Maynard Ferguson was born May 4th, 1928.

A Canadian band leader and jazz musician, Maynard Ferguson was awarded the “Man of Music” Award in Cleveland, Ohio at the 2006 National Convention. An initiate of the Xi Chi Chapter at Tennessee Tech University, Ferguson rose to fame while a member of Stan Kenton’s orchestra. After his time with Kenton, he formed his own jazz band in 1957. Ferguson was known for his accuracy with the trumpet’s higher register and helped many up and coming musicians step up into the spot light through his numerous ensembles. Ferguson had the misfortune of dealing with the big time shift when most big bands fell the way side. Unlike most, he was able to survive the change and has survived the changing times by evolving with them, changing his musical style from big band swing, to cool jazz, to Latin, to jazz/rock and fusion and more.

Thor M. Johnson was born June 10th, 1913.

One of the first projects given to the Public Relations Committee of 1952 was the choice of a “Man of Music.” The award, named in memory of Charles E. Lutton, was first presented to Thor Johnson at the 1952 National Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was given the award during his tenure as conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and led the 52’ Convention “Sinfonia Sinfonette.” Originally a collegiate member of the Alpha Rho chapter at the University of North Carolina, Johnson was made a National Honorary member in 1948, just one year after he was appointed music director of the Cincinnati Symphony. At the time, he became the youngest American-born conductor of a major American orchestra. During his time at the CSO, he helped premier over 120 American and European compositions, half of which he commissioned. In addition to his CSO experience, Johnson was also the founder of the Peninsula Music Festival, established in 1952.

Carlisle Floyd was born June 11th, 1926.

Brother Floyd is one of the most admired and widely performed opera composers and librettists of the last century. Known as the ‘Father of American Opera,’ he is credited with helping to create an American idiom in opera. Floyd’s most popular work, Susannah, has become one of the most performed American operas in history. Having debuted in 1956, in 1957 it won the New York Music Critic’s Circle Award and subsequently was chosen to be America’s official operatic entry at the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair. It has gone to achieve fame both in the United States and internationally. Other well-known works by Floyd include Of Mice and Men and Cold Sassy Tree.

Dave Grusin was born on June 26th, 1934.

Named Phi Mu Alpha’s 16th Man of Music in 1991, Brother Grusin has been awarded several Grammy’s and an Academy Award for his work as a film score composer.

Dave Grusin is well known for compositions in featured films like “The Milagro Beanfield War,” “The Champ,” and “The Fabulous Baker Boys.” He has also claimed fame as a talented jazz recording artist and has seen success as a producer/label owner at GRP Records.

GRP was named the top contemporary/traditional jazz label of the 1990s by Billboard Magazine.

Join thousands of passionate Barbershoppers June 30 – July 7, 2019, at the LDS Conference Center in beautiful Salt Lake City, Utah for the 2019 International Convention. Whether you’re running into a past chapter member during breakfast, chatting with a Board member during lunch, or tagging with one of your quartet idols just before bedtime, be prepared to experience all this and so much more at our annual International convention! Not only will you experience spectacular shows and contests featuring world-class barbershop ensembles from all over the world, but you’ll have the chance to explore a different U.S. city every year. Take advantage of the daily Harmony University class offerings, stock up on fun and classic barbershop merchandise at the Marketplace, hear brand new song releases, volunteer at local hospitals and humanitarian organizations, and sing your heart out with friends from around the world. It’s an experience you don’t want to miss.

https://www.barbershop.org/events/international-convention