Phoenicians

The Phoenicians

The "Phabulous Phoenicians" of the Phoenix-Saguaro Chapter of the Far Western District won the BHS International Chorus competitions in 1972, 1976, and 1983. All of their championships came under the direction of Lou Laurel, who directed the chorus from 1966-1989.

The chorus acheived consistent International success under Lou's direction:

5th Place: 1988
4th Place: 1979, 1986
3rd Place: 1967, 1968, 1981
2nd Place: 1970, 1975

They were famous for bringing very theatrical performances to the contest stage, including costume changes and fireworks being shot from the risers.

After Lou's retirement, Gary Steinkamp ably took the reins of the chorus. And after a short transitionary period, the chorus returned to International form, placing 5th in 1993 and 1994, and 4th place in 1996.

The chorus has repeatedly returned to the International Chorus Competition and has done well, however have not returned to the medals since 1996.

Split and Merger

In 2002, after some philosophical disagreements, a group of chapter members formed a new split-off chapter called the Greater Phoenix Chapter (Pride of Phoenix Chorus). This group was directed by Russ Young and Gary Steinkamp. Jim Casey directed the Phoenicians during this period. The two choruses competed against each other for a few years before re-merging in 2004, keeping the original Phoenix-Saguaro 1943 charter, but using the Greater Phoenix Chapter name. Right after the merger, the chorus took the interim name Greater Phoenix Chorus, and gathered ideas for a new name; The Spirit of Phoenix was adopted as the new name shortly thereafter. Fraser Brown and Russ Young served as co-directors during 2004 and 2005; in December 2005 Fraser retired, and Russ continued on as director until August 2009. Jeff Dolan served as interim director for the remainder of that year, and in January 2010, Gary Steinkamp returned to the director position.

A year of rebuilding

In 2015, more "philosophical disagreements" ensued, and in April of that year, Gary Steinkamp and a number of other members left the chapter and formed a new one. In an instant transition, Danny Ryan became the new director of the chorus.

2015 was a year of rebuilding for the chorus. Still branded as the Spirit of Phoenix, they were hosts to the Far Western District Fall Convention that October. Despite having a skeleton crew, and with the help of volunteers from the Mesa and Tucson chapters, the convention was a success. The chorus also competed, and finished third.

Rising from the Ashes

In 2016 they decided to cancel their annual show, and focus on a) focus on vocal technique, and b) build a new repertoire. At the chorus retreat in September, the result of more than a year of hard work was all coming in to place. It was truly a case of "Phoenix rising from the ashes". Recognizing this, a special meeting was held, and a big secret was planned. At the 2016 FWD Fall Convention in Riverside, despite being listed as the Spirit of Phoenix in the convention program, Emcee Russ Young had the honor of revealing the secret at the chorus contest: "There have been some corrections made in the program, but this is not a mistake. Representing the Greater Phoenix Chapter, under the direction of Danny Ryan, THE PHOENICIANS."

Contest Placement

International

Ineligible for two years after each Gold Medal.

1961	1962	1963	1964	1965	1966	1967	1968	1969	1970
						3rd	3rd		2nd
1971	1972	1973	1974	1975	1976	1977	1978	1979	1980
	1st			2nd	1st			4th
1981	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990
3rd		1st			4th		5th
1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000
		5th	5th		4th	8th	7th	10th
2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010
	15th			8th		14th	11th	16th
2011
17th

District

Member of the Far Western District. Ineligible for two years after each International Gold Medal.

1943: 1st (Arizona state contest)

1951	1952	1953	1954	1955	1956	1957	1958	1959	1960
		3rd			3rd			2nd
1961	1962	1963	1964	1965	1966	1967	1968	1969	1970
				2nd	1st	1st		1st
1971	1972	1973	1974	1975	1976	1977	1978	1979	1980
1st			1st	1st			1st		1st
1981	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990
	1st			1st		1st
1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000
3rd		1st			1st	1st

Recordings

Through The Years (1980)
A Championship Affair (1992)
Barbershop Harmony with Strings Attached (1996)
You Ain't Heard Nuthin' Yet (1997) *
Our Love is Here to Stay (2001) *
The Spirit of Christmas (2003) *
Harmony for the Holidays (2013) *

* Recordings that are still available may be purchased at the Phoenicians Store

External Links

Official website
Tickets
Recordings
Barbershop Music Database: contest history

Barbershop Harmony Society - International Chorus Champions
~~1953~~	1954	1955	1956	1957	1958	1959	1960	1961	1962	1963	1964	1965	1966	1967	1968	1969	1970	1971	1972
1973	1974	1975	1976	1977	1978	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992
1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012
2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2022	2023	2024