The Men in BAC
In this column we will periodically spotlight the talents, contributions and background of the Big Apple Chorus men (the B.A.C.men) in our ranks who (in no particular order) make up the Manhattan Chapter. Here with our inaugural edition we feature one of the chorus’s many talented men that contribute significantly to the Big Apple’s unique style and Esprit de Corps.
Steve (Baritone) came to the Chorus with relatively little formal vocal training, but in the 3-1/2 years he’s been with the chorus, he’s become an integral part of the BAC and plays a leading role in our performing chorus’s distinguished front row.
Steve says he was always drawn to singing and harmony; but his first significant vocal experience was at The U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis when he joined the College’s Gospel Choir. Before leaving USNA in 1991 due to academic difficulties, he heard his first Barber Shop Quartet (one of many choral groups at Annaplois) and was taken by the harmony. Eventually, he moved on to The School of Visual Arts in New York City to study illustration and cartooning.
One day, while in Tower Records, he came across a collection of S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A. recordings, including the 1995 Top 20 Quartet champions CD with Norman Rockwell’s Barbershop Quartet illustration on the CD’s cover. The combination of the illustration, his illustration background and his initial taste of Barber Shop was enough to further spike his interest in The Barbershop Harmony Society. After graduating from SVA and after some time fishing around for a friendly and welcoming chapter he landed at the Big Apple Chorus in 2001.
Steve jumped right into things. He was relatively quick to try his hand at quarteting; and participated in his first Novice Quartet contest shortly after joining the chapter. But his musical ambitions and talent turned out to be only a fraction of the gifts he’s brought to the chorus.
Not only has the BAC benefited from Steve’s contributions as a singer and from his graphic arts training (he’s designed BAC posters and flyers) but as a semi-professional dancer, the chorus quickly recognized his potential in the front row. Needless to say his athletic and gymnastic aptitudes haven’t gone untapped either! Furthermore he has proven to be a capable, encouraging and articulate physical warm up coach.
Though relatively new to the chorus, Steve’s talents and training are just beginning to get their fullest application in his new capacity as our Front Row Captain; where his contributions will, no doubt, promise to unfold even more in conjunction with visual and choreographic teams led by BAC veteran Frank Hendricks.
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| Steve Adams | Dan George | Gabe Butler | Glynn Fluitt | Jim and Michael Steiner |
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| Scott Brannon | Gary Ford | Brad Verebay | Vinny Haynes | Frank Hendricks | The Patricias |
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| Bob Kovach | Joe Husstege | Gordon Harrison | Roger Payne | Dick White |
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| John Gouveia | Pat Kelly |