HISTORY

1938
The Kansas City Missouri Chapter was organized in June; the second chapter in the Society.

1940
Dr. Norman Rathert of St. Louis. MO. became the 2nd International President.

1946
A joint meeting of delegates from nearly all of the chapters in Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Nebraska met in Joplin. MO on February 5 to form a “Central States Association of Chapters” and adopt a constitution. As originally organized, the Association included all or part of the states of Oklahoma, Missouri. Kansas, and Nebraska. A formal meeting was held on September 16 and the Society granted the District a charter on October 6. The largest chapter in the District at the time was Clayton, MO with 160 members.
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1947
Iowa, Colorado and Texas were included in the District on January 18. The KEYNOTES of Newton, Kansas, became the first District Quartet Champions.

1948
The third annual meeting was held in Lincoln, NE May 1 and New Mexico, South Dakota and Wyoming, were added to the District. On August 14 and 15, at the Holiday House, Lake of the Ozarks, MO, the Central States district pioneered a school of Instruction, the first of its kind in barbershopping. It might be called the forerunner of what is now COTS.
A new Central States charter was adopted in June. It included Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. Effective July 1, the chapters in Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas were officially moved from the Central States district into a newly organized Southwestern District.

1952
The Four Teens of St. Louis, MO became International Quartet Champions. The members were John Steinmetz, Tenor; Jim Chinnock, Lead; Don Lamont, Baritone; and Don Cahill, Bass.

1953
The Laramie, WY, Chorus became the first District Champion Chorus at the Regional Contest at Longmont, CO.

1954
The first Serenade was published in tabloid form at Spencer, IA on January 1. THE Orphans from Wichita, KS, became International Quartet Champions in Washington, DC. The members were O.H. “Burt” Bigham, Tenor; Robert P. Groom, Lead; Pete Tyree, Baritone; and Warren Bond, Bass. Berney Simner of St. Louis, MO was the 13th International President.

1959
The name “SERENADE” was first used on a newsletter published by Ken Way and mailed to every chapter member in the district. The name was suggested by Dan Jacobson of Kansas City, MO. 1959. The Four Pitchhikers from Springfield, MO became the International Quartet Champions. Members were Larry Hedgpeth, Tenor; Keith Keitner, Lead; Keith Young, Baritone; Joe Delzell, Bass.

1965
The first Chapter Officers’ Training School (COTS) was held at Lincoln, NE on January 16 in the Nebraska Center for Continuing Ed.

1967
The Eastern Iowa division was formed. The balance of Iowa was combined with Nebraska and South Dakota to form the “WINSOD” Division. 1970 Robert D. “Bob” Gall from the Kansas City Chapter MO became the 26th International President.

1972
The “WINSOD” division was divided to form the WESTERN IOWA and NEBSOD (Nebraska-South Dakota) Divisions.

1978
Nineteen Central States District Chapters from Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming, joined with Chapters from the Evergreen, Far West, and Southwest District on January 1 to form the Rocky Mountain District, the Society’s 16th district.

1982
The NEBSOD division was split into the NEBRASKA and SOUTH DAKOTA divisions.

1986
The first Small Chorus Contest was held at the Sioux City Spring Prelims. Gil Lefholz of Kansas City. MO, was elected the 42nd International President and The Rural Route 4 of Kansas City, MO, became the international Quartet Champions. Members were Calvin Yoder, Lead; Willard Yoder, Bass; Don Kahl, Tenor; Jim Bagby, Baritone.

1990
Elective offices of Music Vice President and an Administrative Vice President were added to the District Board. The three-plateau system was first used for chorus competition. Plateau A, for 1-39 members; Plateau AA, 40 to 75 members; Plateau AAA, over 75 members. Membership is determined as of December 31 of the preceding year.ORY

1991
The Sam Cohen Award (’60-’78), Hall of Fame Award (’79-’84), Barbershopper of the Year (’68-’83), Award of Merit and Mr. Music Award (’85-’90) were combined into one award called the “Central States District Hall of Fame Award”. A new series of awards for “Barbershopper of the Year” was started. The position of Administrative Vice President was eliminated.

1992
The Central States District was chosen by the International Society to test “LIFEBLOOD,” a new membership recruitment concept. If successful, the concept would be implemented in all districts of the Society. Water Street Junction from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. became the first International Collegiate Quartet Champions. Members were Brady Swenson, Tenor; Jon Kohnen, Lead; Eric Monson, Baritone; and Travis Shaw. The Four Hoarsemen from University of Nebraska placed 2nd in the Collegiate Quartet Contest

1993
The Gas House Gang from St. Charles, MO. became the International Quartet Champions from Central States District. Members were Kipp Buckner, Tenor; Rick Knight, Lead; Rob Henry, Baritone; and Jim Henry, Bass. The District was represented by two choruses; Heart of America from Kansas City, MO. and Ambassadors of Harmony from St. Charles, MO.

1994
The Ambassadors of Harmony from St. Charles, MO placed fourth in the International Contest in Pittsburgh, PA. 3 Men & a Melody from Northwest Missouri State University placed 2nd in the Collegiate Quartet Contest.

1995
The Ambassadors of Harmony placed third in the International Contest in Miami, FL.

1996
The Ambassadors of Harmony placed third in the International Contest in Salt Lake City, UT. Bungee Chords from Northwest Missouri State University placed 3rd in the Collegiate Quartet Contest.

1997
The Ambassadors of Harmony placed third in the International Contest in Indianapolis, IN. Bungee Chords from Northwest Missouri State University placed 4th in the Collegiate Quartet Contest.

