On Saturday, May 20, the SenateAires hosted an evening of harmony and fun to a huge crowd (more than 200 were in attendance) at the Salem Elks Lodge.  The night featured the awesome ladies of the Oregon Spirit Chorus, and quartets from the SenateAires as well as That’s the Spirit quartet from the OSC.  Also in attendance were the awesome One Man Short quartet featuring award-winning voices and over-the-top entertainment. The night also helped benefit the Marion/Polk Food Share as donation barrels were filled with canned goods and stable dry foods to help out our neighbors who often don’t know where the next meal is coming from.  The SenateAires are proud to align with the Food Share to help support their mission.

It had been some time since our last major public performance, but that didn’t stop the crowd from enjoying the evening.  Some said that the audience had almost as much fun as the performers.  A number of new songs as well as a couple of familiar standards brought forth resounding cheers and applause as the Choruses and Quartets entertained with the passion and joy that is Barbershop Harmony.  A special shout out to the staff of the Salem Elks Lodge for helping us make this a magical night, culminating with Barbershoppers from the audience joining the performers to sing “Keep the Whole World Singing,” the anthem of the Society.

Our regular rehearsal on March 23 was especially great because we were privileged to spend the evening with one of our own celebrating his 90th trip around the sun. Yes, Hardin King turned 90 this week, and to celebrate the event at rehearsal, he blessed us by bringing three of his daughters to share the evening in song.

Margaret, Helen Liola and KC helped to make the evening complete and allowed us to sing a few songs for them.  They were a tremendous audience and we certainly hope they’ll be back.  Two of the young ladies came from Eastern Oregon, while KC won the award from traveling the furthest – all the way from New Jersey.  It was a tremendous honor to share the evening with them, and we thank them – and Brother Hardin – for being so gracious and loving.  We hope to see them again very soon!

On Saturday, February 18, the SenateAires Chorus members, their spouses, and invited guests met for dinner to consider the Chapter events of 2022.  Led by Chapter President Bob Cox the group reminisced over the many successes of 2022.  After introductions of the spouses present, Bob went through some of the exciting times we had last year, including the Festival in April, the blockbuster show in June, and all the great times we enjoyed bringing our craft to many of the shut-in seniors in some of the assisted living facilities near us.  Bob took time to recognize the Board Members for their contributions throughout the year, as well as the new and returning chorus members who have recently become active in our chorus.

The “Rookie of the Year” award was presented to David Russell by the chapter president.  Bob commented how David had joined the chorus late last year and had hit the ground running during his first year with the SenateAires, always looking to help wherever he could and making great strides in honing his craft.

Director Will Fox recounted many of the accomplishments we have seen in our musicality and talked about some of the great things still to come throughout the upcoming year.  He thanked the Music Team for their help during 2022, and shared some of the upcoming events the Team is working on.  Will then presented the “Most Improved Singer” award to Mark Puhlman. Since joining the chorus in mid Spring 2022, Mark has worked steadily to become the best singer he can.

Near the end of the evening, the prestigious “BARBERSHOPPER OF THE YEAR” award was handed out by last year’s recipient Don Butler.  Don talked about the award, how it was voted on by the members, and how it was a testament to the dedication of that one individual in every group who always seems to be there when there’s a project, who always drives the group forward, and who is recognized by the group as that one individual who has, above all others, made our group better by their dedication and hard work.  This year’s recipient, by a landslide vote, was Chapter President BOB COX.  Without fail, Bob has made so many things happen during 2022, and the members voted, by landslide, to recognize him for all he has done.  Congratulations Bob – and to all of the SenateAires – for another great year.

At our first regular rehearsal in January 2023, the SenateAires hosted a Guest Night/Open House at the Salem Family YMCA, inviting all who may be interested to join us for an evening of fellowship, learning, and singing together.  We saw several former members return to the fold as well as a number of new guests.  All present were treated to an hour of learning about our craft, learning a song and a “tag” then having the opportunity to sing it together both as a group and in quartets!  Our director led us in learning a “polecat” section by section, then singing it as a group and in quartets.  Bob Martindale, our resident Tagmaster, taught a new tag to the group, and we were able to sing it as a chorus, and also in quartets.  There were refreshments, both for the body and the soul, as our voices joined together to fill the building with harmony,

Christmas Extended!  The SenateAires were scheduled to sing for the Tualatin Marquis Assisted Living residents the week before Christmas – but Mother Nature had other ideas.  Because of freezing rain, icy roads, and near-blizzard conditions at times, we were forced to postpone our performance.  However, we would not be denied the opportunity to spread some Holiday Cheer.  On January 5, the men from the SenateAires joined forces to extend the Holiday Season a bit and sang for a room full of very grateful residents.  Toe tapping, chair dancing, and all-round mirth were on the menu when the residents – ranging in age from early retirement to several very charming ladies who proudly declared they were 97 and 98 years young.  We can’t thank them enough for letting us come and share our craft.  Not sure who got the greatest amount of joy – the audience who were ear-to-ear smiles, or the singers, who were ear-to-ear smiles!

To say the day was “electric” is selling it short. The SenateAires were asked to sing a few songs for the Honorable Senator Peter Courtney’s retirement party on December 13, 2022. The event was held at the Salem Family YMCA, just steps from the Senate Chambers, and there was a buzz in the air to be sure. Festive decorations adorned the space, including balloons, party tables and, of course, lots of refreshments. The Senator was very gracious and posed for a picture with the group of SenateAires singers present for the afternoon festivities. We certainly wish Senator Courtney the very best in his retirement, and look forward to seeing him in the audience of another SenateAires performance! Thank you, Senator Courtney, for all of your service to Oregon.