Bryn Mawr Mainliners
Encyclopedia
The Bryn Mawr Mainliners is a men's a cappella
chorus, based in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
. Chartered in 1963 as an official chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society
, the chorus is rich in both history and accomplishment.
as their initial location, the men incorporated as a chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society
. The Bryn Mawr Mainliners chapter competes in the Atlantic Division of the Mid-Atlantic District
of the Barbershop Harmony Society
.
The Mainliners competed regularly and first won the Mid-Atlantic District championship in 1990 under the direction of Eric Jackson, earning the privilege of representing the district at the International contest the following summer in Louisville, Kentucky
. In July 1991, in their first International contest appearance, the Mainliners earned a 6th place finish.
After their first victory in 1991, the Mainliners again won the District Championship in 1991 and attended the International contest in 1992 in New Orleans under the direction of Bill Oppenheim placing 19th. The Mainliners again represented the Mid-Atlantic District on the International stage in 1997 in Indianapolis and placed 16th under the direction of Rick Serpico.
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
chorus, based in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
Bryn Mawr from Welsh for "big hill") is a census-designated place in Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, just west of Philadelphia along Lancaster Avenue and the border with Delaware County...
. Chartered in 1963 as an official chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society
Barbershop Harmony Society
The Barbershop Harmony Society, legally and historically named the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, Inc. , is the first of several organizations to promote and preserve barbershop music as an art form. Founded by Owen C...
, the chorus is rich in both history and accomplishment.
History
In 1963, some singers in the Philadelphia suburbs expressed an interest in starting a chorus that would dedicate itself to both musical excellence and community service. After choosing the suburb of Bryn MawrBryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
Bryn Mawr from Welsh for "big hill") is a census-designated place in Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, just west of Philadelphia along Lancaster Avenue and the border with Delaware County...
as their initial location, the men incorporated as a chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society
Barbershop Harmony Society
The Barbershop Harmony Society, legally and historically named the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, Inc. , is the first of several organizations to promote and preserve barbershop music as an art form. Founded by Owen C...
. The Bryn Mawr Mainliners chapter competes in the Atlantic Division of the Mid-Atlantic District
Mid-Atlantic District (BHS)
The Mid-Atlantic District is one of 16 districts of the Barbershop Harmony Society...
of the Barbershop Harmony Society
Barbershop Harmony Society
The Barbershop Harmony Society, legally and historically named the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, Inc. , is the first of several organizations to promote and preserve barbershop music as an art form. Founded by Owen C...
.
The Mainliners competed regularly and first won the Mid-Atlantic District championship in 1990 under the direction of Eric Jackson, earning the privilege of representing the district at the International contest the following summer in Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
. In July 1991, in their first International contest appearance, the Mainliners earned a 6th place finish.
After their first victory in 1991, the Mainliners again won the District Championship in 1991 and attended the International contest in 1992 in New Orleans under the direction of Bill Oppenheim placing 19th. The Mainliners again represented the Mid-Atlantic District on the International stage in 1997 in Indianapolis and placed 16th under the direction of Rick Serpico.
| Years | Name | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| 1963-1967 | Hank Calhoun | 5 years |
| 1968-1975 | Tom Ewald | 8 years |
| 1976-1976 | Bill Oppenheim | 1 year |
| 1977-1982 | Ron Knickerbocker | 6 years |
| 1983-1988 | Eric Jackson | 6 years |
| 1992-1993 | Bill Oppenheim | 5 years |
| 1993-1997 | Rick Serpico | 5 years |
| 1999-2000 | Kirk Roose | 2 years |
| 2000-2002 | Eric Jackson | 3 years |
| 2003 - now | Rick Serpico | 7+ years |
Awards and recognition
- Mid-Atlantic District (BHS)Mid-Atlantic District (BHS)The Mid-Atlantic District is one of 16 districts of the Barbershop Harmony Society...
Champions in 1991 and 1997 - Qualified to Compete in the International Chorus Competition 4 times
- Atlantic Division Champions 14 times
Discography
- Mainliners On Track! (19991999 in music-Events:*January 7**After eight years of marriage, Rod Stewart and supermodel wife Rachel Hunter announce their separation.**Paul McCartney attends the first of his stepdaughter Heather's first housewares collection in Georgia....
) - Harmony for the Holidays (1998)
See also
- Barbershop Harmony SocietyBarbershop Harmony SocietyThe Barbershop Harmony Society, legally and historically named the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, Inc. , is the first of several organizations to promote and preserve barbershop music as an art form. Founded by Owen C...
- Mid-Atlantic District (BHS)Mid-Atlantic District (BHS)The Mid-Atlantic District is one of 16 districts of the Barbershop Harmony Society...
- Barbershop musicBarbershop musicBarbershop vocal harmony, as codified during the barbershop revival era , is a style of a cappella, or unaccompanied vocal music characterized by consonant four-part chords for every melody note in a predominantly homophonic texture...
- Barbershop ArrangementsBarbershop arrangingBarbershop arranging is the art of creating arrangements of barbershop music. The Barbershop Harmony Society has prescribed rules that dictate what is an acceptable arrangement, particularly with regard to singing in competition...
- Singing ValentinesSinging ValentinesSinging Valentines is the name for a fundraising program that is popular with barbershop choruses in the U.S.The delivery of Singing Valentines is usually done by a barbershop quartet from a chapter affiliated with the three major U.S...
- A cappella musicA cappellaA cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
External links
- Official Web Site: http://www.mainliners.org/
- Chapter Entry for Mid-Atlantic District of the Barbershop Harmony SocietyBarbershop Harmony SocietyThe Barbershop Harmony Society, legally and historically named the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, Inc. , is the first of several organizations to promote and preserve barbershop music as an art form. Founded by Owen C...
. - Contest Results and Scores for the Mid-Atlantic District.
- Mid-Atlantic District of the Barbershop Harmony SocietyBarbershop Harmony SocietyThe Barbershop Harmony Society, legally and historically named the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, Inc. , is the first of several organizations to promote and preserve barbershop music as an art form. Founded by Owen C...
.