CHIPS Quartet
LOL District Novice Champions

Contact us: info@ChipsQuartet.com



1996
2015
2015

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Order your 2020 Singing Valentine!

See 2018 Singing Valentines photos!
(...or read newspaper column from 2008)


See CHIPS in The Harmonizer (Jan. 2009) -->
April 2013 Stout Gazette

Read what people are saying about the CHIPS quartet

CHIPS Quartet Schedule

02/10/19 Sun "Hearts in Harmony 10" -- all-barbershop benefit show at Heyde Center in Chippewa Falls
02/14/19 Thurs Singing Valentines! (Chippewa Falls & Eau Claire, Wisconsin)
05/11/19 Sat Black River Falls Barbershop Chapter Show
10/19/19 Sat Menomonie Rotary Club 25th Anniversary, Olde Town
03/28/20 Sat BHS Division Contest (?)
09/26/20 Sat Heyde Center for the Arts 20th Anniversary (with Rubenzer Hot Shots!), Chippewa Falls
10/23/20 Fri-Sat BHS District Convention, Rochester, MN

Check out the Singing Valentines photos:
| 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2008 | 2009 | 2011 | 2017 | 2018 |

Newspaper columns about CHIPS:

Anne O'Brien, 1981-2003

(Jerry's beloved daughter)

CHIPS is a barbershop quartet in the Eau Claire/Chippewa Falls area of west-central Wisconsin. They are an officially registered quartet in the LOL District of SPEBSQSA (they are members of the Dunn County and former members of the Black River Falls, and Eau Claire chapters). Formed in January 1995, they steadily increased their ranking in official SPEBSQSA quartet contests for the next couple years. They were crowned the District Novice Quartet Champions in Rochester, Minnesota in October 1996, and made it into the finals (Top Ten) in the October 1997 district contest in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

When they formed, the four individuals had a combined total of over 150 years of experience singing barbershop harmony in quartets and choruses in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, New Mexico, Colorado, and Oregon.

What is barbershop harmony? In a nutshell, it's four voices singing a cappella (without instruments), with the lead usually in the second highest part, and with chord progessions around the circle of fifths (Gashouse Gang example). Their repertoire includes some songs that stray outside the barbershop umbrella, such as 50s and doo-wop, but it's all delicious four-part a cappella male harmony.

What sort of performances do they do? Anything and everything! They have sung for all sorts of events in the Chippewa Valley, like weddings, banquets, visiting touring groups, private parties, etc., in addition to several barbershop chapter shows. They were featured in a local production of The Music Man at the historic State Theater in Eau Claire in the summer of '96. One recurring "singout" they particularly enjoy doing is Singing Valentines.

CHIPS is a fun-loving group whose main purpose is to spread joy by singing for people, and to preserve and encourage an old original american artform, barbershop harmony. They commit a certain percentage of their time to doing free concerts for good causes, but they do have expenses to pay (uniforms, sheet music arrangements, learning tracks, travel, coaching fees, sound system), so they do need to charge money for most performances.

Send 'em some email if you'd like to be added to their mailing list, or if you'd like to add a touch of class to your next event.

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Meet the CHIPS Members

Tenor Jerry O'Brien is an engineer at Intel in Eau Claire. He raised his three children in Humbird but lives strategically halfway between the other members of his quartet. Jerry got his start in barbershop with the New Mexichords chorus in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1986. He has since sung with the Eau Claire and Black River Falls, WI. chapters of the Barbershop Harmony Society. Jerry also sings classical choral music with The Master Singers of Eau Claire, and plays guitar. While not singing, Jerry enjoys silent sports like kayaking and canoeing with Pure Water Paddlers, cross-country skiiing, and biking.
(email: obrienje@gmail.com)
Lead Randy Knaack owns Knaack Advertising in Menomonie. CHIPS is his first competing quartet, although he has been singing barbershop harmony with the Dunn County chorus since the early 80's. He has lived in Menomonie his whole life, and raised two children there with his wife Rita, who should qualify for sainthood. Randy was elected to the school board (the real one in Menomonie, not River City), and since 2010, has served as Mayor.
(email: knaack @wwt.net)
Baritone Tom Arneberg is an IC Design Engineer formerly at Cray, SGI, and Intel, who now works for GlobalFoundries in Rochester. He and his wife Beth have raised five kids in Chippewa Falls, who now live in five different states. He has been in several barbershop choruses and quartets in Minnesota, Colorado, and Oregon, before moving to Wisconsin in 1991. He served as the communications officer for the Land O'Lakes District.
(email: tom@arneberg.com)
Bass Steve Hein, who joined CHIPS in 2010 to fill the hole left when Rod Bailey retired, is an engineer at HP Enterprise in Chippewa Falls. (Hey, three engineers in one quartet!) Steve and his wife Shelley raised two kids who are now in college or soon to be. CHIPS is Steve's first barbershop quartet, although he has sung for years with Tom on a worship team quartet at CVBC
(email:heinss@hotmail.com)

