About us

Harmony Hawks Chorus

The Harmony Hawks Barbershop Chorus is a community service chorus based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Men and boys aged 16 and older from across Eastern Iowa sing with us. We are affiliated with the Barbershop Harmony Society, and barbershop harmony lies at the heart of our repertoire that also includes patriotic, gospel, and popular music arranged as four-part acapella harmony.

Our Director:

Chad Knipfer has been director of the Harmony Hawks since 2021.

He has been a barbershopper since he was a young  boy, singing with his father. Chad received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 2003 from Doane University, has sung in multiple choruses, and several quartets.

Chad also directs the Old Capitol Chorus in Iowa City.

Community Service:

Some highlights include:

  • Providing entertainment for Tribute to Heroes, the kickoff event for the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival
  • Raising money for charity in our annual Gospel Concert
  • Providing music for many Naturalization Ceremonies
  • Teaming up with choirs from College Community’s Prairie Point middle school in our annual spring show
  • Visiting area schools to demonstrate vocal technique and barbershop quartet singing
  • Sponsoring a Youth in Harmony Festival for 150 students 7-12

Our mission: to promote singing for a lifetime.

Our have members ranged in age from high school youth to senior citizens with over 60 years of singing experience in our chorus. By learning to blend our voices, we develop both our vocal skill and the bonds of friendship with each other. Singing invigorates us and keeps our minds sharp. Our mission includes reaching out to schools to assist them in bringing the gift of singing to their students.

Invitation:

  • If you are a male aged 16 or older who loves to sing, come to any rehearsal
  • We meet Tuesdays, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1340 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
  • Come join us at one of our public performances
  • Call Jack Ray (319-360-6858), to visit rehearsal
  • To schedule a performance, contact Larry Hlavacek ([email protected])

Singing in competition:

The Harmony Hawks Chorus and quartets compete yearly in the Central States District of the Barbershop Harmony Society. Preparing for contest sharpens our skills and raises the level of performance on all our songs.

2024 Harmony Hawks Board of Directors and Officers

  • President: Gary Lindsay
  • Secretary: Wendell Aldrich
  • Treasurer: Al Huneke
  • Music VP: Larry Hlavacek
  • Programming VP: Larry Hlavacek
  • Membership & Chapter Development VP: Jack Ray
  • Marketing & Public Relations VP: Mary Huneke
  • Past President: Larry Hlavacek
  • Board Member At Large: Darrel Herschberger
  • Board Member At Large: Leland Freie

2024 Spring Show Chairs

  • Larry Hlavacek and Al Huneke

Contact us:

5 Replies to “About us”

  1. I am interested in finding a quartet to perform a few numbers for my mothers 90th birthday.
    Date is set for 6-03-2023 at Kenwood Park United Methodist church. I thank you for your consideration.

  2. Hello, please we are wondering if there may be a few men who would be willing to sing the National Anthem at the Tournament of Drums Drum Corps show Friday, August 5th at 6:50-7:00 p.m.?

    Thank you for your consideration.

    All our best,
    Theresa

  3. Hi you guys look fantastic and are way ahead of the Chorus we set up in our community just 8 years ago in 2012. Our web site is Sweet-Harmony.org.uk where you can find out all about us. I am lucky enough to be coming to Cedar Rapids with work tomorrow (TransAmerica) for two weeks and would love to come along to your practice on Thursday evening 5th March to see how it is really done. I sing base in our chorus and in our quartet called Take four.

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