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!

National Flag of Canada Day.

At the stroke of noon on February 15, 1965, Canada's red and white maple leaf flag was raised for the very first time. "The flag is the symbol of the nation's unity, for it, beyond any doubt, represents all the citizens of Canada without distinction of race, language, belief or opinion." Let us be proud of our flag! Let us recognize how privileged we are to live in Canada, this magnificent country that encompasses our history, our hopes, our future.

February 1999

Valentine Thank-you's

• Gord for the advertising/promotion
• Jack for organizing
• Jean for answering the phone calls
• Val for organizing us
• Lynn for pitching in to help Jack
• Stu for the practice on Thursday
• Chord Jesters - John, Lynn, Ron and Eric for performing Friday, Saturday and Sunday
• Carol for driving the Chord Jesters on Friday
• Peter, Darrell & Stu, Dave and Wayne for performing on Friday
• Stu for driving on Friday
• Peter, Bruce, Dave and Jack for singing on Sunday and Monday
• Elaine for driving on Sunday
• And everyone else

Our Singing Valentines were a fantastic success. We brought joy to the sweethearts we sang to, and the many others who heard us perform. At the same time we received well-earned recognition within the community -- and from a financial perspective this was the equivalent of working two or three Bingos! What more could we ask!

Membership Renewals

Eric Neufeld - 10 years

Bill Coulthard - 14 years

Jack Boan - 23 years

Bill Quick - 24 years

Dave Slinn - 25 years

Lynn Lowes - 30 years

Nelson Falkowsky - 33 years

Congratulations to each of you and welcome back for another year of fun, singing and fellowship.

Way-to-go

Congratulations to Bill Quick as the December 1999 Way-to-go award winner. Way to go Bill!

Congratulations Jack Boan on being January's Way-to-go recipient. Bill presented the Way-to-go trophy to Jack at our February 8^th meeting. Way to go Jack!

If you get a chance, say 'way to go' to both Bill and Jack, and take a look at the history of names written on the Way-to-go "trophy". Bill and Jack -- you're in great company.

Valentines and Illness

This year’s effort is going to be bigger and better than ever. R.G. Hafer and O.C. Cash would be proud.

I have some good news and some bad news, but also a confession. I'll start with the latter, and end up with the good news.

I have to confess that I read only today, Saturday, Feb. 20, the excellent address by Dean Snyder, which Bruce thoughtfully reproduced in the September issue of Sharp Notes. The reason I bring this up is to emphasize that even retired folk get so busy they postpone reading good things for all this time! Also, to say that if anyone within reading distance has also failed to read that statement of Dean's, do yourself a favour and read it now.

One thing Dean mentioned is that the Society has got proper charitable status now, so that Americans, making gifts, can get tax relief. I have often wondered if our chapter should seek charitable status, but I doubt that we would qualify. It brings to mind charitable giving, however, and I will come back to that towards the end of this article.

The bad news is that I went to see John LeBoldus this afternoon. I was shocked at the way he has failed since I saw him on Feb. 7th. (I would have seen him more than once in the intervening time, but the following week, I had the 'flu' or something; and this past week, I spend a good deal of it in Saskatoon, visiting a stroke victim). He is more frail, he is on oxygen, and the visit was not very rewarding. Partly because he is so deaf; but also because his speech is virtually indecipherable. I took some flowers, but noticed that he had a big bouquet of nice red flowers on the stand, so I left them wrapped up for Olive to take home.

It looks to me like it'll take a miracle if John is going to celebrate his 94th birthday on March 26th. John has been a big champion of the Regina Chorus.

The good news pertains to the Valentine weekend. It was a great success.

In terms of public relations it was an absolute winner. I have some personal testimonies.

One of our clients called up and wanted to know the names of the quartet, because they took pictures, and wanted to put names to faces. She said, also, that we went a way beyond the call of duty, and they are looking forward to attending our show.

The second one pertains to a woman who bought a valentine for her boy friend. It was delivered on Friday. On Saturday, she came to our house with a cheque and profuse thanks. She had not attended the event, and was going by the results. She said, "That was the best $30 I have ever spent in my whole life"!

