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June 29–July 6, Denver hosted the Barbershop Harmony Society's International Convention—and the Longs Peak Chorus proudly took part in the International Chorus Festival held on Thursday, July 3, 2025. This non‑competitive showcase gave choruses from around the world the chance to shine on a big stage and celebrate barbershop harmony together (barbershop.org).

A Celebration of Harmony

The Festival, open to groups of any affiliation or gender, allows each chorus to perform two songs—at least one must be a standard "contestable" barbershop piece. The audience and performers enjoy a supportive, fun atmosphere while each group receives professional evaluation, coaching, and ratings ranging from Good to Superior.

Longs Peak Steps Into the Spotlight

32 members of the Longs Peak Chorus delivered a two‑song set that highlighted its signature blend and emotional connection—a testament to hours spent preparing under director Ron Black. The chorus received an Outstanding rating for their set which included "I've Got the World on a String" and "Sit Down You're Rockin' the Boat (from Guys and Dolls)." After the festival, the chorus received coaching and feedback from Dave Fobart and Adam Scott. Dave had the chorus moving more to convey the emotions of the song and Adam gave some good suggestions about how to improve ensemble singing.

A Global Gathering

Choruses from across North America and overseas took part in the Convention, which also featured quartet contests, educational events, and spontaneous "tag‑singing" moments throughout the venues. Several chorus members met in the hotel lobby at night to sing tags until well past midnight.



The Convention included the Next Gen Varsity Quartet Contest, Comedy Quartet Festival, Gold Medal Hour sessions, and workshops through Harmony University. In addition there were three sessions of the chorus contest that several members of the chorus attended.



The highlight of the week was the quartet contest, which concluded on Saturday night with Lemon Squeezy becoming this year's gold medal champion. LPC Chorus Associate Director, Bruce Sellnow, commented, "I’d bet that a barbershop contest is probably the only place where a room can be SO LOUD when SQUEEZY walked out…. and went to ZERO sound in the room in about 2 seconds as they prepared to sing “Only One Road."

On Saturday, April 12th, the Longs Peak Chorus presented its 2025 Spring Show, Life’s Melody: A Journey Through Music, at the Longmont Church of Christ. With performances at both 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm, the chorus delivered an inspiring musical journey that resonated deeply with the audience—even if the seats weren’t entirely full.

From the opening notes to the final ovation, Life’s Melody celebrated the power of song to mark life’s milestones—joy, loss, laughter, and hope. The program featured a blend of emotional ballads and upbeat favorites including “The Water Is Wide,” “Beyond the Sea,” “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat,” and the patriotic closer, “America the Beautiful.”

Audience members praised the musicality and heartfelt performances, with many calling it the best show they’ve ever seen from Longs Peak Chorus. The chorus’s blend of rich harmonies, engaging narration, and entertaining variety delighted newcomers and longtime fans alike.

In between shows, some chorus members went to various local restaurants for dinner. At one location, patrons who saw the matinee show remarked to some seated chorus members, "You guys did such a great job. That was really enjoyable."

Adding extra sparkle to the evening were special guests Harmony Road and Mischief. Harmony Road, a local group known for their warmth and charm, brought fresh energy to the stage. Mischief, an award-winning quartet based in the Salt Lake City area, wowed the crowd with their precision, artistry, and humor—demonstrating why they are among the top-ranked quartets in the region.



Two quartets from within Longs Peak Chorus also took center stage: Sounds Appealing delivered polished and dynamic performances, while Old Man Charm brought their own blend of harmony and heart to the program. These chorus quartets added depth to the show and highlighted the diverse talent within the group.

 

The show wasn’t just a concert—it was a celebration of the human spirit through song. Narration by Nancy Avalon between sets connected each musical number to themes of friendship, resilience, memory, and joy, giving the audience more than just great music—it gave them something to feel and reflect on.

While the venue may not have reached capacity, the response from those in attendance was overwhelming. Smiles, tears, laughter, and applause filled the room, confirming that Life’s Melody struck all the right chords.

Love was in the air on February 14, 2025, as quartets from the Longs Peak Chorus spread joy and harmony through Singing Valentines. With careful organization by chorus members John Harlow and Glenn Hayhurst, four quartets—Premium Blend, A Cafellas, Classic Chords, and Old Man Charm—spent the day delivering heartfelt musical messages to delighted recipients across the community.

The event was a resounding success, with Premium Blend alone delivering an impressive 17 Singing Valentines in a single day. Throughout the day, chorus members witnessed touching moments, from joyful surprises to tears of gratitude. Several quartets were also able to serenade fellow chorus member Dave Waddell, bringing smiles and encouragement to him and others at a rehabilitation facility.

One of the most memorable deliveries was shared by Troy Walcott, who described an especially moving experience: “The most awesome couple were so surprised, but they immediately started dancing and sang right along with us! It was filmed by their granddaughter, and when the daughter who sent it got to see the video, she cried and shared it with her whole office. What an impact! I certainly am better for seeing this.”

These special moments are what make the Singing Valentines tradition such a beloved part of the Longs Peak Chorus’ outreach efforts. Through the power of music, the quartets not only delivered songs but also created lasting memories for those who received them.

