NUTLEY BARBERSHOP CHAPTER
THOMAS B. MAIER
SPEBSQSA - those are the cryptic initials that are used to identify the international singing society - the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America. The Nutley Chapter is one of 650 chapters organized in every state of the United States, several Canadian provinces, the Canal Zone and Newfoundland.
The 45 members of the Nutley Chapter are a part of the 26,000 members belonging to the international group.
The Nutley Barbershop Chapter, as it is familiarly known; meets every Tuesday evening from 8 to 10 p.m. at the Nutley Elks Clubhouse. The “password” at every meeting is harmony - harmony of fellowship and harmony of song.
During a typical rehearsal, songs are sung by the entire chapter - always in barbershop style. Barbershop arrangements for the chorus use the barbershop style, a style that provides for four-part harmony for every melody note and is characterized by the unusual use of seventh and diminished chords.
Director of the Nutley Chapter is “Chuck” Anthony, of 19 Park Drive, who is a talented barbershop singer himself.
The Nutley Chapter had its beginning only a few years ago, in May, 1957. For almost a year prior to that time a dozen men met regularly under the leadership of Howard Snow, former Nutley engineer, and resident now of Sarasota, Fla.
When they had established themselves as a singing group they applied to the national organization for a chapter charter. In May, 1957, they were officially installed as a Barbershop Chapter, with the following officers: Mike Cifelli, president; Karl Greene, vice president; Snow, secretary; and Gene Fox, treasurer.
At that time they did not have a director, but they were helped by the talents of one of their group, William Callanan, of 8 Povershon Road.
From this modest beginning, the chapter has grown in size and enthusiasm through its three years of existence. President during the second year was Karl Greene, of 378 High Street, and president during this third year is Al Cox, of Clifton.
The officers assisting Cox are: Michael DelliSanti, administrative vice president; Joseph Gallagher, program vice president; Anthony Gagas, secretary; Hal Berstell, treasurer; Anthony, director; Greene, past president; Ralph Wythes, show director; and Thomas Maier, publicity director.
Once a year, in October, the Nutley Barbershop Chapter stages a barbershop show at Nutley High School. The Nutley Chapter, several Nutley Quartets, and two or three “visiting quartets” each sing special arrangements in barbership style.