1998
Jurassic Larks from Des Moines, IA won the Gold Medal in the International Seniors Quartet Contest in Tampa, FL. Members were: Vic Neilson, tenor; Vince Yinger, lead; G.W. Lewallen, bass; Barney Alleman, Bari. The Ambassadors of Harmony from St. Charles, MO, represented the Central States District in Atlanta, GA. American Barber Boys from St. Joseph, MO and the Heart of America Chorus from Kansas City, MO qualified and were invited to compete in the contest. This marked the first time that three choruses from one state competed at International Contest. The Ambassadors of Harmony placed third in the contest. The Statesmen Quartet, representing Ottawa University, Kansas University and Oklahoma Baptist University, took fourth place in the MBNA America College Quartet Contest.

1999
Two appointed committee positions, VP SERVICE PROJECTS and VP YOUNG MEN IN HARMONY, were elevated to VP District Officer status. The Ambassadors of Harmony placed fourth in International contest at Anaheim, CA. Millennium from Northwest Missouri State University placed 3rd in the Collegiate Quartet Contest.

2000
The Kansas City, MO Chapter and Heart of America Chorus hosted its fifth International Convention. Millenium, from North West Missouri State University won the MBNA Collegiate Quartet contest in Kansas City. Jim Bagby Kansas City, MO Chapter, received the first CSD Master Director certificate. CSD established a website on the Internet.

2001
The Ambassadors of Harmony represented the Central States District and took home the fourth place medal at the International Convention in Nashville, TN

2002
The Ambassadors of Harmony represented the Central States District and took home the fourth place medal at the International Convention in Portland, OR

2003
The Ambassadors of Harmony represented the Central States District and took home the fourth place medal at the International Convention in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

2004
The Ambassadors of Harmony represented the Central States District and took home the first place gold medal at the International Convention in Salt Lake City, UT. Vocal Spectrum became International Collegiate Champions.

2006
Vocal Spectrum, from the Ambassadors of Harmony, became International Champions. Members were Tim Waurick, tenor; Eric Dalbey, lead; Jonny Moroni, baritone; and Chris Hallam, bass.

2007
The Ambassadors of Harmony represented the Central States District and took home the silver, second place medal at the International Convention in Denver, CO. They actually tied for first place!

2008
The Ambassadors of Harmony represented the Central States District and took home the silver, second place medal at the International Convention in Nashville, TN. Heart of America also represented the district at the international contest. The Gas House Gang and David Wright are inducted into the Barbershop Harmony Society Hall of Fame.

2009
The Ambassadors of Harmony represented the Central States District and became International champions with the highest chorus score ever recorded. Crossroads represented the Central States District and became International Champions. Members were Fred Ferrell, tenor; Mike Slamka, lead; Brandon Guyton, baritone; and Jim Henry, bass.

2010
Heart of America, Central Standard, and the Pathfinders represented the Central States District at the international contest. Don Fuson is elected to the Barbershop Harmony Society board of directors.

2011
Heart of America, Central Standard, and the Pathfinders represented the Central States District at the international contest.

2012
The Ambassadors of Harmony represented the Central States District and became International Champions. Heart of America and Central Standard also represented at the international contest.

2013
The Pathfinders represented the Central States District at the international contest.

2014
Central Standard represented the Central States District at the international contest. John Donehower and Ed Bittle are elected to the Barbershop Harmony Society board of directors.

2015
Don Fuson becomes International President. The Ambassadors of Harmony, Central Standard, and the Pathfinders represented the Central States District at the international contest. The Ambassadors of Harmony took home the silver, second place medal, and Central Standard took home the bronze, third place medal.

2016
The Ambassadors of Harmony and Central Standard represented the Central States District at the international contest. The Ambassadors of Harmony became International Champions, and Central Standard took home the silver, second place medal. SmorgasChorus mic tested at the international contest.

2017
Central Standard and SmorgasChorus represented the Central States District at the international contest. Central Standard took home the bronze, third place medal, while SmorgasChorus finished 16th in their first international chorus contest. Jeremy Albright is elected to the Barbershop Harmony Society board of directors.

2018
SmorgasChorus and the Pathfinders represented the Central States District at the international contest. SmorgasChorus finished 19th, and the Pathfinders placed 20th. BoomTown (19th), Fleet Street (26th), and Harmonium (29th) represented the district in the international quartet contest.

2019
The Ambassadors of Harmony (2nd), Central Standard (4th), Smorgaschorus (21st) and Pathfinders (26th) represented the Central States District in the international chorus contest. Fleet Street (27th), BoomTown (28th), Spitfire (38th) and Harmonium (46th) represented the district in the international quartet contest. Blair Brown (originally from St. Louis) is elected as the first woman to the International Board of Directors. City Limits placed 3rd in the Next Generation Varsity Quartet Contest

2020
In unprecedented times, the Covid-19 virus swept through the United States as well as the rest of the world. This caused the cancellation of the Central States District spring and fall conventions, as well as the international convention in Los Angeles and Harmony University in Nashville.

2021
Covid-19 continued to affect the greater barbershop community. This caused the cancellation of the Central States District spring convention, as well as the international convention in Cleveland and harmony University in Nashville.

2022
The Ambassadors of Harmony (2nd), Central Standard (5th), The Recruits (14th), SmorgasChorus (22nd), Pathfinders (31st) represented the Central States District in the international chorus contest. Fleet Street (15th), Boomtown (19th), Harmonium (20th), Union Station (25th), Tapestry (34th), Spitfire (36th) represented the district in the international quartet contest.

2023
The Ambassadors of Harmony (1st), Central Standard (5th), The Recruits (20th), SmorgasChorus (23rd) represented the Central States District in the international chorus contest. Fleet Street (16th), First Class (17th), Harmonium (25th), Boomtown (27th), Union Station (41st), Spitfire (42nd), represented the district in the international quartet contest. Tofu Concern from St. Charles, MO placed 2nd in the Next Generation Varsity Quartet Contest.