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!

April 1999

Planes, Trains and Automobiles – Takes City by Storm…

From all reports that I have received our annual show was a resounding success!

Our audience appeared to enjoy the diversity of the show. People I have talked to felt our "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" skit was not only well done but moved along smoothly. They enjoyed the singing of both choruses, the dialogue and quartets that fit in so well. Congratulations!!!

As show chairman, I would like to thank all of the performers for your fine performance.

Special thanks to our guest chorus, the Regina Chapter Sweet Adelines, the Golden Harvest Chorus, Dream Works from the Prairie Gold Chorus, our own Chord Jesters, our guest quartet: Vocal Works, and our director for both choruses, Ken Holzer. You should all be proud of a job well done.

There are several individuals who contributed to this year's success and I would like to thank them.

There are two people who I feel added much to the success of this year's show:

I hope I've included everyone but if I didn't I apologize.

We haven't paid all the bills and won't for a week or so, but based on preliminary figures, the show will be a financial success as well. Our estimated audience was 380 - 400.

Once again, congratulations on a great show!!

Lynn Lowes

Show Chairman

Lynn: You did leave one out – on behalf of the performers and audience alike, I would like to express our thanks to you for the many hours that went into making this such a successful show. Thanks for a job well done.

Bruce

Executive Meeting

The Executive met on Sunday April 18th at the home of Wayne and Alice Keys.

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

Guest Night - May 17th

Those of you that read the show program carefully will already know that we are planning a guest night for Monday May 17th. So this is a call for you to go back to all those people that you sold tickets to – who were sitting there in Darke Hall tapping their toes and humming along with the choruses and quartets – and extend a personal invitation for them to come and visit with us for a night.

Society's 61st Birthday

"Welcome to Harmony Hall in Kenosha Wisconsin. On the afternoon of Sunday April 11th, we celebrated our Society's 61st birthday with a reception for our current International champions, Revival. About 150 people were in attendance, local dignitaries, barber-shoppers, and of course our harmony hall staff. It was a great afternoon, and we know you'll enjoy this RealAudio presentation."

This is the intro to the 40+ minute presentation available on the Society webpage featuring Dr. Greg Lyne and International Quartet Champion Revival in a LIVE reception from Harmony Hall in Kenosha. The presentation was fascinating and the quartet sang up a storm and had a wonderful time. The presentation also included a tribute and memorial dedication to SPEBSQSA legend Dave Stevens. If you have access to the internet, check this out at www.spebsqsa.org/real/content/liverevival.ram.

Johann Sebastian Bach and Virginia Wolfe were cavorting in Heaven.
Virginia slipped and fell and said, . . .
"Carry me, Bach."
"Too old, Virginny," he replied.

Chapter Elections

Monday June 21st

  Can't Stop Singing - coming to PBS in August 1999

The long-awaited PBS documentary shot at the 1998 barbershop convention in Atlanta is coming to television this summer.

The thrill of victory...

The camaraderie of a perfectly meshed quartet...

The fun of performance...

and the roar of the crowd...

... all captured at an International barbershop harmony competition.

It's Can't Stop Singing, produced by Georgia Public Television and Brandenburg Productions, and airing on PBS stations in the second half of 1999.

Shot on location at SPEBSQSA's 1998 International convention, Can't Stop Singing celebrates the passion of barbershop performers, and showcases the cutting edge of the barbershop style today.

Can't Stop Singing traces the fortunes of several quartets chasing a dream of a world championship:

Check out the SPEBSQSA web site for a 15-minute RealAudio pre-release promo at www.spebsqsa.org/NewsRoom/cantstopsinging_promo2.ram.

Music Specialist Visit Rescheduled to October

Society Music Specialist, Kirk Young, was scheduled to be in Regina on Friday May 7th to work with the local high school music teachers and groups – but we have chosen to reschedule this to the fall so that we can get better participation from the schools. We received comments from many that this was a busy time of the year for them with music concerts, music trips, graduation plans, … and that September/October would be a much better time – so we are rescheduling to Friday/Saturday October 1st/2nd.

Note: this also means that the May 8th inter-chapter visit with Saskatoon is also being rescheduled to the fall when Kirk Young (or perhaps Jim Debussman) will be in town to work with us.

So you can take those marks off May 7th and 8th on your calendar, and put them on Friday October 1st and Saturday October 2nd instead. (And while you're there – flip your calendar one more page and mark the Brandon 50th Anniversary Show on your calendar for Saturday November 13th.)

