Blog

  • Evaluation of the 2026 Show

    Dave and the co-directors complimented the chorus—the best we’ve ever sounded this year!

    Steve thanks everyone for showing up and volunteering. We had a plan, some of the plans didn’t go as planned, but things worked out.

    Thanks to the show committee and all who worked on the show. Things seemed to work like clockwork.

    The backrow lights were a little weird.

    We had fun, and brought the energy at the show.

    We meant to have two serving lines but there was just one. It was wonderful when a VLQ began to sing to the crowd.

    Cathy Q. asked that when money is turned in to whoever is collecting it, the money should be counted and identified.

    We had about 170 paid ahead of time, 10 paid at the door and a few no shows.

    Steve will receive the show tape tomorrow for editing.

    “I liked them all, but I really like the patriotic numbers.”

    “The pace of the show and the song layout was good.”

    Complements especially on Kokomo and Shenandoah. Some thought Over the Rainbow was the “best song.” Our chapter quartets were great and complements on Barkley Square and Chordbusters.

    Suggest that chorus lines up and greets audience as they leave. Perhaps m/c could hold guests while the chorus departs and lines up at the door. And what about taking a picture of the chorus.

    We could have created a song list/show program, available by QR code.

  • Dayton Metro Barbershop Chorus

    Monday, Oct 12, 2026

    6:01 p.m

    Present: President Mike Hazlett; Treasurer Doug Whitehead; Secretary, Greg Sammons; Steve Betts; Suzanne Berthke

    The meeting was called to order at 6:02 p.m.

    Secretary’s report: accepted as presented.

    Treasurer’s report: There was a lot of activity related to show. Doug described the income and the disbursements. Doug is growing impatient with the River Valley Credit Union. The bill pay system required establishing a business account and you have to log on 3 different times to get to bill pay. And the username/password is cumbersom. Doug will investigate other financial institutions, e.g. Wright Pat. Other expenses were related to show. Motion made and accepted for treasurer’s report.

    Membership: Matt has planned the visitors night. Essentially the same program as last time, along with some new tags and some suggestion of songs. Guest night is Monday, Oct 19. Chorus should wear blue chorus shirts and name tags. Sign up sheet will be passed around tonight. Everyone has paid for the silent auction basket.

    Dinner/Show top level review. We only sold 80 tickets on line, but we need to sell more tickets and more advertising. Kelley King is fabulous. Nice thank you note from Jackie! We think that one guest quartet is a better policy. But having said that,the show came in at 2 hr and 2 mins! Matt said that maybe fewer songs (12) is good. We had one serving station and service was slow so the lines were long. We planned two serving tables but only one was set iup. A couple people took over jobs which didn’t match the plan. The cupcakes didn’t exactly follow the plan either. But none of this effected the show. Amazingly, it worked out fine anyway. There were some complaints about the long line. None of this effected the quality of the show. Need to better communicate plans to all volunteers, and make sure the volunteers know that it’s important to follow the plans we’ve expressed to the team leaders.

    Ideas from the Directors: We reviewed some ideas from the directors about modifying rehearsals and the schedule for the coming year. We reacted negatively to the idea of cabaret style in the spring of 2027. Some wondered about changing the menu—chile or casserole—or maybe desserts? Make new learning tracks for selected songs. We are not supportive of any of the songs suggested for contest—we need songs that are new to us (whether old or new). We would like to have a dedicated meeting with the director—maybe invite them to our board meeting on Monday, Nov. 2.

    Motion to adjourn at 6:58 p.m.

    Respectfully submitted,

    Gregory Sammons

  • Dinner/ Show Meeting

    September 29, 2026

    7 p.m.

    Present: Doug W., Greg S., Kris L. and Steve B.

    By phone call, Suzanne B. promised 500 breadsticks for the dinner show, at a discount.

    Videographer: Greg left a message at MVCC about our need; Doug is waiting for a call back from someone at his church; Rick is doing the lights (spots) which are probably necessary; Steve suggested asking Kelley if there is someone at station who could do this for a modest or volunteer for a free dinner. Greg will ask her via email.

    Donation receptical is a clear acrylic box that has a slot on top. This is for the donation for Bread Sky. Greg will also pick up toew boater (straw hats) for the raffle tickets and dinner ticket stubs. Mike suggested an tall Uncle Sam–Greg will survey!

    Greg will express thanks to vairious people, the list to be developed (I.e., technicians, Kris and Kitchen crew, etc.)

    Baskets are packed and completed, along with the paperwork for the silent auction.