Official contact email address: info@chipsQuartet.com

Past gigs since 1998 (for reminiscing):

09/19/98 Sat Milk Haulers State Convention, Waupaca, WI
09/22/98 Tue Farm Progress Days, Old Towne in Menomonie
09/26/98 Sat Barron, WI Chapter Show (w/Keepsake, '92 Int'l Champs)
10/10/98 Sat Duluth, MN Chapter Show
11/07/98 Sat Eau Claire SPEBSQSA Chapter Show
12/06/98 Sun Eau Claire Sweet Adelines Chapter Show (Bloomer, 2pm)
12/12/98 Sat Eau Claire Sweet Adelines Chapter Show (Eau Claire, 7:30 pm)
02/12/99 Fri Singing Valentines! (All day, all over Chippewa Falls & Eau Claire)
03/03/99 Wed Red Cedar Bank employees at Old Towne in Menomonie
03/27/99 Sat Eau Claire Chapter Gospel Show, Masonic Lodge in downtown Eau Claire
03/30/99 Tues Westconsin Credit Union Annual Shareholders Meeting (Menomonie High School Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.)
04/17/99 Sat Dunn County Chapter Show (Colfax High School, 8:00 p.m.)
05/29/99 Sat Alumni Reunion, Fairchild High School
07/17/99 Sat Dunn County Fair, Menomonie (1pm, 4pm)
07/21/99 Wed Ladies' Golf Tournament, White Tail Golf Club
08/25/99 Wed Chippewa Valley Cultural Association, Chippewa Falls
09/25/99 Sat Wedding reception, Old Towne in Menomonie
10/02/99 Sat Chapter Show, Escanaba, Michigan (U.P.)
11/06/99 Sat Eau Claire Chapter Show
12/07/99 Tue Senior Citizens at Mabel-Tainter theater, Menomonie
12/27/99 Mon Gratzi's Restaurant, Menomonie (private party)
02/14/00 Mon Singing Valentines! (All day, all over Chippewa Falls & Eau Claire)
02/16/00 Wed Party for employees of Northwestern Bank-CF at Fill-Inn
03/13/00 Mon Choir Concert at North H.S., Eau Claire
03/18/00 Sat 10,000 Lakes Division Contest, Stillwater, MN
04/01/00 Sat Annual Shareholders Meeting, West Wisconsin Telcom, 1:30pm Downsville
04/02/00 Sun Menomonie Music Lovers' Association
04/08/00 Sat Dunn County Chapter Show (Colfax High School, 8:00 p.m.)
04/09/00 Sun Heyde Center for the Arts Grand Opening (Chip.Falls, 2:30/7:30)
04/16/00 Sun Eau Claire Chapter Gospel Show, Masonic Lodge in downtown Eau Claire (7:30pm)
05/10/00 Wed Medford Memorial Employee Appreciation Banquet, Medford, WI
05/27/00 Sat Alumni Reunion, Fairchild High School
07/06/00 Thurs International Convention in Kansas City, MO (thru Saturday) (we are just going to watch!)
07/26/00 Wed Dunn County Fair, Menomonie (3pm, 5pm)
08/16/00 Wed Chippewa Valley Cultural Association, Chippewa Falls (FREE! Donations accepted for CVCA.)
08/31/00 Thurs Dunn County Interfaith Volunteers, Menomonie, mortgage-burning ceremony
10/03/00 Tue Milk Haulers National Convention, Wisconsin Dells (Chula Vista Resort)
10/07/00 Sat Polk County Chapter Show, Balsam Lake, WI (2pm & 8pm)
11/04/00 Sat Eau Claire Chapter Show (State Theater, 7:30pm)
02/04/01 Sun Eastern Star (Chippewa Falls Middle School, 2:00 p.m.)
02/14/01 Mon Singing Valentines! (All day, all over Chippewa Falls & Eau Claire)
04/16/01 Mon Masons at Gratzi's in Menomonie
04/21/01 Sat Dunn County Chapter Show (Colfax High School, 8:00 p.m.)
04/24/01 Tue St. James Hotel in Red Wing, MN (Lake City Medical Center Volunteer Recognition Banquet)
05/09/01 Wed Medford Memorial Hospital Employee Appreciation Banquet, Medford, WI
07/25/01 Fri Dunn County Fair, Menomonie (4pm & 6pm)
08/11/01 Sat Pure Water Days Parade/Heritage Fun Fest, Chippewa Falls
