| Vocal Majority | |
|---|---|
The Vocal Majority, at Montreal's Bell Centre |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Dallas, Texas |
| Genres | Barbershop music |
| Years active | 1970s–present |
| Website | Official site |
The Vocal Majority (VM) is a Dallas, Texas-based men's chorus of over 150 singers, billed as "America's Premier Pops Chorus." The VM is part of the Dallas Metro chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. Under the direction of Jim Clancy, they have won a record eleven International Chorus Championships (1975, 1979, 1982, 1985, 1988, 1991, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2006).
This record is even more impressive given that the Society contest rules do not permit any chorus to compete again for two years after winning an International Chorus Championship (to give other choruses a chance), so no chorus can win twice less than three years apart.[1] As seen in the list of championship years, they only had one four-year span between wins, from 1975 to 1979. They came in second place to the Thoroughbreds in 1978. After that, they proceeded to win the gold at every International competition in which they competed until 2009, when the Ambassadors of Harmony defeated them for the gold. In July 2010, the Vocal Majority again earned a silver medal at the International Chorus Championship in Philadelphia. Longtime director Jim Clancy announced prior to the 2010 competition that it would be his last as director.[2] Mr. Clancy will continue as the Musical Director and principle arranger for the chorus.
The Vocal Majority has released over twenty recordings and has traveled extensively.
Several members of the Vocal Majority have also won the International Quartet Championship with the quartets Max Q, Acoustix, Side Street Ramblers, Dealer's Choice, Rural Route 4, Rapscallions and Old School.
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In his tenure as director of the chorus, Jim Clancy has built an international reputation as composer, arranger, clinician, and vocalist. Clancy has conducted the chorus in performances throughout the United States, Canada, Scotland, England, before two United States Presidents, at national athletic events, with major symphony orchestras, and before hundreds of national conventions. Jim Clancy is often called upon to coach national and international choral groups, having conducted multiple concerts for the American Choral Directors Association and Music Educators National Conference. He has studied under American greats Fred Waring, Madeleine Marshall, Paris Rutherford, Martha Moore Clancy, Warren Angell, and B. B. McKinney, in addition to his academic work at Baylor University, Centenary College of New Jersey, and the University of North Texas.
Clancy's discography with the chorus includes 22 albums of popular, jazz, barbershop, and inspirational music. Also under his direction the VM produced the DVD, A Vocal Majority Christmas, released in 2003. As guest conductor with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Clancy combined the Utah ensemble with the VM in a joint album, Voices In Harmony, for CBS Masterworks. He has also performed on stage with many artists including Jimmy Dean, Bob Flanigan, The Four Freshmen, John Gary, Lee Greenwood, The Lettermen, Johnny Mann, The Oak Ridge Boys, and The Suntones.
In October, 2000, Clancy was honored by the Barbershop Harmony Society Southwestern District when a new trophy was unveiled and named in his honor as the Jim Clancy Chorus Champion Award.
Clancy served as the principal arranger and executive producer of the chorus’ latest audio recordings, Freedom's Song, Love Songs By Request, VM X and The Vocal Majority With Strings - Volume II.
| Preceded by Masters of Harmony |
Barbershop Harmony Society International Chorus Champions 2006 |
Succeeded by Westminster Chorus |
| Preceded by Masters of Harmony |
SPEBSQSA International Chorus Champions 2003 |
Succeeded by Ambassadors of Harmony |
| Preceded by Masters of Harmony |
SPEBSQSA International Chorus Champions 2000 |
Succeeded by New Tradition Chorus |
| Preceded by Masters of Harmony |
SPEBSQSA International Chorus Champions 1997 |
Succeeded by Alexandria Harmonizers |
| Preceded by Masters of Harmony |
SPEBSQSA International Chorus Champions 1994 |
Succeeded by Alexandria Harmonizers |
| Preceded by Masters of Harmony |
SPEBSQSA International Chorus Champions 1991 |
Succeeded by Southern Gateway Chorus |
| Preceded by West Towns Chorus |
SPEBSQSA International Chorus Champions 1988 |
Succeeded by Alexandria Harmonizers |
| Preceded by Thoroughbreds |
SPEBSQSA International Chorus Champions 1985 |
Succeeded by Alexandria Harmonizers |
| Preceded by Thoroughbreds |
SPEBSQSA International Chorus Champions 1982 |
Succeeded by Phoenicians |
| Preceded by Thoroughbreds |
SPEBSQSA International Chorus Champions 1979 |
Succeeded by Dukes of Harmony |
| Preceded by Thoroughbreds |
SPEBSQSA International Chorus Champions 1975 |
Succeeded by Phoenicians |