    Signs: outdoor signs: Dayton Metro Barbershop Chorus with arrows. One at curb near each of the main entry doors. Doug will ask if the show can be posted on the digital sign. Indoor signs: at the door, welcome desks (with plastic stands); Big Sky Bread (with donations).

    Steve will ask Jon about the mass email about the show from our list.

    Big Sky: Greg will drop in and laiason with Meri about pick-up on Sat. Oct. 10 at 12:30 p.m. (or so)!

    Kris says she has 80-100 lbs of pasta, plus some whole wheat pasta. Sam’s club has the 5lb salad mix; Kris has investigate meat balls and presented the price range; Kris would like to have red, white and blue-icing cupcakes, half vanilla, half chocolate. Kris will get cukes and tomatos; salad dressing will be Italian and range. The dressing will be on the serving table. Flatware and plates, cups, etc are all ordered. Tablecloths, napkins and chafing dishes. Sprinkled cheese (big cannisters) put into cups with big spoon, at table; shredded cheese at serving table.

    Friday night cooking crew: 5 people will be there, main thing will be cooking up pasta, and maybe preparing the vegetables.

    Drinks: Greg, make sure that Jon is getting tea (sweet and plain), lemonade, coffee, and water.

    Tech rehearsal: prior group will be finished by 6:45 p.m. Keith at Abiding Christ will help us with lights and tech when we come for rehearsal.

    We reviewed and edited the punch list and determined outstanding areas that need to be completed.

  • Dinner/Show Meeting

    September 17, 2026

    7:00 pm

    Present: Doug Whitehead, Greg Sammons, Angela

    Baskets: Angela reports that she and Matt took an account of all basket items and will be filling in what is needed this week. the final assembly is Sept 22 at Doug. Matt is making the forms for the silent auction for people to make bids on with a description, an estimated value and a starting bid, with suggested increments in the bidding.

    Video: We don’t need to have it edited with all the channels on it (cameras) and it can be edited by MVCC who has offered to do it. Patric is wondering if he could take stills for publicity purposes. Maybe he can itemize these extras. Anyone can take stills.

    Food: Kris has identified sources/prices for all food after shopping around. She failed on donation for bread sticks so Doug will ask Suzanne. She has 80 lbs of pasta that she will warehouse. Costco has cupcakes (chocolate/vanilla 12.99/doz.). She will likely get meatballs there, as well. Parmesan comes in big shakers and we’ll put them in cups. Kris has it well in hand!

    We want John to get what he needs to make the drinks–lemonade mix, sweet and unsweetened ice tea—whatever you need to make that stuff. Some coffee–caf and decaf–condiments/filters will be supplied by church and we will reimburse.

    Kris will have a team of 5 for cooking on Friday night including Steve and Doug Patrik and wife and Kris. Dana Tatar will come on Saturday to help but, if she can come, that would be appreciated.

    We reviewed sign up sheet, identifying needs. Greg volunteered to bring clip board and ask people what they’re signing up for.

    Cups and utensils: Doug reviewed what is available and decisions were discussed and made about what is needed. After list is finalized, Doug will shop.

    Bud vases-–can we borrow some bud vases from Carol’s church or St. Paul’s (Cara)? Angela is going to purchase red/white/blue faux feathers to go with the flowers.

    Rick Reibel will do lights only at the show. He will also help set up at the beginning of the evening.

    We need to ask Jackie to bring money trays and Cathy and Jackie can manage the cash advance for change.

    A discussion about the difference between show sponsors (who get in the side show) and Minute Man and the towing company which would be the level of Sponsorship.

    Reviewed and amended the punch list. Clarified that there are “door prizes”, presented to meal tickets that filled out and turned in, as well as raffle tickets and silent auction baskets to be bid on and presented. Please include these various presentations in the show script (Greg and Mike).

    Next meeting on Sept 29 at 7 p.m. at Doug’s house.

    Respectfully submitted,

    Greg Sammons

  • Dayton Metro Board Meeting

    September 14, 2026

    Present: Mike Hazlett, President; Doug Whitehead, Treasurer; Greg Sammons, Secretary; Suzanne Bertke; Patrik Longfellow; Steve Betts

    The meeting was called to order at 6:04 p.m.

    The August 3 meeting minutes were approved as published by the Steve Betts, secretary protem.

    Treasurer’s report accepted as presented. Doug bought Dave Boos $225 membership fee; and the invoice for the flier mailing

    Marketing (Patrik): Flier is out on social media, including Tic Tok which has over 500 followers. There were 18 sold online and 16 sold by Dave Boos. There are a certain number of tickets which will be set aside for those showing up at door. We have capacity for 225. We need to stress that everyone needs to sell tickets.

