The Men of Independence (MOI) – the premier a cappella singing group in northern Ohio – will perform at the Lakewood Park Bandstand on Sunday, July 22 at 7 pm.

Their audience pleasing repertoire ranges from the “golden oldies” to jazz and contemporary to classical, mostly sung in the barbershop style. The Men of Independence have performed for the American Choral Directors Association convention in Chicago, and sang a joint concert with the Spizzwinks, a world touring group from Yale University in the Reinberger Chamber Hall at Severance Hall. They have sung the National Anthem for Cleveland Indians baseball games and done numerous other shows and civic performances.

There is an interesting connection between the MOI and Lakewood. One of its two directors is a hometown boy. Tom Scott (LHS ‘72) was raised in Lakewood, along with his two brothers Terry and Tim, and his sisters Carolyn and Julie. After college he and his wife Ann came back to raise their four children. Tom was Director of Music at St. Clement Church for 6 years (‘87 - ‘93), coached Lakewood soccer, t-ball and baseball and played piano and sang in some popular night spots. While at St Clement Church, he dragged Dave Slife (Slife Heating and Cooling) into their burgeoning adult choir, even though Dave couldn’t sing very well. After 6 years Dave was singing quite well – so well in fact that he decided to try Barbershop music with the local chapter. Fast forward a few years. Slife was now singing with the new Independence Chapter and invited Tom to one of their shows. Tom fell in love with the barbershop sound and soon joined the group. So now Tom and Dave were singing together again.

Eventually the Independence Chapter changed its name to Men of Independence and hired Tom and Dave Smotzer to direct the chorus. Now the MOI, who have captured first place in every Divisional contest since their inception and were acclaimed the most improved chorus at their last District competition are currently ranked in the top 35 barbershop choruses internationally. They also sent nine quartets to that same District competition, with four of them finishing in the top ten.

Several of these quartets will perform along with The Men of Independence chorus at the Lakewood Park Bandstand on Sunday, July 22nd. Come and be thoroughly entertained!

For those men who are interested in singing, we invite you to come and experience the exciting MOI music program every Thursday at 7:29 pm. We meet at the United Methodist Church, 6615 Brecksville Road. Independence.