About Us
Grand Design was founded in the Fall of 2009 when long time friends Derek Glenna and Matt Hall finally made good on a promise to someday sing together in a quartet. Through Derek’s connections to both the Mankato and Hilltop choruses they recruited Don Hettinga and Leonard Huls to fill the other two parts. After singing together at the Land O’ Lakes District Fall Contest in Rochester, MN, they decided there was definitely some potential and, soon after, Grand Design became official. After several months of rehearsal, coaching, and arguing over which shoes to buy, they competed in their first competition and were crowned both 10,000 Lakes Division Champions and Novice Quartet Champions. In their first LOL District contest this past fall in Fargo, ND, Grand Design earned the third place medal. In the Spring of 2011 they competed in and won the Southwest Division contest. Just one month later they qualified for their first International Quartet Contest in Kansas City, MO. This fall, we were the silver medalists at the 2011 LOL District Contest in Rochester, MN.
As a group, they have over 50 years of Barbershopping experience. They enjoy a wide variety of musical styles and the members have diverse backgrounds in a number of different performing groups; from classic male choral groups to rock and roll bands.
(Left to Right)
Leonard Huls (Tenor) - Len has been a singing in the Society since 1990. He began his barbershopping career with the Windom, MN chapter and is currently a member of the Mankato, MN chapter. He has also sung in several quartets and has competed at the District level several times. Len lives in Mankato where he works for a large regional home improvement retailer. He was sought out by the group not only for his marvelous tenor voice, but also in hopes that we could get the employee discount on our remodeling projects. Len and his wife, Shelly, have three wonderful children ages 19, 15 and 8.
Don Hettinga (Lead) - Don grew up in a Barbershop family and joined the society when he was 13. His first competition was in Detroit, MI at the International Contest with the Mankato, MN chapter After taking several years off to sing some rock and roll, he rejoined the ranks in 2007 with the Rochester Music Men chorus. He is currently a member of the Hilltop, MN chapter and serves as an occasional soloist with that group. Don lives in Owatonna, MN where he works as a high school teacher. He and his wife, Chris, have two lovely kids ages 9and 2.
Matt Hall (Bass) - Matt is another 'barbershop brat.' He joined the society in his teens and has also sung in several well known vocal ensembles; such as the UW-Eau Claire Singing Statesmen, the Rose Ensemble, and the Mastersingers USA. He currently directs the St. Croix Valley chapter and has sung with several quartets, including Talk of the Town, with his father. Matt lives in New Richmond, WI with his girlfriend Candace and her two children. By day he he serves as a branch manager at a local bank.
Derek Glenna (Baritone) - Derek joined the society at the ripe old age of 8, and was active in singing and promoting barbershop singing throughout high school. He has sung at the international chorus competition with both the Minneapolis and Hilltop, MN chapters. He has been singing with and directing the Mankato, MN chapter since 2008, and recently became director of the Vallee de Croix Sweet Adeline’s Chorus. Derek is currently finishing his degree in mortuary sciences at the University of Minnesota, while his girlfriend, Emily, finishes her nursing degree at Minnesota State-Mankato.