Finally, there is this one. It came with a "thank-you" note, put into my mailbox on Friday night. As well as the printed verse, it said, in hand-writing, "Thank you all very much for making Valentine's Day extra special for Len and I. Although I had cancelled your services once I realized Len would be away at meetings, your papers must have gotten misplaced. To my surprise Len's meetings were cancelled at the last minute and you all showed up with a singing valentine. (I guess it was meant to be.) You not only made Valentine's Day special for Len and I, but also for the many on-lookers at Len's place of work. Thank you all again. My only concern ... How do you beat this next year??"

Finally, I said I'd come back to the charity question. Several people asked me if we were raising money for charity, and I said we were supporters of the Regina Early Learning Centre. And I let it go at that. However, maybe we could add a little to what we already give the Centre, in view of the new program they have undertaken called Parents As Teachers, which promises to have a big pay-back over time, and because I may not be the only one who was asked if we were raising funds for a charity.

Jack Boan, Chairman.

[Jack: You deserve an award -- I received your contribution in 4 separate emails. Thanks for your persistence and consistent contributions. I enjoy receiving and publishing all of your articles. -- ed.]

 A Standing Invitation to All Former Chorus Members and Friends

Come sing with us -- we would be glad to have you come out and join us on any Monday practice night. This would be a great opportunity to come out and see what we're up to, and a chance to renew friendships with former colleagues. Drop in and see us any Monday night, or give any member a call.

And to all current chapter members - don't be shy - extend an invitation. Give 'em a call and offer to bring them out. Both of you will be glad you did.

 Choral Festival At The Met

Featuring:

Regina Male Voice Choir
Director: Sandra Cosby

Regina Chinese Singers
Director: Sylvia Yam

Golden Harvest Chorus
Director: Ken Holzer

Knox-Metropolitan
United Church Choir
Director: Hart Godden

Friday March 12^th, 1999 - 8:00 pm

Tickets $10.00 - Students&Seniors $8.00

Available at:
Knox-Metropolitan United Church
2430 Victoria Avenue, Regina
Phone: 525-9128

Music for Choral Festival at The Met

• If I Could Write A Song
• Song & Dance Man
• When the Saints Go Marching In
• Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight
• Lion Sleeps Tonight
• Baby Won't You Please Come Home

Land O' Lakes '99

District Spring Convention & International Quartet Prelims, April 30 - May 2, St. Cloud, Minnesota

Clear Lake, Manitoba

1999 Mini-HEP School -- 7:30 pm Friday June 4^th to 10:15 am Sunday June 7^th

A friendly welcome awaits you at Sportsmans Park, just 1/2 mile south of Riding Mountain National Park on Highway 10 Onanole, Manitoba

• Quartet Clinic
• Chorus Presentation
• Chorus Directors Workshop
• Saturday Night Show
• Sight-reading a Song
• Vocal Production
• How to Choreograph a Song
• General Sessions
• Tips on being an MC
• Chorus Coaching
• Special Classes

All of this for only $60 and it covers four meals, lots of singing and a staff of all-stars. Lodging or camping available. Mark your calendars so you'll be able to enjoy this remarkable weekend.

What the heck is HEP?

Each year, S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A. hosts a number of music schools/camps:

• Harmony College & Directors College in St. Joseph. Missouri
• Harmony Explosion Camps
• Category School
• District HEP Schools
• Top Gun

HEP is the Society's Harmony Education Program. Each district hosts HEP Schools each year. Land O'Lakes holds two mini-HEPs - one in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and the other in Clear Lake, Manitoba.

Keep the Whole World Singing!!

Chapter Mission Statement

The mission of the Regina Chapter of S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A. is, throughout Southern Saskatchewan, to preserve and perpetuate four-part barbershop music and to promote fellowship and harmony through Barbershop quartet singing.

In pursuit of this mission, we will:

• attempt to satisfy the musical needs and interests of all members,
• provide musical education opportunities for all members,
• provide annual financial support to the Heartspring Foundation and the Regina Early Learning Center as our charitable projects,
• promote public awareness and appreciation of the barbershop music form, and
• promote community goodwill through singing.

Guests Always Welcome!!

Recruitment tip #1

Talk about barbershopping to at least three new people each week.

Executive Meeting

The Executive met on Sunday February 7^th at the home of Lynn and Carol Lowes.

Highlights from the meeting follow. For details, please see the President, Secretary or any other member of the executive.

