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Perpetual Emotion was formed in May 2013 out of singers from Cornwall, Brockville, and Kingston, ON originally as a temporary one-off performance for a request made for a church service in Elgin, Ontario. The four singers in the group struck an instant friendship and reveled at the amazing sound and natural, effortless blend- and decided in unison they didn't want things to end right there!
Over the years, the quartet has expanded both their repertoire and musical skills to produce an amazing quality sound with spine tingling harmonies. In addition to studying with some of the biggest-name music educators and musicians of the Barbershop art form in Nashville, Tennessee USA at the Barbershop Harmony Society's Harmony University, They've performed at countless community events, concerts, church services, held charity fundraisers, caroled for the Kingston Partners In Mission Food Bank, and delivered Singing Valentines to loved ones within the Kingston, Ontario region. |
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Our Singers
Here's a little background about the individual singers in the Quartet.
Ian Loughrey
(Tenor) The newest member of Perpetual Emotion (since 2014)- Ian is no stranger to musical ensembles, having sung in various choirs for most of his life. He started singing Barbershop in 2004, and later joined the Cornwall Seaway Sound and Brockville Melodymen choruses. He's also been a member of several past quartets of mention, including Nostalgia (with his late father), Exit Stage Left, and Duff's Corners. Ian's also blessed (although some say "cursed") with an impressive vocal range allowing him to sing all four voice parts with ease! |
James Essex-McIntyre
(Lead) James has been singing as long as he can remember, starting in his youth with church choir and every vocal group he could find in school. Later on in life he discovered Canadian A Capella superstars The Nylons, who had a profound effect on him and further influenced his passion for vocal music. In 1999, after a random encounter with the Brockville Melodymen Chorus, he fell in love with the rich harmonies Barbershop music produces, and joined almost immediately. Over the years he's been a Lead, Chorus Section Leader, and Artistic Director. He's the former director of the C-Way Sound Chorus in Cornwall, and after starting the transition back to Kingston in 2017 is now a member (and board member) of the Kingston Townsmen Chorus. He's also a regular attendee at the Barbershop Harmony Society's Harmony University, where he's spent many years honing his musical skills. |
Len Matiowsky
(Baritone) Len grew up in southwestern Manitoba and began singing at a young age, influenced heavily by his Ukrainian roots and a musical family. He later joined the military and sang in numerous church choirs at each station, often taking leadership and support roles within the ensembles. He started singing Barbershop in 2002, and has been a member of the Kingston Townsmen Chorus since his arrival in the city in 2004. He's been active in the chorus's leadership as Chapter President since 2014. |
Vernon Simkins
(Bass) A singer for most of his adult life, Vern literally started his musical career in Barbershop. in 2002 at the young age of 18, he joined the Kingston Townsmen Chorus, where he learned the fundamentals of the Barbershop music genre, and grew over the years- also joining the Open Voices Community Choir, which he sings at to this day, as well as several local quartets including The Nth Degree, and Old Dogs, New Tricks, (both of which have since been retired). He's also sung at numerous International Competitions and Festivals with the award-winning Ontario Youth A Capella Chorus, performed at over 100 events, a recipient of the 2013 Spirit Of Barbershop Award, and is a 5-time student at the Barbershop Harmony Society's Harmony University school. |
Affiliations
We are proud to be affiliated with several musical organizations dedicated to promoting and encouraging our artform.
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The Kingston Townsmen Chorus
Established in 1982, the Townsmen are a men's Barbershop A Cappella chorus located in Kingston, Ontario Canada, consisting of musically enthusiastic males of all ages and walks of life who simply love to sing. For more than 30 years, they've sung at hundreds of performances ranging from retirement homes to delivering Singing Valentines, from public appearances and fundraisers to events hosting Canadian Provincial and Federal politicians. They are dedicated to providing an environment that welcomes members who are new to singing as well as experienced choral and vocal musicians. Website Ontario District BHS
Founded in 1946, The Ontario District is one of the seventeen districts of the Barbershop Harmony Society, and is the only all-Canadian district. It is committed to serving and supporting its 31 barbershop chapters, over 60 quartets, and over 1200 members throughout Ontario, and it is committed to promoting the Society's mission of bringing men together in fellowship and harmony to enrich lives through singing. Website Barbershop Harmony Society
The Barbershop Harmony Society is the world’s largest all-male singing Society, with 22,000 members across North America. Affiliated men’s and women’s organizations in more than a dozen countries bring the total number of active singers to more than 80,000 worldwide. Through active programs in music education, publishing, performance, and outreach, the Society preserves and extends the reach of a close harmony musical art form whose roots lie in African-American improvisation and European harmony traditions. Founded in 1938 as the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, Inc. (SPEBSQSA), the Society now expends $1.3 million annually in support of community and school programs that bring the fellowship, fulfillment, and excitement of vocal music to a new generation of singers. Website |
Charities
Perpetual Emotion believes strongly in giving back to the community, and helping those in need. Here are some of the charities we've supported through our performances, concerts and fundraisers (and you should, too!)
Sing Canada Harmony
The Sing Canada Harmony Scholarship Fund is a registered charity established in 2008 to unite Canadian a Capella singers through service to youth and children in schools and communities. The fund provides financial assistance for educational and training opportunities in singing vocal music performance, vocal music leadership, vocal music administration and vocal music composition, arrangement, adjudication and staging. Sing Canada Harmony financially supports learning opportunities for Canadians throughout the communities and schools, and particularly among youth, to gain expertise and experience in the field of a Capella vocal music harmony singing. website |
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