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!

{December|1999]

Tis the Season to be Jolly

Another year has almost passed, another decade, another Century, another Millenium!! Take the time over the next few weeks to relax, to spend time with friends and family, and to celebrate the season. The new year/decade/century/millenium will soon be upon us, and with that we'll begin working in earnest towards all our spring and summer activities – Singing Valentines, our Annual Show, Coaching session(s), Clear Lake Mini-Hep, Taping session(s), Picnic(s), lots of singouts, … It's been a great year (decade/century/millenium) – but the next one will be even greater with your help.

Season's Greetings; Happy New Year; Happy New Millenium.

Bruce Fish
President 1999/2000

Things To Be Thankful For

• The mess to clean after a party, because it means I have been surrounded by friends.
• The taxes I pay, because it means that I'm employed.
• The clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means I have enough to eat.
• My shadow who watches me work, because it means I am out in the sunshine.
• A lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing, because it means I have a home.
• All the complaining I hear about our government, because it means we have freedom of speech.
• The space I find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means I am capable of walking.
• My huge heating bill because it means I am warm.
• The lady behind me in church who sings off key, because it means that I can hear.
• The piles of laundry and ironing, because it means I have clothes to wear.
• Weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day, because it means I have been productive.
• The alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, because it means that I'm alive.
• Getting too much email bogs me down but at least I know I have friends who are thinking of me.
• The happiest people don't have the best, they make the best of what they have.

Music Leadership School

Saturday, November 20^th, 6:00am – 3 hearty souls are up and headed east to Virden, Manitoba for the first, hopefully annual, Music Leadership day. The district has always hosted administrative schools (COTS) and music schools (mini-HEP), but until now, there had been nothing for the Music Leadership team to help them in doing their jobs. This was the District's first attempt at this, and it was a resounding success. Similar schools are scheduled for other parts of the district.

We had hoped to take 5 or 6 of the Music Team with us to Virden, but in the end, Ron Evans, Stuart Reiley and Bruce Fish were the only 3 who could get away for the day. Ron took the back seat, and Stuart navigated from the front. I think that was the last we heard from Ron until we stopped for coffee. We arrived in Virden just before 9:30 to be greeted by Virden members and the faculty; Winnipeg, Brandon and others (I think Dauphin was represented) pulled in right behind us and Saskatoon had come down the night before.

Del Ryberg had done his usual marvelous job of organizing the day – including arranging for a beautiful no snow and dry-pavement day for driving. I spent most of the day with the Section Leaders in Bruce Odell's class – and other than a few traumatic moments waving my arms frenetically, I thoroughly enjoyed the day and learned a lot about this role in the chapter. Ron spent the day with Doug Miller in the directors' class, and Stuart went with Del and the Music VP's.

It was an intense day – cramming a lot of ideas and singing into a few short hours, but after an early supper at the church (the church group put on an excellent lunch and supper for all of us), we sang for the kitchen crew, said our goodbye's to each other and headed off home again – tired but musically re-invigorated.

Executive Meeting

The Executive met Sunday at Bruce and Elaine Fish's. Bill Coulthard will approach Dave Slinn to see if he has the Chapter Charter and other papers in the "old" archives. Music and Performance team will be more active in the new year. Bill has been contacting a number of past members, lots of ideas from COTS. Discussed last minute details for Christmas party and awards. Looking for more singouts in the new year (thanks to Stuart for lining up all our singing engagements over the past several weeks). Need to start on Singing Valentines. Director's contract (finally) reviewed and signed. Chapter contact information will go into Community Calendar. New District Directories are available. Question regarding whether to meet on January 3^rd (Monday's a holiday for most) – will ask for a show of hands at Christmas party. Bulletins will be submitted for 1999 District BETY contest. Lots of other discussion (over coffee and punch, nuts and squares) – most of it relevant. A good time was had by all. For those of you who missed this meeting, we ate your share of dessert. Next meeting January 9^th at Stuart & Jeanne Reiley's.

