History

In 1938, four Saginaw men had joined together and were singing locally as a barbershop quartet. Know as the State Highway Quartet, they sang without affiliation to any chapter and two years prior to the organization of the Saginaw Chapter, they were:

• Harold Gibbs - tenor

• Ed Swoppe - lead

• Bill Stanley - baritone

• Grant Sayles - bass

Harold Gibbe and Ed Swoppe motored to Tulsa, Oklahoma to attend the first contest for barbershopping as spectators only.

In 1940, J. Cullen McDonald went to a meeting of Grand Rapids Barbershoppers. They were just getting organized. He garnered the information necessary and told Ray Campeau the two of them should organize a barbershop chapter. Campeau enlisted J. George “Obey” O’Brien, whom he felt was just the man for the organizing job. The Saginaw Chapter was organized at a meeting at the Bancroft Hotel. On Oct. 2, 1940 with their first meeting being held Oct. 16, 1940. This chapter sponsored other chapters in Midland #12, Caro #__, Bay City #16, Chesaning #__. These chapters operated independantly of the sponsoring chapter until they disorganized, spanning 17 years of four part harmony that helped support local charities and gave many an hour of foot tapping, good old fashioned harmony to many an appreciative ear.

Since the Saginaw, Midland and Bay City chapter are now a part of the original Saginaw charter and known as the Saginaw Bay Chapter, this history will encompass all three chapters from their inception through its operation today.