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Three gold medals . . . three incredible experiences Chris Hallam tells the story of Vocal Spectrum's trip to the top - three times! When I started this hobby just over five years ago, I had no idea what lie ahead. I got involved because a friend at school asked if I might be interested in trying barbershop harmony, something I knew nothing about. I decided that it might be a fun thing to try in my spare time. Five years later, I have been fortunate enough to win three contests, an equally amazing experience in each. In 2004, the convention in Louisville was an incredible week for me and for 160 of my closest friends. The weeks leading up to the convention had been exciting. My chorus, The Ambassadors of Harmony, was working hard, trying to earn that gold medal that had eluded them for so many years and my quartet, Vocal Spectrum was also trying to win the MBNA America Collegiate Barbershop Quartet Contest championship. When the week arrived we were all ready. There was a feeling of electricity in the air; we were ready to do what we came to do. The first hurdle was the collegiate contest. We managed to beat out a tough field to win the 2004 collegiate contest. It was a great feeling. We knew that winning that contest could give us the exposure we wanted. We were amazed and proud to be a collegiate champ. Later in the week, the Ambassadors pulled off a spectacular win, fulfilling a long dream for the chorus. They had started at the bottom and risen all the way to the top. I could not have been more proud of everyone. We worked so hard and we finally achieved our goal. The best part about winning the chorus contest was giving our Director, Jim Henry, the experience he had always longed for. Winning that contest was an incredible feeling. With the chorus out of the contest for the next three years, the quartet really began to focus on its sound. We worked hard to prepare ourselves for competing in the Society’s international quartet contest. The 2006 convention in Indianapolis was one I will never forget. We felt pretty good about prelims. We were going into the international contest in second place but we knew that this contest would be the toughest test of our lives. We decided that we would try to forget about medals and scores, and just sing for the crowd. |
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After the finals, we felt good about what
we had accomplished, but our expectations would not prepare us for
what the night had in store. As the call-off began, I tried to stay
loose, accepting whatever the judges thought we deserved. The emcee
called out the medalists: At that moment, I had no idea what to think. "Did we actually do it?" ran through my head -- but I just threw it out. Next, the emcee said the words I will never forget: "Ladies and gentlemen, your 2006 International Quartet Champions…Vocal Spectrum!" I didn’t know what to do. I just let out a scream and ran up to the stage. I can only describe it as pure joy. The night that followed was one the greatest of my life. We had achieved something we thought we might never achieve. One that so many try for, and few get, I was so elated. I had gotten to experience something truly amazing, and best of all, I got to experience it with three of my best friends.
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