History

Our Directors

During the long history of the Village Vocal Chords, the chorus has only had five directors.


G. Ruth Geils
G. Ruth Geils was the very first director of the Village Vocal Chords.  She started her tenure in August of 1960 though the Village Vocal Chords would not become an official chapter of Harmony, Inc. until August 11, 1961.  She directed the chorus for 14 years, until 1976.  During this time the Village Vocal Chords competed in nine international contests, placing 7th or higher in every competition.  Ruth was also crowned quartet champion twice during this time, in 1961 with the Key Chords and in 1964 with the Scale Blazers.  She also created the Harmony Creed and was very active on the international level of Harmony, Inc.

Jeanne O'Connor
In 1976 Jeanne O’Connor became the new director of the Village Vocal Chords.  She led the chorus to its first International Championship in that same year.  In 1978 she led the chorus to a second place finish and in 1979 she led the chorus to its second International Championship.  In 1979 Jeanne and her family relocated to the Quad-Cities area and after the international competition that year, Jeanne left the Village Vocal Chords.

Jay Giallombardo
In 1980 Jay Giallombardo became the new director of the Village Vocal Chords.  While director he lead the chorus to two more International Championships, in 1981 and again in 1983.

Jeanne O'Connor
In 1984 Jeanne and her family returned to the Chicago area and Jeanne returned to the chorus as a member of the bass section.  That same year Jay left the Village Vocal Chords to direct a new chorus within the Barbershop Harmony Society (SPEBSQSA) and Jeanne naturally transitioned back into the role of director.

Under Jeanne’s direction the Village Vocal Chords continued a winning streak on the international level, coming in first place in the international contest in 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2001, 2013, and 2015.  In 2017 and 2018 the chorus placed 2nd in the international contest.

Jeanne has also served as International President for Harmony, Inc.  She was elected International President in 1986 and 1987.  She was again elected International President in 2000 and 2001.  And she served as International President yet again in 2011 and 2012.

Lynn Randall
In 2020, Lynn Randall became the new director of the Village Vocal Chords. Lynn is a long-time member of the chorus. She served as Assistant Director under Jeanne. So when Jeanne retired, it was a seamless transition.

 
Our Contest Performances

In April 1961, the Village Vocal Chords chartered with Harmony, Inc. It was the first Harmony, Inc. Chapter in Illinois. The following is a look at the International Contest performance history of the Village Vocal Chords.

Chorus Contests
1961 in Montreal, Quebec - 3rd place
1962 in Deerfield, Illinois - 3rd place
1963 in Boston, Massachusettes - 2nd place
1964 in Orillia, Ontario - 2nd place
1965 in Providence, Rhode Island - did not compete
1966 in Chicago, Illinois - did not compete
1967 in Ottawa, Ontario - did not compete
1968 in Hamilton, Ontario - 5th place
1969 in Burlington, Vermont - 5th place
1970 in Providence, Rhode Island - did not compete
1971 in Chicago, Illinois - did not compete
1972 in Toronto, Ontario - 3rd place
1973 in Montreal, Ontario - did not compete
1974 in Cape Cod, Massachusetts - 7th place
1975 in Moline, Illinois - 2nd place
1976 in Springfield, Massachusetts - 1st place ("Can't Get Indiana Off My Mind" & "Back Home Again in Indiana")
1977 in Ottawa, Ontario - ineligible to complete as current champions
1978 in Toronto, Ontario - 2nd place
1979 in Lake Placid, New York - 1st place ("Tired of the South" & "Hear That Swanee River Cry")
1980 in Chicago, Illinois - ineligible to complete as current champions
1981 in Boston, Massachusetts - 1st place ("It's Just an Old Time Love Song" & "Whatever Happened to the Old Songs")
1982 in Toronto, Ontario - ineligible to complete as current champions
1983 in Chicago, Illinois - 1st place ("How Could You Believe Me/It's a Sin to Tell a Lie" & "I Wish I Had My Old Gal Back Again (Malmberg et al.)")
1984 in Providence, Rhode Island - ineligible to complete as current champions
1985 in Ottawa, Ontario - 1st place ("It's All Over/Please Don't Talk About Me" & "I Used to Love You but it’s All Over Now")
1986 in Saint John, New Brunswick - ineligible to complete as current champions
1987 in Rochester, New York - 1st place ("I'm Sorry I Made You Cry" & "Who’s Sorry Now/Someday Medley"
1988 in St. Charles, Illinois - ineligible to complete as current champions
1989 in Ottawa, Ontario - 1st place ("Mr. Broadway Medley" & "The End of the Road")
1990 in Toronto, Ontario - ineligible to complete as current champions
1991 in Halifax, Nova Scotia - 1st place ("Mistakes" & "Toot, Toot, Tootsie, Goodbye")
1992 in Rochester, New York - ineligible to complete as current champions
1993 in St. Charles, Illinois - 1st place ("Kiss Me One More Time" & "I’m In Love Again/Them There Eyes")

