IN Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall Fall 2016 | Page 17

Bill Lutz, Edd Hale, Nancy Hale, Carole Young, Carleton Young

Quartet Singing in America (SPEBQSA) was held in 1957 at the
St. Paul Episcopal Church in Mt. Lebanon. There were 18 men in
attendance. At this meeting, temporary officers were elected and a
regular rehearsal schedule was set up for Monday evenings at 8 p.m.
at the church. At that time the decision was made to remain as a
temporary chapter until membership was large enough to apply for and
maintain full chapter status.
“Despite the temporary status, the men present began to learn
four-part barbershop harmony and a quartet sang ‘In the Evening
By the Moonlight’ and did a ‘fine job,’ according to a letter written to
the temporary membership by Jack ‘Rip’ Collins, the chapter’s first
Director and President,” says group historian Frank Hunter.
The chorus officially began in 1958. It joined the National
Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) with sponsorship and support of
the Washington, Pa., and Pittsburgh chapters. Along with the chorus,
several quartets were formed including the Night Owls, the Lebonaires
and the Razorsharps. The group flourished over the next several years
and membership peaked in 1963 with 60 members.
The chorus is a member of the Johnny Appleseed District of
BHS—one of 23 districts in the United States and Canada—and has
competed at the district convention several times, most recently in
2014.
In July 2015 BHS held its International Convention in Pittsburgh,
assisted by six area chapters including South Hills Keystone Chorus.
Barbershoppers from around the world came to sing and compete.
“One special highlight was participating in an open-air serenade by
3,000-plus barbershoppers from the Clemente Bridge while several
thousand people looked on and listened,” says Apelgren.
South Hills Keystone Chorus currently has 29 members. The group’s
oldest member is Paul Schaughency, 94, and the group’s youngest
member is Brandon Rauch, who recently graduated and holds a degree
in music from Washington and Jefferson College. Hunter holds the
seniority in the group, having been a member for 42 years.
Ken Williams is the current music director and has a degree in music
from Ohio University. He started with the group as a member and
over the years eventually took on the director position. The group’s
assistant director is Bill Smith. The chorus also has a Board of Directors

who fulfill various administrative duties. President of the Board is Stan
Kleja, who has been in office for six years.
Interestingly, Williams and Rauch are the only members who have a
formal background in music. More than half of the group does not read
music, but instead uses recordings and ear training to learn repertoire.
Members include doctors, lawyers, EMTs, teachers, salesmen,
carpenters and retirees.
So what do these men from different backgrounds, different careers
and different boroughs have in common? “A love for music and the art
of barbershop, and of course, singing with a bunch of great guys and
having fun,” says Apelgren.
The chorus sings at senior citizen homes, libraries, luncheons and
private parties and also performs at the Bethel Park Tower Concert
and Washington County Fair each year. Additionally, the group’s
quartets perform at the same types of functions throughout various
communities. “Our members really enjoy singing at the senior citizens’
residences and talking to concert attendees after the performance,” says
Apelgren. Each fall the chorus performs an annual show that is open to
the public and usually takes place in a nearby school or church.

To become a member of South Hills Keystone Chorus, no formal
audition is required and you don’t need to read music or have a musical
background. “We do need to find out what voice part you are, though,”
says Apelgren. “So our director will ask you to privately sing ‘Happy
Birthday to You’ or something along those lines.” Being male and
enjoying singing are the only real requirements necessary to become
a part of the group. “A good sense of humor is helpful, even if it’s not
required,” adds Apelgren with a chuckle.
The chorus rehearses once a week on Tuesdays from 7:30 to 9:45
p.m. at the Hamilton Presbyterian Church located at 4500 Hamilton
Road in Bethel Park, right off of Baptist Road.
“One thing that sums up the camaraderie of our group was said by
a fellow member and sticks with me,” says Apelgren. “He said, ‘I’ve
never gone to a rehearsal where I’ve not laughed out loud’—and that’s
really true! The chorus is a great group of guys who love to sing in our
communities and have fun doing it.” n

For more information about South Hills Keystone Chorus, visit pghkeystonechorus.com.

Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall | Fall 2016 | icmags.com 15