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!

March 1999

Show Order of Performances

1^st half (choruses in various travelling clothes on our way to Regina to put on a show but we get grounded in some remote little town)

• Baby, Won't You Please Come Home
• Song and Dance Man
• Barbershop Strut
• Sweet Adeline Quartet 1 song
• Sweet Adeline Chorus 2 songs
• Chord Jesters 1 song
• Pick up quartet 1 song
• Sweet Adeline Chorus 2 songs
• Lion Sleeps Tonight
• Candle on the Water
• Ghost Riders in the Sky
• Sweet Adeline Chorus 1 song
• When The Saints Go Marching In

2^nd half

• Sweet Adeline Quartet
• Chord jesters
• Way Out West

Finale

• Sweet Adeline Chorus 1 song
• Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight (in our full dress tuxes)
• Theme Songs

Afterglow following at the Legion Hall

LOL BETY Contest

Late last December, I packaged up and submitted several 1998 issues of the Sharp Notes to the Land O'Lakes Bulletin Editor of the Year contest – and the results are in. A few weeks ago, I received this email from Dick Teeters, District Bulletin Editor.

Gentlemen:

I am pleased to announce that the Land O' Lakes District Bulletin Editor of the Year contest for 1998 has been completed. We have district winners and we have IBETY entries, although they may not necessarily be the same. In as much as our district contest only requires publishing six entries to win, our IBETY qualifying bulletin editors are required to have published at least eight issues.

Scoring summary is:

Judges were: Melvin Stone, Content; Herb Bayles, L&R; and Chuck Hunter Sr., G&S.

I received my packet of marked bulletins just this past week – and there are a number of good suggestions that you will see reflected in future bulletins. However, there are some observations I would like to bring to your attention. First off, I would like to thank Elaine, my resident proofreader. It is thanks to her diligent and patient reading and rereading (too often into the wee hours of the morning) that the Sharp Notes placed top of the heap in this category.

There are also a number of mechanical things I can do to improve – e.g. convincing my word processor that 2 hyphens - - side by side should be printed as a dash – .

However, the real killer, was the low content number – 358/800. There are a number of things I can do as editor to bolster this category, but for the most part, I am dependent on you the members, for submissions. We have an excellent chapter bulletin (in my humble if somewhat biased opinion) but it could be even better.

p.s. we also came so close to being IBETY contestants – one more bulletin last spring and we'd have made the 8 bulletin qualification and been entered as one of the two Land O'Lakes entries.

Oh well, there's always next year…

A Tribute to John Leboldus

I was saddened today to learn of the passing of John Leboldus. I’ve learned that in our barbershop community, good news and bad travels quickly. It’s appropriate that I learned of John’s passing through barbershopping, because it is through that organization that I was privileged to meet him.

John was one of those people that I would describe as "a cut above the rest". Although I don’t believe he had a pretentious bone in his body, he exuded an aura that made you immediately like him and respect him.

I liked John because of his gentleness, kindness, energy and keen sense of humour. He must have been about 80 when I met him, and he was on the chapter executive, was the bulletin editor and looked after all of the bingos, which at that time were held every third Tuesday afternoon. After I joined the chapter and was silly enough to mention to John that I had done some journal editing, I quickly found myself over at his house being oriented to my new job as bulletin editor. After our meeting, he asked me if I could drop him downtown as it was stormy and he really didn’t want to drive. I dropped him off at the Marian Centre, where he volunteered regularly in the soup kitchen at lunchtime. His energy and desire to help others was what made John who he was. I really think it was what kept him young.

I respected John because you could tell right away he had a set of deeply felt values and tended to live by them. Although he never discussed those values openly, you could tell what they were by watching and listening to John. Love of family topped the list I’m sure, but he had enough love to share with others, particularly those less fortunate. He struck me as a pragmatic man, always choosing a course of action that made sense. He was honest to a fault, forever the watchdog to make sure that the charitable portion of our budget actually went to charity! I think it bothered John more than he let on that Kenosha didn’t approve of bingos for fundraising. I always got a chuckle when he would stand before the chorus to make a report and would start by saying "we had a little outing this afternoon and came away with $1000.00". He wouldn’t use the word bingo! His moral standard was significant as well. I remember him telling me about an International Convention, in Seattle I think, where he was approached by a "lady of the evening" (as he phrased it) in front of the headquarters hotel. Although he didn’t take her up on her proposition, he bought flowers for Ollie and carried them back on the plane for her.

