Bulletins will be published monthly (well sort-of) for distribution at the first (or second, or maybe third or...) meeting of each month (except July and August). Deadline for material to be included will normally be the last Monday before publication (unless advertised otherwise). When you’re done reading this bulletin, recycle it by passing it along.

I came across the word palindrome on Saturday, March 29, and it made me think of Bruce Pendlebury. The reason I thought of Bruce is that he told me maybe the longest palindrome that's known. A palindrome is word or phrase that spells the same backwards. Examples of names are Ada, Eve, Hannah, and Otto; and words like boob, gag, and noon. An example of a phrase is "Madam, I'm Adam". The one Bruce gave me is "A man, a plan, a canal, Panama".

So I called Bruce up. He has a new phone number and address. He and Betty have moved into a Condo. That part is up beat. The downer is he has been coming to Regina for radiation treatments for cancer. He has just finished them, but is not feeling all that great. I spoke to Betty. Bruce was well enough to be out getting something for Sunday's dinner. I wished them a Happy Easter, and told her I would be telling the folks in the Chorus about Bruce's illness.

Which all is by way of getting around to my favorite topic!

I had only one response to my attempts to devise a set of terms of reference for the Services and Charities Committee. What does that mean? Silence gives consent? I doubt it!

I believe we should stick to the two traditional charities that we have been supporting: Heartspring and the Early Learning Centre. If we do this adequately, we'll have done enough. Our commitment to Heartspring is a matter of record. One of these days we'll get a report on how well we did with the Valentine venture, and put that together with the rest of the story in a little report.

We do not have a specific commitment to the E.L.C. Maybe we could establish one. Why don't we tithe? Tithing has a long and respectable history. We could set aside ten per cent of our earnings from "Ways and Means" to help support the Early Learning Centre. That way we would have something definitive to work for, and could go to bed at night feeling that we have done our bit financially. It would not come to a very substantial amount, but the need is great, and it would be better than nothing would. I plan to take this idea to the Board of Directors' next meeting. Naturally, there is no reason why we can't do other things to help out, like sing for them once in a while. I'll see what I can come up with for the next SharpNotes. Meanwhile, happy singing!

I've been negligent in submitting articles to Bruce for the bulletin. As a former bulletin editor, I should have more compassion. I promise to do better Bruce.

We're at a real "bend in the road" as a chorus. We really do need to adopt and begin operating from a shared vision of what we want to be. We're in real danger of losing arguably the best barbershop director in the Province, simply because we're not giving as much back as Ken is giving us.

At the April 14th meeting, Dave Pearce outlined some direction for next year. He also handed out a survey to be completed by active and non-active members. I would encourage you to complete the survey and be brutally candid in your response. It is only through this sharing of viewpoint that we can hope to come to a shared vision, which will carry us forward as a chorus.

As Dave mentioned, we will also be contacting you in person to provide the opportunity to hear what's on your mind with respect to chapter operation and the future of the chapter.

Once a vision has been developed, we then need all members to commit to fulfilling it. We can talk more about what commitment is required once the vision is in place.

Please give us your thoughtful response!

Don't forget to save Campbell labels and UPCs for Jared!

And so begins the Golden Harvest production of Grampa's Attic.

Be sure to see Bob Grieve to get your Afterglow ticket. We need to let Empringham's know how many people are coming, so don't leave it to the last minute, or you'll miss out on a fun after-the-show party - lots of food, fun, and singing - for only $8.00. Get yours before they're all gone… If you haven't got one of these, you'll miss out!

Don't wait until Friday night of the show to track down all your parts. If you don't have a uniform or are missing parts, see Bill Quick quickly. You will need your red jacket, white tux shirt, black bow tie, black cummerbund, black pants and shoes -- as well as a western outfit (e.g. jeans, boots, bandana, hat, westerns shirt, or reasonable facsimile). Stay tuned at chapter meetings for further announcements of outfits and/or props required for the show.

We're still looking for a Chorus "song" which we can adopt and use in all of our programs. If you have suggestions of appropriate songs, or feel like putting pen to ink and submitting an original composition, we’d love to hear from you. Send them along to your friendly Bulletin Editor before the end of May, and we'll present them all to the chorus to choose. So far we have 2 nominations -- let's make this a real horse race and have some fun with it. I look forward to your creative suggestions…

We're planning a guest night for Monday May 12^th. This is the second Monday following our show. If you have any potential guests you'd like to bring out -- why not invite them to our show, and then bring them along to our Guest night on the 12^th.