Congratulations Jack & Jean

You are cordially invited to attend a "Come and Go" Tea to celebrate the occasion of 50 years of marriage of Jack & Jean Boan – Wesley United Church, 3913 Hillsdale Ave., Regina, Tuesday December 21^st, 1999 from 2:00-5:00pm. There will be a presentation between 3-4pm. No gifts please; your presence at this event will be a gift.

Singouts

Santa Claus Parade, Tree Lighting at the Leg, Wascana Clinic, Victoria Estates, Rotary CarolFest, Pioneer Estates – its been a busy but satisfying month or so. This is a great season to be able to give back to the community – and to earn some well-deserved visibility in the community.

Now we have a few weeks off, and time to visit with friends and families – and rest up for lots more singing opportunities in the coming year.

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Bingo Dates

We have a Bingo scheduled for Tuesday December 14^th – that's tomorrow folks! – 5:30 p.m. to midnight at the Silver Sage bingo hall. This is the last bingo of the millenium – yippee! Please come out and help us.

Annual Show - April 8, 2000

Only 14 practices left before our show.

The Show Committee held their second meeting on Sunday – just prior to the Executive meeting. At our previous meeting, Gord Gardiner, Bill Coulthard, Lynn Lowes and Bruce Fish met – with the result that Gord is looking after publicity, Bill is looking after scripting and staging, Lynn is Show Producer, and Bruce is Show Chairman. Lynn and Bill have been making contacts for show talent. The theme for our show is "Remember Radio". We have a script from International that Bill will be tailoring. Now it's up to the rest of us to do our part. Watch for a sign-up list to be coming out in the new year listing jobs and duties that need doing. With your help, this will be the best show ever.

Next Show Committee meeting in early January at Lynn's.

Way-To-Go Award

Congratulations to Gord Gardiner, our latest recipient of the Way-To-Go Award. Stuart Reiley, the previous recipient, presented Gord this award for arranging our entry into the Santa Claus Parade. Way to Go Gord.

COTS 2000 in Minneapolis

It was a great weekend – but not enough singing. Bill Coulthard, Membership/Chapter Development VP, Peter Vanderstelt, Program VP, and Bruce Fish, President, attended Chapter Officer Training School (COTS) in Minneapolis on December 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th. To start off, being in Minneapolis, this wasn't just a matter of jumping in the car and driving for a few hours. We started our journey mid-Friday-afternoon at the Regina airport – and immediately discovered our predicament of not having included a bass – this was going to be a long flight to Minneapolis. We arrived a couple of hours later (soft drinks and pretzels on the plane), hunted down our hotel, and then hunted down supper. We ate at the hotel – still no sign of any singing although the COTS faculty were eating at a table a few over from us. We struck up a conversation with a lone barbershopper at the table beside us, and after finishing our meal, and him just getting his, we picked up our coffee and moved over to join him. An interesting discussion ensued regarding small chorus member recruiting. Seems that Frank Noyes had submitted an article to the last Pitch Piper. I'm not sure that Bill or Peter had read the article, but fortunately I had a copy of the article on my trusty palmpilot so after passing that around the table, we proceeded to delve into the what's, why's and wherefore's. But still no singing.

Saturday morning we were up at the crack of dawn. (I use 'we' generously – actually I was first up, and woke Peter by turning on the fluorescent light in the bathroom. Peter had lucked out and got to sleep on the stand-up-and-roll-away cot in the hallway. Peter and I went down for lunch, leaving Bill to catch up – "I'll be right down". Peter and I had finished our breakfast and were working on finishing the pot of coffee when Bill finally arrived. (We had surreptitiously sat behind a pillar, but he still found us.) – And still no singing at breakfast, and no likely basses to latch on to.

Now on to the Barbershopper shop and to pick up some of the latest CD's – and maybe find someone to sing with. Success with the CD's but not with the singing. Hmmm, very peculiar.

