Henry Anderson was the first Director.  He had taught music all his adult life, but had never directed a Men’s Chorus.  To his joy, under his baton, 20 men who loved to sing became the Bella Vista Men’s Chorus.

Henry was known for his wit as well as his knowledge of music.  For a period, he was the cartoonist for the Arkansas Democrat and Village Vista.  He found humor in every situation that later became a cartoon.

Carl Fritts was tapped as the Director upon the death of Anderson in 1981.  He was tapped on the shoulder in the second tenor section to succeed Anderson.  He never missed a beat.  His vast experience in leading church choirs and choral groups as well as his long history of singing, made the transition easy.

Carl had to return to his home town, Tulsa, to settle an estate.  A fellow by the name of Don Wright was singing under him and became the next Director in 1983.  When Carl returned from Tulsa, he continued singing with the Chorus.

Don Wright directed band and choral groups in Fayetville  and Bentonville schools.  He took his young people on tours in Europe, inauguration parades  and international service club conventions.  When he retired in 1982, he immediately joined the chorus.  He became Director in 1983 until the time of his illness in 2009.

Don had a very special relationship with Roland Simmelink.  Roland was a contributing member of our chorus for almost 15 years.  He not only sang baritone with us, but each year arranged many of the songs presented on our programs, including many original compositions.  

Programs Past

The Men’s Chorus was founded in 1978 to provide opportunity for men who enjoy singing choral written and/or arranged music for male voices.  From the beginning, the chorus wanted to share their music with the community organizations and to encourage the love of music to younger people with the school programs.  The Chorus has been a supporter of Village House, an adult care program in Bella Vista, by giving a concert each year with free-will offerings.

Upon reviewing the history, it was interesting to note the change of concert dress.  The first “uniforms” were cardinal-red blazers, gray pants, white shirt and burgundy/white striped ties.  In the 1990s, the blazer was sapphire blue, black pants, white shirts and black ties.  Photos from 1999-2000 show the men in the now familiar white dinner jacket, burgundy cummerbund, formal white shirt, burgundy bow tie and black formal trousers. For casual performances, the men wear a Chorus T-shirt and black pants.

If anyone tried to list all of the members of the Men’s Chorus that have made special, unique contributions to our group, the list might fill a book.  Names like Bob Benson, Leland Flickinger and also Roland Simmelink, to name a few, have given us music that is both recognizable and at the same time uniquely identifiable with the style, and sound, of the Bella Vista Men’s Chorus.

Through the 30 plus years, the Chorus has had 4 Directors, Henry Anderson, Carl Fritts, Don Wright and present Director, Bill Hesse.