around Baltimore. We'll be out all day Saturday too, so it's not too late to get in a last minute order. Be sure to
check out the great story on WBAL about the chorus.