AWARDS AND HONORS
The recipients of our highest honors in 2019
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
DR. JIM HENRY A 44-year member of the Barbershop Harmony Society, Jim Henry is a two-time BHS international quartet champion bass and a four-time international chorus champion director. Bass of the 1993 International Quartet Champion The Gas House Gang, Jim currently sings with the 2009 BHS International Quartet Champion Crossroads. He holds a Ph.D. in music composition from Washington University and is Head of Choral Studies at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. He has worked along with David Wright to help demonstrate in word and song the deep African-American barbershop/jazz connections.
JOE LILES AWARD
STEVE ARMSTRONG
The Joe Liles Award honors those who demonstrate lifelong commitment to the barbershop style by raising the standards of excellence through leadership. Steve Armstrong has demonstrated excellence in leadership at the highest levels for over 30 years, most recently leading the Toronto Northern Lights to a gold medal in 2013. An accomplished barbershop arranger, coach and instructor, Steve is currently the Music Category Specialist for BHS Contest & Judging.
DAVE LABAR EMCEE AWARD
JACK SMITH, BOB MORRISSEY (AWARDED POSTHUMOUSLY)
The Dave LaBar Emcee award, named for one of our departed Society giants, honors an individual who embodies greatness in the “Art of the Emcee.� This year's Dave LaBar Awards were awarded posthumously to Jack Smith and Bob Morrissey. Bob had a certain presence about him, and his words were Mike Maino accepted the award on behalf of Bob always well con- Morrissey and Bill Biffle accepted the award on sidered, thought- behalf of Jack Smith ful and to the point. His command of an audience in a Chapter Board meeting or before a large public audience was rooted in his intellect, integrity and great sense of caring. Jack was a certified judge, served as president of the Rocky Mountain District, and was honored with the Hall of Fame award at both District and Chapter levels, as well as being a much sought after coach and mentor.
BHS/NAFME MUSIC EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
LORI LYFORD
The 2019 BHS/NAfME Music Educator of the Year Award was presented to Lori Lyford, whose 30+ years as a music educator have inspired thousands of young singers' lives. She is currently director of the acclaimed choral ensembles of Chandler High School in Chandler, Ariz. She is a 10-time international medal-winning director for the Scottsdale Chorus of Sweet Adelines International.
DEALER'S CHOICE AWARD
MIDTOWN SCORES BIG IN SALT LAKE The Dealer's Choice Award is given to the highest-placing new quartet each year in the Society's International Quartet Contest, with the quartet having no prior international champs and no two members having before competed together on the international stage. The award is named after the 1973 champs who won in their contest debut, and Midtown was the first Dealer's Choice award winner to debut with an international medal, taking fifth place after three amazing sets.
barbershop.org | January/February 2020 | The Harmonizer | 13
