Barbershop singing is one of the nation’s most popular pastimes, and Sun City is no exception.
For the past 12 years, the community’s Sun-Tones ensemble has been entertaining local and area audiences with its barbershop harmony style of singing. The group was launched in 2004 as a traveling ambassador musical group by Dennis Quinn, a veteran barbershop singer who also has been active in the Prairie Singers and Prairie Voices choral groups.
The group frequently sings, at Prairie Singers holiday and spring concerts, along with the voices ensemble, which is also a traveling ambassador group. The Sun-Tones will participate this Sunday, May 22, in the Prairie Singers spring concert at 3 p.m. in Huntley High School’s performing arts center. They will perform their own version of Walt Disney’s famous theme song, “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah.”
But right now, the Sun-Tones face a challenge. The group had 16 singers at one point, but its membership has fallen to seven due to many of the things that happen to senior entertainment groups in an active adult community.
Currently active members include Quinn, Joe Alengo, Dick Allen, Art Fitzgerald, Janet Graf, Bev Mutschler, and Chris Rutherford. This group reflects the recent trend in barbershop music that merges the genders to enhance the barbershop sound. The group rehearses weekly on Mondays during the spring and summer seasons.
“We are seriously looking for new members, especially from among new residents or anyone who has some experience or would like to learn more about singing barbershop harmony,” said Quinn. “Whether you are interested or curious, contact me at 224-569-6224, or email seeden4@aol.com”
