"Guys Night Out" Brings Basking Ridge Males of Many Ages Together in Song

In its third year of existence, Guys Night Out, an all-male A cappella group, is becoming increasingly popular. Guys Night Out includes both middle school and high school students along with dads and recent Ridge alumni. The singers performed this past Tuesday night at Spring Choral Concert with the rest of Ridge’s talented ensembles.

The driving forces behind Guys Night Out are Barbara Retzko, the Choral Director at Ridge, and Carol Dory, the Choral Director at Liberty Corner School. In just six rehearsals, the two directors manage to bring together a large group in song.

“You can’t go wrong with a men’s choir,” Retzko said. “They are enthusiastic and eager to work hard. I also love working with Carol Dory-Beadle as an accompanist. She collaborates on this project because it permits her to see her fifth grade singers as they travel through grades six, seven and eight.”

When the group first started out in the spring of 2009, the choir consisted of 36 guys between grades seven through 12. Since then, the group has opened participation to sixth graders, alumni, and dads and has 61 members.

The main purpose of Guys Night Out is to get more men and boys interested in singing, and to create a feeder pool that will encourage the males to go out for the choir programs in their schools.

“There are a great number of fifth graders that are active in their elementary school choral programs,” Retzko said. “Once they reach middle school, the challenge of offering opportunities within the school schedule becomes tricky. Young guys shy away from singing at this age because they are experiences uncontrolled voice changes. Keeping them interested in singing is the goal.”

Guys Night Out has attracted a diverse group of guys, from the experienced singers to those who just want to give singing a try.

Ridge junior Devin McGuire is a well-seasoned singer and musician, being part of Ridge’s A cappella choir and concert choir, as well as playing in Ridge’s percussion ensemble, symphony orchestra, and marching band.

“I joined the year it first started, my freshman year. I joined because I was looking to expand my musical horizons and to chill with friends old and new,” he said.

Kunal Patnaik, an eighth grader at William Annin Middle School, is not part of any of the choir groups at the middle school. However, he still loves to sing and said he is part of the orchestra at WAMS.

“I joined Guys Night Out mainly for my passion of music,” Patnaik said, “Since this weekly gathering is devoted to singing, and having fun with it, I said, ‘Why not join?’ I love singing songs all the time, and just being part of a group that shares this passion makes this program so much more enjoyable.”

Guys Night Out has also provided a sense of mentorship between the high school and middle school students. 

“My favorite part of Guys Night Out is being able to sing with high school guys in the same choir,” said Luke Chiafullo, an eighth grader at William Annin. “I would recommend other guys to join Guys Night Out because it is a good experience for if you would like to join chorus in high school. You get to know Mrs. Retzko, the choir teacher, and you get to work with guys with more singing experience than you.”

Guys Night Out typically performs a light repertoire of oldies, 50s doo-wop, and traditional two, three, and four-part men’s choir music. At the concert this past Tuesday, the group performed “In My Room” arranged by Tom Gentry, “Burning Love” arranged by Kirby Shaw, and “Since I Don’t Have You” arranged by Mac Huff. The final song featured Ridge seniors John Morrow and Scott Kluger, and sixth grader Owen McKenna as soloists.

Overall, Guys Night Out has received rave reviews, and has been mostly a rewarding opportunity.

Patnaik said, “I would most definitely recommend other guys to join Guys Night Out. It's one of the most enjoyable experiences you can ever experience, especially if you love music of any type. We sing various types of songs that anyone, regardless of their taste, would be into.”

McGuire said he agrees, and he emphasizes the family-like environment that the group develops during its rehearsals.

“It takes guts to sing,” McGuire said, “But if you got ‘em, the sense of teamwork, friendship and accomplishment is incomparable.”