Membership

Who are we?

We are a 501(c)(3) organization and Chapter #I069 of the Pioneer District(PIO) of the The

Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of BarberShop Quartet Singing in

America(SPEBSQSA), also known since 2004 as the Barbershop Harmony Society(BHS). In

1938, SPEBSQSA was exclusively white and male. In 1969, they dropped the race

exclusion. In 2015, BHS dropped the gender exclusion. After causing a stir in PIO, we

chartered as PIO’s first all-gender chapter in 2015.

Mission

We increase harmony in communities.

Purpose

We fund local schools’ singing students.

Vision

We become a visible, viable, vigorous, vivacious, vibrant, vocal, virtuosic, vital community asset in Marquette County and beyond.

Who is the Music Director?

Pete Stephens-Brown and Lori have been married for 40 years. His BA is in Music

Education, and he has taught in New York and Michigan schools for years. Finding no similar

opportunities when they moved back to the U.P. in 2007, he found a steady job with

MarqTran. The UYBC is the third Barbershop Chorus he has directed; his first was Lansing,

MI in 1984-‘86, his second was Escanaba, MI, from ’89-‘95.

What do we do?

After we learn them to a high degree of artistry together, we perform primarily secular, 4-part,

a cappella, close harmony songs as often as, and for as many audiences as possible.

Is there a cost?

Generally, PIO dues are $15-30/year, BHS dues are $90-180/year, and proposed UYBC

dues are $5/month. $1/month of UYBC dues is an angel fund for members who need $ help.

What are your expectations?

Arrive early for rehearsals, knowing the music for that rehearsal by practicing your part on

your own, with sheet music and/or learning tracks on our website. Find more people that

deserve the gift of Barbershop. Help us achieve our Mission//Purpose/Vision statements.

Become the many hands that make light work and more fun.

What do I do next?

Fill out the entry form so you get access to the members-only portion of upperyoopers.org

and start learning music for next week and the rest of your happier, busier life. Schedule your

voice assessment so you can be placed into a voice part. Plan to attend conventions and

concerts around the U.P., Michigan, and the world. Tell your friends and family about your

new group. Personally invite them all.

What a prospective member may expect from us:

Improving leadership in all areas.

Fun, camaraderie, challenge.

Frequent connection to communities.

The opportunity to put your note learning at home to good coordination in the ensemble.

Opportunities to bring smiles/reach hearts/change lives with our combined efforts.

What we expect from a prospective member:

>70% attendance.

Commitment to the group’s growth: numerically, musically, organizationally, financially.

You practice note learning on your own/with our website’s learning tracks before each rehearsal.

Purchase/keep uniform updated/clean.

Keep your dues paid.

General annual schedule(re-establishing in 2024)

January/February ♪Prepare tunes/sell Valentine’s Day Serenades. Attend Mid-Winter

Convention. Get local sponsors for SpringFlingSing*.

March/April ♪Put finishing touches on our Show & Convention songs. Attend PIO Spring

Convention. Attend Northland Chorus Show in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada.

May ♪SpringFlingSing Show and Afterglow. Guest night. Prepare summer songs.

June/July/August ♪Prepare for singouts/July 4th parades/Fairgrounds/picnics. Attend?

International Convention and Harmony University. Participate in Highway Cleanup 3x.

September/October ♪Elect new officers. Prepare holiday and Convention songs. Attend

PIO Fall Convention. Attend Remnants’ Harvest of Harmony in Escanaba.

November/December ♪Spread holidays’ cheer in song. Start finding sponsors for SFS*.

Links

upperyoopers.org    facebook.com/upperyoopers     barbershop.org      sweetadelines.com

www.harmonyinc.org/      pioneerdistrict.org       barbershoptags.com      dnstags.com

https://www.youtube.com/user/BarbershopHarmony38        https://www.youtube.com/user/HarmonyInc59

http://barberscore.com         northlandchorus.com


 

UYBC Guest Survey

Please fill in this side before you leave today if you want access to the best parts of our website.

Name _______________________________________________  Today is: ___/___/20__

Phone#(_______)_______-_____________

email: ____________________________________@______________________.________

What voice-part(s) could you sing as of today? (Circle, please)

Choral: S1 S2  A1 A2  T1 T2  B1 B2         Barbershop:: Bass   Lead   Baritone   Tenor

I don’t know which voice-part yet. I prefer a non-singing role.

How did you learn about us?

Previous/Current Music experiences:

What do you do besides Music?(Work/hobbies/skills you might share that can improve us):

To whom can you give the gift of Barbershop at our next meetings? Family? Friends? Strangers?

THANK YOU for being our guest today!