ChesMont Jubilaires Home

We are the Ches-Mont Jubilaires Barbershop Chorus, a chapter member of the Barbershop Harmony Society of Nashville,TN....entertaining the Greater Pottstown, PA community in the Barbershop Style for 2 decades.

The Ches-Mont Jubilaires are members of the Western Division of the Mid-Atlantic District of the Barbershop Harmony Society representing the Western Montgomery, Southern Berks County Pennsylvania and North-Central Maryland areas. Click Here for a brief history of our chorus.

We are saddened by the passing of our fellow barbershopper and friend Gerry Wayock.
Gerry was a charter member of the Ches-Mont Jubilaires and sang with enthusiasm for many years. Gerry was not only a fine singer but overall an exceptioal musician as he was also a talented pianist.
In his courageous battle with cancer over the past several years, he still suupported the chorus by attending our functions and performances. We are eternally grateful for his support.

Sing!
"Singing creates a habit of moving inner feelings to accessibility; to a place where other people can share them. And in order to move then out, you have to encounter them, forge them into words and melody and send them forth in all their harmony and beauty"

David Kundtz
Moments In Between:
The Art Of A Quiet Mind

History of the Pottstown, PA Chapter, J-103
By Sylvester Buszta, Charter Member

An organizational meeting to form a Pottstown Chapter of SPEBSQSA was called by Barbershopper Tony Petro, a member of the Reading, Pa. Chapter, on September
20, 1983 in the Community Room of the First Federal Saving and Loan Association, High and Hanover Street in Pottstown.
Also assisting with organizing the chapter were the PennTonics quartet, tenor, Tony Petro; Lead, Kenneth Walker; bass, Harold Breisch and bari, Warren Welder
and George Gross and Richard Hoch; all from the Reading Chapter.
After a few meeting the required number of men increased to apply for a license to charter a new Pottstown Barbershop Chapter. First chapter officers were;

Tony Petro, president; Program VP, Charles Specht; Membership VP, Robert
Stahl; Secretary-Treasurer, Jack Dorfler; Public Relations Officer, Sylvester Buszta and board members Forrest Kreiger, Elwood Meeker and Art Simonds.

George Gross was named Music Director and Harold Breisch, assistant Music Director.

During our first meeting we were entertained by the Lansdale, Pa. Chapter and their quartets. The Lansdale Chapter became our sponsoring chapter. Our
membership at this time was 38 and we expected to charter with 40 members.

With the overwhelming spirit shown by our members, it was time for a barbershop chapter newsletter. Sylvester Buszta accepted the challenge to be editor and publisher of Jubilaires Sounds which he still continues to do.

Our first uniforms, maroon blazers and maroon checked trousers were bought from the Lansdale Chapter. Our first chorus performance was at the Coventry Mall, Pottstown.

The Ches-Mont Jubilaires Chorus was the name given to our newly formed chorus.
Ches-Mont representing Chester and Montgomery Counties. Jubilaires is a latin
word meaning expressing or showing joy.

Over the years chapter meetings were held at Pottsgrove Intermediate School, Pottsgrove High School, St. John’s UCC Church, Pottstown and Emmanuel Lutheran
Church, Pottstown.

Over the past 20 years our music directors were: George Gross, Tony Petro, Eric Phillips and Tony Russo.

Chapter presidents included Tony Petro, Charles Lehman, Paul Lahr, Donald Reigel, Edward Wood, Richard Breen, Bruce Loud.

Chorus accomplishments--

1992 Appalachian Division Most Improved Chorus award
1998 and 2001 Western Division Small Chorus Champions,
Tony Petro director. and most Improved chorus award.
1985 International Public Relations Award
1985 Public Relations awards and
Mid-Atlantic District Public Relations Award to Sylvester Buszta.
Bulletin Editors awards
1994, 2000 International Bulletin Editor of the Year .
1988, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1997, 2000.Mid-Atlantic District Bulletin Editor of the Year