My Better Half

My Better Half is a mixed quartet, but those who know them often use the term “mixed-up”, among others. Collectively, they have more than 100 years of singing experience, including championship barbershop quartets and the professional nightclub circuit. They sing a variety of styles, including swing, doo-wop, barbershop, Broadway, standard, and novelty. Plus, they bring stories and humor from two great traditions: barbershop and marriage!

Gail and Bob Kriebel live in Hellertown, PA. Gail’s originally from Connecticut, where she worked her way through grad school singing in nightclubs. Bob’s a barbershopper and sings with the Allentown-Bethlehem Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. Bob has sung in many quartets, including SPEBSQSA’s Mid-Atlantic District/Northern Division champion Commonwealth Chord Company. Gail and Bob are both active in local theater. Her major roles include Mother Superior (Sound of Music), Dolly Levy (Hello, Dolly), Mrs. Paroo (The Music Man), and Widow Corney (Oliver). Bob spends a lot of time worrying about his wife always being cast as a nun or a widow! To pay the bills, Gail’s a librarian and Bob’s a community planning consultant. Between them, they have six children and three grandchildren.

Sue and Lou Nicharot are from Bethlehem, PA. Both of the Nicharots have barbershop back¬grounds. Like Bob, Lou sings with the Allentown-Bethlehem Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. Lou was the lead for the popular quartet Four’s Company, whose humor and charm entertained the Lehigh Valley for over 15 years. Sue is a very active Sweet Adeline, having sung in several fine quartets, including a regional finalist (Calliope). She also directed the Somerset Valley (NJ) chorus. She’s now singing with the Greater Harrisburg chorus. Professionally, Lou’s an attorney, and Sue’s an insurance underwriter. The Nicharots have three daughters and six grandchildren.