Lunch marked the official start of the school proper – the tables were all filling up as last minute arrivals showed up from some of the closer chapters. And still no singing – but hallelujah – we're at a table with a new bass from Duluth – and start up some polecat numbers at our table. This Canadian bunch of rebels was actually going to stir up some singing. (Did I mention that I took a little 6 inch Canadian flag with me to all the sessions and plunked it down on the table in front of us? We were the only Canadian chapter represented at COTS, so we were going to show them how to have a good barbershop time.)

With the formal kick-off, we did get some singing going, and for each of the general sessions, and many of the separate sessions, there was some singing and learning some new music – but being the administrators of our chapters, there didn't seem to be very much impromptu "lets-just-get-together-and-sing-something" singing.

Then off to classes, general sessions, announcements, ("Will Bill Coulthard please call home"), more classes, and then buffet supper, and then more classes through until 10:00 pm.

After that, the Top Gun quartets entertained at an afterglow – and there was lots of great singing from the stage.

Maybe we were in the wrong part of the hotel, but there didn't seem to be much after-the-afterglow singing in the halls/rooms. The three of us went back to our room to turn in, but ended up talking into the wee hours.

Sunday morning was a little more subdued – I managed not to trip over Peter or bang my shins on the furniture. Coffee and breakfast in the general session and then off to class for 8:00 (yes 8:00 AM on a Sunday morning – who says this is just a hobby).

More classes through to the noon wind-up. We managed to sing a few songs with Leroy Zimmerman (he's in Rosemount now) before most of the rest of the attendees headed off to get an early start on their trips home.

Unfortunately, our return flight wasn’t until 9 pm so we had several hours to kill – wandering around the Mall of America and commenting that there weren't any real bargains to be had – same price tags, only in US dollars.

11:00 pm, we're back in Regina and cleared through customs and on our way home. It really was a great weekend. A great opportunity to meet new friends and old, to talk with members of other chapters in our district and discuss common issues, to hear from faculty members from all over the Society, to meet and talk with our District representatives, and above all, to sing with our fellow barbershoppers. Afterall, singing's what brought us all into this organization, isn't it?

Music Team

Music and Performance VP - Ron Evans

Music Director - Ken Holzer

Librarian - Wayne Keys

Stage Presence - Bob Jarvis

Assistant Director - Ron Evans

Assistant Director - Bill Coulthard

Baritone Section Leader - Bill Coulthard

Tenor Section Leader - Peter Vanderstelt Lead Section Leader - Bruce Fish

Bass Section Leader - Ron Evans

Singing Valentines

Not meaning to rush the season or anything, but now's the time to start thinking about Singing Valentines. So, in between the Christmas music and festivities, take a few minutes, find 3 other guys and sing a love song or two to your sweetie.

Clear Lake MiniHEP

June 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th 2000.

Headlining Excalibur.

Faculty: Excalibur, Brent Graham, John Moksness, John Korby, Greg Dolphin, Judd Orff, Jim Emery, Del Ryberg, Doug Miller, Connie Miller, and from the International staff: Bill Rashleigh.

Quartet Clinic: 3 full hours of coaching by the finest coaches available. If you are a newly-formed foursome or seasoned quartet, this will improve your performance.

Chorus Coaching: 2 full hours of coaching to help your Chorus perform better.

Individual Classes: on vocal production, presentation and much more.

Services Chairman

There has been some confusion over what’s happening with the Campbell soup labels. First, the program has been Canadianized, and we now send the labels to an address in Ontario. Second, we have to include the price-code, as well as the part naming the kind of soup. (I gather that in the case of very large cans, the price-code alone will be accepted). Third, we have to designate an educational establishment, and fortunately we have one, the Regina Early Learning Centre, which fits well because of their program of teaching kids that cannot speak. The E.L.C. will take the labels and send them in. So, continue to collect those labels, and encourage as many of your acquaintances as possible to help.

