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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!

The Longs Peak Chorus recently received an invaluable boost in preparation for their upcoming competition, thanks to the expert guidance of renowned barbershop coach Jay Butterfield. With decades of experience and a deep understanding of barbershop singing, Butterfield provided the chorus with transformative insights during his coaching sessions.

"Jay Butterfield is one of the premier coaches in the Society and sure delivered," said Kevin Pape, the chorus president. "It’s a valuable opportunity to have the same coach work with us after a few months pass between sessions."

Butterfield's coaching centered on the importance of full engagement during a performance. "At the core of Jay’s coaching was the message that every member of the chorus must be fully occupied - in the moment - of the performance for its entire duration," Pape explained. "Even a momentary lapse into preoccupation detracts from the audience’s experience."

Ron Black, the chorus director, praised Butterfield's meticulous approach. "Jay brings to us a coaching at a very demanding level. He drills down to the smallest detail," Black said. "His manner of both commanding knowledge and a warmth of delivery is second to none."

The coaching session was arranged after the Longs Peak Chorus attended the Rocky Mountain District convention in April, where they signed up to be coached by Butterfield. Black, who has known Butterfield since 1993, made sure to secure his expertise for the chorus. "I was fortunate to be able to drive Jay from Cheyenne to the Denver airport that Sunday, and we talked up a storm," Black shared. "We realized he could attend our rehearsal in August, giving us another great opportunity for his expertise."

Butterfield’s sessions emphasized the importance of understanding every aspect of the performance, from the music and words to the interpretive plan. "To be 100% occupied or engaged, every performer must have a complete grasp of the music, the words, and the performance plan of any song," Pape added. "Nothing can be left to chance."

The impact of Butterfield's coaching is already evident, with the chorus showing remarkable improvement. As they prepare for their competition in September, the Longs Peak Chorus is confident and ready to deliver a captivating performance, thanks to Butterfield’s invaluable guidance.