The Alexandria Harmonizers have a tradition started by Wilbur Sparks in 1973 to encourage quartet singing within the chapter. This file includes historical documents that feature the beginnings of these events, as well as the modifications that have morphed the contest into what iit is today. Finally, we have a compilation of the conest "winners" as best we can document.
In 2002, with the passing of Wilbur Sparks, the event was formally renamed the "Wilbur Sparks Memorial Put-Together Quartet Contest".
The long time tradition of the Put-Together contest returned 23 January 2007 with a renewed emphasis on fun for all. We created awards to the top three "Comedy" quartets and the top three "traditional" quartets, after which we announce the overall winner of the contest. We had seen some very creative and entertaining presentations in the "Four-Card Stud" quartets and wanted to build on that experience.
Here's the revised basic "rules" as outlined in January 2007 - the Put-Together Contest can be made up of active or inactive Harmonizers and can include one non-Harmonizer (so yes, you can try to get that buddy you sing with in church to sing and find out how much fun this hobby can be). If more than one member of the quartet is in a CURRENTLY registered quartet(s), only one member of the Put-Together Quartet may sing the part that they sing in any of their currently registered quartet(s).
REGISTERED QUARTET MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE THE LEAD IN PUTTING TOGETHER SOME QUARTETS AND ENCOURAGING MEMBERS WHO HAVEN'T TRIED QUARTETING TO GIVE IT A WHIRL BEFORE WHAT IS ALWAYS ONE OF THE MOST APPRECIATIVE AUDIENCES EVER!
The winner of the contest has their quartet name engraved on
the Harmonizer plaque along with many quartets of the past decades.
Enjoy!
