The Oshkosh Winnebagoland Barbershop Chorus, under the direction of Todd Oxley, competed with other choruses from the Packerland Division May 2, 2009, in Stevens Point. They won the ‘Plateau A’ competition for chapters having 39 members or less and placed second in overall competition.

The chorus qualified to compete in the Land O’ Lakes (LOL) District competition to be held in Rochester, Minnesota on October 24. The LOL District includes the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and three Provinces of Canada.

Counterpoint quartet, a talented group of college students with Oshkosh Chapter ties, won the 2009 Packerland Division quartet competition in the Packerland Division and qualified for LOL District competition in the fall. They also were one of two district quartets to qualify for the international college competition this July in Anaheim, California.

Last year Counterpoint competed on the international stage in Nashville, Tennessee. The group includes: Jacob Oxley, Ashley York, Jason Seiberlich, and Cory Meverden.

Jacob is a member of the Oshkosh Chapter, past director of the Oshkosh West High School Barbershop Chorus (who in 2008 competed in the first annual Youth International Festival/Competition in San Antonio), and director of the Oshkosh Barbershop Chorus for church sing outs in 2007 and 2008. Ashley started barbershopping in the Oshkosh Chapter at the tender age of seven and holds dual membership with the Oshkosh and Greendale Chapters. Jason was introduced to barbershopping as a member of the Oshkosh West High School Barbershop Chorus, and Cory is a member of the Fox River Valley Chapter.

The Cheery-O’s quartet, 2008 Packerland Division champions, placed third in the Packerland quartet competition and qualified for LOL District competition in the fall. This talented and unique group includes Todd Oxley and his three sons Jacob, Joshua, and Nathan. Joshua directs the Madison Capitol Chordsmen and is the Director of Youth in Harmony for the LOL District. He also founded and was the first director of the nationally acclaimed Oshkosh West High School Barbershop Chorus.

In September 2008, Todd Oxley, a 25-year barbershopper, returned to direct the Winnebagoland Barbershop Chorus. He also directed the chorus in 1997 and 1998.

Todd, a distinguished music educator with over 30 years experience, recently retired as Director of Choral Music at Neenah High School. Prior to that, he served as Director of Choral Music at Winneconne High School.

Todd was introduced to barbershopping by his father, Norris, a founding member of the Minocqua-Woodruff chapter. While a student at UW-Stevens Point, Todd sang tenor with the quartet, “Crowd Pleasers.” For the past 23 years, he has sung lead with the Sawdust City Slickers, past Packerland Division champions and LOL District finalists. Presently, he is singing bass in “The Cheery-O’s” with his three sons (Jacob, Joshua, and Nathan), 2007 Packerland Division champs and LOL District finalists.

Through the years, Todd has been instrumental in introducing the barbershop style of music to many students and is a frequent teaching clinician at Youth In Harmony festivals.