Barbershop singers planning benefit in Medinah

The quartet After Hours will headline "Barbershop Spectacular - Singing for Randy," a benefit show to be held in June in Medinah.

Tickets already are on sale for the concert slated for 3 p.m. Saturday, June 2, at Medinah Baptist Church, 900 Foster Ave.

The quartet, featuring singers from Florida, Ohio and southern Illinois, finished third last summer in an international competition in Las Vegas and is expected to compete again this year in Orlando.

Sponsored by the Scbaumburg-based Brotherhood of Harmony chorus, the show is a benefit for the family of Randy Rogers, one of its members who died at age 54 of lymphoma. Rogers' father, Max, sings tenor in the chorus.

"Randy was our soloist, section leader, show chair, and quartet veteran - truly, the heart of our chorus," chorus President Tom Toftey of Winfield said. "Over three years, Randy faced two types of cancer bravely until his death in mid-February."

The "Barbershop Spectacular" will feature the four best men's quartets in Illinois. Illinois District champion South of Normal, runner-up OMG, and 2016 District champion The Committee will perform, in addition to After Hours.

Other performers include Sweet Adelines International; the Choral-Aires Chorus from Elmhurst; and Sound of Illinois from Bloomington.

After Hours, South of Normal, OMG and Sound of Illinois all have qualified to compete in the 2018 International competition. The Committee will compete in Wisconsin next month, hoping to score high enough to also qualify. The Choral-Aires Chorus is hoping to qualify for the 2019 International Sweet Adelines competition in New Orleans.

"During the 1980s, huge, annual barbershop shows were held in Chicago, showcasing the best that a cappella could offer," Toftey said. "This show will feature international caliber singing on one stage as no other show has done since those days."

Tickets may be ordered and printed online via www.brotherhoodofharmony.org, or by calling the chorus hotline, (708) 646-2051. Regular seating is $25; prime seating is $30.