• Finances in good shape. Ed Camrud will review 1998 financial records.
• Discussed whether to reinstate uniform deposits; decided not, but to inform members that they would be billed for uniform if not returned in good condition when leaving the chapter. Bill Quick to draft a possession document for members to sign.
• Received a thank you from our chapter coach, Ken Stephenson, thanking us for our attendance and support of the Virden training session.
• Singing Valentines all under control for the weekend. LOTS of publicity and LOTS of calls.
• Show plans well underway. Lynn will be sending a copy of the script to Bill Coulthard to review and tailor. Nelson looking after Afterglow arrangements.
• Music specialist, Kirk Young, visit to Northwest Division Friday/Saturday May 7/8 -- one day with local schools, one day inter-chapter with Saskatoon
• Next executive meeting 2:00, Sunday March 7^th at Stuart Reiley's.

BINGO's

Thanks to those of you who came out on Wednesday February 17^th. Bingos continue to be a significant source of income for the chapter.

Live a Little…

Sing in A Quartet!!

Learning Tape #1

Side A

• Just Plain Barbershop (in book order)
• Chicago
• Medley of Spirituals
• Good Night Ladies
• Happy Birthday
• Bring Back the Days of the Song and Dance Man
• (We'll Go) Vodeo Do

Side B

• Strictly Barbershop (in book order)

Ron Evans

 Is your phone's dial tone stuttering? Then dial *99 to hear important chorus announcements.

It’s great to be a Barbershopper!!

The International and District dues portion may be paid directly as billed from the Society in either U.S. or Canadian funds at the exchange rate as indicated on your billing. Local chapter dues should be paid directly to the Chapter Secretary or Treasurer.

If you have any questions, please contact Rod Schlosser (Treasurer) or Bruce Fish (President).

Email

Looking for email addresses of other chorus members? Look no further than our chapter website. A current chapter roster can be found at www.gpfn.sk.ca/culture/arts/gharvest

You can find email addresses of many of our chapter members as well as lots of other chapter info including a calendar of events, back issues of the Sharp Notes and links to other District and International barbershop information.

If there are any errors or omissions in the information on our site, or if there is additional information you would like to see there, please drop me a line at bfish@cableregina.com.

 From Headquarters

Anaheim convention registration packet now online Go to www.spebsqsa.org/Anaheim. Get the complete registration packet and schedule for the 1999 international convention at Anaheim.

Harmony College 1999 course catalog and registration packet Go to www.spebsqsa.org/HCDC. We've taken the best of Harmony College / Directors College -- a world-class faculty, the friendships and traditions, the tags -- and organized them into curricula that can be tailored to your specific needs. Read all about it, and download all forms and registration materials.

Sing Along Songs lyrics available in a FREE download Go to www.spebsqsa.org/Arrangements/Free/communitysinging.htm. Lyrics to more than 100 public domain songs are now available as a free download. Perfect for community singing at barbershop performances!

How to use learning tapes Go to www.spebsqsa.org/Music/Skills/UsingLearningTapes.htm. For the novice Barbershopper, having to learn an entire repertoire can be a daunting challenge. Here is a system that helps to simplify and speed up the process using recorded learning tapes.

SPEBSQSA 1999 Work Plan online Go to www.spebsqsa.org/Operations/ 1999workplan.htm. What's in store for 1999? Review the plans of SPEBSQSA volunteers and staff.

 Show Songs

• Baby, Won't You Please Come Home
• Barbershop Strut
• Candle on the Water
• Ghost Riders in the Sky
• Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight
• Lion Sleeps Tonight
• Song and Dance Man
• When The Saints Go Marching In

  Music Visit - May 7/8, 1999

Society Music Specialist, Kirk Young, will be in Regina on Friday May 7th to work with the local high-school music teachers and groups. On Saturday, May 8th Kirk will lead a multi-chapter workshop with Saskatoon chorus and any and all other chapters who can make it.

Details are still being worked out but it looks like it should be a great musical event for Regina and the Land O'Lakes Northwest Division. Mark your calendars and watch for further details.

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, 761-2503 / bfish@cableregina.com. Current and back issues of the Sharp Notes can be found on our chorus website at www.gpfn.sk.ca/culture/arts/gharvest.

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