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In this column we spotlight the talents, contributions, and background of the men in the Manhattan Chapter of The Barbershop Harmony Society and the Big Apple Chorus. This month's featured BACman is Glynn Fluitt:

If each member of the Big Apple Chorus is like a block of a great pyramid, then the depth of Glynn Fluitt's energies and the width of his experience can be found near the broadest blocks at the wide and solid base of the chorus today.

What Glynn brings and generously shares with the Manhattan Chapter is a part of him that is greater than the sum of his personal, educational and professional life experience. He brings a passionate desire to share his knowledge in the hope of bridging and illuminating those around him with those who have moved and mentored him. It's in his blood.

He was born in southeast Texas during the hurricane season of '61-which might account for his larger than life whirlwind ways.

His father was a banker, a gentlemen farmer and a rancher. Glynn may be the only member of the Manhattan Chapter who can legitimately claim to have been a cow herder-which might account for the leadership roles he's assumed in barbershop. Can you picture him in chaps-whoa, partner!

It seems, however, that it was his mother's musical, theatrical, literary and scholastic inclinations that deeply influenced and guided Glynn's professional and avocational pursuits and led him to the Big Apple. His mother, who holds a Masters in English, was a concert pianist, a music teacher and was active in her community's theater and its rural cultural life.

Glynn's experience with vocal harmony includes his preteen days when he was in a community glee club that his mother put together. He recalls too, that his mother owned a recording by the barbershop quartet, Mark IV with Moe Rector and Judge Franklin Spears and that she liked barbershop Harmony enough to include some in the glee club's repertoire (though he didn't know it as such then). He also recalls seeing his first quartet at about that time strolling around and singing at the 1968 World's Fair in San Antonio.

Glynn started piano lessons at 3, music theory at 5 and trumpet lessons at 10. He seriously studied trumpet and played with the band and orchestra though the end of high school. As a teenager for two consecutive summers, he earned the distinction of being one of only two high school students in the U.S. chosen to tour and perform throughout Europe with the prestigious University All Students Group orchestra.

After earning a music education degree at Del Mar in Corpus Christi Texas, he entered the University of Texas in Austin to study journalism. At U. T. he put his instrumental activity on hold, but did, however, discover (though a newspaper ad) S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A. and the Austin Chapter. Coincidentally this was the same chapter and chorus in which Moe Rector and Judge Franklin Spears were active members - members of the quartet on the recording Glynn had heard many years earlier as a child. He joined the Austin Chord Rangers soon thereafter, eventually singing in several quartets, and ultimately serving as Music VP, and Assistant Director.

During his Austin years, with great fondness he recalls being the focus of surrogate paternal nurturing by two of his retired neighbors who belonged to the Chord Rangers and their spouses (who belonged Harmony Inc.) He recalls too, their conviviality, and good times, "Where else can a college kid and a couple of retired seniors enjoy each others company and share so much in common?" The quintessential point for Glynn: a diversity of ages, professions and incomes all brought together, in fraternity as family, with a common joy. His longest and strongest friendships have come out of his barbershop experience.

While in the Chord Rangers he attended his first International convention, which was held at the same location as the 1968 World's Fair, where he'd seen his first quartet 20 years earlier. It was also at that 1988 International convention in San Antonio that Glynn remembers first seeing (albeit it from very distant seats) the Big Apple Chorus. Apparently the impression was lasting.

While at the U of T Glynn apprenticed and eventually held positions as an editor at a regional newspaper and at the office of the secretary of state. Over the course of a decade his career and experience expanded to include feature writing, typography, advertising, photography and burgeoning related fields in computer programming. These valuable skills Glynn would eventually share in his service to the Manhattan Chapter.

Down sizing at the office of the Secretary of State opened an opportunity for Glynn to be an assistant photographer for a Victoria's Secret advertising shoot. This change of fortune also included two apartment hunting home runs (one with a balcony overlooking Central Park and the other, a swank Carol Garden sublet) ultimately facilitating his move to NYC in the fall of '89.

Glynn joined the Big Apple Chorus shortly after arriving in New York. Not long afterwards also found himself assistant directing under Roger Payne in the Brooklyn Chapter. Glynn also served as the Director of the Montclair NJ Dapper Dans. He's been in a number of NY quartets including Manhattan Knights (with Nick Aiuto, Craig Rosen, and Maurice Debar), Applause and most recently Vocalese.

Glynn's administrative output while in the Manhattan Chapter has been nothing short of prodigious. He is currently the Chorus Music & Performance VP, chairs the Music Committee and serves on the Board of Directors. He almost single handedly brought the Chapter's web site out of the dark ages and is in the process of successfully transferring and coaching its development into the hands of younger and equally talented chapter members.

The teacher's muse call him; it's in his blood, "I really enjoy seeing the light bulbs go off when people get something I've shared with them!"

In his current official capacities, he sees himself as a conduit and facilitator, a bridge to the chapter members in the service of the time-strapped Director and Music Committee. He embraces the Chorus' high standards with a driven self-imposed work ethic that is delivered with self-deprecating good humor and an endearing charm necessary to shepherd this sometimes-unruly flock of New Yorkers towards the goals they've set for themselves.

What are some other draws for Glynn? Musical escapism. Singing grounds him and provides him with some much-needed release from work and life's tension and stress. "I think it was Judge Spears who said something like…"you cannot be sad, mad or otherwise had if you are singing". He sinks into his deep leather chair, breathes out and smiles broadly.

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Steve Adams	Dan George	Gabe Butler	Glynn Fluitt	Jim and Michael Steiner

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