[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 57 (Tuesday, April 10, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E412-E413]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RED BLAZER MEN'S CHORUS

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 10, 2018

  Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the 
historic Red Blazer Men's Chorus, as they celebrate their 70th 
anniversary during the 2018 Red Blazer Varieties. Over the past seven 
decades, the nearly 400 members of this group have touched the lives of 
many in our community and beyond with their talents.
  In 1948, the Red Blazer Men's Chorus, formerly known as the Amherst 
Glee Club, was founded as part of the Amherst Adult School community 
education program in conjunction

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with Amherst High School. By 1980 the group became incorporated as an 
independent not-for-profit organization. The group currently consists 
of 45 members from all over the Western New York area. With a varied 
repertoire of music, the Red Blazer Men's Chorus can perform anything 
from Barbershop to Broadway, and have sung nearly 800 pieces in total 
over their illustrious history.
  For a number of years the Red Blazer Men's Chorus served as an active 
member of the Associated Male Choruses of America, including when they 
hosted the AMCA International Big Sing, that brought 42 choruses and 
their 900 members to Buffalo in 1998. Recently, the group has crossed 
the border to work with the Association of Male Choruses of Ontario.
  The Red Blazer Men's Chorus has performed in 28 cities across the 
United States and Canada. Their current lineup of regular events 
includes the annual spring Red Blazer Variety Series, an annual concert 
honoring veterans and active servicemembers, and holiday-themed shows. 
They continue to find new ways to connect with different audiences. In 
2016 they launched a new Senior Citizen Concert Series, in which they 
perform for individuals in assisted living facilities who may not be 
able to go out on their own. Along with that they have worked with a 
multitude of groups including the from Lockport Male Chorus, Amherst 
Symphony Orchestra, and Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 70th 
anniversary of the Red Blazer Men's Chorus during the 2018 Red Blazer 
Varieties. I commend their talents, longevity, and contributions to the 
music and art of Western New York. May they experience continued 
success in all their future endeavors.

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