SBlendid Tonics

The newly formed SBlendid Tonics barbershop quartet has been eagerly awaiting its first opportunity to showcase its talents this Holiday Season. SBlendid Tonics will be performing with their fraternal New Dimension Chorus at the Fremont “Light Up the Season” Festival on Thursday December 4th and again on Sunday December 7th as part of the line up for the Holiday Show at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Fremont. See flyer at http://www.ndchorus.com for details.

The SBlendid Tonics consist of three veteran barbershoppers and one newcomer. Bob Horwitz (Lead), Kevin Smith (Bass), and Ed Graff (Tenor) have over 50 years of barbershop experience between them. New guy, Kurt Hornbacker (Baritone) has only been singing for one year.

Bob Horwitz (Lead) has been singing organized choral music for almost 60 years, including religious music, Broadway musical music, and Barbershop music. He has been in some 10 Broadway musicals performed locally, most recently as the Lead in the Barbershop quartet in Music Man. He has also been in Fiddler on the Roof, Oklahoma (with his daughter), Bye, Bye, Birdie, and Guys and Dolls to mention a few of his favorites. He has also done some solos with the Blackhawk Chorus, performing locally and in Europe. He comes by music naturally; his sister sings, and many members of the family are professional musicians, including the current Concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. He particularly enjoys the Barbershop quartet style of music with each member fully depending upon 3 others for the wonderful ringing chords of the beautiful harmony.

Kevin Smith (Bass) is making his quartet debut this Holiday Season. He has been involved with the Fremont-Hayward Chapter (AKA New Dimension Chorus since 2000. he has been involved with the Board of Directors in various capacities, including President. He serves now as the Chairman, Marketing and Public Relations of the Far Western District of the Barbershop Harmony Society. Singing Bass with SBlendid Tonics has been a great experience for Kevin, and he is looking forward to stepping out in December!

Ed Graff (Tenor) has been ringing barbershop chords for well over 30 years. He sings with another quartet as well as the Vacaville Chorus. Ed has competed at the International level and had thoroughly enjoyed singing with New Dimension and is looking forward to performing with SBlendid Tonics.

Kurt Hornbacker (Baritone) is making his quartet debut this Holiday Season. He has been singing Lead with the New Dimension Chorus for one year. He has had no previous training and had never performed in public. However, he has some direct and indirect DNA to help. Kurt’s dad, step-brother-in-law, and step-nephew (?) are barbershoppers, as well as his step-mother, step-sister-in-law, and step-niece (?). Kurt has enjoyed ringing chords with New Dimension so much that he jumped at the chance to join a quartet, and was eager to take a stab at the Baritone part. The past six months have been a lot of fun singing some not-so-traditional barbershop arrangements.