Dreaming of spring melodies: Men’s vocal group Pages of Harmony marks nearly 70 years
For nearly 70 years, Spokane’s Pages of Harmony has been singing and entertaining, a cappella style.
The men’s vocal group will present its spring show, “Day Dreamin’,” on Saturday, May 11, at 3 p.m. at Valley Assembly Church.
The family-friendly show will feature performances by Pages of Harmony’s chorus and quartets, as well as numbers by guest singing groups from Spokane Falls Community College, Sweet Adelines and others.
Music will hail from the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s and include favorites like “What a Day for a Daydream,” “All I do is Dream,” and “Dream a Little Dream of Me.”
“Listen to the a cappella harmonies of that barbershop style and drift away to a warm, sunny beach or to the first time you laid eyes on your sweetheart,” the flyer says.
Following the performance is a cast part, or “afterglow,” which will feature food and encore performances. The audience is welcome to attend for an extra charge.
The show is sponsored by George Gee and First Interstate Bank.
Between 150 and 200 people typically attend the spring show, says Steve Woodbeck, the group’s publicity manager.
Woodbeck has been a member of the group for about a year and enjoys the camaraderie. He especially enjoys singing with his father Bill, and son, Adam, who also are members.
“It’s getting together with the guys who all like to sing and who like to have fun,” he said. “You get to know these guys and what they do, and they are just as passionate as I am about singing.”
Pages of Harmony is a chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society and has about 25 regular members.
President Dennis McMullen, a tenor who has sung with the group for more than 20 years, said he hopes to increase that number.
“I love to sing,” he said. “Of course, like any organization, we joined because we like to sing, and we stayed because we enjoyed the fellowship.”
When he joined the organization two decades ago, membership had dipped, so they updated their music and made other changes to revive the group. As a result, membership grew to as many as 50 men.
As group members have aged and left in recent years, McMullen said they are taking steps to attract new and younger voices.
“We’ve been our own little group for too long,” McMullen sids. “We need to get back out in the public and let them know we’re there.”
Pages of Harmony recently marched in the St. Patrick’s Day parade and plans to participate in this year’s Lilac Festival parade. The group also has given many free performances at senior centers, the Harrington Opera House, and more.
In addition to performing, the group competes in singing contests. Last year, McMullen’s quartet, “Front Porch Swing,” won in the senior category.
Spokane is hosting the organization’s division and district competitions this year.
“We’re just having a great time,” McMullen said.