About Rat Race
Rat Race formed in March of 2008 and is proud of their barbershop quartet heritage.
Dan and Jeff knew each other from their mutual association with the North Country Chordsmen. After Jeff convinced Dan that he really could sing bass (Jeff was a baritone at the time), the quartet formed with Chris on baritone and Pierce on tenor. Chris had worked with Dan in the Lebanon School District as a music teacher and Pierce used to be Dan's music student. After almost a year of learning and fun, Pierce announced in February '09 that he had signed up to go to school in Ohio in the fall of 2009. RR decided that the 7th Annual Upper Valley A Cappella Showcase (May 31, 2009) would be the last official gig as the original Rat Race.
Enter Ron Higgins. Ron had been (and continues) singing tenor with the Top Drawer Four, a great barbershop quartet that Dan had the priviledge to coach. Ron had also sung for Dan while Dan was the director of the North Country Chordsmen. Ron was looking to do more singing and the Rats were looking for a new tenor- the decision was made and the match was great!
Rat Race is proud to say that the learning and fun still continues. The Rats look forward to years of singing together and getting a chance to entertain audiences all along the way.
Now it's time to meet the Rats:
T-Rat
Ron Higgins is an experienced barbershopper from the Springfield, VT area. Ron has sung in The Top Draw Four for more than 25 years and helped them win the 2002 NED Seniors Quartet Contest. An active chorus member, Ron currently sings with the North Country Chordsmen, but recently competed with the Nashua Granite Statesmen at the International Chorus Contest in Nashville, TN. Ron is enjoying his much deserved time off after his recent retirement, but is certainly keeping himself busy. Barbara is Ron's much better half: a true supporter of his barbershop life.
Lead Rat
Dan Signor actually has a long history in barbershop. Sig (one of his numerous nicknames) is a past district quartet champion, a past singing judge, the past director of the district small chorus champions and a mixed harmony addict. A music educator by day, Lead Rat has spent most of his recent time singing baritone in the Honeymooners with his mucho talented wife, Gaye. Together Dan and Gaye direct an a cappella community chorus called Harmony Night. Dan also serves as the lead section leader for the North Country Chordsmen.
Rat Bari
Chris Gribnau is a music educator in Lincoln, VT and plays a number of musical instruments. A professional trumpet player by trade, Chris has played with Dartmouth Winds, the Dartmouth Gospel Choir and Vermont's only salsa band, Grupo Sabor. While not doing music, Chris enjoys hiking, sailing, deep-frying stuff, pickling everything else, playing cribbage, geocaching, making his mean BBQ ribs. Chris and his piano playing fiance, Lisa are excited about their new home in Charlotte, VT. Lisa also serves at the quartet's personal coach.
Low Down Rat
Jeff Russell makes his home in Grantham with his wife Deb and is proud of his wonderful family in New York. He is employed in the IS department at DHMC, where he spends much of his time teaching others about the computer system. When not singing those low down notes for the Rats, he keeps himself busy hunting, playing tennis, strumming his 12-string guitar, cooking and telling corny jokes. Low Down also sings bass with the North Country Chordsmen.
We want to remember and thank:
Squeaky
Pierce LaHaye was the original tenor of Rat Race. After singing with RR for a little over a year he had to step down due to relocating to Ohio to continue his schooling. Pierce started singing barbershop in high school with the North Country Chordsmen. While a student at Lebanon High, Pierce sang in a variety of ensembles including the LHS Superlatives where he sang both tenor and bass. Pierce is engaged to Chelsea, a huge barbershop fan.