During the fall of 1996, about a dozen men began meeting with the goal to create a new barbershop harmony chapter in southwestern Pennsylvania. They recognized that this core group had the desire, the musical leadership, and administrative skills for running a successful chapter. On July 31, 1997, the Barbershop Harmony Society granted the formal charter to the Pittsburgh Metro Chapter, Barbershop Harmony Society
Since that small beginning, Pittsburgh Metro has experienced steady musical and numerical growth. Chapter membership currently stands at 34 men. Under the leadership of Musical Director Don Dressler and Assistant Directors Richard Stephens and Lynn Trapp, we take the stage on a weekly basis to rehearse our craft, enjoy our fellowship, and ring chords into the rafters!
The “Pittsburgh Metro sound” is making a name for itself, both in western Pennsylvania and within the Society. We’ve performed as a full chorus, a VLQ (“Very Large Quartet”), or as four-man quartets at the Carnegie Science Museum, Waynesburg College, and the McGill Community Center. You might have even heard us delivering our Singing Valentines!
Awards We Have Won:
In 1998, 2000, 2003, 2004, and 2007, we were declared the Johnny Appleseed District’s Small Chorus Champions or Plateau A Small Chorus Champions. (Explanation: The Official Small Chorus Champions in 2003 and 2007 were “Heart of Ohio” (March Contest), but we won the Plateau A Awards those years (October Contest). Plateau A is “Small Choruses” from Chapters under 50. Beginning in 2008 there are no longer “Small Chorus Contests” in March, and the Plateaus in the October contest no longer are based on Chapter size.
In 2007 we were named the “Most Improved Small Chorus” in the Johnny Appleseed District.
Plus Barbershop Harmony Society Fall 2009 ranking of 196 competing choruses:
- No. 1 Pennylvania Chorus in the Johnny Appleseed District
- No. 1 Small Chorus in all 3 Pennyslvania Districts
- No. 7 Small Chorus in United States and Canada