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Meet Our Director - Todd Oxley

12/31/2008

Written by Jack Kile

In September 2008, Todd Oxley, a 25-year barbershopper, returned to direct the Winnebagoland Barbershop Chorus. He also directed the chorus in 1997 and 1998.

Todd, a distinguished music educator with over 30 years experience, recently retired as Director of Choral Music at Neenah High School. Prior to that, he served as Director of Choral Music at Winneconne High School.

Todd was introduced to barbershopping by his father, Norris, a founding member of the Minocqua-Woodruff chapter. While a student at UW-Stevens Point, Todd sang tenor with the quartet, “Crowd Pleasers.” For the past 23 years, he has sung lead with the Sawdust City Slickers, past Packerland Division champions and LOL District finalists. Presently, he is singing bass in “The Cheery-O’s” with his three sons (Jacob, Joshua, and Nathan), 2007 Packerland Division champs and LOL District finalists.

Through the years, Todd has been instrumental in introducing the barbershop style of music to many students and is a frequent teaching clinician at Youth In Harmony festivals.

Jacob Oxley Awarded College Scholarship

12/31/2008

Written by Jack Kile

The Oshkosh Winnebagoland Chapter awarded a $1000 college scholarship to Jacob Oxley. Jake is currently a sophomore at UW-Stevens Point where he is majoring in Music Education.

He is a third generation barbershopper who already has an outstanding resume. In 2008, he directed the Oshkosh Alliance Youth Barbershop Chorus that participated in the first annual International Youth Barbershop Chorus Festival in San Antonio. He also directed the Winnebagoland Barbershop Chorus for the summer.

Jake sings lead with "Counterpoint," who represented the Land O' Lakes District in the 2008 International Collegiate Quartet Contest in Nashville, and also sings baritone with the "The Cheery-O's," which includes his dad and two brothers. The Cheery-O's were the 2007 Packerland Division champs and Land O' Lakes District finalists.

Chorus Sponsors Sounds of Christmas Concert

12/7/2008

Written by Jack Kile

Several years ago, Dick Voakes, an active member of the Oshkosh Winnebagoland Chapter, had a vision. That was to bring together people from the community for a musical celebration of the Christmas season. He did not want the show to be made up exclusively of barbershop groups, but desired to include other groups (male and female, youth and adult) representing a wide diversity of types and styles of music. In the spirit of giving back to the community, Dick’s wishes were to keep overhead low and have all proceeds go to local charities. His plan received support from the chapter’s board and he began planning for the first concert which was held in 2001.

On December 7th, 2008, the Winnebagoland Barbershop Chorus presented its 8th Annual Community Sounds of Christmas Charity Concert to an audience of about one thousand people. The eight performing groups from Oshkosh included mixed choirs from South Park, Webster Stanley, and Carl Traeger middle schools, the North High School Madrigal Singers, Lourdes High School Concert Choir, West High School Chorale, the Y-Nots (a senior singing group), and the Winnebagoland Barbershop Chorus.

Oshkosh Community Charity Concert - Sing along with the audience and mass choir

Each group performed two numbers and designated a charity for their share of the proceeds. The event raised over $7000, equally distributed among the groups participating. The designated local charities included the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, the American Cancer Society, the Humane Society, Boys and Girls Club, Multiple Sclerosis Society, the American Red Cross, and Bosom Buddies (a cancer support group).

The highlight of the concert was the mass choir of about 400 voices, directed by Herb Berendsen (Director of Vocal Music at Oshkosh West High School and a past director of the Winnebagoland Barbershop Chorus), singing “Winter Wonderland,” “What Child is This,” and “Repeat the Sounding Joy.” As was the case with previous concerts, the rich, full sound of the mass choir was a crowd pleaser and a fitting way to end the concert.

In its eight years, the concert has played to about 9000 people and raised about $60,000 for local charities. The event has created a spirit of giving and good will within the community and beyond. A number of individuals and groups, outside of the local barbershop chapter, have donated time and services (e.g., printing, advertising, promotion and sale of tickets) and the auditorium has been provided rent-free.

While this special concert has truly become a team effort, it would have never happened without Dick Voake’s vision. He remains the glue and catalyst that makes it go.

See more photos of this event in the photo gallery.

Meet Our Director - Todd Oxley

Jacob Oxley Awarded College Scholarship

Chorus Sponsors Sounds of Christmas Concert

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