Our chapter was chartered in River Falls, WI, in 1951,
sponsored by the Menomonie, WI, chapter.
The Story of the Croix Chordsmen
Little did a group of men gathered in song and spirit realize that when they chartered as a local chapter of S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A., Inc. (now known as Barbershop Harmony Society) on January 28, 1951 in River Falls, Wisconsin what success was in store for their group. And little did the community realize how this group would become ambassadors for the St. Croix Valley area and across the Midwest.
The Croix Chordsmen Chorus since our early days have contributed often to charitable & youth groups with donations and with song. We are noted for our performances at area churches during the summer when church choirs are off.
Contests keep the "edge" on the good quality of singing. The Croix Chordsmen have been 10,000 Lakes Division champions many times and have consistently finished in the top 10 at the Land O' Lakes district contests. The remainder of the year is filled with the annual Spring and Christmas shows, numerous performances, get togethers with neighboring chapters, family gatherings and a host of activities geared to create fun and make new friends.
The Croix Chordsmen have a realistic approach to the balance of "singing excellence" (required for contests and performances), fun, singing, enjoying fellowship and "HARMONY" among the chapter members.We continue to strive for better quality as the barbershop singing world grows more populated and more competitive. Our members are our own best critics, seemingly to gain more pleasure from our hobby the better we get.
Our current membership is 65 and represents the St. Croix Valley area including:
River Falls, Stillwater, Somerset, Spring Valley, Maplewood, Woodbury, Oakdale, White Bear Lake, Eau Claire, Afton, New Richmond, West Lakeland Township, St. Paul, Hudson, Cottage Grove, Lake Elmo, St. Croix Falls, Forest Lake, Golden Valley, Hammond, Chisago City, Cambridge, and Prescott.
We meet every Tuesday night @ 7PM at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Stillwater, MN.
Major Activities each year:
January – LOL Leadership Academy
February – Quartets Singing Valentines
April – Annual Spring Show
May – Memorial Day Performance @ River Falls, WI & Stillwater, MN
June – Church Singing on one Sunday during the month
July – Society’s International Contest, Church Singing on one Sunday during the month, Como Park St. Paul, MN
August - Church Singing on one Sunday during the month
October – Officer election, District Convention/Contest weekend
November – Veterans Day Service Performance
December – Annual Christmas Show, Installation of Officers Party, and Christmas party
NOTEABLE ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE PAST THIRTY YEARS:
District Small Chorus Champion in 1976 & 1977
10,000 Lakes Division Chorus Champions in 1978, 1990 & 1999, 2007
District Quartet Champions TALK OF THE TOWN (1976) Keith Fransen, Judd Orff, Bob Brutsman, Jim Hall
Chapter Bulletin Winner 1963 (“Swede” Olson) & 1976 (Judd Orff)
District Barbershopper Of The Year JUDD ORFF (1987), TYLER SMITH (2004)
District President JUDD ORFF (1990)
International Board Member JUDD ORFF (1991 - 1993)
District Senior Quartet Champions SEASONED SOUND (1996 & 1997) Bud Urtel, Judd Orff, Tyler Smith, Emery Nelson
District Secretary TYLER SMITH (2003 - 2005)
10,000 Lakes Division Plateau AA Champions & Most Improved Chorus numerous times
Jay Althof District Executive VP 2019-2020 District President 2021-2022
Vocality Quartet District Champions 2007
OUR STORY