A Four-Year Old’s Profundity

This story begins with a veterinarian. Like all 'vets', this one got called on from time to time to put an animal out of its misery. Admittedly, making this final decision is a painful one, and veterinarians often feel powerless to comfort the grieving owners. Then four-year old Shane came along and solved the problem.

His parents had brought a ten-year-old blue heeler named Belker to the clinic because he was not doing well. On examination it turned out he was dying of cancer. The doctor told the parents that there were no miracles left for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. They agreed, but thought that their four-year old son, Shane, should witness it, because they felt he could learn something from the experience. The vet Dr. Robin Downing said, "The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker’s family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on.

"Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker’s transition without any difficulty or confusion.

"We sat together for a while after Belker’s death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.

"Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, 'I know why.' We all turned to him. What came out of his mouth stunned me - I’d never heard a more comforting explanation.

"He said, 'Everybody is born so that they can learn how to live a good life - like loving everybody and being nice, right?' The four-year old continued, 'Well, animals already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long.'"

Shane must have had extra-ordinary parents for him to learn such profound truths. Not every kid is so lucky. The Regina Early Learning Centre tries to make up for that deficiency. That’s why I am glad that we are supporting their work financially.

Jack Boan

100 Ways to Participate in Your Chapter

Getting more from your chapter means giving more. Explore 100 ways to be involved.

A member called Harmony Hall looking for an article he'd seen once upon a time called "100 Ways You Can Take Part in Your Chapter." We couldn't find it in our archives, so the 1,800 subscribers to the Harmonet were enlisted to contribute their collective knowledge.

Kim Benner (Singbucks@juno.com), administrative assistant for the Buckeye-Columbus Chapter, volunteered to serve as Scribe, and assembled the following list. According to Kim, the list is organized as best as I could. Hopefully there aren't too many duplications of ideas. Some editing was necessary and I occasionally incorporated two or three similar ideas into one. Thanks to all who submitted the suggestions. Enjoy!"

