Board Member at Large - Wes Reed, Dan Durfey, Doug Wolven

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Communications VP - Mark Stokes

My professional background is in health care, I’m a chiropractor and I specialize in the treatment of herniated and ruptured discs without drugs or surgery. I’ve been in private practice for over 30 years in the Long Beach area. My wife Susan and I have been married since 1970. We have four children and five grandchildren. I am an avid sports fan and play golf on a regular basis.

A friend of mine told me he sang in a men’s chorus and for several years, invited me to one of their shows. Truthfully, I wasn’t interested in going to hear what I assumed was a men’s choir. I can hear choir music every Sunday, why should I go to a show? Several years went by until another friend of mine told me he had two tickets to one of Norm’s shows and his wife couldn’t go. He invited me and I found out a couple of very interesting things. First, Norm sang in a barbershop chorus, not a church choir, and second it was great! If he had told me it was barbershop, I probably would have come several years earlier. I’ve been involved in barbershop since 2002.

I have always loved the sound of music with good harmony, so barbershop was a perfect fit. I also found out I really had no idea what barbershop singing was all about. Like most people, I thought it was just old-time songs like you see in “The Music Man.” Well, I found out it’s a lot more than that. It’s a style of singing and the music can be old fashioned or brand new, ballads or up tunes, slow and easy or fast and exciting. I encourage you to come and see for yourself. You’ll be pleasantly surprised and glad you did.

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Director - Phil Ordaz

I began my music career at USC, playing in its famous marching band, concert band and jazz band. Then I went to school with Mort Burt’s son who invited me to a Whittier show in spring of 1982. It was a great show and I was wowed by what I heard. In September of that year, I joined the Whittier Chapter and the Society with my then future father-in-law.

As a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society for more than 25 years, I have performed in and coached many quartets, and have earned a gold medal in chorus competition. I have also worked as a show producer, chorus director, arranger and certified music judge for the Society.

After leaving the Whittier Chapter, I suggested the idea of a chapter in Brea to Nick Papageorge, and the rest, as they say, is history.

I work for Vons (yes, I’m a retail grunt) and I teach high school biology for Biola University’s STAR program. I also run Youth Worship Arts at my church.

Other than barbershop, I play saxophone or clarinet when I can. I played in marching and jazz bands in college and I have done some theater. Hey, I once directed the LA Philharmonic! Of course, there’s the occasional musical theater thing, and my son and I have shot off some model rockets. I also like watching and playing a little baseball.

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Director Assistant - Logan Patrick-Miernicki

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Immediate Past President - Larry Gassman

I remember seeing “the Music Man” (the movie in the early 60s); that was my first identification with barbershop. Later in 1972, my choral ensemble was doing a show in high school about the gay 90s, and they needed a barbershop quartet. John and I volunteered with two other guys.

I remember first walking up the stairs at Henshaw’s auditorium in Whittier and being drawn to that wonderful barbershop sound. I was immediately hooked and joined in 1973.

Over the years, I’ve been a section leader for both the baritones and leads. I was co-baritone section leader in 1975 until 1987, then lead section leader from 1987 to 2005. I was chapter President for two years, and Music Vice-President for at least 10 times that I remember. I was fortunate enough to have coached several quartets and choruses through the years. I emceed Divisional prelims, District contests, and International prelims. I also emceed several chapter shows. I was Weekly E-mail Update Editor from September 2003 until December 2005.

Over the years, I won several awards at Whittier, including Freshman Barbershopper Of The Year (co-winner with John) in 1974, Barbershopper of the year in 1984, President's Trophy (co-winner with John) in 1989, Hall Of Fame Award (co-winner with John) in 1993, the Earl Moon Award in 2003 and 2005, and the Far Western District President’s award in 1993.

I’ve sung in three quartets over the years.  In “Pacific Electric Chord Company,” we had four different tenors (none of them would stay very long), Chuck Burkes, Ron Black, Buddy Yarnell, and Gordon Sladen. Then in 1987 I sang with “A Pitch in Time” and we sang for 14 years. In 2003 we formed “Four Fifteen” and were fortunate to make the top 10 in District in 2007.

