History
In May of 2009 the man who affected the life of so many people throughout his teaching career had a vision and wanted to enlist the help of Fortissimo (a local barbershop quartet) to help coordinate what he called his "one last great musical experience". He said that once he had that experience he would be able to leave the world without any regrets, and his wish was to put together a young men’s chorus to compete at the International Youth Chorus Contest.
The man who is the inspiration for the HD Chorus fell ill in August 2009 and after a few months of battling his illness, he passed on without that "one last great musical experience" he’d planned for. The boys in Fortissimo decided to go ahead and finish what he started and with the help of Alex Rubin (Musical Director of the Sunrise Chapter, Barbershop Harmony Society) drafted 22 boys into the chorus. After 3 full rehearsals the HD Chorus finished in 3rd place with an average score of 81% which would put the chorus among the top 20 choruses internationally. At the contest the HD Chorus presented an exciting and emotional performance of "The Way You Look Tonight" (Arr. Mark Hale), "Smile Medley" (Arr. Clay Hine), and "It Is Well with my Soul" (Daniel Cochran, Soloist; Arr. David Harrington) in honor of their beloved director, Harold Bradley.
In 2011, the HD Chorus returned to the Youth Chorus Contest in Las Vegas, NV, with 3 new songs and 35 members. They sang "Yes Sir, That's My Baby" (Arr. David Wright), "On The Street Where You Live" (Arr. David Wright), and "Loch Lomond" (Arr. Jonathan Quick). The chorus receieved standing ovations for all of the songs, and it was at this festival, that they received 2nd place, with an average score of 82.1%.
In 2012, the HD Chorus traveled to Tucson, AZ, for the Youth Chorus Festival (formerly known as the Youth Chorus Contest) with 2 new songs, and 45 members. The chorus started off the set with an energetic performance of "Five Foot Two" (Arr. Clay Hine), and a heartfelt rendition of "On The Street Where You Live" (Arr. David Wright). Both songs were very well receieved by the audience, and both were given standing ovations, but, it was their third song which really sold the passion of the chorus. Nostalgia and excitement filled the venue as halfway through "Without A Song" (Arr. Walter Latzko), Barbershop legend, Gene Cokeroft (Tenor, Suntones, 1961 International Barbershop Quartet Champions) stepped on stage to take over conducting of the song. HD Chorus went on to become the highest scoring youth chorus, with an average score of 83.5%, as well as becoming the Plateau AAA Champions.
In 2013, the HD Chorus appeared at their final Youth Chorus Festival, in Orlando, FL, with 2 new songs and 45 members. After a thrilling set, comprising of "On The Street Where You Live" (Arr. David Wright), "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You" (Arr. Aaron Dale), and "Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring" (Arr. Aaron Dale), the HD Chorus received an average score of 82.3%, and remained the Plateau AAA Champions.
