The Blue Chip Chorus

The Blue Chip Chorus of Bergen County
250 Colonial Court
Teaneck, NJ 07666
ph: 201-391-8366
Gene@BlueChipChorus.com

What have I been missing??

It was just like the OLD DAYS. Everyone hurried home from work to Kick-off the Holiday Weekend at the

A Good Old-Fashioned Summertime Party!

We all had a great time at the Gazebo by the Train Station. The Blue Chip Chorus sang those old-time melodies, and some of your recent favorites, too.

Food! Music! Games! Lots of Fun!

Barbershop Harmony Society Member: International organization of men whose hobby and passion is a cappella singing.

http://www.barbershop.org

We welcome all those who share our love of music and friendship.

Barbershop singing: Four-part harmony. "Three parts revolving around a melody."

Tenor

♪ ♫ ♫

Lead ♪ ♫

♪ ♫ Baritone

♪ ♫ ♪ Bass

It's like a great big Barbershop Quartet. Our members perform in quartets, too.

Musical Director: Lou Ponte

President: Ron Hayden

Immediate Past President: Dave Buchner

VP, Music and Performance: Dane Marble

VP Sales and Schedules: Ted Gustenhoven

VP Marketing & PR: Gene Hammerle

Secretary: Emil Iannone

Treasurer: Bill Leaver

Board Member at Large: Dominick Versace

Board Member at Large: Joe Maggi

Bulletin Editor: Mark Axelrod

FRAUD VILLE!

November '08

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Happy Holidaze November'07

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Blue Chip 60th Anniversary Show, and Chorus Reunion, November 2006

Blue Chip Chorus Travels 'South' to Entertain Retired Marines

- Special to the Times -

Iselin, NJ 30-Jul-08 -- The United States Third Marine Division is a proud fighting force that includes the dwindling ranks of the brave men who fought and captured Guam, Iwo Jima, and other strategic Japanese strongholds of WWII. Tomorrow evening, they will gather from around the nation for their annual reunion, held for the first time in New Jersey. The men strive to keep this event alive to protect the priceless relationships they have formed with each other, and their family members. The week-long event kicks off with a dinner that includes live performances of patriotic and sentimental music, and memories that are sure to raise laughter and draw tears.

The Marine Veterans' group includes members from WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, and even some from our more recent actions. But the “Octogenarian Detachment” is shrinking quickly. Perennial organizer, Cpl. Frank "Blackie" Hall [Teaneck, NJ] remembers reunions with a thousand men from his era. Now it is – at best – only one hundred or so. Even still, they don't hold back their love for each other, nor their ambitious plans for the week! This year, activities include tours of New York City (including the WTC site), visits to local Marine memorials, a Broadway show, local museums, and even a side-trip to Washington DC.

Frank Hall, a former Mayor of Teaneck and prolific writer, is also the unofficial historian for the WWII vets in the group. This will be his 54th attendance at the annual reunion remembering the insoluble friendships created 63 years ago as they defended the free world thousands of miles away from their loved-ones back home. Every year he publishes a remarkably thorough account, complete with snapshots, from every aspect of the big event.

Activities begin on Wednesday evening at the Woodbridge Conference Center in Iselin, NJ. Entertainment will include a special performance by The Blue Chip Chorus of Bergen County on this exceptional day.

Lou says,

"WE WON"

Scranton - May 2, 2009. The Blue Chip Chorus of Bergen County took First Place in the “AA Chorus Platform” and fifth overall at this year’s Barbershop Chorus singing competition.

The Teaneck Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society won their slot with a medley of old time New York tunes, followed by an emotional rendition of “Sweet Sixteen.”

The audience loved their mix of 1930’s costumes that included knickers, suspen- ders, caps and vests, but most of all their old time slang accent, delivered in the traditional a cappella barber- shop harmony.

The competition was for a 5-state portion of the Middle Atlantic District of the Barbershop Harmony Society – a men’s singing organization with over 30,000 members in North America.

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PRESS RELEASE

Blue Chip Men's Chorus to Sing at Spectrum for Living Home

Teaneck - 5-Dec-07 - Holiday spirits will be flowing once again at Spectrum for Living. The Blue Chip Chorus of Bergen County will make its first Holiday appearance of the year on Wed- nesday, for the developmentally disabled residents at the Teaneck group home

"This is my favorite event of the whole year," beamed Lou Ponte, director of the men's a cappella group. "These people deal with their disabilities every day, but still treat us like rock stars. You can't imaging how satisfying it is to bring happiness to their lives."

Those who can sing along with the tunes that mark the season. Others, just able to listen, still show their excitement for the annual visit by the enthusiastic vocal group. For many years the Blue Chipper's have visited the Spectrum at Closter, and now add the Teaneck home to their list of special places to sing

Spectrum for Living is a not-for-profit organization, which provides barrier-free residential facilities and day program facilities, medical/nursing, psychological, recreational, vocational/educational, dietary, psychological, social and therapeutic services. Respite, family support services, Adult Training Center and supported employment opportunities are also provided for persons with physical and developmental disabilities.

The Blue Chip Chorus is a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society and performs throughout Northern New Jersey. See their fabulous web site for details: www.bluechipchorus.com

Teaneck and Closter Spectrum Residents Get Musical Holiday Treat!

Teaneck - 25-Dec-07 - "Do La La La La!" An exuberant request from one of the excited residents at the Teaneck Spectrum for Living residence for the developmentally disabled. The men of the Blue Chip Chorus knew exactly what she meant: to sing "Deck the Halls" in their traditional barbershop-style harmony.

There was no doubt that the room full of those who are not able to do what most of us can, were thrilled by the 24-man a cappella chorus. For nearly an hour, they were treated to holiday tunes and other spirited songs.

