2019 Wesley Teply Community Service Award in the Arts to be presented to the Clipper City Chordsmen
Presentation is Saturday, March 2 during Lakeshore Wind Ensemble’s concert
Manitowoc, Wis. — The Clipper City Chordsmen have been the chosen recipients of the 2019 Wesley Teply Community Service Award in the Arts. The award was established in 1999 by the Lakeshore Wind Ensemble Association to recognize individuals who have substantially contributed to the arts in the greater Manitowoc area.
The award will be presented to The Clipper City Chordsmen during the Lakeshore Wind Ensemble’s “Winds of March” concert on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at the Capitol Civic Centre. Several members will be in attendance to accept the award and will perform at the concert.
The first award was presented to Wesley Teply, followed by Sister Cecilia Burns, Conrad Daellenbach, Karl Miller, Jean Wolfmeyer, Jim and Susie Miller, Kathie Bundy, Sr. Dr. Lorna Zemke, Glenn Nelson, Paul and Barbara Stitt, Ron Stokes, David Bourgeois, Ron Kaminski, the Garth Neustadter Trio, Barbara Bundy-Jost, Michael J. Arendt, William Pappathopoulos, Sue Cechal, Sally Semmes and Majel Pinney-Henrickson.
The Clipper City Chordsmen barbershop chorus is a membership-based organization of male singers that practices, performs and has fun. The Chordsmen was founded in 1945 by O. H. “King” Cole under the direction of Milt Detjen. They currently have more than 40 members representing all ages and walks of life. The Clipper City Chordsmen perform locally including annual Spring, Summer and Christmas Shows as well as Singing Valentines in February and visitations to area assisted living/nursing homes and hospitals. They also perform with other choruses for special events and upon request.
Their mission states, “The Clipper City Chordsmen Chorus is an ever-growing, well-respected brotherhood of men who love to perform a cappella music in the barbershop style, preserving the heritage of the barbershop quartet. The Chordsmen strive to improve the quality of life for our members and our community through music education programs and family-friendly musical entertainment.”
“Being recognized with this award is a tremendous honor for us,” said Dave Buss, music director of the Chordsmen. “The Clipper City Chordsmen have been singing in the Manitowoc area for almost three quarters of a century. Some of our members have been active for over 50 years. We try very hard to live up to our mission statement which includes supporting and encouraging music education in our schools. When young people are encouraged to use their voice in singing, it helps to give them the confidence to sing throughout their lives.”
The Chordsmen donate both time and money to deserving organizations and charities. Through the Barbershop Harmony Society’s charity, “Harmony Foundation,” grants are awarded to support vocal music education in schools and communities. The Chordsmen also provide support to local music education using direct grants to area schools.
About the Lakeshore Wind Ensemble: The UW-Green Bay, Manitowoc Campus Lakeshore Wind Ensemble plays a full spectrum of music from symphonic band literature, including dramatic classical works, rousing marches, swinging big band tunes, and lyrical ballads. Members are comprised of both community members and UW-Green Bay, Manitowoc Campus students.
–19-15–