The Longs Peak Chorus held its annual awards and recognition banquet on Saturday evening at the Heart of Longmont Church, bringing together members and their families for a night of camaraderie, celebration, and music. Organized by John and Felice Harlow and emceed by Mac McWilliams, the event provided a fitting close to another successful year for the Longmont-based barbershop chorus.

The evening began with a catered dinner from Gondolier Restaurant, followed by dessert graciously provided by Duane and Cindy Bosveld. Attendees enjoyed the opportunity to connect with one another, reflect on the past year, and look forward to what lies ahead.

Musical entertainment was provided by Old Man Charm, a quartet composed of chorus members, who delighted the audience with a couple of songs. Their performance showcased the joy and artistry of barbershop harmony, a highlight of the evening.

One of the key moments of the banquet was the installation of the 2025 board of directors, presented by Mark Cole. The board members are carryovers from 2024, continuing their dedicated leadership. They include Kevin Pape as President and Dave Christopher as Vice President of Music. Their contributions and vision were recognized as essential to the chorus’s ongoing success.

President Kevin Pape and VP of Music Dave Christopher, along with other chorus leaders, shared heartfelt reflections on the year’s achievements. Awards were presented to honor the outstanding contributions of many chorus members who have given their time, talent, and passion to the group. A special highlight of the evening was Dave Christopher receiving the Barbershopper of the Year Award, recognizing his exceptional efforts and dedication on behalf of the chorus. A special note of gratitude was also extended to the wives and other women who provide invaluable support, enabling members to pursue their shared hobby of barbershop singing.

Looking ahead, the chorus is gearing up for several exciting events in 2025, including the popular Singing Valentines program and the Barbershop Harmony Society’s International Convention, which will be held in Denver. These events promise to bring even more opportunities to share the magic of barbershop harmony with the community.

The banquet concluded with impromptu singing by the chorus members, filling the room with rich harmonies and reminding everyone of the fellowship and joy that comes from making music together. The Longs Peak Chorus extends its gratitude to everyone who made the evening a success and to the community that supports their musical endeavors year-round.

As the chorus prepares for another year, they remain committed to their mission of bringing the unique and timeless art of barbershop harmony to audiences near and far. For more information about upcoming events and how to get involved, visit the Longs Peak Chorus website.

The Longs Peak Chorus delivered the gift of music to the Longmont community on Saturday, December 14, 2024, with two performances of their holiday show, Songs of the Season, at Heart of Longmont Methodist Church.

Audiences at both the 2 pm and 7 pm shows were treated to a delightful mix of classic and contemporary holiday music. Featured performers included the popular quartet Sounds Appealing, along with several other quartets from the chorus. A special highlight was Associate Music Director Bruce Sellnow leading the chorus in "Festival of Lights," a moving tribute to Hanukkah.

The evening performance also featured the Chamber Singers of Longmont High School, whose harmonies added an extra layer of festivity to the event. The audience’s enthusiastic standing ovations at both performances spoke volumes about the impact of the music and the performers' talent. Chorus member, John Hart, heard a patron remark, as he started to tear up, "that was the most beautiful ever."

The Longs Peak Chorus thanks everyone who attended and supported this celebration of holiday spirit through song.

The Longs Peak Chorus delivered a captivating performance at the City of Longmont’s 9th Annual Holiday Show on December 7, 2024. With shows at 3 PM and 7 PM in the Stewart Auditorium, the chorus entertained audiences with a diverse repertoire of holiday music. From timeless Christmas carols to modern arrangements, their harmonies filled the venue with holiday cheer.

The event also featured Sounds Appealing, a talented quartet from the chorus. Their rendition of “Text Me Merry Christmas” was a particular highlight, eliciting laughter and applause from the audience. “You guys were excellent,” one attendee commented, reflecting the enthusiastic reception from the crowd.

This annual celebration of music, hosted by Bonnie & Taylor Sims, brought together a variety of performers, including the Flatirons Jazz Orchestra. The Longs Peak Chorus proudly contributed to the show’s success, spreading joy and harmony throughout the Longmont community.

We are thrilled to introduce Mark Haines as a new member of the Longs Peak Chorus! 

Mark, originally born in Denver, spent most of his formative years in Plano, TX. He has been married for nearly 20 years and is the proud father of three children aged 18, 15, and 10. His eldest is about to embark on a new journey at Colorado State University.

Mark holds a Computer Science degree from Georgia Tech, where he enjoyed his time in Atlanta. Professionally, he has carved out an impressive career as a software engineer in the video game industry, spending 21 years at Electronic Arts. His work includes contributions to various popular titles, including NASCAR, Madden, NCAA Football, and the PGA golf game. Currently, he works on the Frostbite engine, the core technology behind many of EA's games.

Mark's exposure to barbershop music is extensive. He briefly sang with his dad in the Plano Men of Note during high school and has visited several other choruses over the years. Now settled in Longmont, he is excited to sing with his dad once again.

In addition to his barbershop passion, Mark has a rich musical background, with over a decade of piano lessons and many years in marching and concert bands, playing the saxophone through high school and college. His hobbies include video games, board games, LEGO, and reading.

Please join us in giving Mark a warm welcome to the Longs Peak Chorus!