The Men in BAC
It's telling that the Big Apple Chorus has on its risers several chorus directors, certified B.H.S. judges, a certified Music Category specialist, regular international quartet competitors, accomplished arrangers, regional society administrators and a two-time quartet medalist.
Who are these men that share their exceptional talents, experience and voices so freely with the Big Apple Chorus? What drives them, and what keeps them coming back?
This month we "Spotlight" one of the more widely recognized, exemplary men in BAC. He's an accomplished singer, an International Quartet medalist, and a consummate showman yet he's otherwise a typically unassuming, easy going BACman and a diehard barbershopper. These days you'll find him on the risers -- instead of in front of them -- we're proud to feature our Director Emeritus Scott Brannon.
Scott's activities in the Barbershop Harmony Society are well known, particularly his role as the lead singer in the international two-time medalist quartet, The Cincinnati Kids (5th place in'84 and 4th place in '86).
| Q: | Just what is it about the Big Apple Chorus that keeps you coming every week? It's not as if you wouldn't be welcomed everywhere. |
| Scott: | "I like the feeling of singing harmony -physically and emotionally. Performing fulfills me and frankly the Big Apple is a part of that. In this particular case I like the camaraderie of the group, a lot!" |
A part of the BAC's esprit de corps that Scott finds appealing is that: "the singing is good and always improving…but, he adds, "the chorus doesn't take itself or the hobby too seriously. We just seem to get it!"
Comparing the spirit of the chorus now to the days following its 1987 Silver medal 2nd place showing in Hartford he adds, "It's so bizarre- given the current state of mind of the Chapter-we finished 2nd in '87 and everyone acted like it was a disaster"
| Q: | How did you get into the hobby? |
| Scott: | "My dad was in a college barbershop quartet, my mom was a semi- professional lead singer with a big band. As kids, we were always around all kinds of music and theater. While on vacations we'd sing; my dad would teach me to harmonize." |
At 10, in 1968, his dad took Scott to the quartet final round of his first international barbershop convention-- held in his hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio. "I think I fell asleep." Apparently, however, it made a positive impression.
A few years later, as high school sophomores, Scott and his school choir buddy Randy Graham, decided to attend the Cincinnati Western Hills Chapter's, Southern Gateway Chorus annual show. Inspired by the lighthearted, entertaining humor of the show's young guest performers --1979 gold medalist quartet champions "Grandma's Boys"-- Scott and Randy soon joined the Western Hills Chapter and formed a high school quartet.
Scott and Randy's association would, over the course of several years, eventually lead them to forming "The Cincinnati Kids". 
They honed their quartet skills (among other places) at fraternity parties where they found that, "it's actually amazing how much female attention you get just by having the guts to get up and sing in a quartet!"
He cut his chorus directing teeth from 1984 to 1986 with the Dayton, Ohio Chapter's Metro Chorus. In 1992 he was also periodically the guest coach of Cincinnati's Southern Gateway Chorus during their journey to a gold. Over the course of the years he has coached numerous international men's and women's quartets and counseled '95 quartet gold medalists (and friends) Marquis.
In 1987 following the disbanding of his quartet and newly married, he moved to New York. That year he joined and sang with the Big Apple Chorus, when they earned 2nd place Silver medals in Hartford. From 1988 to 1996 and again from late 1998 to 2000 he directed the Chorus. Under his direction the BAC qualified to compete in the International Competition three times-finishing all three times in the top 10!
From 2000 to 2002 he performed professionally on cruise lines in a vocal trio called, The Harrington Brothers with a back-up band. The show paid homage to the famous vocal groups of the 40's and 50's like the Hi Los and the Four Freshman. He has an uncanny gift as a vocal mimic and does great imitations (often with a wonderful comic bend) of his favorites male crooners, Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, and Nat Cole.
In 2002 he came ashore and reclaimed his spot on the risers with the BAC.
While Scott approaches Barbershop with passion, it's only for the fun of it and strictly as a hobby. Unlike most Barbershoppers, however, he makes his living though music, coaching and theater. Outside of the Manhattan Chapter, but within the barbershop world, he currently does private coaching and directs a fine Long Island Sweet Adeline Chorus, Island Hills. He also does regional theater, cabaret, some recording work, and seasonal church performances.
These days, Scott's service to the chorus still goes beyond his singing. He occasionally directs and coaches the chorus, willingly provides a watchful, mentoring eye over prospective visiting guests and will gladly indulge nearly any three other men in spontaneous quarteting.
For a guy who has been around the musical block, done a thing or two, played in some pretty big games and might feel he's a notch over his fellow BACmen, it's the good fortune of the Big Apple Chorus that Scott's generosity, passion, enthusiasm, and his genial mid-western charm and humor remain as strong as his clarion voice. And he just doesn't take himself too seriously either! Not surprisingly Dan George, the Big Apple's chorus manager, still affectionately calls Scott, now 48, "the kid".
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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 |