Meet Our Directors
Our Mission Statement
We, The West Towns Chorus, shall promote, encourage, and perpetuate barbershop-style chorus and quartet singing. We will recruit interested and motivated men of good vocal abilities to sing four-part a cappella harmony and provide the resources and opportunities needed to achieve the highest level of vocal and visual performances. As a family of singers dedicated to musical excellence and to the joy of entertaining, we shall strive constantly to improve our singing and performance skills to thrill our audiences and generate standing ovations.
Our Goals
- Sing a wide repertoire of traditional and contemporary songs with the highest quality techniques by organizing productive, disciplined rehearsals as key features of weekly variety-filled, skill-development Chapter Meetings;
- Be recognized as one of the best choruses by producing high quality shows, being a top contender for District championships and striving to be among the top ten choruses internationally;
- Promote the benefits of belonging to our chorus by developing the singing and visual presentation skills of our members, encouraging quartet participation and providing the fellowship of caring friends.
Our 2008 Board
President: Casey Clements
Executive VP: John Morrison
Music VP: Craig Lancaster
Program VP: Jon Dobosenski
Membership VP: Don Bradley
Public Relations VP: Bruce Rhoades
Chapter Development VP: Curt Spencer
Youth In Harmony VP: Tony Caruso
Treasurer: Tony Tumea
Secretary: Bob Nicodem
Members at Large: Jon Sutherland & Jay Bentz
History of the West Towns Chorus
The Chicagoland West Suburban Illinois Chapter of the Illinois District was chartered by the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America - SPEBSQSA - in June, 1948, originally as the "Lombard Chapter." We became known as The West Towns Chorus, since we drew our membership then, as now, mostly from the Western Suburbs of Chicago.
The West Towns Chorus won its first District Championship in 1960. The following year, the chorus was the 5th place bronze medallist in the International competition.
We have represented the Illinois District a total of sixteen times in International contests and have finished as a Top Five medallist seven times.
In 1987 The West Towns Chorus won the International Championship in Hartford, CT.
Over the years, many of our quartets have placed in the top ranks of the Illinois District and have gone on to place highly in International Competitions. Most recently, Alchemy was named the 2003 Illinois District Quartet Champions and placed 21st at the International competition in 2004 and 2005.
In our district we are known as both a friendly "family" chorus that has enormous fun singing and as a singing organization with high professional standards and expectations. We believe that the fun and the high expectations go together.
Currently we are the second largest chapter in the Illinois District, are growing, and regularly have 75 or more men on the risers.
We warmly welcome guests and new members. For information on how to find us, see our Rehearsals page.
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