Subject: Barbershop Singing - Winnipeg

Hello out there, I'm trying to reach people in the Winnipeg area who are interested in barbershop singing. We're planning the grand opening of the Butler Centre for Well-Being in the historic Traveler's Building (1907) on old market square: on 23, 24 and 25 May 1997. Our theme is the turn of the century (1900). The "Centre" is a concept. We bring together various disciplines that can help the community through their expertise. The subject is holistic life, concerning health, wealth, body, mind and spirit. Barbershop singing was in vogue and to be seen everywhere in that era. We want to reintroduce it as part of our opening. Perhaps people will become interested as a result of your performances. During our grand opening we'll be doing things to attract people and raise funds to be given to the Children's Hospital Research Foundation. The participation of Barbershop groups would really add to the fun and the concept. Singing could also play a big role in the health and well being of people who participate. You can contact me at work 989-7676, at home 478-1070 or email bfg@ilos.net. You can fax me at 942-5692. Thanks and best regards, Brian F. Glennie, bfg@ilos.net

A friendly welcome awaits you at Sportsmans Park, just 1/2 mile south of Riding Mountain National Park on Highway No. 10 Onanole, Manitoba, R0J 1N0.

Quartet Clinic - Great opportunity for the finest coaching available. If you’re a newly formed foursome or seasoned veterans, this clinic will improve your singing and performance capabilities. Limited to first eight quartets. "Northland Gold" guest coaches.

Show Production - A two-hour session on all you want to know about putting on a successful annual show.

COTS - A class open to all chapter officers. We will cover the basics for each officer position, sing at least 30 songs, get a mini chorus ready for the Saturday night show, and talk a lot about your chapter and how it can grow. "Bring your officer manual -- we won't supply them" they were mailed to each chapter in December. Del Ryberg instructor.

Chorus Directors - A big hit year after year, you will have a chance to do three separate sessions: 1. Vocal techniques 2. Brain storming with other directors and Joe Liles about attendance, performance, music selection, and what ever might be on your mind 3. First hand evaluation as you direct a "mock" chorus. Joe Liles instructor.

Vocal Production - Mini-class offered at all general sessions, plus a two-hour session with Joe Liles on your voice and its possibilities. Joe Liles instructor.

General Sessions - Instruction on vocal warm-up, tag singing, pole-cat program, judging categories, news from Kenosha, and gang singing. Duane Rygg, Joe Liles & Jim Hall co-instructors.

How to Choreograph a Song - helpful steps from song selection to adding the proper moves (2 hour session) Jim Hall instructor.

How to form a Quartet - A two-hour session on getting a foursome together: voice placement and goals, competition or show. Jim Hall instructor.

All of this for only $65.00 and it covers four meals, lots of singing, and a staff of all stars!! (In past years, the chapter has underwritten the registration fee for members attending this weekend -- check with your executive.)

Campground available for campers & RV's. Cabins, motels, or rooms also available at Sportsman Park.

See any member of the executive for an application form.

"Planes, Trains and Automobiles" is the theme for the 1997 Harmony College. Registration is now open for Harmony College and Directors College, July 27–August 3, at Missouri Western State College, St. Joseph. Mo.

We have learning tapes for most of our repertoire. Purchase tape 1 and 2 for $1.50 each. If you have an 'old' tape, turn it into Ron and get a new one with all of the following music on it:

Tape 1 has the following music:

Side A: Just Plain Barbershop, Young Men in Harmony (6 songs)]

Side B: Strictly Barbershop

Tape 2 has the following music (* songs for show)

1. Dream (*)
2. Georgia On My Mind
3. I’ll Fly Away
4. I’m Alone
5. I’m Sittin on Top (different version) (*)
6. If I Could Write A Song (*)
7. My Daddy’s Still Singing
8. O’ Canada
9. Shenandoah (*)
10. So Long Mother
11. (I’ll be a) Song and Dance Man (*)
12. They Wrote ‘em in the Good Ol’ Days (*)
13. Under the Boardwalk (*)
14. What a Wonderful World
15. Who’s Sorry Now
16. Home on the Range (*)

INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION June 29-July 6, 1997 - Indianapolis, IN

Old Songs Library Policy revised: As of June 1, 1997, requests for legal-but-unpublished arrangements from the Old Songs Library will be sent on 60-day approval and will require direct chapter billing authorization by a chapter officer for choruses or a credit card guarantee for individuals and quartets.

Each arrangement will include a cover letter with pricing information. For items not returned or purchased within 60 days, the requester will automatically be charged the Library processing fee of $7 (US) each, plus the arranger's fee, if applicable.

The intent of the policy is to encourage more efficient use of this valuable and unique service, while making the continuance of the service financially viable. For more information, contact Tom Barr or Nancy Foris at the Old Songs Library (800) 876-SING

Quartets: bring your Bari to Harmony College free! If you have not already heard about the outstanding offer for your quartet to have an opportunity to be coached by some of our Society's finest coaches at Harmony College this year, take a look at this.

For every quartet that attends the 1997 Harmony College to be coached this year, the members will be charged for three registrations instead of four. Yes, that's right, the fourth member of your quartet comes for free. Don't delay, there are only 30 quartet slots and they are filling fast.

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. Submissions will be credited to the author. Please address any comments, suggestions or submissions to the editor -- Bruce Fish.

If you were in Calgary in 1993, you may recall

Nightlife singing their Eyes Medley. And as Rob Menaker put it,

"That song put us in first place." "For about 15 minutes."

"Until Gas House sang."