HOT Active Members

HEART OF TEXAS CHORUS ACTIVE MEMBERS

TENOR

LEAD

BARITONE

BASS

Don Fegley
Not posted yet.

BMAL

Manny Lopez

Emmanuel, "Manny" Lopez is a 21 year old who is currently a sophomore at Texas State University School of Music where he is studying for his BM in Music Education. Although Manny is new to the barbershop experience he has been singing since the age of 5, and currently serves as a lead section leader in the chorus. He also sings in chorale for Texas State University and has been featured in Operas such as Ditto and Anis and was in the ghost Chorus for the Austin Lyric Operas production of" The Flying Dutchman" He plans to graduate from Texas State University where he will then go and teach music in his home town San Antonio, Tx

Asst Director

John Russel
Not posted yet.

Adam Sales
Not posted yet.

BMAL

Tommie Young

Tommie, a society member since 1974, was first introduced to the barbershop style when he attended an ‘Auditions For Admission’ event held by the San Antonio Chapter (Chordsmen) in May of 1974. During his audition before the music committee with a quartet made up of section leaders, Tommie was approached by lead singer Rick Sonntag to sing tenor in a competition quartet. Four months later, the Sound Association placed second behind the Gulf Coasters in Galveston at the division contest, and then in late October that same year became the Southwestern District Quartet Champions.

Thomas Bullock
Not posted yet.

Tom Burson
Not posted yet.

SECRETARY

Rich Ferguson
Not posted yet.

Bill Hogan

Bill’s been singing barbershop for 26 years, and has sung with six different quartets. He competed at the International contest in Louisville with the “Westwinds.” He’s VP and Director of Marketing for Applied Measurement Professionals. Bill’s wife, Marykaye, teaches voice and is a sound coach and judge for Sweet Adelines. The Hogans live in Blanco and have a daughter, Erin, who lives in Georgia, and a granddaughter, Piper McKensie.

Seth Lafler
Not posted yet.

Lewis Law

Music has always been a major part of my life. As a youth growing up in South Austin, my mother and father encouraged everyone in my family to be part of the church music program. This encouragement led me to sing Tenor in High School choir. My love for Southern Gospel Quartet music led me to sing in a quartet in 1963 while stationed in the Air Force in Shreveport Lo. My music was placed on hold for almost 15 years while serving various assignments overseas. My son, currently the Sunshine District Secretary and lead in the Melbourne Fl. chorus, introduced me to Barbershop Harmony in 1983 through his school drama teacher. The first barbershop quartet I heard was totally awesome. I had never heard a cappella music in such close harmony. That quartet was “The Great Western Timber Company”. Our very own HOT chorus director, Ron Black was the Bass in that quartet… :} After the show; I asked the chorus director, “How do you make that sound with just 4 voices?” I was invited to attend a Tuesday evening session to be introduced to making that awesome sound. I’ve been hooked on Barbershop ever since… :} I have held several chapter officer positions including directing both men’s and women’s barbershop choruses in California. Now that I’ve been a member of the society for 17 years; I’m still working on reaching that same awesome sound. Singing in the Heart of Texas Chorus is a dream come true… :}

BMAL

Chad Le Fever
Not posted yet.

Tom Malone

Tom and his wife, Danna, are big Spurs fans and season ticket holders. Tom’s mother-in-law loves the Thursday night home games because Tom usually (depending on the opponent) goes to chorus rehearsal and lets her go to the game. The Malones are both Registered Dietitians and hold leadership positions in the Texas and American Dietetic Associations. Tom is Vice-President for Chorus Operations this year.

Todd Reavis

Asst Director

Clayton Scott
Not posted yet.

Rick Sonntag
Not posted yet.

John Towry
Not posted yet.

