Questions:
1- Name the quartet that had the longest stretch in international quartet competition history, 11 years, between its first and last medal wins. For extra credit, identify the two years.
2- Only one father-son combo from the M-AD ever medaled (2nd – 5th place) in international quartet competition. Name them and their respective quartets. One of the two also reached the summit. For extra credit, identify him and the year in which his quartet won the gold.
3- Only one M-AD chorus took all possible medals (2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th place) and won the gold medal (twice!) as well. Name it. For extra credit, identify the years and cities in which this great chorus took the gold.
4- Seven quartets won the gold medal in their very first international competition. Name them and the years in which they triumphed.
5- The Vocal Majority has been dominant as an international top-ten chorus for so long that most of us think it is the winningest chorus of all time. Is it?
Answers:
1- The M-AD’s own Easternaires first medaled in 1959 and did so for the last time in 1970.
2- Freddie King (the Oriole Four) and Kevin King (BSQ). Freddie and his quartet mates were in the winner’s circle in 1970.
3- The Dapper Dans of Harmony. This, of course, would be the original, inimitable Dans, then situated in Livingston, NJ (60’s into the 70’s) and directed by Teaneck Chapter VIP alumnus, Dave Mittelstadt. The Dans won first place in 1967 (Los Angeles) and in 1970 (Atlantic City).
4- Bartlesville Barflies in 1939, Chord Busters in 1941, Elastic Four in 1942, Schmitt Brothers in 1951, Four Teens in 1952, Dealer’s Choice in 1973, and Accoustix in 1990. Based on this distribution, three such quartets from 1939 - 1942, two additional quartets from 1943 - 1952 and just two more from 1953 - 2004, it’s rather obvious that the feat has grown dramatically more difficult to accomplish over time.
5- Yes and no. The Vocal Majority has won more gold medals (9) than any other chorus. However, the distinction for having won the most medals of any type (22 - double VM’s total) goes to the Southern Gateway Chorus, which “only” took first place twice.