Chapter History

The Fort Wayne Chapter of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America was chartered on September 5, 1944. Eagle Moss organized the effort and was elected the chapter’s first President. On December 16 of that same year the Civic Theater rang with the sounds of Barbershop chords at the chapter’s first show.

The chorus began its active pursuit of district competition honors in 1982. Since then, its accomplishments have been noteworthy with District Championships earned in 1985, 1988 and 1993. In addition, the chorus earned Championships in performance, entertainment, and formal contest presentation at the 1993 Buckeye Invitational, held in Columbus, Ohio. They repeated as Entertainment category champions in 1994.

In July of 1997 the chorus appeared at the International Barbershop Convention in Indianapolis, where they were asked to introduce songs for competition. The Summit City Chorus was proud to represent Fort Wayne, in The Austrian Alps Fine Arts Festival in Innsbruck, Austria, in June 1998.

The Summit City Chorus also presents two shows each year and performs at Retirement homes, Senior Care facilities and other venues throughout Northern Indiana.  Such as festivals, special events and Conventions.

Past Directors

Mark Liemer 2003 – 2014

Pat Garmire 2002 – 2003

Janice Wagner 1998-2002

Jeff Albert 1996 – 1998

Pat Garmire 1994 – 1995

Jeff Albert 1990 – 1994

Larry Merriman 1986 – 1990

Brian Doepke 1983 – 1986

Larry Merriman 1977 – 1983

Frank Thompson 1975 – 1977

Dwight Nash  1960 – 1975

Les Emerson 1944 – 1960