Earl Truax

Earl has been a Barbershop Harmony Society member for 43 years. He is a retired newspaper promotion executive who also spent five years in the front office of the Miami Dolphins Professional Football Team and owns two Super Bowl Rings. Shortly after joining the society, Earl won a second place International Chorus Medal in 1964 and a Gold Championship Chorus Medal in 1965 singing with the Miamians. He moved to San Antonio in 1973, and has sung with the Chordsmen for 31 years. He was president of the Chordsmen in 1976 and 1977. Earl and his wife, Bonnie, reside in San Antonio where she is president and founder of the San Antonio Low Vision Club and Owl Radio Reading Service. Earl helps Bonnie administer the 700-plus member organization whose goal is to provide assistance, encouragement and support to persons visually impaired.

Andy Weaver
Andy, the dead weight usually found somewhere on the back row, is a transplanted Midwesterner, who followed a job to Austin from Milwaukee in 1986. He's glad to be rid of snow, mosquitoes and the need of a thermometer with negative numbers on it, but not too keen on needing one with three digits.

Andy, the dead weight usually found somewhere on the back row, is a transplanted Midwesterner, who followed a job to Austin from Milwaukee in 1986. He's glad to be rid of snow, mosquitoes and the need of a thermometer with negative numbers on it, but not too keen on needing one with three digits.

TREASURER

Joel Bourgeois

A barbershopper since 1976, Joel joined the Heart Of Texas Chorus when he moved to Austin in 1995. Joel has sung in a number of quartets, including the Basin Street Quartet, High Cotton, Bait and Switch, Tuxedo Junction, Renaissance, and Vanguard, his newest foursome. He's won two District championships, gone to International twelve times with his quartets, and has served the Heart Of Texas Chorus as baritone section leader. Joel works at the Texas Education Agency, and he plays guitar for his own amusement.

Robert Compton
Not posted yet.

Brent Dunavant
Not posted yet.

Assoc.Director

Greg Hess
Not posted yet.

OPSVP

Don Inbody

Don has been singing since his mother took him to the children's choir at church when he was 6 years old. Since then he has been actively involved in music and singing including his own group, BuffaloGrass, a three piece bluegrass-folk band. He has recently retired as a Captain from the Navy following 28 years of service. He presently is teaching political science on the faculty at Texas State University.

PRESIDENT

Scott Lipscomb
Not posted yet.

Bryan Pulver

Bryan is 20 years old and has been singing for eight years, barbershopping for five years. Bryan is one of the newer members of the Heart Of Texas Chorus, but has sung in many high school quartets on every part. Recently, he has joined the 2003, 2004 and 2005 International Semi-Finalist quartet Sterling. His home is in Cedar Park, but he is currently a freshman at Texas State University in San Marcos studying music. Bryan is a big baseball fan, but his favorite hobby is ringing chords with his friends on Thursday nights.

Asst Director

Victor Ramirez
Started singing BBS with The Hill Country Chorus in 2005.

Ron Rogers
Ron is another of our newest members. He was able to join us after the Air Force transferred him to San Antonio from the Far East

Jan Scofield
Not posted yet.

Sam Tweedy

Our Chapter President from 1994 through 1996 and 2000, Sam was our 2000 Barbershopper of the Year. He started barbershopping in 1963, singing tenor with Orlando's "Orange Blossom Chorus" and later with the Sunshine District Champion "Greater Canaveral Chorus." He was serving as the Sunshine District Vice-President in 1968 when IBM moved him to Austin. Here, he hooked up with the "Chord Rangers" and sang with them in the International Chorus Contest in 1968. Switching to baritone in 1970, Sam was in the original "River City Four," a member of the "Quasars," 1975 SWD Quartet Champions and International semi-finalists, and a member of the "Starlight Knights," third place medalists in the 1995 International Seniors Quartet Contest. He's been honored as International Bulletin Editor of the Year, Barbershopper of the Year now in three chapters, has held all chapter offices, including nine terms as president, has been show chairman and contest/convention chairman many times, and was one of the founders of the Heart of Texas Chorus. Sam retired from IBM after more than 30 years and now runs his own special events production business and continues to work for IBM on a part-time basis. In addition to his duties for the Heart Of Texas Chorus, he is currently the Chairman of the Society's International Bulletin Editor of the Year Contest.

