On October 24, 2009, a number of the Ladybirds and several guests traveled to Somerset County to attend the Annual Roof Garden Chorus Barbershop Show at the local senior high school—matinée showing.

The group arrived at the Eat ‘n Park Restaurant for lunch before going over to the barbershop show, a routine they have followed for a number of years, actually.

This show marked the twenty-sixth anniversary of the Roof Garden Chorus, and their mission is to provide wholesome musical entertainment for the citizens of Somerset County.

Roof Garden Chorus

The show began promptly at 2:30 with the Roof Garden Chorus singing a number of inspirational songs, including If the Lord Be Willing How Great Thou Art and a medley entitled I’ll Fly Away to name a few of the selections. Their hometown quartet, Heart & Soul sang Only You and Sha Boom.

Heart and Soul Quartet

After the intermission, the guest chorus, Keystone Capital Chorus of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania performed. They are members of the Barbershop Harmony Society (formerly SPEBSQSA) since 1946.

Keystone Capital Chorus

The Keystone Capital Chorus performed a number of great selections, including Cabaret, Heather on the Hill, Another Opening of Another Show (medley), Puttin’ on the Ritz, This is the Moment, Moonlight Becomes You and Irving Berlin’s Blue Skies, Sing Hallelujah Come On Get Happy, ‘Til There Was You, a comedy number—I Only Have Eyes for You—with props (google eyes, disappearing stars, scrims, etc.), Nat King Cole’s Orange Colored Sky, and It’s Only a Paper Moon. The list is probably not complete.

Comedy Number (I Only Have Eyes For You)

Several quartets from the Keystone Chorus sang: Fiddler on the Roof (medley) and Heart of My Heart I Love That Melody/Heart of My Heart (medley), Ain’t Misbehavin’, No Place On Earth I’d Rather Be, Footloose and Fancy Free, There’s a Place for Us, Breaking Up is Hard to Do and Somewhere.

A brand new quartet, Thrill Ride, did a rousing performance of It’s On With the Show and Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella, It’s You, and On the Street Where You Live. Later, after the finale, Thrill Ride gave the Ladybirds a thrill by singing one of their latest (newly learned) songs just for them out in the hallway.

Thrill Ride, Singing After The Show

Thrill Ride, Singing For The Ladybirds

Several door prizes of tickets to next year’s show were won by lucky people in the audience, including one of our Cumberland ladies. CD’s of both choruses were available for sale after the show.

The group caravaned to Hill Top Inn in Grantsville for dinner before heading back home, having enjoyed being together for two meals and a wonderful concert!

Ladybirds And Guests At Hill Top Inn

Ladybirds At Hill Top Inn