I joined Brea in 2005 but sang on Christmas shows going back to 2003.

I have other interests, Old Time Radio and New Visions (a social organization of other blind people in Southern California), so I am kept busy outside of work.

The thing about barbershop that makes it so very special is the people. The music is the bond that draws us all together, but it is the people that really make it all worthwhile.

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Membership VP - Steve Young

I've been singing barbershop since 2002. I formally joined SPEBSQSA in January of 2004.  My wife, Debbie, has been singing with SAI for about 2 years.

My favorite sport is Ice Hockey. I played mens hockey for 15 years and I have had Kings season seats since 1981. My second favorite sport is Baseball. I also enjoy coin collecting and tropical meterology.

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Music & Performance VP - John Gassman

I have been singing barbershop for 36 years, originally with the Whittier Chorus and for the last couple of years here at Brea.

My high school choir teacher introduced Larry and I to the barbershoppers in the Whittier area. I was attracted by that big sound! I've sung in several quartets throughout the years and most recently finished in tenth place with “Four Fifteen” at last year's Far Western District Contest.

When I'm not barbershopping, I work for Disney and book the three hotels at the Disneyland Resort, and train new blind cast members with the reservation system and special screen reading software.

Barbershop harmony is a major part of my life and I am very happy to be able to play a small part in the success of the Brea Chorus.

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President - Bryan Forbes

I heard about barbershop harmony from a co-worker. I joined the Society in 1997 via the Whittier Chapter. I was an active member and I participated in the chapter’s operation as a board member. My only other musical experience is playing trumpet in high school, which means my first singing experience was when I joined the Whittier Chapter singing barbershop.

I am one of the founders of the Brea Chapter and have been it’s treasurer, show chairman, and general go-to guy since then.

I am currently the president for a construction management company called Primus Building Solutions. We specialize in development and construction management and construction claims consulting.

When I’m not working or singing, I enjoy golf and art.

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Program VP - Stephen Henry

I was raised with singing as part of my family life. Whenever we get the family together, we sing. We sing at church, at school, in the car. Music is part of us. Every couple of years we would travel to Indiana to visit the family. Whenever we visited my mother’s aunt, my sister and I would watch her video of “The Music Man” while the grown-ups talked in the other room. We never got tired of it and one of the best parts of the show was the Barbershop quartet. I have always had an innate appreciation and attraction to close, intricate and interesting harmonies and that describes Barbershop style singing perfectly. But for years Barbershop quartets and their delightful music remained a novelty to me; a rare and elusive treasure. So the joy of Barbershop slept.

Throughout my high school and college days, I was involved in theatrical productions: “Godspell”, “7 Brides for 7 Brothers”, “Westside Story”, “HMS Pinafore”, et. al. I graduated from BIOLA University in 1997 with a major in Intercultural Studies (with an Anthropological Linguistics focus) and a minor in Communications. In July of that year, I started working at El Monte RV where I continue to work as the Assistant Manager of Reservations. I have been blessed with the opportunity to participate in numerous productions in various Theaters in the area: Whittier, Downey, Fullerton, La Habra, Covina and Glendora. In 2004 the Downey Civic Light Opera staged a production of “The Music Man” and I was delighted not only to be a part of it, but was beyond ecstatic to play the part of Jacey Squires (the tenor of the Barbershop quartet). This was my first opportunity to actually participate in a Barbershop quartet and I adored it.

I have had other roles that I thoroughly enjoyed playing: Christ in “Godspell”, Inspector Hubbard in “Dial "M" for Murder”; Ernst Ludwig in “Cabaret”; Mr. Bratt in “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” and Corporal Schultz in “Stalag 17”; but none could match the shear exhilaration of Jacey Squires in “The Music Man”. It was certainly the most musically challenging role that I have had so far and I have never felt so devoted to the character and to the three other actors who were part of the Barbershop quartet. For the whole run, we were inseparable and were constantly honing our craft whenever we weren’t on stage. Even now, whenever we see one another, we cannot help but bring up the wondrous time we had. Much to the credit of our musical director, he brought in a professional 4th generation Barbershopper to help fine-tune our technique and give us some key insights as to what makes Barbershop style singing unique as well as some fascinating and helpful facts about its origin and history.

