Past Quartets of Note

St. Croix Crossing, 2010–⁠2025

In their fifteen years, St. Croix Crossing because a favorite of many in the barbershop community. They performed on many chapter shows and other events, and in fact, were one of the busier Barbershop quartets in the Land O’ Lakes District and surrounding area. The reasons were clear – in addition to singing pretty well, they were also very entertaining! Their song selection ran the gamut from old familiar Barbershop “standards” to popular songs from many decades, show tunes, and religious songs. Their shows were funny and highly interactive, allowing their personalities to come through, so that by the time it was over, everyone felt like they’d just spent an evening with old friends.

They were the 2018 International Seniors Champion and the 2022 Land O’ Lakes District Champion. Their sustained run of excellence was legendary, placing in the top five every year from from 2011 to 2021, with six second place finishes!

St. Croix Crossing was Randy Lieble (tenor), Dan Heike (lead), Jared Hoke (bass), and Steve Hardy (baritone). You can find many videos of this entertaining quartet on YouTube.

Three Of A Kind

Jim Olson (tenor), Brandon Galbraith (lead), Larry Dean (bass), Ron Bullard (baritone)

Up North

Jim Kramer (tenor), Doug Klemz (lead), Larry Dean (bass), Lou Gottwalt (baritone)

Timbre

Gordon Everest (tenor), Rich Bartel (lead), Steve Zorn (bass), and Ron Bullard (baritone)

Presto!

Each member of this barbershop quartet had sung in various a cappella groups over the years before they embarked on the musical endeavor known as Presto!. In short order, they built a sizeable repertoire with songs of diverse origin and entertained in many venues around the Twin Cities metro area. The group was also very active in the North Star Chorus where they participated in a number of community appearances.

The members of Presto! were Ricky Chaddock (baritone), Ron Middlestaedt (bass), Grant Warning (tenor), and Ron Riley (lead). Coming from backgrounds as different as their love of harmony is similar, the quartet represented professions of (left to right) computer scientist, contract technical writer, railroad superintendent-operations, and construction company owner.

Bringing the music of their lives to the community was a common goal of Presto! It was also the hope of these four men that their songs would inspire and entertain – for that is what the hobby is about.

Vocality, 2007 –

This dynamic a cappella quartet brings the house down with a repertoire as wide-ranging as a jukebox on shuffle—classic rock from the ’60s and ’70s, soul-stirring Gospel, show-stopping Broadway hits, and the timeless charm of Barbershop. Audiences can’t get enough of their authentic, engaging, and downright fun performances.

Formed in January 2007, Vocality hit the ground singing and was instantly celebrated for their pitch-perfect harmonies and artistic flair. Over the years, they’ve racked up accolades in both barbershop and contemporary a cappella competitions, proving they’re at the top of their game in every key. And in October 2016, they reached another high note: induction into the Land O' Lakes Barbershop Harmony District Hall of Fame.

Vocality was the 2007 LOL District Champion; current members are Tony Blackwood, Ben John, Jay Althof, and Tom Matchinsky. Although they are no longer members of the North Star Chorus, we still claim them as part of our rich quartet tradition!

Vocality continues to be a very active quartet; find out more about them on the Vocality website.

Nouveau

Got music? The smooth, satin sounds of Nouveau provided it! This quartet represented the Hilltop and St. Paul chapters and entertained with a unique and fun sound, with a blend of excitement and energy in the barbershop style. Audiences loved to sit back and enjoy the satin sounds of Nouveau!

Nouveau was the 2003 LOL District Champion. Members were Jim Olson (tenor), David Boyd (bass), Tony Blackwood (lead), and Duane Rygg (baritone).

Happiness Emporium, 1972–⁠2013

1975 International Champions
1973 LOL District Champions

Bob Dowma (tenor), Rick Anderson (baritone), Rod Johnson (lead), Jim Foy (bass)