1994 in Providence, Rhode Island - ineligible to complete as current champions
1995 in London, Ontario - 1st place (Only chorus to win ten International Championships!) ("The Masquerade Is Over" & "I Didn’t Want to Fall")
1996 in Sait John, New Brunswick - ineligible to complete as current champions
1997 in Hamilton, Ontario - 1st place ("I Will Love You ‘til the End of Time" & "Goodbye Medley")
1998 in Indianapolis, Indiana - ineligible to complete as current champions
1999 in Springfield, Massachusetts - 1st place ("Mardi Gras March" & "Each Time I Fall In Love")
2000 in Orlando, Florida - ineligible to complete as current champions
2001 in London, Ontario - 1st place ("All The Way" & "For Sale One Broken Heart")
2002 in Indianapolis, Indiana - ineligible to complete as current champions
2003 in Halifax, Nova Scotia - 1st place ("Love Me and the World is Mine" & "Nice Work If You Can Get It")
2004 in Rochester, New York - ineligible to complete as current champions
2005 in Hamilton, Ontario - 1st place ("Love Me Tender" & "My Honey’s Lovin’ Arms")
2006 in Jacksonville, Florida - ineligible to complete as current champions
2007 in London, Ontario - 1st place ("How Deep Is the Ocean" & "You’re Nobody ‘til Somebody Loves You")
2008 in Appleton, Wisconsin - ineligible to complete as current champions
2009 in Providence, Rhode Island - 1st place ("Deed I Do" & "Time After Time")
2010 in Saint John, New Brunswick - ineligible to complete as current champions
2011 in Hershey, Pennsylvania - 1st place ("L.O.V.E." & "If I Had My Way")
2012 in Orlando, Florida - ineligible to complete as current champions
2013 in Windsor, Ontario - 1st place ("When I Leave the World Behind" & "A Little Patch of Heaven")
2014 in Louisville, Kentucky - ineligible to complete as current champions
2015 in Verona, New York - 1st place (Only chorus to win twenty International Championships!) ("Over the Rainbow" & "Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead")
2016 in Providence, Rhode Island - ineligible to complete as current champions
2017 in Halifax, Nova Scotia - 2nd place
2018 in Orlando, Florida - 2nd place
2019 in Sandusky, Ohio - 4th place


Quartet Contests
1998 in Indianapolis, Indiana - Change of Heart (Heart of Indiana and VVC) 3rd place
1999 in Springfield, Massachusets - Change of Heart 1st place
2001 in London, Ontario - Q 3rd place and Voices 4th Place
2002 in Indianapolis, Indiana - Voices 1st place and Q 3rd place
2004 in Rochester, New York - Altered States 3rd place
2006 in Jacksonville, Florida - Altered States 3rd place
2008 in Appleton, Wisconsin - U4X (VVC and Northern Blend) 1st place
2013 in Windsor, Ontario - Spot On (VVC and Associates) 1st place


 
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