A week later, the Blue Chippers showed up at the Spectrum in Closter and received the same hearty welcome from a crowd twice the size. Ron Hayden, associate director said, "I love to see how eager they are when I do my 'sing along' part of the show. But we enjoy performing for them as much as they do listening and participating."

The Blue Chip Chorus is a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society and performs throughout Northern New Jersey. See their fabulous web site for details: www.bluechipchorus.com

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PRESS RELEASE:

Blue Chip Chorus Bombs at Scranton Competition!

Scranton, PA 26-Apr-08 - Say WHAT? "Hey, ya can't win 'em all." Those, the words of the talented and unflappable mens' chorus leader, Lou Pone, Warwick, NY. "We just didn't have our best stuff this time, but placing 9th in a region with 48 Barbershop Choruses isn't half bad."

As always, the a cappella group of 30 men, young and old, had a great time and seemed to love every minute of the performances done by competing groups. Before and after, you could look in any direction and see a quartet come together and ring out sweet harmony like they were singing together for years. But most ofter, it was four guys who just met in the lobby and launched into a tune they all knew.

"This is the way it is whenever members [of the Barbershop Harmony Society] congregate, whether it's for singing practice, rehearsing for a show, or even at a head-to-head competition," added Dominick Versace, long-time member from Fairlawn, NJ.

Every Wednesday night at 7:30PM, the Richard Rodda Recreation Center in Teaneck comes to life with music as they gather for some serious vocal practice, and a good time. Men interested in becoming members are invited to sit in and listen.

Barbershop Harmony Society Member: International organization of men whose hobby and passion is a cappella singing.

http://www.barbershop.org

We welcome all those who share our love of music and friendship.

Barbershop singing: Four-part harmony. "Three parts revolving around a melody."

Tenor

♪ ♫ ♫

Lead ♪ ♫

♪ ♫ Baritone

♪ ♫ ♪ Bass

It's like a great big Barbershop Quartet. Our members perform in quartets, too.

Musical Director: Lou Ponte

President: Ron Hayden

Immediate Past President: Dave Buchner

VP, Music and Performance: Dane Marble

VP Sales and Schedules: Ted Gustenhoven

VP Marketing & PR: Gene Hammerle

Secretary: Emil Iannone

Treasurer: Bill Leaver

Board Member at Large: Dominick Versace

Board Member at Large: Joe Maggi

Bulletin Editor: Mark Axelrod

All Star Baseball comes to Newark

Newark, June 22. The Blue Chip Chorus of Bergen County was called to perform for the Atlantic League's 2009 All Star Game being hosted by the 2007 League Champion NEWARK BEARS.

The a cappella singing group greeted the league's best baseball players as they entered the kickoff dinner at the beautiful Newark Public Library building.

Newark Mayor Cory A. Booker smiled with delight and shook hands with the singers as he made his way to address the All-Stars. On his way out, he paused and briefly sang along as the Blue Chippers delivered their stirring "Patriotic Medley" in rousing barbershop harmony style.

"We were proud to be part of the Bears' special event today," said Ted Gustenhoven [Oradell], Blue Chip's event manager, "and we've been asked to perform for them again soon."

WHAT'S NEXT??

TEANECK

Independence Day Parade

July 4 @ 9:30AM

(Queen Anne Road)

IT'S NOW UNDERWAY...

SUMMERTIME CONCERT SERIES

When? Just call your town's Recreational Director to find out when the Blue Chip Chours is coming to your neighborhood.

PRESS RELEASE:

Men's Chorus Show Called a Huge Success!

River Edge - 11-Nov-07- River Dell Middle School was packed on Friday and Saturday nights for the Blue Chip Chorus Annual music and "comedy" show. The most anticipated aspect every year is what wacky skit the group of Barbershoppers will create to entertain the audience.

This year the stage was the "Mal*Wart" department store whose owner was obliged to give his annoying long-lost nephew a job.

The show opened with an energetic rendition of Neil Sadaka's "Calendar Girl" that set the theme of decorating the store for a year's worth of holidays.

But two unscrupulous employees tried to torpedo the efforts of the nutty nephew by giving him crazy advice. They had him planning for obscure holidays like Used Clothing Day, Take Your Canary to Work Day, and the obtuse Canadian holiday, Boxing Day. Fed up with his antics, Uncle finally turned Nephew into a store manikin!

Both nights featured specials Appearance by The Troubadours Quartet whose great harmonies were wrapped in hilarious routine you might expect on Comedy Central.

The Blue Chip Chorus also surprised the audience with their very own Doo-Wop Band and Singers.

As always the men donned their tuxedos for the vocal finale which included their award-winning competition package of "If You Were the Only Girl in the World, and a punchy version of the classic "Baby Face."

On leaving the theater, the audience found that their generous donations to keep the music going, is now being rewarded with free steak dinners!

Hey, does it get any better than this!?

PRESS RELEASE:

The American Performer Quarterly, June 2008 - The Blue Chip Chorus of Bergen County is a vibrant men's a cappella singing group that performs year-round in and around the Northern New Jersey area. The chorus, part of the Barbershop Harmony Society, Nashville TN, is in constant demand for performances at every imaginable venue. They have been "ringing chords" continuously since 1946.

The membership is comprised mostly of serious amateurs that come from all walks of life and attract all ages. They have a wide range of individual musical interests that include rock and pop bands, classical music, doo-wop, jazz and of course, Barbershop Quartets. It's one of those placees where both youngsters and old-timers come together in perfect harmony!

MAILING ADDRESS:

The Blue Chip Chorus

P. O. Box 8103

Paramus, NJ 07653

The Blue Chip Chorus of Bergen County
250 Colonial Court
Teaneck, NJ 07666
ph: 201-391-8366
Gene@BlueChipChorus.com