Honoured by Current and Past Members of Gateway Harmony Company.
In February 1987 Brian Etmanski and three other men met in the basement of St. Andrew’s United Church for an evening of singing. This was the beginning of “Gateway Harmony Company”, the men’s barbershop chorus in North Bay. The chorus grew in numbers with Brian singing lead. Brian possessed a great passion for singing and superior knowledge of music. It was natural that Brian quickly assumed the role of Assistant Chorus Director under the leadership of Bob Pyper. Following Bob’s retirement and move to southern Ontario Brian confidently assumed the musical leadership of Gateway Harmony Company as Chorus Director.
Brian was a high achiever in the world of barbershop. In addition to singing with Gateway Harmony Company Brian also sang with three other men in a top calibre quartet called “Mirage”. He also sang with the “Muskoka Music Men”, a chorus in Huntsville, and the Toronto Northern Lights, an award-winning Toronto chorus ranked second in international competition for several years. In recent years, he also directed The Baytones, North Bay’s female barbershop chorus, as well as the Muskoka Music Men.
Brian thrived on this active style of life, and gave his love and energy freely and generously to each and every member of his choruses. In coaching, his focus and expertise, coupled with a great sense of humour, moved all of us to greater achievement and successes in this wonderful style of musical entertainment.
Each and every one of the current and former members of Gateway Harmony Company recognizes Brian’s multitude of gifts, and is truly grateful for his legacy of leadership, love, kindness and friendship. We do, and always will, miss him. To this end we are uplifted to be able to recognize, and honour, the life and impact of Brian Etmanski – a true inspiration to all of us.