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.