Barbershop singers are
sweet music to their ears

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

John Odhner knew the first thing he wanted to do when he moved from California to Philadelphia in 2001.
Odhner didn’t go for Eagles tickets, a Geno’s steak or a Tastykake.
Instead, he signed up for the Sounds of Liberty Chorus.
"It was the first thing I did, even before I signed the papers to close on my house," he recalled.
Odhner, a Christian minister, is among 43 members of the all-male chorus, which is the Philadelphia chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. He belonged to a similar chorus out West. He likes learning songs, practicing them over and over, and making perfect harmony.
The Philadelphia chapter has been making sweet music for 60 years. When it debuted in 1947, it was known as the Quaker City Barbershop Chorus. It became the Sounds of Liberty Chorus in 1991.
Today, the chorus performs in a variety of settings. Last weekend the men entertained at the Delaware Valley Veterans Home. They’ll celebrate at a holiday dinner show at Cannstatter’s on Dec. 2. Later in the month they’ll perform at Philadelphia International Airport and sing Christmas carols at the St. John Neumann Nursing Home.
For the last two years, the group has sung the Star-Spangled Banner and other patriotic songs at the Phillies game to mark the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Soon, the chorus will begin planning for the Singing Valentine season. There are also competitions and gigs at restaurants, parades, retirement communities, senior-citizen events and supermarket grand openings. Last week, a quartet even honored the request of the family of a dying man by singing at his bedside at Holy Redeemer Medical Center.
Like Odhner, members share a passion for the music.
"It can’t be much more fun than this," said Dennis McCook.
The men are led by a woman, Lori Ludlum, musical director for the last seven years. She whips their singing voices into shape at rehearsals every Tuesday.
Ludlum sings, too, as a member of the Sweet Adelines, an all-female barbershop chorus.
As for the Sounds of Liberty, Ludlum said she and the members share a love of music, especially the barbershop kind. They sing a lot of patriotic songs, along with standards like Let Me Call You Sweetheart. During last week’s rehearsal at the Norcom Community Center, the group got into the Christmas season by practicing Jingle Bells and Let There Be Peace on Earth.
"It’s the best-kept secret," Ludlum said of the chorus. "We put our style into many different eras. We’re constantly trying to learn new music. We love to entertain. That’s the biggest thing."
The chorus is made up of members who range in age from 18 to 86. It also encompasses four quartets. It’s hip enough to have a MySpace page.
Ray Stankiewicz has been a member for 24 years and is part of the Live Wire quartet. He began his musical career as a member of the choir at St. George Church in Port Richmond. An accountant, he joined the barbershop group to relieve stress during tax season.
"It’s a good group," said Stankiewicz, the treasurer. "Everybody enjoys us. We’re singing songs they know and enjoy. We see a smile on their faces."
Sounds of Liberty is a tight-knit group. When Stankiewicz underwent triple-bypass heart surgery, several members went to his office to cheer him up with song.
Stankiewicz and the others enjoy the whole barbershop experience, even the weekly rehearsals.
"I can’t wait till Tuesday comes around," he said.
McCook, also a member of Live Wire, said singing helps to relieve his arthritis. He describes barbershop music as an art form. It’s enough, he said, to bring women to tears when their loved ones arrange for a Singing Valentine, complete with a rose, a box of chocolates and a custom-made card.
At the recent Mature Living Expo, McCook said the group brought smiles to the faces of seniors.
"We sing to people and can see the memories and joy light up in their eyes," he said. "We sing a lot of nostalgic and sweet songs. It’s magical. It’s special. That, to me, is worth more than anything."
Walt Evans, a SEPTA electrician, is in the Born to Sing quartet with Odhner, Dean Crissey and Al Smith, a Catholic priest.
Evans was a member of a barbershop chorus in Michigan when he attended Michigan Tech University and was in the U.S. Air Force. He’s been with the local chapter for 23 years.
According to Evans, the chorus is like a Pied Piper. When the men begin to sing, people gather to hear them.
"It’s a spiritual thing," he said. "It never stops being good." ••
The Sounds of Liberty Chorus is looking for singers. No experience is necessary. To sign up or for more information, call 215-636-9012 or visit www.soundsofliberty.org
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com