To understand who the Chanters are we must go back in history, to 1971 when there were only 10 and they were called the Vocalians. At this time they were members of Sarasota Shrine Club and were organized by Harold Horn a former President of the Club. They met in a vacant store and charged 25˘ a week for dues. In 1973 they held meetings in Samoor Grotto, then to a new Shrine Club building in 1975. They gave seven to eight concerts a year and raised many dollars for Shriners Childrens Hospitals.
In 1981 the Shrine Club became the Sahib Temple. The Vocalians then became the Chanters and the first President was Bill Allen 1981-82. Deacon Russell and Ray Jensen 1983, Ray Bane 1984, Mel Catlin 1985-89, Verne Bailie 1986, Les Taylor 1987, Jack Werner 1988, Bill Giese 1999, John Murray 1991, Fran Anderson 1992, Harold Smith 1993, Bill Barnes 1994, Richard Heinricks 1995-96, Bob Little 1997 and Morris Harrison 1998. Other current officers are: Jim Deverell Vice-President, Charlie Dickson Treasurer and Earl Orth Secretary.
In 1981 they grew to 25 voices under the direction of Arthur Rohr. They chose a uniform somewhat similar to what we have today.
In 1982 they had their first concert as Chanters at the Samoan Club in Venice and received $1,200, which they turned over to the Transportation Fund. That same year they received a float for parades with the help of Kinney/Johnson prefabricators who also hauled the float for many years.
In 1983 Deacon Russell relinquished the president's office and became the Director which he held for many years. During the same year they sang at many concerts in the temple and in the community, as well as being a vital part of parades here in Sarasota, Bradenton, as well as many Imperial Sessions. As they grew in numbers, so did they compete in many competitions against other Chanter Units, and as a result won several trophies over the years.
This was the year that the Chanters took over the job of collecting papers in a trailer to raise funds to keep the unit viable and for the Shriners Hospitals. This was Deacon's pet project as well as being the Director. Ray Mitchell became a very important part of the Chanters and led us to many awards and achievements over the years. It was this year that the Chanters sang the Arab Chants and Prayers at the Ceremonial Ritual.
We also have fun once and awhile; a picnic at the beach, a Christmas Dinner, and have invited several members of the Divan to join us. In 1984 as the Chanters were making their mark in the state, so did their ladies. The ladies decided to organize a social gathering and as a result they called themselves the N’Chanters, and today are still a moral and financially supporting group to the Chanters.
At our peak our membership rose to 49 in 1990. We, like many other units have declined to about 22 today. This by no means has discouraged us, as several events we participate in are just as reliable as in the past, thanks to the spirit and fun we have.
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Though we are not able to provide our musical director or accompanist from within, this has not deterred our spirit or desire to continue. We are indebted to our newest Director Dr. Julie Rohr, who saw our plight and came to our rescue; many thanks Julie. But we will remain a strong unit under the leadership we seem to be able to provide.
Dr. Julie was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, and received her early education there. She decided to continue her formal education in warmer climates and enrolled at Shenandoah University, Winchester, Virginia. She continued her training in music education and received degrees from Madison College, Catawba College, Florida State University and the University of Florida. She was honored by her Alma Mater (Shenandoah University) in the spring of 1991, when she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Liberal Arts Degree, and was recognized with an Outstanding Alumna Citation.
Kannapolis, North Carolina, was one of the stops along the way to Florida. Dr. Julie taught elementary and high school music education there until 1952, and in 1953, she moved to Sarasota.
Her late husband, Arthur Rohr, was a Shriner, a Sahib Chanter and a former Music Director of the Chanter Unit.
Sarasota has been the beneficiary of the talent and energy of Dr. Julie Rohr. She is renowned in the music community by her associations with the Sarasota Choral Society where she is Director Emeritus, the Sarasota Boys Choir, the Sarasota Girls Choir and all of this in conjunction with a career as a music educator in the Sarasota County School System. She has received many awards for her efforts. She won the Governor’s Award for the Arts in 1976, Woman of the Year Award from the VFW Post 3233 Ladies Auxiliary, and Patriot of the Year Award by the 1976 Bicentennial Celebration, just to mention a few. She founded the Julie Rohr Academy, which specializes in early childhood education and elementary through middle-school grades with a strong emphasis on music and the performing arts. Julie Ann Rohr McHugh, Dr. Julie’s daughter, is now the owner and Principal of the Academy and is an accomplished performer, director and educator in her own right, and is the mother of five sons—all involved in music. In addition, Dr. Julie is the Director of Music at Bee Ridge Presbyterian Church in Sarasota and Julie Ann is Director of Choral Music at Sarasota High School.
Dr. Julie is much respected, appreciated and loved by the Sahib Chanters.
Our motto has not changed, "We Sing That A Child May Walk".
As I have been asked to give a short story of the Chanters, I would like to thank Lady Mary Ellen, Jack Werner, Charlie Dickson and John Murray for their help and input.
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