April 21, 2001 - The Boonslick Chordbusters place 2nd at Districts and take home the Most Improved Chorus Award as well!

A new benchmark was achieved this weekend at the Central States District Barbershop Convention.  The Boonslick Chordbusters, Mid Missouri’s Barbershop Harmony Society, placed second in the chorus competition. The Boonslick Chordbusters are one chapter of over 900 in the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America (S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A). The competition, held in St. Joseph, MO, is an annual event that was attended this year by more than 800 participants, 10 competing choruses, 20 competing district quartets, and 7 college quartets.  The district consists of parts of South Dakota, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and Arkansas.  The quartet winners selected from these competitions will attend the international competition, held in Nashville, TN in July.

“We went trying to better last year's scores,  but ended up not only doing that but being named the Most Improved Chorus in the Central States District. (Click here to see all of the scores on the Central States District site . . .)  I am very proud of the chorus' accomplishments and in all the hard work the guys have produced”, said Dr. Tarry Koutz, Director of the Boonslick Chordbusters.  Dr. Koutz is the Music Director at the Central Christian College of the Bible in Moberly, MO and serves as Worship Art Minister at the Blue Ridge Christian Church in Columbia, MO.

“This really is a significant mile post for us”,  said Chuck Bay, President of the group.  “We work hard to develop a quality sound and put on really entertaining performances.”

The Boonslick Chordbusters have been bringing top quality music to our area for the last five years.  They hold an annual concert in the fall and recently have begun hosting a Christmas concert.  These shows feature top-rated quartets and choruses from around the country. They are also the group responsible for those Singing Valentines.

In April, 2002 the chorus will be hosting the district competition in Columbia.  The competition is a two day event beginning on Friday with quartet competitions.  Saturday will be filled with chorus competitions, college quartet competitions, and the district quartet finals. One category in which the Central States District excels is the College Quartet competition.  The district is sending their champion College Quartet to the international convention this summer where the winner will not only win recognition but take home $4000.  The convention will culminate with a show featuring the winning quartets and choruses.  Tickets will be available to the public.

The Boonslick Chordbusters membership includes singers from many of the area's communities: Booneville, Jefferson City, California, Moberly, Fulton and Columbia.  They rehearse Thursday night, 7p.m., at the Forum Boulevard Christian Church at the intersection of Nifong and Forum.

In spite of the recent success the chapter promises to maintain its affordable ticket prices!.