“Music has a healing power that you cannot imagine. Once [performing] at the VA hospital, this fella was in bad shape — showing no emotion for more than six months. While we sang a Christmas song, all the sudden, tears came out of his eyes and his face filled ear to ear with a grin. The nurses were crying with joy — we were too.” BOB COANT, HARMONY KATZ MEMBER
Singing for everyone “We’re amateur singers,” says Coant. “A district champion could be singing next to a guy who sings in the shower. It’s a team sport,” he continues. “There’s nothing like getting the four parts to sing as one voice.” Together the nearly 70 members perform year-round, singing classics and Broadway show tunes at nursing homes, hospitals and community festivals, with more than 20 performances slated during the Christmas season. And they are eager to welcome new members. “Everybody can sing,” says Carantz. “If you can speak, you can sing.” Harmony Katz offers continuing music education for its members. Monday is practice night, the best night of the week for Chapter President Matt Fitzgibbons. “It’s my daaaaayyyyy!” he sings. “I get to sing, have fun and fellowship. It’s a great way to start the week.” Fitzgibbons says the holiday season is a perfect time to join Harmony Katz, because the tunes are familiar to most. For him, Harmony Katz and support.
From left, Harmony Katz’ Off the Top Barbershop Quartet members Roger Hiemstra, John Kinney, Rick Luckette and Joe Browne Perform a serenade at the Hal Welsh East Area YMCA in Fayetteville in 2018.
“When you make music together, there’s a bond that forms. That bond strengthens when you have a similar mission to feed the hungry through music.”
To find a show near you, buy a CD and learn more about The Harmony Katz and its musical family including The Katz Meow (all female), The Silver Katz (daytime, all male barbershop) and AcoustiKatz (male and female mixed), go to harmonykatz.org.
22
CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
PHOTOS BY N. SCOTT TRIMBLE, GARY WALTS
has become a fraternity of brotherhood