Take Note
with Broadway soprano Sara Jean Ford
First dance as bride and groom
Overview
Take Note is four voices blended in rich a cappella harmony that brings back memories of pleasant times and music we all know and love. Take Note is currently the top ranking senior quartet in Illinois and is consistently ranked among the top ten senior quartets in North America, as determined at the Barbershop Harmony Society's annual Midwinter Convention.
With songs from the "good old days" and the "big band days", as well as the 50's and 60's, Take Note will entertain your guests with a unique combination of musical excellence and engaging warmth.
Reviews
5 reviews
Jennifer S.
September 15, 2023Fantastic!
The four gentlemen of Take Note are a class act. They performed a song at my father in laws memorial service and we could not have been more pleased. They were so gracious and did a great performance. Everyone in attendance was so moved and actually enjoyed an otherwise sad occasion. I know this made my father in laws spirit happy!
Hired as: A Cappella Group, Barbershop Quartet
Take Note
Thank you, Jennifer. We were happy to help celebrate your father-in-law's love of this song.
Mark A.
June 16, 2022A Perfect Fit
Take Note was the perfect fit for our evening reception. They captured everyone's attention with their classic renditions. We would not hesitate to book Take Note again at one of our organization's future events.
Hired as: Barbershop Quartet
Deanna S.
April 25, 2022Fantastic Performers
This is a great group. My volunteers loved them. They interacted with the audience and were very entertaining.
Hired as: Barbershop Quartet
Alan L.
April 5, 202290th Birthday party
Take Note was received very well by my mom whose birthday party it was. Even my wife, who did not think they would be entertaining, thought they did a very good job. I would definitely recommend them. They were early to the party so they could practice and were ready to go whenever i gave the thumbs up. They were very polite and had beautiful voices. Thank you to them for their wonderful skills!
Hired as: Barbershop Quartet
Take Note
Alan, thank you for inviting us to celebrate your mom's birthday with you and the rest of your family. We truly enjoyed singing for her. It was great fun.
Richard A.
December 22, 2019Hired as: Barbershop Quartet
Booking information
Price range: $300-$800
Languages: English
Gig length: 30 - 120 minutes
What to expect
Take Note can do a stage show of up to one hour for your assembled guests. We can also stroll among your guests in a more casual setting (a cocktail hour, for example) and sing to them in smaller groups.
About
The members of Take Note are:
Raymond Schwarzkopf (tenor), a teacher from Oak Lawn, IL.
Ralph Brooks (lead), a retired project manager from Chicago, IL.
Dick Kingdon (baritone), a retired FDA investigator from Des Plaines, IL.
Ed Chapman (bass), a real estate agent from Naperville, IL.
They have already been singing together for several years, and each member of the quartet has more than 30 years experience entertaining audiences in the barbershop style. Ralph and Dick are section leaders for the nationally known New Tradition Chorus from Northbrook, IL. Individually, these four men hold numerous district quartet awards and one coveted International Quartet gold medal.
Additional booking notes
Take Note has worked in a wide variety of settings, both indoors and outdoors. We can adapt to almost any situation and we have no special technical requirements. We will provide our own sound system if required for your venue.
Services offered
Upcoming booked events
June 2026
25
Thursday
Concert
2:00pm - 2:45pm
•
Libertyville, IL
Past booked events
May 2026
07
Thursday
Corporate Event
5:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Carol Stream, IL
December 2023
27
Wednesday
Nonprofit Event
10:30am - 11:30am
•
Mount Prospect, IL
September 2023
14
Thursday
Funeral/Memorial Service
11:00am - 11:15am
•
Batavia, IL
June 2022
10
Friday
Nonprofit Event
7:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Schaumburg, IL
April 2022
20
Wednesday
Retirement Community Event
12:30pm - 1:00pm
•
Waukegan, IL
03
Sunday
Birthday Party
4:00pm - 4:30pm
•
Des Plaines, IL
September 2021
17
Friday
Wedding Ceremony
11:00am - 11:30am
•
Milwaukee, WI
December 2019
17
Tuesday
Christmas Party
2:30pm - 3:00pm
•
Naperville, IL
January 2019
06
Sunday
Winter Break, no gigs
12:00am - 11:55pm
November 2017
19
Sunday
Retirement Party
5:30pm - 6:00pm
•
Schaumburg, IL
November 2014
11
Tuesday
Holiday Party
12:30pm - 3:30pm
•
Chicago Heights, IL
Set list
Oldies (Traditional barbershop):
• Lida Rose (from The Music Man)
• Let Me Call You Sweetheart (waltz tempo)
• Story of a Rose (“Heart of my heart, I love you”) (ballad)
• I Never Knew/You Were Meant For Me medley (uptune)
• Old St. Louis (slow swing)
• From The First Hello (to the Last Goodbye) (ballad)
30’s & 40’s:
• Everything Old is New Again (uptune)
• What A Wonderful World (ballad)
• It's Only a Paper Moon (swing tempo)
• Java Jive (swing tempo)
• Love Letters (ballad)
• Mood Indigo (slow swing)
• Paper Doll (swing tempo)
• Sentimental Journey (swing tempo)
• Georgia On My Mind (swing tempo)
Broadway:
• Hey Look Me Over (uptune, opener)
50’s, 60’s, & 70’s:
• Hello Mary Lou (uptune)
• Love Me (as sung by Elvis Presley)
• Lullaby in Ragtime (swing tempo)
• Orange Colored Sky (uptune)
• That's Life (swing tempo)
• When I Fall In Love (ballad)
• Our Love Is Here To Stay (as sung by the Four Freshman)
Comedy:
• Sweet Mae (uptune)
Sacred:
• Gospel Medley (Great Come & Get It Day, Crossing Jordan River, In That Great Gettin' Up Morning)
• I Have Seen The Light (gospel)
• Irish Blessing
Plus several secular Christmas songs
Setup requirements
We provide our own sound system, if required for your venue.