    Supper/Show: Matt and Angela will meet to do an accounting of the baskets tomorrow night Shopping: Doug finished the non-perishable list and is taking over the leftover utensils and supplies in our stock room. Suzanne is still offering bread sticks from Fazolis. Patrik will tell Kris that this offer is still available. Greg will tell Dave that we do need a videographer.

    Xenia Corn Roast: would our chorus like to take over the corn roast? All the equipment is in storage in Xenia. Don McAdams is pessimistic about the future of the chorus but there may be some hope for new members. There was some attempt to attract other choruses to participate. We will table this topic for now pending further discussions with a visitor to the Xenia chapter.

    New Business: A suggestion is that the membership as a whole elects a board of 6 members who then elect the officers. The consensus is this would not be good at this time. Nominating Committee: Jackie Dour and John Lemming

    A motion to adjourn was made and at 6:44 p.m. and passed unanimously

    Next meeting meeting on Oct 12 (not Oct. 5 due to being at Abiding Christ)

    Respectfully submitted,

    Gregory Sammons, Secretary

    Dayton Metro Barbershop Chorus

  • Ticket Purchase Confirmation Email

    Dear {{CustomerName}},

    We received your payment of ${{PurchaseAmount}} for tickets to our Spaghetti Supper and Show on Saturday, October 10.     We’ll have your tickets ready—just check in when you arrive.

    {{ItemList}}{{/ItemList}}
    QtyItemPrice
    {{ItemQuantity}}{{ItemName}}{{ItemPrice}}
    Total:{{PurchaseAmount}}

    Doors open at 5:00, dinner begins at 5:30, and the show starts at 7:00.

    We’ll be at Abiding Christ Lutheran Church, 326 Dayton-Yellow Springs Road, in Fairborn.

    In Harmony,
    The Dayton Metro Barbershop Chorus

  • Dinner Show Committee

    Sept 2, 2026

    Present: Steve, Kris, Doug, Greg, Matt, Mike, Angela

    Kris: has 60-80 lbs, of pasta (some wheat pasta); spoke with DLM for the cupcakes (300)–$1.75/cupcake. that is $525 with 10% off. Will have a small bit of gluten free pasta. Kris will check out Costco. DLM also makes home made meat balls (may need 19 lbs=$800). Probably go to GFS or Sam’s Club and decide whether to get big meat balls (2) or small (4). Food is non taxable so no need. Just one sauce. Bread sticks—Olive Garden (Middletown) will probably donate and Kris will ask if they can be flash cooked. Salad stuff: Costco and GFS with individual packets. Cheese/croutons already on the table. Adding to thin slices of cake and a small wedge of tomato. The salad stuff won’t be purchased until 48 hrs in advance. Purchasing the food is OK (with help from Patrik and spouse). Pre-cook pasta (day before and refrigerate) and pre-slice the veggies. Add food preparation (Friday evening at 6 p.m.) as a category on the sign up sheet for one person. Dressings: get only Ranch and Italian. Cupcakes: suggesting white frosting with red and blue sprinkles.

    Kristin would like to see a clear plastic plate, clear salad bowl and standard (plastic wear). Doug will purchase plain white table clothes. the old checker cloths will be used on the serving tables.

    Greg asked Carol if she can manage simple table decorations. 22 round 5 ft. tables; 1 3 -foot round table; and about 6 rectangular tables. The church owns some bud vases which they let us use last year. Carol said “yes” and added some observations and questions: Do they have enough vases to cover these tables? When we unload the cars during set up, someone (maybe me or Doug) need to direct people where to set down their boxes). Carol also said that we should ask visiting quartets to eat ahead of the guests, just like the chorus members do.

    Utensils: We need to surface the inventory or reconstruct the list of what we have in storage.

    Drinks: John should purchase coffee (will need to be brewed) cold sweet ice tea, lemonade and water. (Ask chick filet to donate iced tea and lemonade?) Need to secure hot drink cups and sufficient cool drink cups (of which we have some in the cellar)

    Matthew reported that he created a bid sheet for each of the baskets. Including the phone number will help us identify them. they must be present to win. Each bid must be higher than the last, in $5 increments. Purchase with check, cash or credit/venmo. The biggest problems is collecting the stuff and constructing to the basket. Angela has containers Set a date for constructing the baskets.

    There will be 8 baskets, 2 from each section, plus two baskets which will be donated? Inventory on Sept 15 at 6:30 p.m. at Doug’s and assemble baskets on Sept. 22 at 6:30 p.m.

