The Butler Notables

The Butler Notables Barbershop Chorus, the Butler County based chapter of the former Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America (SPEBSQSA) Society (now the Barbershop Harmony Society) began in 1954 and dissolved in 1961 due to lack of interest, but re-chartered in 1964.

Ours is one of over 800 chapters in the Society. We are a member of the Jonathan Division of the Johnny Appleseed District. In 1950 Nate Bertdoff, of Elyria, won a contest to name the district. His idea was to honor Jonathan Chapman – - the legendary “Johnny Appleseed” – who supposedly planted apple seeds in our area. As he planted apple seeds, so would our chapter plant seeds of harmony.

The Butler Notables are four-time Small Chorus Champions of the Johnny Appleseed District, winning the championships in 1991, 1993, 1994 & 1995. They, also, placed third in a Small Chorus contest in 1992 & 1996.

The original name of the chorus was Butler’s Chapter of S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A. Via a contest held in 1976, the chorus was renamed Butler Notables. In 1999, the chorus changed its name to Butler County Notables so as to more accurately reflect the area in which we performed.

In 2000, Kraft Foods taped a commercial for “Light Done Right” in Mars, PA and the Notables had a quartet audition. But Kraft wanted some characters for a “Mars Annual Picnic” theme, not a quartet. Since the name did not identify us as a barbershop singing group, Notables Barbershop Chorus was adopted.

After the chorus moved in 2007 to its current meeting location in Butler, the name was changed to its current name The Butler Notables Barbershop Chorus.

The Notables enjoy the unique style of four-part a capella harmony, and experience the fun of singing great songs with other men who love to sing. We have several sing-outs annually that include singing at churches, various parties, Assisted Living complexes and various Fall and Spring Festivals. The Notables are noted for their two-day Valentine sing-outs. Quartets drive all over the area singing love songs to bemuse recipients at their homes or work-places. The all-day Christmas Tour is also a special annual event. The chorus wears Santa hats and red scarves singing their Christmas repertoire at local children’s homes, nursing homes, hospitals and malls. The Notables presents their annual show at the Succop Theatre, Butler County Community College. The program features the Chorus singing various barbershop-type songs, generally special guest quartet(s) and possibly various children organizations.

We presently have 24 active members, who meet every Monday evening at 7:30PM at St. Peters Catholic Church Hall, located at 127 Franklin St. accross from the Butler Junior High school in Butler,Pa.Enter the Hall from the rear parking lot.