MEMVP

Robert Baker
Not posted yet.

Ken De Young

Tom DeMoor
Not posted yet.

John Denayer
Not posted yet.

Ray Elbel

Dr. Ray is from New Braunfels and has been involved in barbershopping for about 15 years. He’s a charter member of H.O.T., but also sings with his local New Braunfels chapter whenever possible. Ray also sings in his church choir. His other interests include food and wine, gardening, and collecting books and old sheet music. In his “spare time,” Ray maintains an active medical practice as a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon.

Tom Ellison
Tom has enjoyed singing barbershop since 1985. He has spent his entire career in retail, currently with United Fashions of Texas. Tom’s wife, Myrna, is an elementary school art teacher. They have two children, Sonja Lange of Fair Oaks Ranch, and Thomas of San Antonio, and they also have seven grandchildren. Tom’s other interests are golfing and boating.

Tom has enjoyed singing barbershop since 1985. He has spent his entire career in retail, currently with United Fashions of Texas. Tom’s wife, Myrna, is an elementary school art teacher. They have two children, Sonja Lange of Fair Oaks Ranch, and Thomas of San Antonio, and they also have seven grandchildren. Tom’s other interests are golfing and boating.

Ben Elmendorf
Not posted yet.

Rodger Fields
Not posted yet.

Christopher Hanson
Not posted yet.

Bill Kahlke
Bill started singing with the Texas Boys Choir when he was eight years old. He joined the Barbershopping world in 1980 and the Heart Of Texas Chorus in 1995. Bill is the Rehearsal Coordinator for the Heart Of Texas Chorus. He lives in Austin with his wife Theresa and three kids.

Bill started singing with the Texas Boys Choir when he was eight years old. He joined the Barbershopping world in 1980 and the Heart Of Texas Chorus in 1995. Bill is the Rehearsal Coordinator for the Heart Of Texas Chorus. He lives in Austin with his wife Theresa and three kids.

Chorus_Manager

Larry Krause
Kitsap County Vikings, Bremerton, WA, Northwest Sound, Bellvue, WA (International Competitor - Hartford - 1998), Harmony Oaks, Thousand Oaks, CA, Pacific Sound, Ventura, CA (International Competitor - Indianapolis - 2006), Heart Of Texas Chorus, San Marcos, Tx (International 10th place - Denver - 2007), 1992 FWD Senior Champion Quartet - Jest For Phun?

Kitsap County Vikings, Bremerton, WA, Northwest Sound, Bellvue, WA (International Competitor - Hartford - 1998), Harmony Oaks, Thousand Oaks, CA, Pacific Sound, Ventura, CA (International Competitor - Indianapolis - 2006), Heart Of Texas Chorus, San Marcos, Tx (International 10th place - Denver - 2007), 1992 FWD Senior Champion Quartet - Jest For Phun?

Webmaster

Darin Middleton
Not posted yet.

Terry Pyle

Terry has been singing barbershop for more than 25 years. (He’s finally starting to get the hang of it.) He is the Bass Section Leader and also enjoys being part of the front row choreography team. If he's not singing or at home with his family in Cedar Park, Terry is probably serving his clients as a District Manager and Registered Representative for The American General Financial Group. His wife, Lisa, works as an Account Research Representative for Olympus Servicing. Their daughter, Gina, is graduating from Bowling Green State University in Ohio next weekend, and their son, Craig, is graduating from UT-Austin the very next weekend! Hurray!!!

Paul Reavis
A retired high school choir director, currently a church choir director, joined BHS in 1982, directed the New Braunfels and San Antonio chapters, a certified trainer of CDWI's, a certified director, married to a Sweet Adeline baritone and dad to Todd.