My Family and I attend Whittier Area Community Church where I am a member of the choir along with Doug Wolven. In November of 2008, Doug approached me after choir rehearsal one evening asking if I would like to participate in the Christmas production of the Gaslight Chorus of which he was a part. I agreed and had an absolutely fantastic time. Shortly after the New Year, I started regularly attending Gaslight Chorus rehearsals. I enjoyed it so much, I signed up to join the chapter as soon as I could.

This is such a blessing and a delight. I am so very thankful for the opportunity to get together with such a great bunch of guys who share the same passion for harmony. Every time we have a rehearsal, I don’t want the time to end. I leave with a huge smile on my face, anxiously anticipating the next time.

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Public Relations & Marketing VP - Gary Smith

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Secretary - John Gaston

My first exposure to barbershop was at La Serna High School in Whittier during a production of “The Music Man” in 1987. In 1989, I was walking around Uptown Whittier during the summer Uptown Festival and heard this great sound coming from one of the booths. The guys at the booth were selling hot dogs and drinks to raise funds for the Whittier Barbershop Chapter. They also had an authentic old-fashioned barber chair that someone could sit in while a quartet sang a few songs. I got to talking to one of the men and he passed me an invitation card and a map. I was at the very next rehearsal and have been involved with the Society ever since.

I am one of the six founding members of the Brea Chapter. The founding group conceived the idea of a new chapter in late 2001 and eventually chartered the Brea Chapter in early 2002. The Chapter was eventually incorporated as a recognized chapter in the Barbershop Harmony Society in 2004.

When I’m not singing barbershop, I work for a construction management/engineering firm.

Before I started singing barbershop, I sang in the choir during my high school years. I have also been involved in the choir at my church. When I’m not singing or working, I enjoy exercise, photography, motorcycle riding, gardening, going on wine-tasting tours, and taking on small restoration projects out of my garage.

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Show Chairman - John Gaston

My first exposure to barbershop was at La Serna High School in Whittier during a production of “The Music Man” in 1987. In 1989, I was walking around Uptown Whittier during the summer Uptown Festival and heard this great sound coming from one of the booths. The guys at the booth were selling hot dogs and drinks to raise funds for the Whittier Barbershop Chapter. They also had an authentic old-fashioned barber chair that someone could sit in while a quartet sang a few songs. I got to talking to one of the men and he passed me an invitation card and a map. I was at the very next rehearsal and have been involved with the Society ever since.

I am one of the six founding members of the Brea Chapter. The founding group conceived the idea of a new chapter in late 2001 and eventually chartered the Brea Chapter in early 2002. The Chapter was eventually incorporated as a recognized chapter in the Barbershop Harmony Society in 2004.

When I’m not singing barbershop, I work for a construction management/engineering firm.

Before I started singing barbershop, I sang in the choir during my high school years. I have also been involved in the choir at my church. When I’m not singing or working, I enjoy exercise, photography, motorcycle riding, gardening, going on wine-tasting tours, and taking on small restoration projects out of my garage.

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Treasurer - Bob Dobson

I was born, raised and educated in Southern California. Yes, I am a rarity. I  grew up in Hacienda Heights and was in the first 4-yr graduating class of Los Altos High School, of which I was valedictorian. While there, I played in all three sports, specializing in baseball. I was All-League shortstop three years and All-CIF for two years. After graduation I went to USC on a part academic/part athletic scholarship. I had the privilege of playing with some of the games greats: Tom Seaver, Dave Kingman & Jim Barr. A degree in Business Administration was also great.

For thirty plus years I have been in the wholesale flooring business and am now ready for retirement. During all those years, my two passions have been golf and music. After singing in our church choir for nearly twenty years, my good friend Ken Olson invited Bob Tomes and me to try barbershop. Wow, what an experience! I loved it from the get-go. Those harmonies; those chords; I was hooked. I look forward to Tuesday nights and our various performances. We have a great bunch of guys, a great director, and great music to perform. What could be better?

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