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,%20Ed%20Cloutier%20and%20Folgo%20Della%20Vedova%20of%20the%20Northland%20Barbershop%20Chorus%20practise%20before%20the%20concert%20in%20Kincardine%20Saturday%20night.jpg)
Carl Meyer (L), Ed Cloutier and Folgo Della Vedova
of the Northland Barbershop Chorus practise before the concert in
Kincardine Saturday night
It was a perfect combination: the Northland Barbershop
Chorus of Sault Ste. Marie celebrating music from the World War II era
as a fund-raiser for the Royal Canadian Legion in Kincardine, on the
weekend right before Remembrance Day. And the crowd loved it.
Performed at the Kincardine United Church Saturday night, the program
was styled after the USO Camp Shows that were staged at military bases
and in combat areas throughout the Second World War.
The USO was conceived in 1941 in response to a mandate from United
States president Franklin D. Roosevelt. The president challenged private
organizations to handle the on-leave morale needs for members of the
rapidly growing U.S. Armed Forces. His call to action led six civilian
agencies (The Salvation Army, YMCA, YWCA, National Catholic Community
Services, National Travellers Aid Association, and the National Jewish
Welfare Board) to co-ordinate their civilian war efforts and resources
to form a new group - the United Service Organizations (USO) - a
non-profit organization, supported by private citizens and corporations.
John Adams is Bob Hope in the WWII Revue held
Saturday night at Kincardine United Church (next column)
13/01/2009 04:23 PM |
(continued)
Throughout the Second World War, more than 7,000
entertainers travelled overseas, but none was more recognized or more
loved than Bob Hope. From 1941, Hope's radio shows were performed and
aired from military bases throughout the U.S. and in theatres of war in
Europe and the South Pacific. He toured constantly and tirelessly.
Kincardine's own John Adams performed admirably the part of Bob Hope in
Saturday night's show.
Director Bob Shami puts the Northland Barbershop
Chorus through a quick practice before the show Saturday night at the
Kincardine United Church
The Northland Barbershop Chorus saluted Hope's spirit by presenting a
USO Camp Show, with such great Second World War hits as "We'll Meet
Again," "White Cliffs of Dover," Sentimental Journey," "As Time Goes
By," and many others.
The chorus has a local connection through its director, Bob Shami, who
came to the Kincardine area in November, 2006, as brew-master for
Steelback Brewery in Tiverton. He is now the company's plant manager and
director of brewing. He splits his time between Tiverton and his home in
Sault Ste. Marie where he resides with his wife, Anne-Marie, and son,
Nathan. He's been a member of the chorus since 1982, and its music
director since 1991. For more information about the chorus, check their
website
Also featured in the show were the Howlin' Dog Vintage Jazz Band, led by
Dave Schmalz. This group consists of Dave Jewett of Burlington (and
Inverhuron) on trumpet and flugelhorn, Steve Hasbury on clarinet and
saxes, and Schmalz on trombone. Rhythm comes from Ron Daniels of
Goderich on guitar, Karen Weber on bass, and Mike Kelley on drums. Weber
and Schmalz look after vocals.
Based in Kincardine, this group performs up and down the Lake Huron
shoreline from Sarnia to Collingwood and all through southern Ontario.
Last year, the band also performed concerts for members of the London
Jazz Society and was part of the City of Burlington summer concert
series. Check out the group's website at
www.howlindogjazz.com. |
