Harmony Exporters celebrate birthday to tune of 45 years

By Amy Moore
The Port Arthur News

NEDERLAND May 16, 2008 10:10 pm

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By Amy Moore
The News staff writer
NEDERLAND — Lou Knabeschuh never thought he could be part of an organization that met weekly. But 45 years after joining The Harmony Exporters, the 82-year-old still spends every Thursday night singing in the barbershop quartet chorus.
Knabeschuh and the group of 22 men known as The Harmony Exporters, the only Barbershop Harmony Society chorus between Houston and Baton Rouge, will celebrate the group’s 45th birthday Saturday, May 17 with a reunion of current and former members.
“We’ve had a fantastic time,” West Jones, who has been in a quartet for 44 years, said of the chorus. “I’ve had a good time the whole time. I’ve sang in five different quartets since I got in, traveled to probably five or six states singing and we’ve been to lot of contests — didn’t win a whole bunch of them but we had a good time coming.”
But it’s not the contests that keep Jones, the lead of the Driftwood Quartet who has done as many as 100 shows a year, coming back to the chorus — it’s the group of men he sings with.
“The fellowship is super. The guys we sang against and with no matter where you go are always your friends. We’re just like a big family,” he said.
At the reunion, the family of barbershop quartet singers will gather for four-part a capella singing, reminiscing, singing and more from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Nederland.
Members have organized pictures, programs from shows and even show costumes to be displayed at the birthday reunion.
Charter member Charlie Keel, 78, said the organization of singers has come along way in 45 years — as can be seen in the photos that show the group over the years.
“We started with 31 members and have gotten up to 55 members. We’re trying to build up the chapter back. I’d love to have that many again. It creates a better expanded sound, as long as you’re singing the right notes,” Keel said.
Rich Kihlken, music director for the Harmony Exporters, said he hopes to bring in younger singers to the group.
“It takes while to warm up to the style, but you’ve got to appreciate barber shop style,” he said. “Bringing in younger guys helps them appreciate the older style of music and older guys get to appreciate a new sound.”
The chapter was chartered in December 1962 and was initially known as the “Sabine Harmony Chorus” because no one could agree on it being either the Beaumont, Orange, Port Arthur or Nederland Chapter.
The chorus has competed in Division and District competition, placing as high as fourth in Southwest District competition on three occasions.
One former member and Chorus Director, John Devine has gone on to direct the Houston Tidelanders Chorus and the compete in a Quartet, The Insiders, who won the International Quartet Competition.
Michael Yosko, who is in charge of membership for the group, said anyone can join. The only requirement is being able to sing.

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