For four local men, Monday, August 3rd, was a night they will never forget. As more than 41,000 Phillies fans settled into Citizens Bank Park, the familiar strains of the National Anthem filled the ballpark, performed not by a celebrity or nationally known group, but by four members of a Delaware County chorus with deep roots in the community.
The quartet from the DelCHordians, a Broomall-based men’s barbershop chorus, had the honor of performing the anthem before the Phillies game. For Phil Lieggi, Norm Brown, Gary Bullock and Randy Frame, the opportunity represented the culmination of months of preparation, anticipation and a little bit of persistence.
“It was a fabulous evening,” Randy said. “The rain held off, and the weather was perfect. And the Phillies won in dramatic fashion!”
The quartet’s performance was part of a special evening that brought together the DelCHordians’ love of music and their connection to the communities they call home. Phil Lieggi, who serves as the group’s baritone and Director of the DelCHordians, has been singing barbershop harmony for more than 35 years. Norm Brown, who has been singing the “Lead” for more than 20 years, Gary Bullock provides the bass and Randy Frame sings tenor. Together, the four voices create the distinctive four-part harmony that defines the barbershop tradition.
The DelCHordians are based in Broomall, where the eight-member chorus rehearses Tuesday evenings at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church. Although the chorus includes just eight singers, the group has continued the tradition of barbershop harmony through performances throughout the area and a commitment to sharing their music with the community. “We love singing, preserving the art of barbershop harmony and making friends along the way,” Phil said.
The Phillies opportunity began with a simple question. Randy contacted the Phillies organization to find out what the group would need to do to be considered for a National Anthem performance. The Phillies connected him with the appropriate contact and provided instructions for submitting
an audition.
The DelCHordians prepared a video featuring three songs, including their rendition of the National Anthem, and submitted it along with basic information about the group in March. Then they waited. “Almost a month went by, and I thought we would never hear from them,” Randy recalled.
Then came the email they had been hoping for. The DelCHordians had been selected.
The Phillies offered the group eight possible dates. They quickly surveyed family and friends before selecting August 3rd. The decision turned into
an especially memorable night for the quartet, as more than 70 family members, friends and supporters attended the game to cheer them on.
The four singers arrived at Citizens Bank Park at 4pm and entered through the Staff and Media entrance before heading to their 4:25pm sound check. Everything went smoothly, giving the quartet an opportunity to settle in and prepare for the moment they had been anticipating for months.
About 10 minutes before game time, they stepped into the spotlight and performed the National Anthem for the packed ballpark. The response was overwhelmingly positive. “Every person in the Phillies’ organization that we met, including Gina, our escort, couldn’t have been nicer, Gary said. “We were treated like stars. I also had a neighbor mention to me the next day that one of his employees had been at the game and saw us sing.” Following the performance, the DelCHordians received an email from their contact with the Phillies, praising the group. “Your group was fantastic!” she wrote. “I have heard nothing but great things about your performance!”
For the DelCHordians, the performance was more than an exciting night at the ballpark. It was an opportunity to showcase a musical tradition that has been bringing people together for generations. Barbershop harmony is performed a cappella, with four vocal parts working together to create a rich, ringing sound. Each singer has a specific role, and the success of the performance depends on the voices blending as one.
The DelCHordians have been part of that tradition for decades. The organization was founded in 1951 and has maintained a strong presence in Delaware County. While the chorus has changed over the years, its purpose remains the same: to preserve the art of barbershop harmony, entertain and build friendships along the way.
That spirit of fellowship is evident in the group’s local roots. In Broomall, The DelCHordians Barbershop Quartet rehearses and includes members from throughout the surrounding area. For the four men who stood on the field at Citizens Bank Park, the experience was an opportunity to represent not only their chorus, but also their friends, families and neighbors throughout Delaware County.
The chorus also performs at community events, civic celebrations, churches, senior communities and other gatherings throughout the region. Quartets can also be arranged for special occasions, offering a unique way to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and other milestones.
For anyone who has ever considered joining a singing group but wondered whether they had the experience or musical background to participate, the DelCHordians offer an encouraging environment to give it a try. The group welcomes men and women of all ages who enjoy singing and want to
learn more about barbershop harmony.
Members bring different levels of experience to the chorus, but share a common enthusiasm for music and camaraderie.
For Phil, Norm, Gary and Randy, however, the performance at Citizens Bank Park will likely stand out as one of the most memorable moments in their musical journey. From a March audition video to a packed ballpark in August, their Phillies experience was a reminder of where a little
initiative, a lot of preparation and four voices in harmony can lead.
And with more than 70 friends and family members in the stands, they did not have to celebrate the moment alone. They had a hometown cheering section behind them, a Phillies victory to cap the evening and the satisfaction of knowing that their voices had filled one of Philadelphia’s most
iconic sports venues.