    Costumes: First half, blue chorus shirt, black pants; Second half: solid red, white, or blue (flag blue) color shirts or jacket: (no hoodies, no t-shirts) and whatever pants you think looks good with your shirt, keeping in mind the color scheme–but no jeans. Just before Kokomo, chorus puts on leis (and sunglasses). Greg will order leis for the chorus!

    Steve: The mailing is going out to our general list tomorrow.

    Committee recommend using Flag video (rather than actual flags) during the National Anthem. There is some sentiment for putting the National Anthem last!

    The basket winners will be announced at the end of intermission and the raffle winners will be announced just before the final set.

    Next meeting is Sept 17 at 7 p.m. at Doug’s house,

    Respectfully submitted,

    Greg Sammons

  • Dinner and a Show Committee

    August 20, 2026

    7:05 p.m.

    Present: Doug Whitehead, Mike Hazlett, Greg Sammons and Steve Betts

    Clean up Committee: Doug will contact Sean to be head of clean Committee. Reminder that this is an all-hands on deck.

    Mailing out fliers: Cathy may coordinate mailing fliers out to our mailing group. Greg will confirm with her. Our mailing deadline is September 1st. The flier will be a trifold of the show information (from Jackie) and Jon needs a deadline for addresses. (Greg)

    Raffle tickets will be $5 each or 5 for $20. If people want to use credit cards for anything, we need to ask Jon and/or Jackie for cell phone credit card readers.

    Preparing Sign up sheets for working groups for show

    Set up: Zumba group at Abiding Christ–show up on Thursday night, Oct. 8

    Videographer (child, friend or spouse of member)

    Decoration/Setting Tables–Crew Head + several

    Tickets at the door: Cathy Quillin plus one volunteer

    Sell Raffle tickets: two volunteers

    Manage/Monitor the Bread: One volunteer

    Monitor Baskets (Matt and Angela)

    Food prep (under Kristin direction) plus four

    Arrange for chafing dishes, bud vases, utensils (Doug)

    Serving food and desserts: Steve Betts plus 5 volunteers

    Serving drinks: John Tatar plus one or two (Greg talk to John)

    Busing Tables: Crew chief and several

    Clean up (Crew Head) plus everyone

    Transporting risers to/ from the venue (Jon G.)

    Greg will prepare a sign up document, run it by Doug and then have Jon post it.

    Show script: Mike distributed a sample script for the committee. He and Greg will work to polish the script and put in cues so that Kelly is involved in announcing raffle ticket sales and the drawing.

    Tech rehearsal on the Monday prior starts at 7 p.m. Keith (at AC) says it’s OK if Rick Reibel comes and does the lights. Doug’s grandson will operate the follower light.

    We need Jon Graetz to outline what is needed in terms of microphones, lighting and slide show: podium lights, quartets, and chorus.

    Next meeting, Wed., Sept 2 at 7 p.m.


    Respectfully submitted

    Greg Sammons

  • Show Committee

    Attending: Steve Betts, Matt Bryant, Jim Alquist, Cathy Quillen, Doug Whitehead, Angela Okan

    Baskets:

    How many baskets? Total: 8, 2 for each voice section.

    Tenor: Date night, Movie night

    Lead: Game Night, Foodie/Gourmet

    Baritones: Self Care/Wellness

    Bass: Wine lovers, Sports/Tailgate

    Jim’s sister Debbie a complete spa basket. She has offered up to 16 bottles of wine and a blanket. Angela to put the list of baskets for each. Angela will source the baskets.

    Set the deadline for basket items to Aug 31, 2026. Matt is willing to collect the donations and store them.

    Announce before the intermission that last bids are at the end of the intermission. James Free gift certificate for $500 will be raffled.

    Food:

    Costco card so we can buy foodstuffs for the show. That makes Costco, Staples, GFS, and Amazon.

    Will we have gluten-free options? We can get gluten-free pasta and have a batch separate. So, we will try. The meatballs might have gluten in them. So we will keep that in mind.

    Tickets:

    Nothing has happened. No tickets have been sold. Cathy needs her sign-in for Deluxe.

    Sponsors:

    The sponsors:

    • just in time towing
    • Dayton Dragons
    • Thrivent Action Team
    • Main Street Financial
    • Minuteman Press, 957 Congress Park Drive, centerville, oh

    Steve to record them as sponsors on the website so we can include them in the email campaigns.

    Raffle the JAmes Free certificate, maybe 2 for $5, 5 for $10? Something.

    Need people to set up and tear down, including

    • table decorations
    • table placement
    • placemats
    • clean up
    • salads (what to do with parmesan cheese, croutons, etc)

    Mailing list and mailing out flyers. (jon g)

    Next show, 18 August 2026