  1. Bring a guest to rehearsal once a year.
  2. Show up early and help set up the risers.
  3. At the end of rehearsal, help take down the section of risers you are standing on.
  4. Thank the director for all of his/her effort.
  5. Thank your chorus administration for all of their work.
  6. Bring in doughnuts on your "barbershop anniversary" night - bring in a special treat for after rehearsal.
  7. Don't talk on the risers and don't let others talk on the risers.
  8. Smile. Act like you're enjoying your hobby and show it (let the director know you're "really" there).
  9. Take your quartet to retirement homes and share your hobby. Family members are often there visiting and recruiting new members is part of your performance.
  10. Volunteer to do a little more than you really want to in fundraising or committee work.
  11. Take your camera to chorus functions and turn in the pictures to your history book/scrapbook person.
  12. Subscribe to the Harmonet and print out hints & suggestions that look applicable to your chorus and pass them on.
  13. Talk to two or three people (before, during break or after rehearsal) that you normally don't talk to.
  14. When you are at social gatherings, quartet performances, etc. always talk about your chapter, you never know where your next guest might be.
  15. Surprise an ill member with a card or a phone call. Call an absent member and let him know you missed him.
  16. Offer to clean the chapter's storage facility or update the inventory.
  17. Keep your comments to yourself concerning choreography and costumes, especially when on the risers.
  18. Learn your part (words, notes, choreography, stage presentation) early so you can help the slow learners & new people.
  19. Offer to car-pool with others when possible.
  20. Learn to use a pitch-pipe and then memorize the keys to songs in the chorus repertoire.
  21. Go to Harmony College and other regional/district/international education events whenever possible.
  22. Offer to help the newsletter/bulletin editor with whatever you can do.
  23. Write an article for your newsletter/bulletin.
  24. Review a barbershop show or album for your newsletter/bulletin.
  25. Volunteer to work with an experienced member to learn a new chapter administration skill.
  26. Start a chapter quartet.
  27. Encourage the formation of chapter quartets.
  28. Offer to help an officer.
  29. Take a non-meeting night to help another baritone (or lead, or tenor, or bass) learn his/her part.
  30. Don't come to rehearsal with a contagious sore throat or anything else you could spread around.
  31. Be on the risers (or wherever you normally rehearse) 5 minutes early and eager to start.
  32. Offer to help any standing committee in which you are interested.
  33. Videotape the chorus in rehearsal.
  34. Turn in your recordings to your section leader anytime prior to the deadline.
  35. Volunteer to do anything.
  36. Don't wait to be asked to do a job, volunteer. How will anyone know that you're interested if you don't express your desire to get involved?
  37. Bring a portable humidifier or vaporizer along to contests to help keep you and your roommates' vocal apparatuses hydrated.
  38. Sing everyday! Use proper technique of breathing and vocalizing regularly to the point that good singing is natural for you.
  39. Return from breaks on time.
  40. Bring a tape recorder to rehearsal - and use it.
  41. Teach a tag.
  42. Write a tag and then teach it.
  43. Contribute to your chapter's charity fund.
  44. Don't invite prospective members to a chorus rehearsal where the chorus will be spending three solid hours on the risers. Varied meetings / rehearsals are the key to pleasing everyone.
  45. Learn show music quickly so it can be polished to contest standards.
  46. Volunteer to help with another area of "show business" such as script writing, costuming, staging, emcee work, hosting, afterglow, etc.
  47. Sell show tickets to as many friends, family members and strangers as possible.
  48. Practice your facial expressions in a mirror.
  49. Thank your women or men's auxiliary.
  50. Take all side conversations out of the rehearsal hall.
  51. (Wo)Man the guest registration table with a smile and a section buddy to help the guest(s).
  52. When flyers are made for chapter events (shows, membership drives, etc.) take a few and commit to posting them in various places around town.
  53. Sponsor a young person to an International, District or Chapter youth outreach camp.
  54. Learn your words, notes, choreography and interpretation to the songs the chorus is singing. Be the singer in your section that others look to for help.
  55. Start your mental warm-up in the car on the way to rehearsal.
  56. Offer to drive potential members to chapter meetings/rehearsals.
  57. Take care of your chorus outfits and accessories, be sure they are always cleaned and pressed according to whatever directions, so you and your chorus look your best and they last a long time.
  58. Put a picture of your chorus up in your office and talk to anyone who asks about it.
  59. Save those "important questions" of the director/section leader/your neighbor, until the break or after rehearsal.
  60. Make coffee/tea or whatever for break-time.
  61. Without fail, use the director's signal for the pitch as your cue to mentally and physically prepare to sing.
  62. Mark music manuscript changes / presentation notes in pencil on your own music, these things are generally not cast in stone.
  63. Show the person up front that you're paying attention by your face and body language.
  64. Rehearse your songs at least once a week at home.
  65. Wear your name badge.
  66. Organize a picnic, golf outing, card game, etc., for the chapter.
  67. Bring a gift to rehearsal to raffle off as a quickie fundraiser for the chapter.
  68. Review the music to your old songs periodically, to make sure you're still singing all the notes correctly.
  69. Sell one or more ads to businesses you patronize.
  70. Offer to lead physical warm-ups.
  71. Find a new member and let him/her "fifth-wheel" with you (Note: Fifth-wheeling is by invitation ONLY).
  72. Greet a guest by name when it's obvious that you haven't read his/her nametag.
  73. Try to refrain from joking, carping or otherwise interrupting while on the risers.
  74. Realize that learning your part means learning all the interpretive planning, not just words and notes.
  75. Take voice lessons or a voice class.
  76. Perform every time you sing, even if the only audience is the wall. This will help the director and coaches to correct problems and give everyone around you a burst of energy.
  77. Bring back as many handouts from educational weekends / functions for the chorus administration / music team to go over.
  78. Offer to help a member of your chapter with their dues or give a monetary gift to your treasurer to be used for a member who needs some help.
  79. Encourage local youth to start a "harmony club". Form a high school boys or girls barbershop chorus. Assist local high school music directors with education of barbershop harmony.
  80. Send a picture and article to your local newspaper.
  81. If you find yourself with some free time, call your president and offer to help.
  82. Donate a barbershop tape or CD to your local library.
  83. Send a barbershop CD to a local radio station and ask for airplay.
  84. Help set up blackboard/flip chart/dry erase board, whatever is used to teach craft during rehearsal.
  85. Offer to coach quartets, teach music theory or give one-on-one vocal production instruction.
  86. When offered a stick of gum or breath mint - accept it.
  87. Stay "positive.
  88. Learn to read music.
  89. Lend a fellow member a barbershop tape or CD that they haven't heard.
  90. Form an ad-hoc/pick-up quartet and sing for the chorus.
  91. Always show up prepared for a performance, correct uniform/costume, correct make-up (if applicable), warmed up and ready to perform.
  92. Offer to help build props for your annual show.
  93. Support all of the barbershop organizations (SAI, SPEBSQSA, HI) and fellow chapters/choruses by attending every show and event in your area you can. We are all in this together!
  94. When travelling, try to visit a chapter meeting wherever you happen to be.
  95. Be mindful of members individual personal lives, everyone can only give what they personally can. Take what you can get from each member and encourage them to be happy, relax and enjoy the hobby.
  96. Support youth outreach however you can, take your quartet to a local high school and give a presentation on barbershop harmony.
  97. Never give anything less than your best effort every time you sing.
  98. Give "100 Ways You Can Take Part in Your Chapter" to your bulletin editor.
  99. Distribute "100 Ways You Can Take Part in Your Chapter" to new members.
  100. Keep the Whole World Singing and Harmonize the World!

