Cherry Capital Chorus Celebrates a Half-Century

June 10, 2016

The men of Cherry Capital Chorus might not sing for their supper, but if they chose to, they’d likely earn a three-star Michelin-rated meal.

The barbershop-style vocal group certainly has had a lot of practice. It’s celebrating a half-century of harmonizing at its annual June Night of Harmony on June 25 at Lars Hockstad Auditorium.

"I think it’s a big deal for anything that lasts that long, especially a community organization," said Carly McCall, the group’s director and the lone female in the group.

Except McCall, the members of Cherry Capital Chorus are all male; the group’s all-female counterpart is the Grand Traverse Show Chorus, a local branch of Sweet Adelines International.

"It is uncommon to have a director of the opposite sex," said Mc- Call, "but it happens. In our district, I think there are two of us."

McCall boasts a wealth of experience. She has a degree in voice education and has directed numerous choirs. But she didn’t come to be a member of the men’s group until, as a member of the GT Show Chorus, she found herself in need of a male chorus for a presentation of White Christmas at Old Town Playhouse. When she asked the Cherry Capital Chorus for help, the group quickly obliged. But it needed something in return – a chorus director. When the group and McCall hit it off, their partnership was born.

The chorus currently has around 30 active members, and they are hoping to be joined onstage by enough former members to make it 50 at 50. That means Maurie Allen, longtime owner of the Captain’s Quarters in downtown TC, will get to sing with some old friends; he’s the only member who has been in the ensemble since its inception.

"There were 12 of us when we first gathered in 1966," said Allen.

"We liked to sing and thought we’d organize a group. In a matter of a few weeks, we were up to 21."

Allen has seen many singers come and go in the 49 years since he joined. Membership topped out at around 90 at one point. "We’ve gone through the membership list. [Total membership over the years] is up in the hundreds.

"It’s a chance to get together and sing. What’s kept me in it is it’s such a great group of guys from all walks of life. We’ve had lots of fellowship," he said. The fellowship has come not only in singing, but in golfing, camping, fish fry events, and general camaraderie among the members and their families.

The Cherry Capital Chorus is an unusual musical assemblage in that there are no auditions, no references, no requirements of any sort other than an enjoyment of singing. "You don’t have to read music or have voice lessons. All you have to do is love to sing," said McCall.

"Nathan is a great example," she continued, referring to Nathan Tarsa, the group’s current president. "He loves to sing. His wife said, "˜It’s on your bucket list. Why don’t you do it now?’" Tarsa came to his post innocently enough. He was looking for a unique Valentine’s gift for his wife, Tammy. The Cherry Capital Chorus offers Singing Valentines. For Tarsa, that was just the ticket, a quartet showing up at Tammy’s workplace to serenade her. "I didn’t have to shop or wrap it," he said with a laugh.

From there it was on to singing himself, though he readily admits he’s one of those without a lot of experience. "I’ve always been fascinated [by singing] and thought I might want to do it sometime. For a guy with no musical experience, they made me feel welcome and comfortable."

Barbershop harmony relies on four parts: Lead, tenor, baritone and bass. "The really neat thing about barbershop is you can apply it to any type of music: patriotic, Broadway, gospel, singing with a symphony," said Allen.

The June Night of Harmony will feature the chorus as a whole, as well as individual quartets and a guest quartet. This year’s guest is a cappella vocal ensemble Vocal Spectrum. Vocal Spectrum is an International Champion, gaining that prize in 2006. "That makes this extremely special," said Tarsa.

Tickets for the show are $15 each, $10 for children 10 and under. Go to MyNorthTickets.com or call (800) 836-0717.