The Central State District Barbershop Convention held in Lawrence, Kansas last weekend had winning representation from northwest Iowa. Assorted Parts, part of the Siouxland Discovery Chorus, won the Seniors Quartet Championship, and one of the winning singers is a Merrill native, Jeff Neary.
Neary’s interest in barbershop singing began while he was in college.
Neary did other types of singing after college, and was asked several times by friends about joining the Siouxland Discovery Chorus. Neary rekindled his interest in barbershop during COVID.
He soon became a member of Assorted Parts, and sang at churches, sporting events, and other occasions, and eventually the group decided to enter a competition.
Although this was his first time at a competition, and having been nervous at first, Neary enjoyed the experience and enjoyed singing with Assorted Parts.
Neary says if you’re interested in picking up barbershop to give it time, and that the Siouxland Discovery Chorus meets every Monday in Sioux City. If you’re interested in hearing Assorted Parts, Neary says they’ll be performing at the Festival of Trees later next month.