09/02/01 Sun Tara Tompkins' Wedding Reception
09/15/01 Sat Black River Falls, WI Sweet Adeline Chapter Show ( "Rhythm of the River Chorus")
10/27/01 Sat Rock Island, IL chapter show
12/12/01 Wed NW Veterinary Assoc., Holiday Inn- Eau Claire
02/14/02 Fri Singing Valentines! (All day, all over Chippewa Falls & Eau Claire)
03/18/02 Mon Spring Concert at North H.S., Eau Claire
04/06/02 Sat Eau Claire Sweet Adelines chapter show
04/20/02 Sat Woodcarvers' show, Thunderbird Mall in Menomonie (12:30 - 1:30)
04/20/02 Sat Dunn County Chapter Show (Colfax High School, 8:00 p.m.)
04/23/02 Tue Credit Union in Spooner, WI
05/18/02 Sat Black River Falls, WI chapter show
05/25/02 Sat Eau Claire Cavaliers game (Minor League Baseball)
05/26/02 Sun Knez wedding in Eau Claire
06/15/02 Sat Gratzi's in Menomonie (private party)
02/01/03 Sat Dinner Theater, St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Menomonie
02/08/03 Sat LOL District Quartet School, Stillwater, MN
02/14/03 Fri Singing Valentines! (All day, all over Chippewa Falls & Eau Claire)
04/12/03 Sat Dunn County Chapter Show (Colfax High School, 8:00 p.m.)
04/22/03 Tue Credit Union Annual Meeting in Spooner, WI
05/02/03 Fri LOL/10,000 Lakes Division Quartet Contest, Plymouth, MN
06/26/03 Thu Lions Club Officers' Installation, Trego, WI
09/23/03 Tue Chippewa Falls Optimist Club Annual Awards Meeting, Arizona's (7:30 p.m.)
09/30/03 Tue Oakwood Hills Retirement Facility, Ice Cream Social (12:30-1:30)
02/13/04 Fri Singing Valentines! (All day, all over Chippewa Falls & Eau Claire)
04/03/04 Sat Annual Shareholders Meeting, West Wisconsin Telcom, 10:30am Eau Galle, WI
04/24/04 Sat Dunn County Chapter Show (Colfax, WI High School, 8:00 p.m.)
05/12/04 Wed National Anthem (and other singing) for the Minnesota Twins at the Metrodome! (Along with other barbershop harmony singers.)
08/15/04 Sun Leinie's Lodge, Chippewa Falls, WI (1-4pm)
09/01/04 Wed Heyde Center for the Arts fundraiser, Chippewa Falls, WI, 7pm, $3 admission
09/18/04 Sat Milk Haulers State Convention, Stevens Point, WI
          (Had to take a couple years off due to Rod's health...) :-(
08/13/06 Sun Leinie's Lodge, Chippewa Falls, WI (12-4pm) (Free admission, free beer!)
08/31/06 Thurs Minnesota State Fair Talent Contest! (Leinie's Bandshell)
08/31/06 Thurs Joe Soucheray's Garage Logic radio show
09/06/06 Wed Heyde Center for the Arts fundraiser, Chippewa Falls, WI, 7pm, $3 admission
02/25/07 Sun Vaudeville Show at the Heyde Center in Chippewa Falls (2pm)
04/21/07 Sat Dunn County Chapter Show (Colfax, WI High School, 8:00 p.m.)
08/20/07 Mon Tainter Woods neighborhood picnic (Menomonie)
12/02/07 Sun Hospital fundraiser in Menomonie
12/12/07 Wed Luther Hospital, Bloomer nursing homes
02/14/08 Thu Singing Valentines! (Chippewa Falls and Menomonie)
03/09/08 Sun Vaudeville Show at the Heyde Center in Chippewa Falls (2pm) (article)
03/10/08 Mon Choir Concert at North High School (7pm)
03/29/08 Sat Banquet at Connell's Supper Club
04/11/08 Fri Sing live on WEAU TV-13 news (5:00 p.m.)
04/12/08 Sat Dunn County Chapter Show, Colfax, Wisc.
10/27/08 Mon Chi-Hi high school choir concert in Chippewa Falls
11/01/08 Sat Winona, Minn. chapter shows (afternoon, evening)
11/15/08 Sat Red Cedar Sounds (SAI) chapter show, Colfax, Wisc. (2pm/6pm)
