The following story was submitted by the Clipper City Chordsmen.
The Clipper City Chordsmen of Manitowoc are now meeting again in person to bring their barbershop harmonies back to life. After over a year of Zoom rehearsals, they are now singing together and enjoying each others company.
2020 was not like any other year. Chordsmen member Don Lewellen states “Over the last year, it has been unsafe for any of us to sing together in person because of the pandemic. However, we have continued to meet weekly via Zoom with over 20 members attending on any given week. In addition, we have reached out to virtual guest music educators, judges, and arrangers from all over the world to join us at our weekly rehearsals. We have also produced some virtual chorus and quartet projects to keep each other engaged.” (Here is a link to an example of one of these projects: https://youtu.be/cZBP41r6YNc)
Starting in early May, the group has been able to meet at their new rehearsal hall. Masks were worn by all for the first rehearsals. However, with the new CDC recommendations and the fact that the vast majority of the members are fully vaccinated, masks will be optional going forward.
According to member Keith Duprey, “I enjoyed finally being able to be together. I really missed the guys. It was still difficult to sing through the mask, but it was great to hear, work on, and sing music, rather than keep listening to the learning tracks” at home.
Bob Brey added, “It sure was great to sing together last week. Even better seeing new faces such as Mark Wilcox, a member from a few years back who is now retired, and a brand new face, Andre McDaniel. When I arrived I heard through an open window the wonderful sounds of barbershop harmony. Wanted to stand and listen, but knew I had to join the group.”
As with any form of exercise, the absence of serious singing for over a year has taken a toll on some of the members. Jon Cisewski noted that “After singing at practice for the first time in over a year, my voice was a little sore from actually being engaged in the act of practicing with the chorus. At home on Zoom you are singing, but not at the same degree as with the group.” Because of this, the group is increasing their rehearsal time gradually, starting with only an hour. By June, they plan to be back up to their full 2 hour rehearsals every Tuesday evening from 7-9 PM.
Because the Clipper City Chordsmen needed a new home after losing access to the Generose Center when Holy Family College closed last summer as the pandemic began to take hold, the Chordsmen put together a small task force that visited two dozen possible alternative locations before deciding on their new home. They chose the site of a former UCC church in the heart of Manitowoc itself now belonging to the non-profit entity, Grow It Forward, Inc.
Run by CEO and Founder Amber Daugs, Grow It Forward (GIF) promotes healthy food access through a cafe, a winter Farmer’s Market, a food pantry, and even an indoor hydroponic farm.
According to Ms. Daugs, “ We distribute boxes of food from the USDA each week to over 3,000 people. This is in addition to the over 300 folks who use our pantry services.”
For the Chordsmen, the sanctuary of this previous church building offered a large open space for rehearsal and included a large screen TV and sound system. In addition, the chorus has exclusive use of a locked room in which to store their equipment, risers, and refrigerator.
With the Chordsmen moving into their new storage space, members discovered that GIF needed their help with many small tasks around the building and grounds. Starting with just cutting the grass and trimming bushes, the guys got more involved in other maintenance and repair projects throughout the building. Member and artist Randy Detjen volunteered his talents to produce outdoor signs for the building; highlighting Grow It Forward, Mara’s Cafe, and the Clipper City Chordsmen.
GIF received financial support that enabled them to completely renovate the former sanctuary with laminated flooring. Because of Covid concerns and the need to replace equipment, their new air handling system offers 6 air exchanges per hour, the significant addition of outside air, and an ionizer system. GIF also opened a Cafe – featuring healthy food options prepared and sold on site. Chordsmen look forward to the possibility that this could provide on-site food for small shows and afterglows for the chorus.
This Spring, a new home was found for the existing pipe organ. Its removal created both an opportunity and a challenge. The front of the former sanctuary was elevated by two steps and had a full hardwood floor. However, the flooring was on three levels because of seating for their choir. Also, the area under the organ had no wood flooring and a very large opening was exposed in the front wall when the pipes were all removed.
After consultation with a local contractor, GIF offered the Chordsmen an opportunity they eagerly accepted. Under the supervision of the contractor, GIF provided the materials and the Chordsmen put in the labor to remove the existing hardwood flooring and elevated areas. They then installed new sub-flooring with carpeting coming soon to complement the rest of the room. In addition, the project involved filling in the void in the front wall, lowering an access door to the level of the stage, and removing wall paper before painting the whole area. The final result is a flat space which would is large enough to allow the groups risers to stay assembled throughout the week.
Several of the chorus members have significant experience in renovation, engineering, painting, and woodworking and their skills have found good use in this project. The number of hours required to complete this project has been significant, but the end result will be a great addition to the facility.
Referring to the Chordsmen, Amber Daugs exclaimed “Your guys have been nothing but stellar. The men from the Chordsmen have helped not just with odds and ends, they are always willing to step up for anything, and even for cleaning up. Their efforts really kicked off a focus by our board on this facility itself rather than just our outward focus. Having your guys here is like divine intervention. That doesn’t even include their financial support. Many, many of the men are supporting our organization financially – we are just so grateful.”
The Clipper City Chordsmen has members ranging in age from 19 to 90. The chorus is in its 75th year as a Manitowoc County Organization having been founded in March of 1945.
For more information about the Clipper City Chordsmen, you may visit their website at www.clippercitychordsmen.org. Rehearsals are held every Tuesday evening from 7-9 PM at Grow It Forward, 15th and Marshall Streets in Manitowoc. Guests are always welcome. The Chordsmen can also be reached by calling 920-973-7464 (SING).
