Memory Lane: Matt's Barbershopin' Days

This was forwarded to me by Garret Finley. The local paper (The Signal) misprinted our name. It should read "Sings With the Fishes."

Four Part Harmony Scores Musical Win

`Sleeps With the Fishes' barbershop quartet named Far West
District High School champions.

Singing in perfect harmony does have its advantages. Just
ask four fabulous 17 year olds, Garrett Finley, Casey
Theule, Robert Davis and Matt Walberg.

They've taken barbershop quartets to a new level by
becoming the first group from the Santa Clarita Chapter of
the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of
Barbershop Quartet Singing in America in 28 years to win top
honors at the "Far West District High School Barbershop
Quartet Champions." The talented foursome, better known as
"Sleeps With the Fishes," competed among 13 other high
schools at the Far Western District Spring Convention held
in Fresno on March 17 and 18. In addition to winning the
championships, Finley and the barbershop quartet will be
featured on KABC Channel 7 at 9 p.m. Sunday.

Prior to winning the competition, Finley, a junior at
Valencia High, was nominated by his dad Greg Finley, and
chosen to be the "Cool Kid," of the month on the station's
special "Cool Kid," segment of the show hosted by newscaster
Henry Alfaro. The crew of Channel 7 paid a visit to Finley's
home on March 5, where all four boys were interviewed by
Alfaro. As a reward for being chosen as "Cool Kid," of the
month, Finley will receive a $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond.

Finley's mom Patti Finley said she couldn't be happier with
the success of the boys and their barbershop quartet. "It
was just a coincidence that Garrett was chosen as the `Cool
Kid,' at around the same time the boys won the competition,"
she said. "I'm so proud of them." Finley explained that the
boys were sponsored by the Santa Clarita Chapter of the
Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber
Shop Quartet Singing in America (S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A.).

"All of their hard work and rehearsals have paid off and
now offers are coming in for them to perform as the guest
quartet at other S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A. chapter shows," Patti
said. "Now they're ready to take their act on the road."

The boys were equally as enthusiastic about their success.
Finley said winning the contest in Fresno was a great
thrill. "We knew we had a good sound and I think the reason
we won is because we put so much of our heart and soul into
the music," Finley said. "We showed the audience the love we
have for the music and they really picked up on that. The
harmonies are so great, and the people you meet in
barbershop and the S.P.E.B.S.Q.A. are the kindest,
friendliest people around."

Finley first met up with the members of the
S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A., during his freshman year when he was a
cast member in "The Music Man." As one of the barbershop
quartet singers, Finley received coaching from the local
chapter of the S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A. Later, Finley formed his own
quartet at Valencia High School with the help of an outreach
program geared toward introducing students to the art of
barbershop quartet singing.

Meanwhile, at Canyon High School, Walberg and Theule formed
a quartet of their own. Both groups met with success at The
Far West District competitions held in Fresno last year.
Finley, Theule and Walberg would learn of each others'
mutual interest while appearing in the Canyon Theatre
Guild's production of "Joseph and the Technicolor Dream
Coat," during the summer. During the breaks, the three would
break out the pitch pipe and sing in harmony together.

The trio would later recruit bass singer Davis to round out
the group. They began preparations for this year's Fresno
Competition in February with the help of singing coach,
Keith Goudy, of the Santa Clarita Barbershop Chapter. They
also received the help of professional singers, Jerry Lovell
and Kelly Shepard of the barbershop quartet, "Countdown."

Canyon senior Davis said he has enjoyed his experience as a
Barbershop Quartet singer as well. "In retrospect, I don't
at all regret the vigorous rehearsal or late nights that we
spent preparing for the contest," Davis said. "Joining the
quartet has brought me some of the most enjoyable times of
my life."

For Canyon High School junior, Theule, becoming a champion
barbershop quartet singer has been a dream come true.
"Singing barbershop has been one of the greatest things for
me," Theme said. "It really trains a person musically and
the friendships you develop along the way are incredible,
and hopefully life-long."

Walberg, a senior at Canyon High enjoyed his experience as
well. "It was amazing and exhilarating experience to sing
with such a mature sounding quartet," Walberg said. "It made
me feel like we were a professional quartet, which in
reality, we now are." Walberg explained that the foursome is
already being booked for some paying gigs coming up in the
future. For now, the boys will continue to practice their
craft, while encouraging others to give barbershop singing a
try. "Anyone can do it- guys, girls, young and old-everyone
should try it," Walberg said. "Singing in a quartet has been
one of the most enjoyable experiences I've ever had."

"Cool Kids" will air on KABC Channel 7, Sunday at 9 p.m.