About the Chordmasters

Mission Statement
The Chordmasters are committed to bringing quality barbershop style harmony to all performances and to performing in accordance with the standards as set forward by the Barbershop Harmony Society, formerly known as SPEBSQSA.

Quartet Members

Elmer Sweet, Tenor Extraordinaire

Dave King, Sweet Lead

Jim Gieseler, Mellow Baritone

Bernie Martin, Stellar Bass

Quartet History
The Chordmasters, all members of the Arlingtones Barbershop Chorus, have been ringing chords throughout the Northwest Suburbs since Valentine’s Day of 2001. Elmer Sweet, our tenor, has been a barbershopper for 15 years. When he is not reaching for the high notes, he is teaching math and computer skills to the students at Fenwick High School. Bernie Martin retired from the medical profession in 1996 and began singing with the Arlingtones the following year. He had sung in a quartet in 1949-50 and was happy to get back to singing bass after so many years. Jim Gieseler retired from the freight transportation business in 1997 and joined the Arlingtones shortly after that. Jim fills in the fourth note of the chord at baritone. The fourth member of the current Chordmasters, Dave King, joined us early in 2002. Dave is a retired policeman and says that he enjoys singing lead more that passing out traffic tickets.

The Chordmasters are fortunate to have two very talented musicians to serve as back up when our usual quartet configuration can't make it due to work, family, or other commitments.  When this occurs for Elmer, our tenor, Jack Musich serves as his substitute. Jack has been singing tenor for, well, for a very long time.  Likewise, Al Thorstenson subs for Jim at baritone when the need arises. Al converted from bass to baritone about one year ago and does a very nice job.  He also plays the accordion but we try not to hold that against him. You will see pictures of both among our photos from time to time. Jack is the tall guy with white hair.  Al also has white hair, it is just a little harder to find. We try to practice in all configurations so that the quality of our performance is maintained.

In the last six years, we have performed over 200 times. We have been to Lake Zurich, Waukegan, Lake Forest, Bannockburn, Vernon Hills, Lincolnshire, Northbrook, Glencoe, Evanston, Niles, Chicago, Lombard, Palos Heights, Itasca, Naperville, Cantigny (Wheaton), Bartlett, Aurora,  Arlington Heights, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Elmhurst, Minooka, and a few other places in between. We have sung for "Village Days", business functions, Christmas parties, retirement homes, family reunions, veterans' groups, property owners' associations, volunteer appreciation luncheons, employee ice cream socials, church suppers,  birthday parties, wedding anniversaries, and various other functions.

In the Spring of 2004, we participated in the Barbershop Harmony Society's Illinois District contest and were pleased to win first place in the novice division.

Our songs, while primarily in the barbershop style of harmony vary from oldies such as the Civil War era "Aura Lee" to the Beatles' "When I'm Sixty-four" and from the serious "Precious Lord", to the light hearted, "Please Mr. Columbus, Turn the Ship Around." We try to customize our music to fit the occasion and, when appropriate, encourage audience participation.

We are members of the Arlingtones Barbershop Chorus and the Barbershop Harmony Society (formerly known as the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America).

We hope that we will have the opportunity to entertain you and yours at some point in the near future.