| 1945 |
The Disrtict of Columbia Chapter is chartered on November 1st. Founder and first President Jean Boardman was an innovator who made substantial contributions to worldwide barbershop singing as we know it today by retrieving long-forgotten songs from the Library of Congress and giving the chorus an attractive name instead of identifying it by chapter number. Thus, we became International Champions in 1954 as the Singing Capital Chorus (SCC), a name suggested by Howard Cranford.
Chapter Co-founders: Dr. Robert Harmon, Director and John B. Cullen
Chapter Secretary: Howard Cranford
Charter sponsored by the Richmond Chapter, SPEBSQSA
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| 1947 |
Organizers of the Society's first quartet clinic hosted by The Antlers, a medalist quartet from Flint, MI. Techniqu3es included double quartets and pairing novice singers with veterans. The first Harvest of Harmony takes place at Constitution Hall where the chorus performed with 13 quartets to a full house.Chapter presents a 15 weekly radio show for WGAY each Sunday morning from November through the beginning of 1948. |
| 1948 |
The District of Columbia Chapter of the SPEBSQSA serves as the sponsor for the newly organizaed chapter in Alexandria, Virginia. |
| 1949 |
The Singing Capital Chorus, adorned in red jackets and black trousers, performs for Presdient Harry S. Truman's Inauguration Gala. |
| 1950 |
On September 16, the chorus and the Buffalo Bills quartet entertain an audience of 6,000 in front ofthe illuminated Capitol building to celebrate Washington's 150th anniversary. That same month the chorus sings at a benefit program that also features Bob Hope, Arthur Godfrey, and Frank Sinatra. The chorus is made up of 23 tenors, 25 baritones, 29 leads, and 36 basses!
The chapter organizes the Society's Mid-Winter Convention here in Washington. The SCC appears as two choruses wearing red or green jackets for the Gala ending the festivities.
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| 1951 |
The first Groundhog Gambol takes place on February 2 at the National Press Club.
Featured song of the evening: "Me and My Shadow." |
| 1952 |
Another SPEBSQSA first: The SCC Chapter presents a joint concert with the National Symphony Orchestra. NSO arrangers adapt a barbershop medley ("The Old Songs," "Sweet Roses of Mom," and "Coney Island Baby") for performance by the orchestra and chorus. |
| 1954 |
The SCC wins the Society's first international chorus competition here in Washington after qualifying at the Mid-Atlantic Division (M-AD) preliminaries in Carnegie Hall. Lew Sims directs what was a large chorus in those days, 72 men, who sang "Down by the Old Mill Stream" and "Mississippi Moon." |
| 1955 |
In another Society first, the SCC choreographs its performance in Miami after presenting the winner's trophy to the succeeding champions--Janesville, Wisconsin. In November, Dee Paris conducts the first M-AD workshop for bulletin editors. |
| 1956 |
The Precisionists, the chapter's 25-man chorus within the larger SCC, tours U.S. military installations in Europe for three weeks under USO sponsorship. It was the first time a SPEBSQSA group had performed overseas. |
| 1957 |
The Chorus sings at a White House formal state dinner hosted by President and Mrs. Eisenhower. When Ike requests an encore, the chorus serenades Mrs. Eisenhower with "Sweet Mamie Mine" to the tune of Sweet Adeline. Chapter wives attend, resplendent in elbow-length gloves. |
| 1959 |
Founding member John Cullen stages the Harvest of Harmony at Constitution Hall with every seat filled. |
| 1960 |
The D.C. Chapter sponsors the newly formed Montgomery County Chapter. |
| 1961 |
Ed Walker, our favorite radio and TV personality, joins the chapter, beginning along relationship as singer and Harvest of Harmony master of ceremonies. |
| 1965 |
Bob Campbell produces the Harvest of Harmony show. He writes the script, designs the set, helps with publicity, sells 78 tickets, sings in the chorus and in his quartet, Lads and Dads. The next day is Sunday, so, on the seventh day, he rests. |
| 1966 |
Harvest of Harmony features as guest performers the entire Fairfax Jubilaires Chorus. Art Sabin produces the show and acts as MC. |
| 1976 |
Chapter hosts an American Bicentennial show at the Kennedy Center featuring the Chorus of the Potomac made up of men from several area chapters. The chorus traces American history through songs dating back to colonial days. |
| 1978 |
Billy Ball is appointed chairman of the International Contest & Judging Committee, a two-year appointment. Note: Other chapter members who have served as international judges:
Art Sabin, Balance & Blend, now called Sound;
Dee Paris, Voice Expression; and
Lew Sims, Voice Expression, Category Specialist, and Contest & Judging Committee.
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| 1987 |
Dee Paris is inducted into the Mid-Atlantic District Hall of Honor. |
| 1989 |
Joe Hall directs the SCC in performance on the National Archives steps to help celebrate the bicentennial of the American Constitution. Joe holds the chorus between phrases while half of the DC Fire Department races by, sirens screaming!.
The annual awards program of the National Council on Communicative Disorders at the Kennedy Center features Ed Walker as MC, along with the Good Life quartet. At Gene Keener's initiative, the Council presents the Society with a Distinguished Service Award, which is accepted by Jim Richards, president, and Joe Liles, executive director. |
| 1993 |
The SCC participates in the opening ceremonies of the Cherry Blossom Festival by singing at the Sylvan Theater on the Washington Mall. |
| 1995 |
The SCC is featured at Flag Day ceremonies at the Washington Monument, along with an 83-by-56-foot "Flag Cake" weighing 18,500 pounds. |
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