Fred Peters
1917-2020
Active Member, Barbershop Harmony Society
DC Singing Capital Chorus
1955 - 2020
From our Chapter President, Tim Day:
“It is with a heavy heart that I must convey to you the passing of our dear brother, Fred Peters. Fred has been a legend in our chapter and the Barbershop Harmony Society. Many of us remember with fondness the jovial, quick-witted, 102-year-old singer and friend as he would almost bound up the risers to take his position with the chorus.
We will sorely miss you, Fred. Enjoy the choir upstairs, and thank you for all the great memories!”
Memorial Contributions
Fred’s family has suggested that memorial contributions may be made to the DC Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, better known as the Singing Capital Chorus. Donations can be made here.
Fred’s Obituary – Visitation and Funeral information, Share Memories & Support the Family
There will be a visitation at Collins Funeral Home on July 8th between 2pm-4pm, and social distancing will be in effect. Please be considerate of the family and observe these restrictions. The internment will be private.
Fred’s Obituary in the Washington Post
In Gratitude for Fred Peters
by Stan Marcuss, past Chapter President
We sing a song with one sad note
Fred Peters has left for heaven.
The chords we strike are not quite right
Something dear is missing.
What’s missing is Fred Peters
Gone home after one hundred years and two.
What’s missing is his sweet, sweet voice
His cheery tone
His presence on the risers.
Fred Peters was a giant
Wrapped in an elegant package.
We looked up to him,
Could not help but do,
The notes he sang
Inspired sounds
His mind, his soul, his spirit.
Fred Peters was a gentle giant
Saw things most never see.
Sang his giant heart out
Every time
But never said “see me.”
Yet who could not gaze upon
Fred Peters in the room.
A sparkling sound
A twinkling eye
Delight embossed
On the coat he wore.
Who could not help but gaze upon
His wink and then a smile.
Fred is now in heaven
Singing with the angels.
The trumpets call
And Fred is there
In major, minor and seventh chords
Rounding out the sound.
Fred has left us on our own
But left us with a message
To sing and do the best we can
To tame the untamed world
To heal its clefts in words and notes
In harmony with each other.
We sing a song
Sad notes linger
The pain soothed only by
Eternal gratitude
In the Singing Capital Chorus home
Of dearest, dear Fred Peters.
Some other memories of Fred
A Story Corps recording of Fred talking with Don Spero just before Valentines Day, 2020:
The Northwood News honored Fred on his 100th birthday, in their December 2017 issue
From the archives of The Harmonizer, the SPEBSQSA Magazine, July-August 1978 Issue:
THE FEDERAL CITY FOUR is from District of Columbia Chapter and is the Society’s most active retired quartet. They average one sing out a week. Their ages range from 60 to 68 years, and their Society membership totals 110 years.
Left to Right:
Fred Peters, Lead; Howard Crawford, Tenor; Ray Hart, Bass; and Lew Sims, Baritone. Lew, one of our Society stalwarts, directed the Singing Capital Chorus to the 1954 international championship. Photo courtesy of Don Spero