A retired high school choir director, currently a church choir director, joined BHS in 1982, directed the New Braunfels and San Antonio chapters, a certified trainer of CDWI's, a certified director, married to a Sweet Adeline baritone and dad to Todd.

Asst Director

Lew Sitterly

Lew is retired from the rolls of the employed and is pursuing his long time avocation, photography, as the proprietor of Lew Sitterly, Photography. He started singing Barbershop while in College and has been a society member for 24 years. Lew helped start a chapter in Berlin, Germany in 1973, known as the "Berlin A-Chords" and has sung with several other chapters at various times during the past 50 years. Lew has been a Heart of Texas Chorus member since 1996 and has sereved the Chapter as Membership Team Leader, At Large Board Member (BMAL), Executive Vice President, Chapter President (2007) and currently serving as the Immediate Past President and BMAL.

BMAL

Wallace Stanley
Not posted yet.

Jack Stevens

Jack's first experience in barbershop was his own quartet, the Brass Buttons, at the Naval Academy in 1967, which was featured on all the Academy Glee Club shows all over the country. Jack's quartet did a spot on the Skitch Henderson Show in NYC with Shari Lewis, where Lambchop was sitting on his shoulder while they sang "Coney Island Baby" on live TV. He formed another quartet, the "Rip Chords," while part of the Training Command Choir during flight training in Pensacola, FL, in 1969 and 1970. He joined the Society in 1976 in San Diego, winning a 3rd place chorus medal in 1977. He sang with the Tri-County, Maryland chapter in 1986 and 1987 and joined the Alexandria Harmonizers in 1988. He competed at International with the Harmonizers, winning gold medals in 1989 and 1995, silver in 1992, and bronze in 1993 and 1994. For his contributions to the Harmonizers, Jack received the Harmonizer Presidential Recognition of Merit award in 1991 and 1992, the Harmonizer Honor Award in 1993, and the 1997 Oz Newgard Memorial Award. Jack joined the Heart of Texas Chorus in January 1998. He is a certified society judge in the Presentation Category, and works with the chorus on the visual aspects of their performance. He was selected as one of our two Barbershoppers of the Year in 2001. He is a retired Navy pilot and lives in Kerrville with his wife Lesle and their two girls, Jackie and Dani.

MUVP

Joe Thane
Joe has come recently to us from San Angelo when his employer, McCoy Building Products, relocated him to San Marcos. Lucky for us!. After singing Baritone and Tenor, Joseph finally settled into his true voice part. Growing up in West Texas Joseph could not get to hill country fast enough. Joseph is married to his lovely wife, Gayla, and has 4 children, Brandon, Tara, Ember, and Katie.

Joe has come recently to us from San Angelo when his employer, McCoy Building Products, relocated him to San Marcos. Lucky for us!. After singing Baritone and Tenor, Joseph finally settled into his true voice part. Growing up in West Texas Joseph could not get to hill country fast enough. Joseph is married to his lovely wife, Gayla, and has 4 children, Brandon, Tara, Ember, and Katie.

QTET

John Worthington

John has been a singer since he was a youngster, minored in music in college, performed in musical comedy, light opera and numerous choruses, choirs and quartets and has been a member of the Society for fourteen years. He helps plan chorus performances and contest appearances, has served as a Public Relations and Marketing instructor for the Society's Chapter Officer Training Schools, is a former SWD Board Member and helps with SWD PR. As a member of the Marketing and Communications team, he ensures that chorus recordings and other products are distributed for sale at national, regional and local barbershop society events, helps to publicize chorus activities and shows and assists with chorus internal communications activities to help keep the chorus, and its family and friends informed. John completed an Air Force officer career in public relations and broadcast management, and is now Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, for Security Service Federal Credit Union in San Antonio. His wife, Jackie, teaches kindergarten and they have two grown daughters.

MKTVP