| Chas. Byram [Yes, he put's a period every time he writes his name] began singing at a very early age [skip to paragraph 3 for barbershop stuff]. Having a musical mother who sang with a women's trio throughout New England, he grew up around music and musicians. Originally, his musical outlet was with his church; performing solos, Jr Choir, Adult Choir and in many church musicals.
High School brought the opportunity for school & community musicals. Outstanding Soloist of the Year awards, All-State Music Festival, and the opportunity to fill in for a Senior (HS) Quartet members increased his love of singing. His Choral Director was contacted by the local S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A. Chapter in So. Paris, ME and he and a couple friends spent several rehearsals with them as they needed more voices!
During College, there were enough opportunities to sing and perform rendering barbershop, unfortunately, to the back burner. Graduating with a B.A. in Social Sciences from Nyack College in Nyack, N.Y.; Chas. had chosen the college for it's Music Department (and scholarship opportunities). College Choir, spring break tours with the Mish Society, Brooklyn Gospel Team and a summer touring with the seven voice group Commission were thrilling opportunities. One Summer was spent at Sandy Cove Bible Conference Center working both as a Life Guard, & performing with their Choralaires!
Enter: Life. A move from New England to Pennsylvania. A new career with school debts to pay. A new church search and involvement...
Summer of 2010 became the summer of his discontent, and a friend insisted he listen to a one hour special on NPR. It was about the Barbershop Harmony Society. A few hours on the web and the choices were narrowed down to a couple chapters in the local area. After attending the November Show, and being invited to a four week 'Learn to Sing Barbershop' the following January.
Chas. auditioned as a Baritone and was accepted to the Lead Section (for reportedly being too animated to be a baritone) February 2011. Within a year he was the Lead Section Leader, V.P. of Program and began Director Training (one of the main reasons he had started college as a Music Major to begin with). He was honored by the Chapter as 2012's Barbershopper of the Year!
Now (October 2018), Chas. is officially an Assistant Director of the Bucks County Country Gentlemen Chorus. He has served as VP of Program, Executive VP, President, Immediate Past President, President again (woops!), IPP (agian) and is almost actively seeking a quartet. He's an Ambassador of Harmony and, well, you get the idea...
Chas(dot) has been an active Bass singer with Parkside Harmony as well.
Chas. is a Member At Large on the Mid-Atlantic District's BOD (starting 2019) and a will and generally-available Performance Coach!
Chas. admits he's not the best at instantly learning tags, but loves that lock and ring he's attained at chapter meetings, Division and District Conventions, and Harmony College East Director's School, Harmony University... Let's ring a chord or two next time we meet, OK?
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