Native speakers of American English have all heard the expression that "such-and-such is the best thing since sliced bread," but not many are familiar with the beginnings of sliced bread.

Bread was first sliced and sold that way in Chicago. There, shortly after the turn of the century, a young man inherited a small, corner bakery from his parents and began to operate it. One day a customer told him that she had cut her hand while slicing bread she bought at the bakery. Upon hearing this, the young man sliced a loaf for her. She came in the next day with her neighbor; they both wanted their bread sliced. Soon, the man had such a demand for sliced bread that he began to use a longer knife so that he could slice two loaves at once. The demand grew and he was soon slicing three loaves simultaneously. He searched in vain for a knife long enough to slice four loaves at once. After weeks of searching, he still could not find a knife long enough to slice four loaves.

One night, as he and his wife were out for an evening stroll in the neighborhood, something in a store window caught his eye. He hurried over to the window and stood there staring. His wife walked up beside him and asked what had so captured his attention. In an excited voice he said, "I'm looking over a four loaf cleaver, that I overlooked before!"

At the beginning of the 20th century, famed British botanist, Lord Ramsbottom, successfully hybridized a cumin plant with a strain of coriander. The results was a cultivar that had a very unusual and highly desirable seed. The plant, when exhibited at local shows, won many awards. Lord Ramsbottom was so thrilled with his new hybrid that he showed the award winning herb at the Royal Horticultural Society Exhibition at Kew Gardens in London.

One of the visitors to the exhibition was the owner of several green grocer stores around London town. His name was Abe Shapiro and he had found prosperity in England after immigrating from Minsk and working long and hard. Abe's knowledge of the market for herbs and spices was legendary and he was asked how he thought the newly developed strain would do in the marketplace.

He responded, "Vell, I tink it's a vunderful ting, dis new herb. So unusual. I can't belief dat mine eyes haff seen the cory and der cumin of da Lord.'

A distant cousin of Syngman Rhee from Korea got a job as a photographer for Life Magazine. His work was excellent and he soon became one of their top stars. One day he failed to show up for work. A week went by and he still did not show. Fellow workers phoned his hotel and checked all possible points where he could be visiting. Finally, they organized a posse and began combing the city block by block. One searcher entered a bar in the slinky part of town, and there, on a stool, was his man. Overcome with joy and relief, the searcher rushed up and exclaimed, "Ah, sweet Mr. Rhee, of Life, at last I found you."

 

COMING EVENTS

Sharp Notes deadline Monday May 10th

Executive Meeting chez Ron Evans Sunday May 16th

Guest Night Monday May 17th

May Sharp Notes out Monday May 17th

Mini-Hep, Clear Lake, Manitoba Friday/Saturday/Sunday June 5th/6th/7th

Chapter Elections Monday June 21st

International, Anaheim, CA week of June 27th

Music taping session Monday June 28th

Chorus party - wind up for the year Monday June 28th

Summer break - no meetings July / August

Harmony College & Directors College August 1st-8th

Regular rehearsals begin for the Fall Monday September 13th

Music specialist / Interchapter visit Friday/Saturday October 1st/2nd

LOL Fall Contest / Convention, Rochester, MN October 22nd-24th

Brandon 50th Anniversary Show Saturday November 13th

Mid-Winter Tucson, AZ January 24th, 2000

LOL Prelims / Spring Convention, La Crosse, WI May 5th, 2000

International, Kansas City, MO July 2nd, 2000

LOL Fall Contest / Convention, Oshkosh, WI October 20th-22nd, 2000

International, Nashville, TN July 2001

International, Portland, Oregon July 2002

International, Montreal, Quebec July 2003

International, Louisville, KY July 2004

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 chapter website at www.gpfn.sk.ca/culture/arts/gharvest.

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