11/18/08 Tue Heyde Center for the Arts (Chippewa Falls), Annual Volunteer Banquet
11/24/08 Mon UWEC Women's Choir concert, Gantner Hall (7:30 p.m.)
12/07/08 Sun Medford, WI: Time Federal Savings Bank Christmas Party
01/14/09 Wed Menomonie condo owners board meeting
02/13/09 Fri Singing Valentines! (Chippewa Falls and Menomonie)
02/22/09 Sun Vaudeville Show at the Heyde Center in Chippewa Falls (1pm)
04/18/09 Sat Dunn County Chapter Show, Colfax, Wisc.
05/09/09 Sat Pine Tones Chorus Show, Black River Falls, Wisc.
07/29/09 Wed Concert in the Park ("Ashley for the Arts"), Arcadia, Wisc.
08/11/09 Tue "Jack Link's Beef Jerky Golf Tournament", Spooner, Wisc.
08/11/09 Tue "Harmony Under the Stars" , La Crosse, Wisc.
09/16/09 Wed Assisted Living Week -- "Our House" in Menomonie (6:00 p.m.)
12/22/09 Tue Chippewa Falls Rotary Club Christmas lunch
02/03/10 Wed Menomonie Chamber of Commerce annual banquet
02/14/10 Sun "Hearts in Harmony" -- all-barbershop benefit show at Heyde Center in Chippewa Falls (2pm)
03/17/10 Wed "Singing Shamrocks"
03/21/10 Sun Vaudeville Show at the Heyde Center in Chippewa Falls (1pm)
04/17/10 Sat Dunn County Chapter Show, Colfax, Wisc.
10/25/10 Mon "Americana" choir concert at Chi-Hi (Chippewa Fals, Wisc.) 7pm
01/08/11 Fri-Sun "Harmony Brigade" (River Falls, WI) (There's now a public show!)
02/06/11 Sun "Hearts in Harmony" -- all-barbershop benefit show at Heyde Center in Chippewa Falls
02/14/11 Mon Singing Valentines! (Chippewa Falls and Menomonie)
02/15/11 Tues Beta Sigma Phi Sorority Sisters in Chippewa Falls
03/17/11 Thurs "Singing Shamrocks" (?)
04/16/11 Sat Dunn County Chapter Show, Colfax, Wisc.
07/17/11 Sun Northern Wisconsin State Fair (Gordy's free stage)
02/12/12 Sun "Hearts in Harmony 3" -- all-barbershop benefit show at Heyde Center in Chippewa Falls
02/12/12 Sun Cub Scout Banquet (5:00 p.m., Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Chippewa Falls)
02/14/12 Tues Singing Valentines! (Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire)
02/29/12 Wed League of Municipalities Dinner, Old Towne in Menomonie
04/14/12 Sat Dunn County Chapter Show, Colfax, Wisc.
07/15/12 Sun Northern Wisconsin State Fair (Gordy's Front Porch, 1 & 3pm)
07/27/12 Sun Grand Opening at Bluffview Memory Care (Holmen, WI) (11am-1pm)
12/17/12 Mon St. Joseph's Hospital Staff Christmas Party
02/10/13 Sun "Hearts in Harmony 4" -- all-barbershop benefit show at Heyde Center in Chippewa Falls
02/14/13 Thurs Singing Valentines! (Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire)
04/09/13 Tues Oakwood Villa, Altoona
04/25/13 Thurs Foster Grandparents Recognition Banquet, Avalon Chippewa Falls
05/03/13 Fri 10,000 Lakes Division Contest (Roseville, Minn.)
07/13/13 Sat Northern Wisconsin State Fair (Gordy's Front Porch, 3:00 pm)
07/14/13 Sun Northern Wisconsin State Fair (Gordy's Front Porch, 1:00 pm)
02/09/14 Sun "Hearts in Harmony 5" -- all-barbershop benefit show at Heyde Center in Chippewa Falls
02/14/14 Fri Singing Valentines! (Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Menomonie)
04/12/14 Sat Dunn County Chapter Show, Colfax, Wisc.
04/22/14 Tues Stout Ale House, Menomonie (employee apprecation banquet)
04/24/14 Thurs Foster Grandparents Recognition Banquet, Avalon Chippewa Falls
04/27/14 Sun 2pm Funeral in Chippewa Falls
