Gleanings From The Mailbag

Jim Mally, VLQ Coordinator, wrote in Akron, Ohio's Derbytown Gazette, Ed Crosley, editor, about the VLQ's activities. The group sang for two birthday parties at the Sheraton Suites in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, then the Suite Chef asked for a song. They "gladly obliged." [Great exposure!] Jim went on to write, "We are starting to get more requests for appearances and will try to schedule at least one per month. We get paid for these performances (up to $200), with the money going into the chapter treasury to help support our social activities and charity donations."

In the Naples, Fla., Chapter's Shop-Notes, Joe Gerebenics, editor, Arts Council Delegate Dick Maier reported about a meeting that he and two other chapter members attended. At the United Arts Council meeting, they "had a chance to distribute information about the Valentines Quartet program and got a favorable response, including an invitation for a quartet to sing before an audience of 500 on Valentine's Day."

Former Eugene, Ore., Chapter member Bob "Taffy" Tafejian wrote to Director Brent Graham and the letter was printed in the Cascade Echo, Coby and Julie Foster, editors. In part, Bob explained how he was invited to audition for the Masters of Harmony and passed. He went on to tell of the expectations: Two weeks after music and a learning tape is passed out, the members are expected to know the song. Three rules when learning new moves: 1) No talking; 2) No questions; 3) No suggestions (problems or questions will be covered eventually). Bob wrote, "The discipline is unbelievable" and "I am having the time of my life."

Doug Petch took over as editor of the London, Ontario, Chapter's The Clipper. Doug mentioned the last time he edited the chapter bulletin was the early '70s, when Ditto masters (those blue-purple) things were in common use. Doug is just learning his way around the computer keyboard and doing a fine job of it. His first issue includes a copy of the cover from the first bulletin in June 1959. He also included some historical highlights from that first issue.

Dick Carpenter, wrote in the Bowie, Md., Chapter's Knights Knotes, Dale Westbrook, editor, about his quartet, Cliché, who performed in a musical production for a military audience of 1,100. The head table included the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Secretaries of all the services. The article didn't state how they got the invitation.

Editor Alexander Edwards of the Apple Valley, Calif., Chapter's The Desert Breeze, wrote of an evening of barbershop quartets combined with comedy by the High Desert's Theater Arts Guild. Seating is reported to be limited and may be sold out through advance ticket sales. The chapter booked six quartets for the show.