Although I would really have liked to be there to sing at John’s service on Saturday, I guess I should just be happy that I was able to be there to sing to him on his 90^th birthday celebration. I don’t know what selections you guys had in mind, but I’d bet that John would ask for "Bill Grogan’s Goat". He did at his 90^th.

Bill Coulthard

Executive Meeting

The Executive met on Sunday March 7^th at the home of Stuart and Jeanne Reiley.

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

•  
• Singing Valentines were an outstanding success
•  
• Knox Met show plans complete for Friday night
•  
• Planning to attend Clear Lake mini-HEP with as many of the chorus as possible
•  
• Show plans well underway. Afterglow booked for Legion Hall. Show flyers, tickets and afterglow tickets will be distributed on Monday
•  
• Music specialist, Kirk Young, visit to Northwest Division Friday/Saturday May 7/8 – one day with local schools, one day inter-chapter with Saskatoon – discussed various hall possibilities; need someone to run with the Saturday arrangements
•  
• Next executive meeting 2:00, Sunday April 11^th at Wayne Keys'.

BINGO's

We have an "outing" this Wednesday March 24^th. Bingos continue to be a significant source of income for the chapter and we appreciate the continued support of those who volunteer on a regular basis.

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.

Mark your calendars and watch for further details.

A Charity of Significance

Many years ago, the Regina Early Learning Centre created a Finance Committee – a sort of a budgetary advisory group, and some time later, I was asked to join it. I’ve sat on it now for about 10 years, and find it quite gratifying. Last Friday, March 19, 1999, the Committee’s bimonthly meeting was held and a couple of interesting things happened.

First, I presented the modest cheque of $50.00 that Rod gave me last Monday, and Anne Luke was ecstatic. You’d think she had won the lottery! That was good.

Second, she told us at the meeting about her plans for expanding the new program that they have adopted, PAT (Parents As Teachers). This program, or something like it, has been a vision of Anne’s for a while.

"My Dream", she once said, "is that we offer more support programs for families - programs before the child actually comes into the school during the 0 -3 year range. This way, families and children would be getting support from the beginning, or as early as possible. Now, I don’t know if we’ll be able to do that - but to me, it’s really important that we look at what the parents needs are and what we can do to respond to those needs".

It is widely accepted now, in scientific circles, that it is during the period 0 - 3 years that a person’s rhythm of life is established. As early as three years of age, apparently, it is decided whether the individual is going to be a contributor to society, or a problem. So Anne is right on target.

Last summer, she sent a couple of her teachers to St. Louis, MO, where the PAT program was initiated, and thoroughly tested some time ago, to take a course in how to administer it. On their return to Regina, they began to implement what they had learned, and the work has been going ahead ever since under the guidance of these two very able young.

Now, Anne wants to give this program a push, since the pay-off in social results has tremendous potential. And the exciting thing she had to tell us at the meeting is that she is putting the person in charge of it, titled "Family Outreach Coordinator" on a level with the "Lead Teacher", who is in charge of all of the instruction in the school. She showed us the job description. "Where are you ever going to find someone with those capabilities?" we asked. However, it turned out that the person in question is already doing that job; all Anne wanted to do was get our approval for giving her the new title, and a bit of increase in pay to show she is appreciated. Wonder of wonders, this young lady is willing to carry out those quite awesome responsibilities despite the modest salary that the school can afford!

The Centre completed 20 years of service to the community in 1997, and has put out a booklet commemorating its achievements. In it, one can find all sorts of interesting facts, not the least of which is information about the way that Anne has been appreciated.

