In a moving speech that ranged from 19th Century African-American Quartets to personal quartet reminiscences to small-chapter life to finding the "lost chord" at age 11, Jim Henry brought a packed Harmony University audience to its feet for a thundering two minute ovation last night."Barbershop is not a hobby" was his theme. It is a calling, a ministry in music that touches countless lives. It is a gift of gold medals given to one another; not those won on the stage, but won in daily lives and relationships bound by barbershop harmony.
Describing himself as a product of Harmony College, he fondly recounted sneaking around after midnight to sing "illegal" modern chords out of earshot of Bob Johnson, who threatened to expel anyone he heard singing non-barbershop on campus.
Jim's challenge to everyone to sing with passion and craftsmanship -- "and if you don't, I'm throwing you off campus!" -- was met with thunderous applause.
"Best. Speech. Ever." opined one fan. hear hear. Pair it with Dave Stevens classic "What Are We Trying To Preserve?" address, and you have the complete story of the Barbershop Harmony Society.
2 comments:
If this was the best speech ever, I think someone needs to post the audio or video somewhere!
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