Velvet Hammer started with an email between Greg Martin and Colin Stevenson. Greg had told Colin that his longtime quartet tsunami was no longer going to compete together. Colin and Greg had helped form tsunami in 2003 and Colin sang lead in tsunami for 2 years.
Colin mentioned to Greg that he was trying to get a group together to try to qualify for the LOL district contest, but could not get anything going in time to sing at a divisional qualifier.
So they decided to join forces. Greg would tap Chris Weber, the former lead of tsunami, while Colin would sing tenor and grab John Dorgan, to try the baritone.
John and Colin learned a couple of tsunami's former number for the first rehearsal, and they met Chris and Greg in Machesney Park, IL. At that meeting, they decided they had potential and that they would pick up two more songs for the fall district contest.
The quartet was able to secure a rehearsal place at the Comfort Suites in Johnson Creek, WI, which is centrally located for the quartet members. They began twice a month rehearsals and started looking for a coach when they had four numbers learned.
The quartet decided to work with Joe Liles, and the level in which they sang rose dramatically. The quartet began to practice every week as contest approached and met with Joe for 3 coaching sessions. They felt as prepared as they could be for the contest.
Velvet Hammer sang 6th Friday night, and felt o.k., but didn't quite bring to the stage what they had hoped. Since they sang early, they had the opportunity to listen to most of the other quartets. It became obvious to them that they were going to have to up their game Saturday afternoon.
Saturday came and went and the quartet felt very good about their performance. They were thrilled to hear their name announced in first place.
Greg, Chris, Colin, and John had never had the experience of winning a district contest prior, and it will be an experience they will never forget. They are excited to represent the Illinois district as the 2012 District champions!
Colin mentioned to Greg that he was trying to get a group together to try to qualify for the LOL district contest, but could not get anything going in time to sing at a divisional qualifier.
So they decided to join forces. Greg would tap Chris Weber, the former lead of tsunami, while Colin would sing tenor and grab John Dorgan, to try the baritone.
John and Colin learned a couple of tsunami's former number for the first rehearsal, and they met Chris and Greg in Machesney Park, IL. At that meeting, they decided they had potential and that they would pick up two more songs for the fall district contest.
The quartet was able to secure a rehearsal place at the Comfort Suites in Johnson Creek, WI, which is centrally located for the quartet members. They began twice a month rehearsals and started looking for a coach when they had four numbers learned.
The quartet decided to work with Joe Liles, and the level in which they sang rose dramatically. The quartet began to practice every week as contest approached and met with Joe for 3 coaching sessions. They felt as prepared as they could be for the contest.
Velvet Hammer sang 6th Friday night, and felt o.k., but didn't quite bring to the stage what they had hoped. Since they sang early, they had the opportunity to listen to most of the other quartets. It became obvious to them that they were going to have to up their game Saturday afternoon.
Saturday came and went and the quartet felt very good about their performance. They were thrilled to hear their name announced in first place.
Greg, Chris, Colin, and John had never had the experience of winning a district contest prior, and it will be an experience they will never forget. They are excited to represent the Illinois district as the 2012 District champions!
RSS Feed