In addition to the Award of Harmony, presented by this Chapter, a number of years ago, she received the Woman of Distinction Award (Soroptimist International, Regina Branch), in 1988; the Fellowship of Man Award (Fellowship of Man Charitable Foundation), in 1993; and she received the "Friends of Children" National Award (Canadian Association for Young Children, in 1996.

There is no doubt that the PAT program is the jewel in the crown of the Early Learning Centre’s current endeavour. But, it adds significantly to the costs of running the Centre. Thus the cheque I presented on behalf of our chapter that day was greatly appreciated. As we become able to do more, that, also, will be greatly appreciated, whether the contribution is financial or in kind. We’ll have an opportunity for some of the "in kind" stuff on May 13. That is the date of the annual fund-raising dinner that the E.L.C. hosts, and Anne needs some organization to contribute 15 - 20 minutes of entertainment. If we can help out in this way, it wouldn’t be the first time for some of us; and it is a great learning experience for anyone who can attend.

It is difficult, of course, to nail down the exact return we get on the money we donate to the Centre, but it has been conservatively estimated that every dollar invested brings six dollars in benefits. By supporting this movement, we are doing society a great service, even if it's intangible. Let’s keep it up!

Jack Boan

Next BINGO

Wednesday March 24th

5:30pm to midnight

(that's this week!!)

Anaheim International Convention

• Tuesday, June 29 Celebrate Youth Ice Cream Social
• Wednesday, June 30 Quartet Quarterfinals
• Thursday, July 1 World Harmony Jamboree
• Thursday, July 1 Quartet Semifinals.
• Friday, July 2 MBNA America Collegiate Quartet Contest
• Friday, July 2 AIC Show
• Friday, July 2 Mixed Group Presentations—Chorditorium
• Saturday, July 3 Chorus Contest
• Saturday, July 3 Quartet Finals

Land O' Lakes '99

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

Musings of an "Itinerant Baritone in Simcoe County"

by Bill Coulthard

My latest installment is a bit longer arriving than I had intended. Hopefully there will be another bulletin before too long. I read and enjoyed the December, January and February issues downloaded from the web site. Good stuff once again Bruce! Also good to see my old buddy Tom still surfacing in print.

As I mentioned in my first installment, we were living very close to Midland, Ontario up until the new year. Once I was settled enough into the new job, I began to seek some chords and decided to take in a Midland Chapter meeting one Monday night. They actually meet in a church hall in Victoria Harbour, a quaint little town with a marina on Georgian Bay as a main claim to fame these days. I had a little trouble finding the place as they don’t know how to make straight roads here in Ontario, so I arrived a minute or two late. However, in good barbershop form, they stopped everything and sang "You’re as Welcome as the Flowers in May" to me.

The guys in the Midland Chapter were very nice and I had an enjoyable evening singing with them as they prepared for a Christmas singout at a senior’s complex at Woodland Beach. Of course, Bob Megaw is something of a hero to these guys as it seems he comes out frequently while holidaying in Midland each summer and takes over some directorial duties while there. One guy went to High School with Bob and said he’d tell some stories "out of school" if I was interested. As Bob is quite a straight sort of guy, I thought the stories would be boring, so I never took him up on the offer! I could tell that although these guys were having fun, this wasn’t going to be the chapter for me. The average age of the chapter was quite high, but was made up of many long time locals as well as guys who have retired to the Bay area after singing in Burlington, Scarborough, East York and the like. However, this group just likes to get together and sing a few, not get into the really high-energy stuff any more.

The neat thing about this area is that there are so many chapters nearby to choose from. There is a "chorus for every taste" within driving distance. The Division Music guy was visiting Midland the night I was there and he said I could go to Midland Monday, Huntsville Tuesday and Barrie Wednesday. If I was really keen and made the cut, I could do Northern Lights in Toronto on Thursday. Talk about barbershop widow potential…

