The Buzz on “the BUZZ”
2005 International Quartet Champion

On January 3, 2003, four friends who had known and respected each other from the Coronet Club, decided to meet and sing for a while, and “the BUZZ” was born. Two years have flown by as these “buzzers” have performed on many shows, taught at music schools –including EES in Glasgow, Scotland– and have competed. In April of 2004 they won the Region 9 Quartet Contest and then went on to win the International Championship six months later. During that fast-paced year, they also found time to produce a CD, “Have You Heard the BUZZ?”

They represent three marvelous and supportive choruses: Ramapo Valley (Region 15), Toast of Tampa Show Chorus (Region 9) and Spirit of the Gulf Chorus (Region 9).

For more pictures, biographies, information on how to order their CD or show schedules visit their Web site at www.thebuzzquartet.com.

For this article, Nancy, Debbie, Karen, and Jeannie asked family members to share their thoughts and observations. So, read on and see “the BUZZ” through the eyes of their families.

Born to Sing
By Brian Froelich

There are certain things that even a man can learn from a woman after 35 years. Jeannie and I met in high school, married in college and have lived in the same town during all of that time. I learned pretty quickly that Jeannie was born to sing and, since I couldn’t, if I wanted to hang around with her then I would have to learn how to be a good audience. Jeannie was a well-known folk singer in the late 1960s and played in bars and cafes in the New York area and in Boston (where we went to college). After we married she continued singing, but after our third child was born decided to join a group called Sweet Adelines — just as a once a week temporary distraction. The rest is history. And from the audience perspective it has been one great show.

It is clear after five children and seven grandchildren that Jeannie was also born to be a mother. With all the million things and activities that she has been involved in for over 35 years there has never been a moment when it wasn’t clear that the children are her top priority. While she has been involved in Sweet Adelines Jeannie has been committed to the lives of her children. If she has earned two crowns in Sweet Adelines then she deserves at least five for her performance with the children and grandchildren.

Perhaps related to her motherly instincts, Jeannie has also always been a great friend to many people. It might seem obvious that she is my best friend throughout all these years, but her friendships with many others are also long and deep. She still has an annual summer reunion with her elementary and high school friends, and her connections and friendships within Sweet Adelines, especially with her friends from City Lights, go far beyond the singing.

It is this last item that is most impressive and for which Jeannie and I are most thankful. Sweet Adelines has been a friendship treasure trove for Jeannie, and “the BUZZ” is clearly the most precious jewel of that treasure. The joy of their friendship and their love for music and each other seems to spill out across the stage. So after 35 years in the audience I have learned that not only was Jeannie born to sing but that she was born to sing with “the BUZZ”.

Heart to Heart
By Nancy’s mom

Nancy Fuhrmann, tenor of “the BUZZ”, is my daughter. Nancy has been an ardent member of Sweet Adelines since her high school days, and has loved every minute of it. I have never missed a performance or a competition in all those years and I have been fortunate to hear many quartets — both good and not so good. From her quartets The Kids through City Lights, which took her to the title of Queen of Harmony in 1992, I had never thought that there could be another wonderful quartet in the making. When Nancy told me she was going to be in a new quartet that would require her to travel to Florida and New Hampshire for rehearsals, I thought she was crazy! How could any quartet be worth that much effort?

I had never met Debbie or Karen until I heard “the BUZZ” perform on a show last year right here in New Jersey. As I sat there watching them perform, I quickly realized that this quartet, “the BUZZ”, was very different from anything I had ever heard before. To me, it is amazing! “the BUZZ” manages to create a completely unique atmosphere when they perform.

Their voices, of course, are all beautiful, but the camaraderie –the thrill of being together, the love of what they are doing– is so intense and so compelling that I sat there mesmerized unable to believe what I was seeing and hearing. The love of singing, the warmth and admiration they have for each other, and the true smiles on all their faces as they sing, all comes right out to the audience. It was at that moment, that I understood why Nancy was willing to travel to wherever she had to, to sing with these wonderfully talented ladies. Next time, I will pay for her flights!

Four beautiful voices — four beautiful young women full of heart. They have a rare and special quality that reaches out and touches the hearts of all those who hear and see them.

Congratulations ladies. Don’t ever lose what you have together.

Living With Royalty
By Bob Breidert

How does a husband “put up with” two crowns, two gold medals, a closet full of costumes, and a calendar that takes your wife away from you on many weekends? Easy! I just look at the smile on Karen’s face and see all the joy that singing with “the BUZZ” has brought to her. Besides, I’m making points.

It’s been neat to watch “the BUZZ thing” happen from their very first get-together through to their championship performance. I have marveled, from the very beginning, at the way everything has come together. Upon observing them together you would see three things: friendship, focus and fun.

The friendship came first with these four and they have put that and the music far above scores, ranks or head jewelry. There is a mutual respect that is so obvious and affects all their decisions and actions. If you watched a rehearsal you would also notice the focus. Their rehearsals need to be effective because of the long distance they travel to be together. But, that’s no problem with these four. They come prepared to rehearsals and accomplish a great deal. But, anyone near these gals would see the fun and the laughter. I have seen them laugh until they literally fell off their chairs (well, one of them at least).You would also see four women who believe that God put this quartet together. They give Him thanks each and every time they are together.

Karen, who has always been enthusiastic and positive (my secretary used to call her “Bubbles”) has found new heights of delight with Nancy, Jeannie, and Debbie. I am grateful to see her so happy and will continue being a “BUZZ GUY” forever.

A Note from the Princess
By Jenny Allen

Wow, another crown! I cannot express how awesome it is to see my mother on stage, doing what she loves to do most and excelling in it — not once, but twice! Performing is what makes her happy, and “when mama’s happy, everyone’s happy!”

Of course, mom was in Showtime before I was even born. I grew up with them, and I thought of them all as second mothers. So when mom brought up the idea of another quartet, I already had my mind set that I wouldn’t like them at all, or at least not as much as Showtime.

The first one I met was Karen, and I think everyone in Sweet Adelines can agree with me on this — she is a loving, caring and genuine person, so of course, I fell in love with her right away. Then, since I gave mom the approval on Karen, Nancy and Jeannie were invited to visit. I said “there’s NO WAY I’m gonna like them too,” but once again, I fell in love. There was an instant comfortable feeling I got from all of them. (Not to mention they are all beautiful ladies and they dress so cute!) I have also learned so much from them — they are awesome examples of how to be champions and how to sing barbershop the right way.

After two years of them being together, I feel like we are all one big “BUZZ” family. “the BUZZ” vacations, long weekend rehearsals, and late nights of them laughing at things that aren’t really funny to me, but apparently hysterical to them — and of course, those hilarious and weird games of Balderdash! I feel I’ve been blessed with three amazing women in my life (and my mom’s). I hope to be a part of “the BUZZ” family for many years to come!

Return to Pitch Pipe main page