December 22, 2020
By Joe Marriott with Les Conklin
The holiday season is a time for gift giving. A special gift of this holiday season has been a reminder of the happiness that fellowship, music, and enduring friendship can bring.
Christmas began with the annual gathering of alumni brothers from the Delta Sigma Chapter of the Sigma Chi Fraternity at the University of Rhode Island. Claude Trottier 60’, a frequent Peak contributor has organized the event for more than a decade. COVID-19 safety concerns called for a safer alternative to gathering in a restaurant in Rhode Island, and the event was moved to Zoom.
During the meeting Brother Trottier informed us that Brother Joe Marriott ’59 belongs to the Huntington Men’s Chorus (HMC). To prevent the spread of COVID-19 HMC had used ZOOM and a great deal of ingenuity to produce an outstanding on-line adaptation of its annual Christmas concert. Thus, it came to pass that this year’s version delivers joyous music while eliminating the need for people to gather for practiced and attend the concert.
After our fraternity Christmas meeting concluded, I contacted Brother Marriott and requested more information about his participation in the chorus and link to the online video of the concert. Below is the information that Joe sent.
Les Conklin, 60’
Huntington Men’s Chorus and Concert
By Joe Marriott
.It was a lengthy train ride that led me to the Huntington Men’s Chorus (HMC). I had resigned my position with Grumman, which is located on Long Island to work for Con Edison in New York City. My commute from home to work required more than a 90-minute ride on the Long Island Railroad. I would read a book or the paper during the ride. On one 5:23 P.M. ride, I noticed that at the normal bridge game was not being played because the group was missing their 4th. I offered to sit in and, by so doing, I became a member of their “game.”
One of the bridge players, Henry Muhr, who sang in the HMC, asked me if I sang. Other than singing in my church choir, I had never sung in public. Henry asked me to attend an audition that the HMC was holding. I passed their minimal requirement audition (tone matching and singing on key) and sang in my first concert in 1986. As a member, I held elected offices: Director, Secretary, 2nd Vice President, 1st Vice President, eventually, President 1999 – 2001. In appointed service, I was a member of the Music Committee and, eventually, its Chairman for four years, member of the Finance and Membership Committees. I am now an elected Endowment Fund Trustee.
During my 34+ years in the chorus, we occasionally sang “Brothers Sing On,” a song that ends with the phrase “Brothers Sing On, Sing On.” During my presidency, I began addressing our members as Brothers-In-Song, a tradition that continues today. During this COVID-19 aberration, we miss the comradery from the Brothers-In-Song. The fellowship is similar to our Sigma Chi fraternal ties. (YouTube has several posted versions of “Brothers Sing On.”)
About HMC
HMC was organized in 1949 when a group of Huntington men with vocal talent, choral experience, and a desire to foster male choral singing formed the group. It’s first rehearsal was in September, 1949 and its first concert was in December, 1949. Over the years, the original group of 34 now numbers 50 men and continues to promote male choral singing to the Huntington and surrounding communities. At one time it had grown to more than 80. However, age and members moving to avoid Long Island taxes reduced our membership. Who knows how COVID-19 will eventually affect our membership? Several men have traveled more than 20 miles to rehearsal.
Concert Online
We continue to present/perform a variety of musical selections. For 70 years we presented Spring. Fall/Winter, and park concerts. We perform at various venues as requested by community organizations and churches. To continue the tradition, our very well received 71st Fall/Winter concert was presented on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOHTqGagWPs&feature=youtu.be
Hopefully, we will soon get back to live rehearsals and concerts.
A Brotherly Surprise!
Brother Conklin as an aside, it is interesting to note that my mother and your father were engaged at one time. You and I never met until you pledged to Delta Sigma chapter.
Brother Marriott, Though the engagement did not work out, it’s obvious they both had good taste. Happy holidays. “Brothers, sing on, sing on.”
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