My next stop wasn’t until a few weeks later, January 6 in Barrie. As I’m now living in Orillia, it was only about a 15 minute drive for me. It was their first meeting after Christmas, so they only had about 40 guys out. Usually they have an average of 55, some of whom travel from Midland, Huntsville and other smaller towns in the area to be part of a competitive chorus under the direction of Barry Towner (who also directs the past International Champion "Dukes of Harmony" – Scarborough Chapter). The Barrie Chapter chorus consistently places in the top 4 or 5 in Ontario District and have a pretty good sound. However, their sound isn’t that much better than Regina Chapter’s (although more voices are nice) and their average age isn’t that much lower. It’s nice to sing with more voices, but the main difference between their chorus and Regina’s is (you guessed it) stage presence. Barry Towner has a guy from the Dukes come up to work on choreography with them from time to time and it sure pays off. I think I’ll stick with these guys for as long as I’m in the area and learn as much as I can from them. Towner characterizes the chorus as a solid "B+" chorus. I really think the stage stuff is the biggest difference.

While at the Barrie meeting, I met a guy named Roy Cunningham, a retired Bell Canada guy who knows Gord and Marg Gardiner really well from visits to work with Sask Tel. Also met another guy who went all through school with Megaw and said that Bob often sings with Barrie in the summer too. I passed on the offer for stories again!

On the weekend of January 8 – 10, I attended the Ontario District COTS held in Geneva Park just outside of Orillia. About 300 guys from all over Ontario attended. In the Friday night general session I sat next to a guy that looked familiar. Turns out it was Bill ???, a former Saskatoon member now living just South of Woodstock and singing with Burlington. Saturday morning breakfast, I sat with some Burlington guys and when discussion turned to Regina, turns out the guy next to me was Bruce Fish’s brother-in-law. I asked for some stories about Bruce, but was told there weren’t any of interest. [remind me to thank Ross … ed.]

The keynote speaker was a very entertaining retired school principal by the name of Doran McTaggart from Windsor. His presentation was on the theme of fun – and it was great fun listening to him. During his speech, he talked about the fact that 10% of the Society is Canadian and almost exactly 10% of the Society Chapters are Canadian. He recounted a year when every District that had Canadian Chapters in it had a Canadian District President. As he listed them off and got to LOL, he mentioned "Gord Gardiner, a bald grain farmer from Regina". It was great talking to him afterward, and he did tell me some stories about Gord! (much too racy to put into print).

What is the moral of all this you ask? Well, it seems that even if you find yourself in Ontario, you’ll have to put up with stories about guys from Saskatchewan!

More later.

[great to hear from you again Bill – although a guy can get real homesick as you list off these fellow barbershopper names and places from my former stompin' grounds. Wish I could've been there with you … 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. Come on out and join in a song or two and take the opportunity to renew friendships with former colleagues. Drop in and see us any Monday night, or give any member a call.

Chord Jesters

Two shows since Valentine's. We were such a hit with the RCMP brass at Valentine's that we were invited to sing at an anniversary for one of the NCO's. We also sang for a retirement party at the Elk Hall.

Chord Jesters – Eric Neufeld, Lynn Lowes, Ron Evans & John Leitch – were busy participating in the chorus Singing Valentines and are pictured here delivering a Singing Valentine to Annette Wright & Fraser Nicholson.

Live a Little…

Sing in A Quartet!!

Early Show Thanks

Thanks to Terry Sagal who has agreed to be our lead/janitor. And very special thanks to our Itinerant Baritone in Simcoe County, Bill Coulthard, for his wonderful work on our show script. And thanks-in-advance to the entire chorus for learning their music and volunteering for speaking parts in the production.

Clear Lake, Manitoba

1999 Mini-HEP School – 7:30 pm Friday June 4^th to 10:15 am Sunday June 7^th. Make sure you mark this date on your calendar. This is always a great musical weekend, and we're hoping to have as many of the chorus members attend as possible. Bob Jarvis has agreed to do some of the organizing for this, so if you're interested in attending with us, make sure you give Bob your name. If there is enough interest (early) we should be able to go as a chorus and have some chorus coaching sessions while we are there. Please make your own arrangements for rides and accommodations – there will likely be lots of opportunities for sharing both.

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, (306) 761-2503 / bfish@cableregina.com. Current and back issues of the Sharp Notes can be found on our chapter website at www.gpfn.sk.ca/culture/arts/gharvest.

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