04/29/14 Tues Turtleback Golf Course, Rice Lake (employee appreciation banquet)
05/01/14 Thurs Horizon's Supper Club, Tilden (employee appreciation banquet)
07/13/14 Sun Northern Wisconsin State Fair (Gordy's Front Porch, 1 & 3pm)
10/27/14 Mon Special guests at Chi-Hi Choir Concert ("Americana")
12/09/14 Tue Strum Area Health & Rehab
02/06/15 Fri WEAU TV interview (12:15 pm)
02/08/15 Sun "Hearts in Harmony 6" -- all-barbershop benefit show at Heyde Center in Chippewa Falls
02/13/15 Fri WEAU TV Singing Valentine Preview (6:15 am)
02/13/15 Fri Singing Valentines! (Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Menomonie, Wisc.)
02/19-22/15 Thurs-Sun Harmony Brigade (Plymouth, Minnesota)
02/20/15 Fri Singing for high schools in western Minneapols suburbs:
Brooklyn Park (8:00), Robbinsdale Armstrong (9:09),
Robbinsdale Cooper (10:48), Washburn (1:00).
02/21/15 Sat Harmony Brigade Saturday Night Show (Plymouth, Minnesota)
04/23/15 Thurs Foster Grandparents Recognition Banquet, Avalon Chippewa Falls
05/07/15 Thurs Horizon's Supper Club, Tilden (private banquet)
05/09/15 Sat Black River Falls Barbershop Chapter Show (Lunda Theater)
05/14/15 Thurs UWEC, Eau Claire (private banquet)
05/15/15 Fri ArtBoxx Saalon Grand Opening, 419 S. Barstow, Eau Claire (5:00-6:30 pm)
07/09/15 Thurs Northern Wisconsin State Fair (Gordy's Front Porch, 1 & 3pm)
09/29/15 Tues Turtleback, Rice Lake (private banquet)
01/20/16 Wed Oakwood Hills Retirement Community
02/14/16 Sun "Hearts in Harmony 7" -- all-barbershop benefit show at Heyde Center in Chippewa Falls
04/16/16 Sat Dunn County Chapter Show, Colfax, Wisc.
01/10/17 Tues "Barbershop Open House " -- Experience four-part harmony (7pm at Stout Ale House in Menomonie)
01/24/17 Tues "Vocal Music Fest" -- CHIPS Quartet is helping to coach 80 young men to sing barbershop harmony at Menomonie High School
01/28/17 Sat Dove Healthcare - West (private party)
02/09/17 Thurs "Couples' Night Out" -- 6-9pm at Calvary Church in Eau Claire (map), sponsored by "Leading With Power."
02/10/17 Fri Hellow Wisconsin on WEAU-TV (6:45 a.m.)
02/12/17 Sun "Hearts in Harmony 8" -- all-barbershop benefit show at Heyde Center in Chippewa Falls
02/14/17 Tues Singing Valentines! (Chippewa Falls & Eau Claire, Wisconsin)
04/18/17 Tue King's Banquet at Chippewa Valley Bible Church , Chippewa Falls, Wisc.
04/22/17 Sat Dunn County Chapter Show, Colfax, Wisc.
07/16/17 Sun Northern Wisconsin State Fair (Gordy's Front Porch) (1 & 3pm?)
01/30/18 Tues "Barbershop Open House " -- Experience four-part harmony (7-9pm at Stout Ale House in Menomonie) (Flyer)
02/09/18 Fri Singing live on WEAU-TV (12:30 pm)
02/11/18 Sun "Hearts in Harmony 9" -- all-barbershop benefit show at Heyde Center in Chippewa Falls
02/14/18 Wed Singing Valentines! (Chippewa Falls & Eau Claire, Wisconsin)
04/12/18 Thur Care Partners in Menomonie , Colfax, Wisc.
04/14/18 Sat Dunn County Chapter Show, Colfax, Wisc.
07/15/18 Sun Northern Wisconsin State Fair (Gordy's Front Porch) (1 & 3pm)
(P.S. -- If you want to explore more about barbershop harmony, and other groups that perform it, check out the Barbershop FAQs page.)
This page is maintained by Tom Arneberg (info@chipsQuartet.com)
(Last modified: $Date: 2019-10-22 19:28:51-05 $)
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