[There may be some more confusion here as there seem to be conflicting reports as to whether the Early Learning Centre will be taking these labels or not – stay tuned as we get this sorted out.]

The Regina Early Learning Centre, has had two big celebrations lately. On November 19, they officially launched the P.A.T. program (Parents As Teachers) at the Early Learning Centre. This out-reach program, originating in St. Louis, has instructors go to homes where kids are at risk, and the parents are coached as to basic parenting. This parenting is the kind of thing that goes on normally in most homes, but in too many instances, it is lacking. The consequences of the latter are big outlays, later, when those deprived kids mature. The investment in them through this program pays huge dividends. The launching of the program took the form of a lunch, after which there was a well-designed program. Trevor Quinn was the M.C., and the parade of speakers was notable. Dick Proctor, M.P., Joanne Crawford, MLA, Mayor Doug Archer, Nelson Falkowski, and others. I took pictures and gave a set to Anne Luke. But I can get more printed, Nelson.

Then, on December 3, there was another big luncheon, this time to celebrate receiving The Canada Post Literacy Award for Literacy Leadership, English-speaking category. This buffet lunch was held in the Holy Rosary Cathedral hall. There were readings by aboriginal writers, including Connie Dieter, who read from her book, and the formal part followed. Speakers brought greetings from Jim Melenchuk, Minister of Education (Roseanne Glass); from the Mayor and City (Fred Clipsham), the Provincial Family Literacy Coordinator, who nominated the R.E.L.C. (Hilary Craig), and the University of Regina Faculty of Education (Mary Cronin). Then the award was presented by Canada Post (Brian Caragan).

All of this fame may help in fund-raising and it will need to, as the P.A.T. program is expensive, and is an add-on. The result, the R.E.L.C. still needs money to carry on its good work. We are presently supporting it modestly with cash, and now with the soup labels, but if we could do more, it would not hurt our image, and it would be a big help to Anne Luke, one time recipient of our Award for Harmony.

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Song-Filled New Year.

Jack Boan
Services Chairman

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Also check the LOL home page at http://lol.spebsqsa.org.

Contest for Quartets: Saturday night… Awards for 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd place.

Saturday Night Show: performances by all the quartets and Excalibur.

All of this for only $65.00 and it covers 4 meals, lots of singing, and a staff of All Stars!

Updates from International

Society unveils new Y2K chapter extension plan

The Society has launched a major effort to establish and charter 100 new chapters by December 31, 2001. All districts will research at least 36 potential communities as possible chapter sites in both 2000 and 2001. To get these new chapters off the ground, the Society will fund staff travel for membership development in Y2K. These particular weeks are solely devoted to setting up new chapters in the researched communities. Staff will visit at least three sites per week of travel. If you know of a community that should/could/would have a chapter, call your district vice president of member services, or Harmony Hall: Ev Nau, 800-876-7464, x 8478, email enau@spebsqsa.org, or Pat Kelly, x 8459, pkelly@spebsqsa.org.

Conventions promise great fun & great singing

Tucson registrations stand at 738 at the end of October. The Tucson chapter will have a show Thursday night, January 27, 2000, during the week of the Mid-Winter convention, which will feature Revival, 1998 quartet champion..

Convention registrations are $50 per person and include the Friday and Saturday night shows, Seniors Quartet Contest, and Saturday Afterglow.

Register: call 800-876-7464, x 8462, or www.spebsqsa.org/Tucson

Kansas City registrations stand at 3,344 as of October 31. Lots of interest is being shown in the Father / Son / Grandson chorus for K.C.

Many great activities will be included in the "Music Man 2000" convention. One very special performance will be a reprise of the Music Man set by the Bluegrass Student Union, 1978 champion quartet.

Additionally, we will honor the 50th anniversary of the Buffalo Bills' championship, and Bills' baritone Dick Grapes is expected to be in Kansas City to emcee one of the contest sessions.

Register: 800-876-7464, x 8462, or www.spebsqsa.org/KansasCity.

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.

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