Hes actually a short guy who wears Mickey Mouse charms clipped to his white tie, perhaps in hopes hell make it through the audition. When harmonizing is done right, he says, I cry. Its the perfect moment. Its dotted with doo-dads hes collected during his eight years with the group. That means no accompanist.
Someone blows a pitch-pipe.
Dollar bills tossed into a plastic bucket help support Heartspring, a Kansas organization for kids with speech and hearing impediments. We Sing That They Shall Speak is our motto, a chorus member remarks. Chorus director Joe Liles strides in wearing sharply creased trousers, an immaculate aqua dress shirt and tie. The mens hums increases in volume. La, la, laaaa.