IN THE BEGINNING...

   

(1970-71 CHS BALLADIERS)

 In 1961, Douglas Hoopingarner, organized the Coldwater High School Balladiers. Mr. Hoopingarner was a music instructor at the high school at that time. Mr. Hoopingarner shared the following story with me regarding the conception of the Balladiers:

"I was hauled into the principals office one day at the beginning of a new year. Kermit Dennis informed me that I could not have two days each week vacant. You see the 'Cardinal' choir was only meeting Monday, Wednesday, Friday of each week. He said that he had to justify my hours before the school board. I said to him "fine! Where are the students of the choir on T and Th?" He said that most of them were in 'study hall'. I went down there and saw these kids all sitting there. I then went back to the principal and told him that I wanted these twelve students taken out of S.H. and brought to the music room. He did that and these twelve came to me. I told them what we were going to do and that they would become this special singing group. They were delighted. The name was bantered back and forth and finally we all agreed. Kathy Tarr was the biggest spokesman for the group at the time and I think she along with two others got the original 'crest' going that we wore on our coats. We settled on blue blazers and grey pants then. The following year I expanded the group to 16 ( four singers to a part). So that is the founding of the group called the 'Balladiers".

THE ORIGINAL BALLADIERS
From left, seated: Phyllis King, Kathy Tarr, Alice Foss, Doug Hoopingarner.
From left, standing: Joe Norton, Melanie From, Bob Curtiss, Larry Parshall, Ellen Jo Throop, Dan Knauss, Patti Sowle, John Phipps, Ron Fillmore. 

Photo courtesy of John Phipps and Brenda Flickinger Kline

Vocalists from the Coldwater High School choir were selected to form the select ensemble. The next director of the chorus and Balladier ensemble was Mr. Arvid Berg, followed by Mr. Guy "Skip" Frizzell. The Balladiers has distinguised itself in competition and concerts. During my time as a three year Balladier, under the direction of Mr. Frizzell the concentration was predominantly upon madrigal music, although we also presented Christmas concerts during the holiday season at various venues and also performed sacred and pop selections as well.

(1971-72 CHS BALLADIERS)

In 1971 - the Balladiers began fundraising for a European Tour - raising $10.200 through car washes, concessions at the Branch County Fair and other events, candy sales, concets and more. On June 15, 1972 the Balladiers along with some other citizens of the community traveled abroad, visiting England, Scotland, Wales, Belgium, the Netherlands and West Germany. A visit to Coldwater's Sister City in Soltau Germany was one of the highlights of the trip.

(1972 BALLADIER EUROPEAN TOUR GROUP)

Photo courtesy of the Coldwater Daily Reporter 1972

While abroad, the ensemble had the privilege of singing at Westminister Abbey in London, England and we were told that we were the very first American choir to climb the bell tour of the Abbey.

(1972 BALLADIER PERFORMANCE AT WESTMINISTER ABBEY- LONDON, ENGLAND)

Without a doubt my time in Balladiers was one of the highlights not only of my high school years but of my life as well.

 My life's journey has taken me from Coldwater to IN, VA, WI, CA, MA, NH, AK and back to CA. I have yet to make it to any of my high school reunions but have attended 2 Balladier reunions over the years with a third one planned for August 2012. More about the reunions in another blog entry!