REGINA GOLDEN HARVEST Barbershop Chorus

Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America

# Sharp Notes #

Publication of the Regina Golden Harvest Chorus

Golden Harvest Chorus meets most Monday Evenings, 7:30-10:00 at
Knox Metropolitan United Church, corner of Victoria and Lorne, Regina, Saskatchewan
Guests always welcome!

August / September 2001

Wahoo – September’s here!

Summer’s over and we can get back to some serious fun singing with "That Old Gang of Mine".

Enough of all this golfing and swimming, beach parties and cottages, camping and summer vacations, and all that other ‘stuff’ – it’s now time for the real fun to begin.

We’re kicking off the season on Monday, September 10^th 2001 – same time (7:30 pm), same place (Knox-Metropolitan United Church), but with our new music director (Ron Evans) and lots of singing, harmonizing and socializing. We’ve got an exciting Fall program lined up for you – with a guest night scheduled for Monday September 17^th. How many of you wish that you had ‘discovered’ barbershop sooner? Do your prospective guest a favour and introduce him to this wonderful hobby and artform NOW! Don’t wait to start talking up this guest night – start asking guests today! They’ll be glad you did.

See you all on Monday September 10^th – and with all of your guests on the 17^th.

Bruce, Chapter President

Music Director

Congratulations guys on your Buffalo Days Parade performance. Thanks especially to those who set up and ran the float and the sound system. Everything went smoothly and the chorus sang well! (didn’t we) Great job!

Thanks guys for sending me to Director’s College in St. Joseph’s, Missouri. The experience was mind-boggling! I’ve been to COTS before, but this was a whole new experience. Can you imagine singing with 600 guys and gals? There were 155 at Director’s College with me, 275 at Harmony College, 30 quartets (120) getting coaching and 67 faculty.

I took courses in directing technique, sound management, music theory, performance, rehearsal and leadership. We also did at least two hours of organized singing per day. It meant we were busy from 8 AM to 10 PM with one hour for lunch and dinner and only a one hour break each day; and this went on for 6 days! I am actually almost half way to qualifying as a certified director.

Besides ideas, I brought back lots of resources (books, tapes, CDs and videos) that you will enjoy and that will help us to improve as a chorus and enjoy our hobby more.

Thanks again guys. I trust that your investment will pay off in big dividends as we start another season. We’ll see you on September 10th.

Ron

Monday Sept 17 is a Guest Night!
Invite a friend!
They’ll be glad you did!

Executive Meeting

We had an initial kick-off executive meeting on Monday evening August 27th at Bruce and Elaine’s. Although this was primarily a ‘planning’ meeting for the upcoming barbershop season there were a number of business issues discussed. The most critical being filling some of our chapter positions. We have had several members move on to new roles but they are still holding down their previous positions while we attempt to find replacements.

Lynn and Dave will be approaching members to fill the following positions – please consider saying YES!

• Music V.P. – Ron has assumed the role of Music Director and we need someone to take over as Music V.P. This is the ideal position for anyone interested in helping set the musical direction for your chapter.
• Program V.P. – Peter is our new secretary and music librarian – so we now need a Program V.P. This is a "fun" position – you’re basically the M.C. for our Monday night meetings – and the more fun you have the more fun we have.
• Treasurer – Rod has been our treasurer for several years now and is stepping down as soon as we can find someone else who likes money – how hard could that be?
• Music team – there are a number of positions involving all aspects of the Music Leadership team – if you’re interested in music then we need you (that would be everyone in the chorus wouldn’t it?). See the – um – the new Music V.P. (or the old Music V.P. / new Music Director) for more information.

Handing over the Reins? (not!)

Well – it’s been an exciting three years since Lynn first approached me about taking on the role of Chapter president. And although I’m now looking forward to passing on the reins and becoming your Immediate-Past-President – I’m glad for the opportunities that this role has provided me over the past years.

Well that’s what I thought was going to happen when I wrote the above paragraph for the April Sharp Notes – but now I know better.

With the turn of events within the chapter and all the accompanying changes, I will be staying on as President for one more (final) year.

It has been – and continues to be – an honour to serve as your Chapter President and to represent our Chapter. With another exciting year just starting up – I’m looking forward to the fun and fellowship. Now, let’s sing.

Bruce Fish, Chapter President

Membership

Find new ways to talk about barbershop everyday. Find ways to mention barbershop harmony to every person you meet. Every one.

• Set a personal goal: Today, I will mention barbershop harmony to five people, no matter what it takes.
• Dial a wrong number. "Oops, I'm sorry! I was calling Joe Liles about our barbershop chorus ... Say, do you know anyone who likes to sing? Have you heard of the Golden Harvest Chorus?"
• Wear your SPEBSQSA and Man-of-Note lapel pins.
• Wear a ridiculous button. The more outrageous, the better. When they ask ... hook em!
• "Will sing baritone for food."
• "Show me your tessitura." (Tessitura is your vocal range.)
• "They’ll get my pitch pipe when they pry it from my cold, lifeless hand."
• "HIT ME ... or sing with me."
• See who in your chapter or family can come up with the best. Make one for everyone in your chapter.
• Call your cousin and ask him if he likes to sing.
• Call your college roommate and send him to the nearest barbershop chapter. You'll get Man of Note credit for him, too.
• After the anthem at the ball game, tell the guy in the next row that he has a good voice. Ask him to come sing with your chapter.
• Play barbershop music at work, or when you're on the phone. Interrupt yourself to say, Oh, wait a second this is the good part! Turn up the music. Ask the caller if they like to sing.
• Post announcements on bulletin boards.
• Add the title Barbershop singer to your e-mail signature.
• In restaurants, leave a membership brochure or business card with every tip. If you go there often, ask if you can leave recruiting materials by the door.
• Ask for barbershop music at the record store. If they don't have it, refer them to www.harmonymarketplace.com and tell them the Society sells wholesale to record stores.
• Whistle while you work. Someone will ask, "Why are you always whistling?" Explain to them how much music means to you. Ask them if they know anyone else who likes music.
• Call radio talk shows. When the host asks, "What are you doing?" Tell him you are working on music for your rehearsal tonight. Invite folks interested in singing to come hear your chorus rehearse.

from www.spebsqsa.org
recruiting tips

Check your Calendars

We’ve been invited to sing for the Super-annuated Teachers Banquet on December 4th. Please check your calendars so that we can let them know whether this is a "go". We’ll have a signup sheet at the chapter meeting.

Sing … for life!

Experience the beauty and meaning that singing can bring to our world.

Coming Events

Articles in this bulletin do not necessarily reflect the views of the chapter. Unless carrying a byline, they are those of the editor. Items received may be referred to the executive before publication.
All chapter officers and members are encouraged to submit articles to the Sharp Notes.
Please address any comments, suggestions or submissions to the editor – Bruce Fish, 761-2503 / bfish@accesscomm.ca. Current and back issues of the Sharp Notes can be found on the

Golden Harvest Chapter website at www.gpfn.sk.ca/culture/arts/gharvest.

Recycle this bulletin! Pass it on to your family and friends!