BY RAY LINVILLE

Special to The Pilot

Let's Sing, the reigning district champion quartet, will headline the annual show for charities conducted by the Golf Capital Chorus, the local chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, which promotes singing in four-part harmony.

The show, which begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3, in the auditorium of Pinecrest High School, continues a rich tradition of community concerts that feature international quartet champions.

Annual Show

With a theme of "A Salute to Those Who Served," the show features the Golf Capital Chorus singing several traditional favorites, such as "Mr. Lonely," "They Say It's Wonderful," "You're in the Army Now," and "I'll Be Home for Christmas."

In addition to the full chorus, which has earned the most improved chapter award for singing from the 26-chapter Carolinas District, the show features several members in quartets and larger ensembles.

Their songs include "I'll Be Seeing You," "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree," "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" and "Yankee Doodle Dandy."

Selection of the theme and songs was guided by Bob Tilton, who is this year's show chairman. Active in leadership positions at both the chapter and district level, Tilton has been a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society since 1949.

"Harmony in Nature," the theme of last year's show, was a crowd-pleaser, and this year will be even better, according to Tilton, a member of two quartets that won district championships as early as 1954 and one that won international medalist honors in 1955.

In preparing for the show, the chorus has been directed by Robert Cox, who has been directing choral groups for 20 years and is highly regarded throughout North Carolina. Cox has directed choruses in several areas of the state, including Raleigh and Wilmington.

Let's Sing Quartet

Although Sandhills residents always look forward to music by the Golf Capital Chorus, the premier attraction of the show is Let's Sing, a championship quartet that sings barbershop, gospel, traditional and contemporary tunes.

According to the quartet, "Barbershop chords provide just the break they need from the cares of the world."

This quartet is the latest in a distinguished line of champions presented by the chorus at its annual show, which is always on the first Saturday in November.

The quartet features Mark Chandler as lead, Steve Tremper as tenor, Joe Doub as baritone, and Greg Zinke as bass. Each member has a rich musical tradition, and the quartet's achievements have been phenomenal.

Let's Sing, which will sing several selections after intermission, has been champion in two districts of the Barbershop Harmony Society, and they have competed on the International Quartet Contest stage as one of the top 50 quartets in the world.

Charity Outreach

The Golf Capital Chorus, which celebrated its 32nd anniversary in August, conducts its annual show to enrich the lives of others. The show is the largest fundraising event for the chorus, a fraternity who sing in both quartets as well as its all-member chorus.

Because the chorus contributes some $22,000 annually to charities, the Barbershop Harmony Society has recognized it as the best in per capita charitable fundraising of all chapters.

The show is supported by a "Sandhills Who's Who" of more than 275 businesses, professionals and organizations that contribute to the event. As a result, the chorus has donated more than $250,000 in the last 10 years to charitable causes from ticket sales and program advertisements.

Most of the funds are given to charities that support children.

In particular, the chorus has contributed more than $83,000 to the Sandhills Children's Center. Other recipients include Sandhills Moore Coalition for Human Care, the Food Bank, The Empty Stocking Fund, Boys and Girls Clubs of the Sandhills, Project Linus, Habitat for Humanity of the N.C. Sandhills, Friend to Friend, Moore County Literacy Council, Prancing Horse and Weymouth Center.

In Harmony

Known throughout the Sandhills for their "singing Valentines" every February, the Golf Capital Chorus also supports the local community by making quartets available for special events and providing larger ensembles to sing at retirement centers, schools and seasonal programs such as Memorial Day events, Fourth of July celebrations, and tree lightings and Santa Claus arrivals that begin the Christmas season.

Membership is open to any male singer who has an "ear" for music, likes to sing and have fun. However, membership does not require a trained voice or much singing experience.

Prospective members are invited to visit a practice session at 7 p.m. on Monday nights in the fellowship hall of Community Presbyterian Church in Pinehurst.

Tickets for the show are available at the door as well as in advance at the Campbell House and The Country Bookshop, in Southern Pines, Given Book Shop in Olmsted Village, or any chorus member.

Ray Linville, an English professor at Sandhills Community College, is a member of the Golf Capital Chorus.