In order to talk about the Concord, MA Chapter & "Sounds of Concord" Chorus, we must return to 1964 and the formation of the "New Bostonian" Chorus, formed to provide a Convention Chorus to make public relations appearances for the upcoming International Convention to be held in 1965 at the Hynes Auditorium in Boston, MA.

The "New Bostonian" Chorus had 47 members of which twenty-two (22) became members of the "Sounds of Concord": Sam Segal, George Swanson, Pat Guzzetti, Skits Grippi, Danny Giannetti, Fred Hilton, Brad Cunio, Ray Taylor, Bob Morrison, Bob Taylor, Bill Rushforth, Graham Seymour, Joe Haughey, Earle Buzzell, Bud Jones, Stan Wolfe, Don Cooke, Bob Long, George Chamberlain, Ken Carter, Don Jolie & John DePass.

The Chorus, under the direction of Bob Long, appeared at several venues prior to the Convention, including a show on Sunday afternoon of Convention Week at the Hatch Memorial Shell, MC'd by SOC Founding Father, George Chamberlain and included NED quartets: "Sleepless Knights of Harmony" from Meriden, CT; "The Jolly Whalers" from New Bedford, MA; "Adventurers" from Nashua, NH; "Melody Mates" from New London, CT and Boston's "Cross/Countrymen".  Also in attendance was then International President, Al Smith and wife Marian, from Ft. Worth, TX.

During convention week, the Chorus sang at various locations in and around the Sheraton Boston Hotel and Hynes Auditorium - also appeared at an evening performance at Symphony Hall with Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops Orchestra and the 1964 International Quartet Champs "Sidewinders".

The highlight of their existence was when the New Bostonian Chorus was asked to sing on the AIC (Association of International Champions) Show on Wednesday night.  Each International Quartet Champ that appeared on the show: "Gay Notes"; Confederates"; Schmitt Brothers"; Evans Quartet"; "Sun Tones"; "Town and Country Four" and "Sidewinders", stepped to center stage and sang a portion of "May The Good Lord Bless And Keep You" - on the second time around, the curtain raised and the NEW BOSTONIAN CHORUS joined the AIC Quartets in the finale. It was a "one-in-a-million experience" to a standing ovation of fellow barbershoppers.

After the Convention, the Chorus wanted to stay together because they really enjoyed singing together and were enjoying each other (after a yearof rehearsals), but one of the stipulations set up by the Northeastern Board of Directors on putting this group together, was that they would disband immediately after the Convention.

BUT - they already had a taste of singing on the International stage - they did disband with much protest for a short period of time - they were not satisfied with just singing in their respective chapters.  Another group formed called the "Minutemen", but were short-lived because NED said it was a spin-off of the New Bostonian Chorus.

Then on September 4, 1969 - in a small room at the Veteran's Building in Concord Center, 54 men gathered for an organizational meeting. This meeting was held to determine if it was possible to form a NEW CHAPTER in the Concord area for the purpose of providing a chorus which would fare well in competition.  Every man would be a singer first, and an administrator or committee member second, and all would be expected to act and perform in a "professional" manner so that they would be a credit to their chapter and their society.

Some didn't join because of the rehearsal night or because of business conflicts or because they could not commit to the ideals set forth at this organizational meeting - about 30 men joined to License the CONCORD, MA CHAPTER of S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A., Inc.

Through the years, the Chorus has won many "Achievement Awards" in their various plateaus and also many "Logopedics Awards" for their contributions to the Institute of Logopedics (HEARTSPRING).

The CONCORD, MA CHAPTER received their charter on FEBRUARY 25, 1970 with forty-one (41) active members.  Some of those members are still members of the Sounds of Concord Chorus: STAN BATES, CLIFF BEAN, LLOYD BICKFORD, BOB GRIFFIN, SAM SEGAL, JOHN DE PASS, GRAHAM SEYMOUR, BRAD CUNIO.

            The CONCORD, MA CHAPTER was sponsored by the Newton-Wellesley and Marblehead Chapters.  The Charter was signed by forty-one (41) members: