FUNDRAISING EXTRAVAGANZA
by Hilary Pinnock
Volunteers from Heartbeat Chorus Raise Over £900 on Vinted!
In a fantastic show of community spirit, volunteers from Heartbeat Chorus have raised over £900 in just three months by selling donated clothes on Vinted! What started as a small project among the group has turned into a successful fundraising effort, proving that teamwork and creativity can make a big difference
Heartbeat Chorus isn’t just about singing; it’s a vibrant community. Behind the scenes, dedicated volunteers have been working hard to boost chorus funds. They came up with the idea to sell second-hand clothes online as a sustainable way to raise money
“We wanted to think outside the box,” says Hilary Orr, one of the volunteers “With everyone becoming more conscious about sustainability, selling second-hand clothes seemed like the perfect way to both raise funds and give new life to pre-loved items.”
How It All Started
The project kicked off in June when the volunteers began collecting clothing donations from chorus members, friends and family They set up a Vinted account and started uploading photos of the donated items Each volunteer took on specific roles, from sorting and photographing clothes to managing listings and handling shipping.
The Power of Online Sales
Selling on Vinted turned out to be a great move The platform’s user-friendly interface and wide reach helped the volunteers quickly attract buyers Within a few months, they had sold a variety of items, from vintage dresses to casual wear and accessories, raising over £900.
Ann Jones
Maggie Wheeler
Ingrid Wijnen van Dijk Hilary Orr
Janet Booth Vanesa Baggott
Not pictured
Mandy Dyson Annie Glarvey
“We were pleasantly surprised by how quickly the sales added up,” says Ann Jones, listing volunteer. “It’s been a real team effort, and seeing the positive response from buyers has been incredibly rewarding People seem to love the idea that their purchase is supporting a local group ”
The Vinted Team: left to right by row from the top
Carol Kavanagh Gaynor Shenton
FUNDRAISING EXTRAVAGANZA
by Hilary Pinnock
Supporting Heartbeat Chorus
The funds raised from the Vinted sales will go towards various needs of the Heartbeat Chorus, including rehearsal space costs, purchasing music scores, and funding community performances. The success of this initiative has inspired the volunteers to continue exploring online sales as a fundraising method, with plans to expand their Vinted shop and maybe even try other platforms.
Looking Forward
As the project moves forward, the team encourages others to get involved, whether by donating clothes, making purchases, or simply spreading the word
As the seasons move into Autumn/Winter, they are keen to receive donations of women’s clothing, including hats, scarves, and gloves, and are venturing into selling children’s clothes, with Janet Booth and Ann Jones specialising in this area.
Vanesa will also be collecting any jewellery - costume, vintage or real - which sells really well on Vinted If you have any broken or unwanted gold or silver please let Ann know
Look out for the rail of donated goods at each rehearsal, and make a purchase before they are listed. Alternatively, if you missed the rail, please visit our Vinted page
THE
FUNDRAISING EXTRAVAGANZA
by Hilary Pinnock
Calling all Eggheads, Chasers and Masterminds.
Get your teams together for Heartbeat's fabulous and fun charity quiz night on Friday 25th October from 7.30pm at High Lane Conservative Club. Tickets available online from the Heartbeat Chorus website
FUNDRAISING EXTRAVAGANZA
by Hilary Pinnock
Fizz Fashion Show, Monday 28 October 2024
Fizz sources stylish, affordable products from all over the world and aims to help their customers dress to impress. Their fashion show offers customers an opportunity to see the latest lines and also demonstrate how they can be put together to create complete outfits along with accessories and footwear. They are jam-packed with the latest trends at affordable prices. Cash or card payments are accepted
This year's profits will go to charities Heartbeat Chorus and Sing4Stroke
Contact Linda Morton (Kate Stockton's mum) on linda.morton@hlvh.co.uk or 01663 762150 for tickets. Or log on to the Heartbeat Chorus website to purchase tickets online.
Fizz started in 1983 on a market stall and dreamt to be affordable but different. They saw a gap in the market for which they could cater and opened their first shop in 1985 in Hyde, Cheshire,
A VISIT FROM DR LIZ GARNETT
in Liz's own words...
“It is apparently over a decade since I last worked with Heartbeat (where did all that time go?!), and I see that back then I was remarking on the number of new faces that had arrived since my previous visit. This time I was struck by how many faces I recognised even after all this time; I don’t know how much of a chorus’s story you can infer from just two snapshots, but it does feel like there’s something in there
A VISIT FROM DR LIZ GARNETT
in Liz's own words...
Anyway, I remembered the chorus as being a lot of fun to work with, and that remains true You can tell there’s a fundamental sense of up-for-it-ness in the room if on the first song you start work on you ask them, ‘Shall I be a complete bitch right from the get-go?’ and they all nod cheerfully.
Accordingly we started out with an exercise that mercilessly reveals any and all flaws in rhythmic precision and found ourselves 10 minutes later with a much tighter execution.
We were working at this point on my arrangement of Candyman, which was originally commissioned by Eu4ia, the first British quartet to break into the top 20 at International level, for the barbershop showcase at the London Palladium back in 2009 It is thus a showy and intricate chart that requires a considerable level of vocal control in the individual singers, plus alert and responsive ensemble skills.
It is also one of the first arrangements in which I was really aware of writing parts for the voices and personalities of specific singers, and the decision-making process was all about producing lines and gestures that I could imagine those four individuals having fun with When I’m coaching a chart that has this kind of history I like to share this aspect of the process, and barbershop being the small world it is quite often people will also know the individuals and can start to think through the lines through the lens of this personalisation.
In this case, all four of the quartet had been in Heartbeat for some years, and two still are, including their MD. So even the newest chorus members could participate imaginatively in this And it brought a very concrete and personal edge to the game we played of ‘find the candy’ We had the singers turn in so they could see each other, and gave them the instruction to put their hands up whenever they had some candy ‘Candy’ for our purposes was defined as ‘something you think an arranger might have put in for a particular singer to have fun with’
(I can’t remember if I was using the phrase ‘handing round the candy’ for this approach to arranging before this song. It makes perfect sense in other contexts, candy being something it nice to share, so it may just be a coincidence that it is so apposite here.)
A VISIT FROM DR LIZ GARNETT
in Liz's own words...
The point of this exercise isn’t simply for the person with the candy to identify it – after all they already know what’s in their part, even if they haven’t hitherto consciously categorised which moments were candy The point is to develop an awareness of what everyone else is doing, so you know when to show off, and when to let someone else through to feature their special bits.
And the rewards are multiple. The singers have more fun, and they found it easier to sing when they could feed off each other. The audience gets a clearer listening experience –more vivid and textured as the detail comes to life And you find that a lot more dynamic variety emerges without having to talk about it very much as people respond intuitively to the overall musical shape
We also tapped into people’s intuitive musicianship via raising awareness of the musical whole in our work on their contest ballad. Sometimes the goal was bringing a chord or progression into focus that wasn’t quite gelled, sometimes it was about finding the expressive purpose of a particular chord, sometimes both at once. In all cases, though, we approached it through the singers’ ears. As people developed more insight into how their part worked with the others, and learned who they particularly needed to connect with at any given moment, they made adjustments to tuning, tone, and balance that were far more subtle than you could achieve if you were trying to change your sound consciously
While I’m thinking about it, I’d like to share the observation we made about David Wright’s particular brilliance in the use of chord choice to create a complex emotional narrative. He takes the same limited selection of chords that all other arrangers working within the contest system do and makes them sound fresh and surprising and meaningful. I always feel I come home a better musician when I’ve been coaching his charts”
Wow - how we loved Liz, didn’t we? - Ed
ERIN HOWDEN
by Janet Moreton
Many of our readers will remember Erin Howden - she visited Heartbeat for an evening’s coaching in March this year. For those of us who missed her energy and work ethic (much talked about!) we will be spending a weekend with her very shortly - 23/24 November. The previous weekend (16/17 November) she is presenting a Region 31 Education Event at The Double Tree Hotel at Manchester Airport. More information about that can be found on the Region 31 website Here is a bit of background about Erin
Erin Howden is currently the choreographer and Master 700 Director of the North Metro Chorus, 5-time Sweet Adelines International Chorus Champions, from Toronto, Canada She is a repeated Regional Quartet Champion and top ten Quartet Medalist as the baritone of Daybreak. Erin grew up in a barbershop family and started her long-standing membership in Sweet Adelines, attending North Metro Chorus rehearsals at the age of 12. Now just over 40 years later, she has followed in the footsteps of her mother, June Dale (celebrated Master 700 Director and 45-year Director of North Metro), and her dad, Larry Dale who was a passionate barbershopper, coach and an International Chorus Champion
Erin is a certified member of the Sweet Adelines International Faculty and the Region #16 Faculty She is a highly accomplished choreographer and performance coach in both Sweet Adelines and the Barbershop Harmony Society She has been invited to teach and coach throughout Canada, the United States and abroad and is passionate about helping people step forward and discover their potential to be an authentic life-changing force both on and off stage.
Erin owns her own consulting business, specializing in leadership development, coaching, training, team building and motivational speaking She has an Honour's Degree in Business Management and specialized education in Human Resources Management, Training, Change Management and Psychology
THE MAGAZINE
SWEET CHILD O' MINE
by Mandy Dyson
Well, I don’t know about you chapesses but this is damn exciting!! We’re going to be learning just about the best, most anthemic rock song EVER!!
This track featured on the debut Guns n' Roses album “Appetite for Destruction “ , released in 1987 In 1988 it became the third song to be released from the album and reached number one in the Billboard charts The song was responsible for massively increasing the popularity and sales of the album.
Although the album’s release received little initial critical acclaim, it has since been recognised as one of the greatest rock albums of all time.
The lyrics were written by frontman Axl Rose and inspired by his then girlfriend and future wife, Erin Everly, daughter of Phil Everly The lyrics are poetic and heartfelt, despite this being a rock song
The song contains arguably one of the most famous guitar riffs in rock and was formulated by arguably one of the sexiest guitarists in rock, Slash (matter of opinion I accept!)
Can’t wait to crack on with this fantabulous song: might even dye my curly locks black and get my chest out. Strap yourselves in and bring on the air guitars!
Totally gratuitous picture of Slash topless - Ed.
ANNA ALVRING
by Janet Moreton
Anna Alvring will be our International Coach at retreat in February 2025.
Anna teaches both Music and Maths and is the Principal of the prestigious Swedish music school, Adolf Fredriks Musikklasser in Stockholm. She was introduced to barbershop by her father in 1986, and eventually became the music director of Stockholm City Chorus. After 14 years as co-director of Rönninge Show Chorus (alongside the gorgeous BrittHelene Bonnedahl), Anna became their sole director at the beginning of 2020
Anna loves the directness of barbershop – both musically and visually – and thinks this musical style is cool! She is a bundle of energy – watch her physical warm up on YouTube – Power Up!
She says that humility and flexibility are the most important things about being a director . "You have to be able to lead and have visions, but you also have to be present in the here and now It’s also important not to take yourself too seriously
You have to be positive as a leader but balance this with knowledge " And music theory is something she likes to share!
Our third Swedish coach! What a treat this will be! We’re looking forward to that extra Swedish sparkle Anna will give us!
SCHOOL'S OUT!
by Tania Gabbidon
On the 26th of July 2024, I watched fifty-eight 10 and 11-year-olds leave Romiley Primary School for the last time as they headed off to High School There were tears, titters and tantrums and that was just the staff! After the leaver’s assembly, shirt signing, reading out of hopes and ambitions for the future and singing of the leaver’s song (Consider Yourself), I watched, along with my colleagues, as the children marched out, some in tears, into Romiley park and into the waiting arms of their loving parents, throwing their ‘graduation caps’ into the air.
It wasn’t until I’d closed the gates behind them, after hugs and thanks from grateful parents, that I was able to process the fact that this was it for me, too
SCHOOL'S OUT!
by Tania Gabbidon
After 17 years as a teaching assistant, longer than any of those children have been alive, I was finally leaving A job I’d only planned to do while my boys were at the school (the youngest left in 2013!) had lasted over a third of my life For most of that time, I specialised in reading interventions - bringing children who’d fallen behind up to their chronological reading age or, more usually, teaching children who hadn’t succeeded in learning to read with conventional teaching and setting them on the path to being successful readers.
Most of Heartbeat will know how much I love reading, language and words. Passing that love on to children who had started to tell themselves that reading was not for them and who’d written themselves off academically is one of the most satisfying things I have ever done Hearing a child tell their class teacher or parents that they had gone up in their reading, whether it was one band or fourteen, makes all the effort worthwhile. However, all good things come to an end and it is time for me to move on.
It only took me 54 years to work out what I wanted to do when I grew up and now I know that I want to be an author and voice actor Amongst other things, being a member of Heartbeat Chorus has taught me that I can use my voice to entertain people and that I love reading aloud and doing all the voices. The positivity and support of my colleagues at Romiley and in Chorus were a big part of my decision to go for it
It has been a bit of a steep learning curve and the future is slightly daunting, but if nine Chorus medals have shown me anything, it’s that you can only do the work, straighten your crown and give the best performance of your life.
Watch this space!
Love, Tania x Congratulations Tania, from all your Heartbeat friends. And good luck in your new venture! - Ed
HEARTBEAT GOES GHOST HUNTING
by Viv Worsley
‘Twas during our trip with Heartbeat to Llangollen 2023 I first proposed the idea of going ghost hunting during post competition congratulatory beverages in the local pub, The (W)Bendover.
We were staying at Clare K’s caravan which is nestled on the pretty Castle Cove, named as such as it sits in the shadow of the impressive folly, Gwyrch Castle I knew they did paranormal events there so I was determined to get everyone on board There were a few very explicit refusals expressed at this point, so I parked the suggestion and went up to sing Oom Pah Pah on the karaoke (the guy looked very confused as I took the mic, having previously been informed we had all just come second at Eisteddfod).
Fast forward a year to my 50th birthday (did I mention it was my 50th birthday?) and I was happily surprised with the gift of a group expedition to a ghost hunting event at Gwyrch Castle I was obviously absolutely made up, and very excited in the run up to our adventure There was the obligatory purchase of daft accessories, tiny plastic babies, and, more sensibly, head torches in preparation for the trip and off to Wales our crazy convoy went.
Once unpacked and a bit (lot) of Dutch Courage at the Bendover, we made our way up to the castle. The drive up was impressive; the gothic towers loomed, the large walls of the castle looked forged into the cliff face and the vista lined with ancient trees We arrived at the huge wooden gates and the apprehension set in, the whole scene was reminiscent of a 70s vampire movie As we congregated in the entrance, the giddy squeaks died down as we took in our imposing surroundings We listened carefully to the guides who gave us a history of the castle and told us about the activities we would be taking part in. We split up into groups and set off exploring. The scariest part to start off with was negotiating the perilous stairs in the dark with all of our various knee, hip, neck, joint and eyesight issues! Hils and I spent a while down in the spooky cellar doing the Ouija board with the support of a guide. There were some interesting answers to the questions we posed and the planchette was definitely moving in a way that we couldn’t have influenced but there was nothing that resonated with either of us personally
We regrouped in the main hall and at this point we seemed to have knocked on the right spiritual door The K2 meters were going off maniacally flashing red and green as were the cat balls, one of which sat in the lap of a very creepy clown doll. We came together as a group to do a Ouija board. As we each spoke questions out loud, it seemed that we had made contact with several members of Helena’s family. Helena felt the spirit leading the contact was her Mum- the word ‘panto’ was spelled out in relation to the question of who we were communicating with which Helena recognised as significant to their relationship.
HEARTBEAT GOES GHOST HUNTING
by Viv Worsley
Helena describes ‘when the messages were coming through my hands were freezing, but my back and shoulders felt warm, like someone was giving me a hug from the back. It spelled out how many grandchildren Mum had and another word that only she constantly used to call the grandchildren’…Obviously, Helena was emotional and felt grateful and thankful that she had received these messages from her loved ones
We then all took part in a ‘human pendulum’: we stood in a circle around two people who stood in front and behind one of us in the middle We established the answers ‘yes’ and ‘no’ in relation to moving forwards and backwards, and then each took turns asking questions Each person rocked forward and backwards seemingly in response to the questions and all of us said that we couldn’t resist the force that was moving us. The sensation of being in the middle was like being pushed by an unseen pair of hands; there was no need to think about it or enhance the movement at all.
At one point, as Claire was standing part of the outer circle, she started exclaiming that someone was flicking her ears and complained of icy breath down her neck a couple bowed out of the group at that point We were visited by the castle cat Lloyd who had been a permanent resident further back than any of the guides could remember an old soul in feline form, he definitely enjoyed a lot of fuss.
As the evening wound down, we tried another contact via the Ouija board but this time I felt it was a dark energy settling around us; we seemed to be getting random answers from a name not-to-be-repeated (in case it was a demon) who was 0 years old. There was speculation between us about it possibly being an infant or a lost soul but this did not resonate for me, and the answers began to make less sense Uncomfortable with the vibe, I was keen to finish and say GOODBYE but not before bravely asking ‘should I get a kebab’ to which our demon ally answered ‘yes’ so we finally called it a night and took the advice
Hopefully this is the first of our ghost hunting expeditions although a few wusses said that it would be their last well we shall see mwah ha haahhh
Shout up if you want in on the next ghost adventure!
HEARTBEAT GOES GHOST HUNTING
by Viv Worsley
ghost
THE THEATRE & ARTS CLUB
by Hilary Pinnock
Earlier this summer, a dozen or so Heartbeat music lovers made their way to The Lowry – via Bella Italia – to enjoy the music and action of ‘A Chorus Line’
Apart from it being a fabulously energetic show, it of course features our own wonderful contest ballad What I did for Love.
We all did our very best not to join in with the cast! Emotional? Oh yes and beautifully sung too The grand finale of the show is One Singular Sensation, another well-known song and at the end of the performance, the audience were on its feet giving the cast a well-deserved standing ovation
THE THEATRE & ARTS CLUB
by Hilary Pinnock
On one of the hottest days of an otherwise rather cool, damp summer, a smaller group of Heartbeat’s theatre-lovers left Stockport en route for the London Palladium to see the musical, Hello Dolly! starring Imelda Staunton. (One of us actually thought she was off to see My Fair Lady, but that’s a story for another time!) Lunch first at a super Greek taverna and then onwards in the sunshine to the West End.
It was a lavish production, the costumes were ravishing, the music divine and the acting consummate There was even a trolley tram traversing the stage in one scene Imelda Staunton was fantastic as were the entire cast and the entire company came out on stage to enjoy a long, standing ovation at the end of a wonderful matinee performance It was hard to believe they’d be doing it all again a couple of hours later in the evening!
Home was via Prezzo for a quick Italian and then onto the train at Euston. The usual story with the train – other trains cancelled, trains re-routed, overheated carriages so we all got home later than advertised. But we laughed! It was a fabulous day out Special thanks go to Loraine T’s man, Steve, for arranging the train travel for us and for then getting us a partial refund on the train tickets He’s a keeper Loraine!
Note - Hello Dolly was first sung by Carol Channing in the 1964 hit Broadway show and made ever more famous by the late, great Louis Armstrong You can hear his version on YouTube
NORTHERN SOUL
What an incredible journey it's been! Over the past 2 years, we've achieved so much together, including a 1st place at LABBS prelims and 2 bronze medals in LABBS & Sweet Adelines We've laughed, cried, and worked incredibly hard
Recently, we met to discuss rehearsal dates and our future plans. Unfortunately, due to conflicting schedules, different goals, and busy lives, Northern Soul has decided to part ways
Despite this, we remain close friends and plan to celebrate our achievements together. We deeply appreciate all the support, love, and kind words we've received from each of you over these last 2 years.
Thank you all, and we wish our fellow quartet friends in LABBS the best of luck for October
With love,
Sarah, Hilary, Karen & Anne Marie
MAGAZINE
NEWS FROM THE GARDEN SHED
by Hilary Pinnock
Autumn is a superb season
The sun drops lower in the sky each day making a wonderful light show in the garden as the evenings draw in and night temperatures slowly drop. This makes leaves on trees and other plants change from their vibrant greens to reds, oranges, yellows and browns – before they finally fall to the floor.
Whilst it’s a good idea to remove fallen leaves from the lawn, it’s an even better idea to leave them wherever they fall on the borders over winter They provide much needed habitats for small invertebrates, maintain a micro-climate above the soil surface and eventually, once broken down, give the soil a much-needed boost of conditioner ready for the early spring reawakening of bulbs and early flowerers. So don’t be too tidy!!
But what about maintaining flower colour for as long as possible at this time of year?
Roses will go on for as long as they can if you keep them deadheaded I’ve seen roses blooming at Christmas! Many of the daisy family will provide bright jewel-coloured flowers through to the first frosts Rudbeckias, Asters, Helianthus, Echinacea and so on
Less showy but just as beautiful are the autumn cyclamen, Cyclamen hederifolium These are the outdoor hardy types not the brightly coloured ones for indoors. They are so dainty and if planted en masse at the foot of a tree, well, they’re just breath-taking. Marbled leaves and gazillions of dainty, nodding heads in pinks and whites
I could go on
One hardy perennial plant I forget to plant every year – and have done so again this year – is Schizostylis coccinea = the Kaffir Lily. It is such a useful plant, flowering at this time of year right through to the winter if put in a sunny sheltered spot I’d go for the brick red one but they’re also available in pale pinks and white Plant bulbs now ready for a fabulous seasonal display by this time next year Gorgeous
GRANDMA RUTH ON TOUR...IN CANADA
The attractions were many - Montreal, the Rockies and Calgary without snow! However the main attraction for me was my son, Matt, his wife Maddy and my two grandchildren – Noah and Rory ( Aurora) Zoom calls are one thing, but can be a little chaotic and ‘Paw Patrol’ often won over Grandma on the small screen!
Weather is important for us Brits and after asking, I had been told to bring a raincoat (not something I wanted to hear as I am a sun lover) as the summer had not been good so far. So glad I heeded that advice as the temperature never dipped below 28 degrees!
Before Grandma Ruth came into her own, I visited Montreal. Wow! What a city! Especially if you like food and drink, a bit of history too and some great views.
High point – the friendly people I spent my evenings drinking rose wine with Low point – losing a wheel on my very large suitcase as I climbed Mont Real to my Airbnb! Then it was another 3 and half hour flight (Canada is so big) to Calgary where I metamorphosed into Grandma!
My jobs included going to the park, filling water pistols, buying ice creams, giving piggy backs, singing any song I could remember but no clapping ones in the car (instruction from Matt), learning the Watermelon Song and having it on repeat, distracting Rory (2) from her latest ‘No’ session, more park trips, watching ‘Paw Patrol’, pushing Rory in ‘that car’(you know that red and yellow one), rescuing Noah on his bike and learning how to axe throw – to name but a few!
I loved it. Also it was all done in 28-33 degree temperatures!
RUTH ON TOUR...IN CANADA
However, I also did plenty of touristy things with the family. The Calgary stampede; Banff; Canmore; the stunning Lake Louise in the Rockies and Drumheller - which has a surprisingly fascinating dinosaur museum in a valley where bones are found weekly!
I will return very soon to see the family of course but also to explore more of the beautiful wide open spaces of Canada
THE
GET YOUR BARBERSHOP GEEK ON!
by Karen Marshall
Stay connected with the latest chorus and quartet news, Convention chat and dates, workshop events, pics, video links, general gossip and fun - UK and beyond!
In our last issue we featured our very own Heartbeat Chorus and SAI Organisation and Facebook Social media Groups in the UK and Internationally
In this Autumn issue we feature other Barbershop organisations in the UK and Europe
LABBS - The Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers
Female voice groups based in UK
LABBS is one of three barbershop-singing organisations in the UK and the only purely British organisation for female barbershop singers Established in 1976, LABBS has grown to around 60 clubs and over 2000 members
BABS - British Association of Barbershop Singers
Male and mixed voice groups
BABS- the largest organisation of barbershop singers outside of North America. We have more than 60 registered choruses and 100 registered barbershop quartets across the country, including male voice ensembles and mixed voice ensembles
Irish Association of Barbershop Singers
Male and Female voice groups
IABS was founded in 1988 and since then a dedicated and growing number of Barbershop enthusiasts have ensured the growing popularity Barbershop throughout Ireland.
BIBA - Barbershop of Iberia Association (formerly SABS)
Committed to encouraging Barbershop singing throughout Spain and Portugal
Male, Female and mixed voice groups
SNOBS - The Society of Nordic Barbershop Singers.
A Nordic organization whose purpose is to spread, develop and preserve the barbershop music style within choruses and quartets SNOBS annually organizes a convention including contests for choruses and quartets
Male, Female and mixed voice groups
European Barbershop Convention
European Convention held every 4 years, hosted in turn with EBC 2025 being hosted in Sweden
Male, Female and mixed voice groups
Next Issue: Have you a group/quartet you would like featured? Contact 'The Magazine'
SCIENCE FEATURE - MORE ABOUT THE BRAIN ON MUSIC
by Janet Moreton
Following on from the Science Feature in the last newsletter, we thought we’d dive a bit deeper into how music engages different parts of the brain This article is based on work done by neuroscientist Kiminobu Sugaya and professional violinist Ayako Yonetani, a husband and wife team teaching at the University of Central Florida
FRONTAL LOBE
TEMPORAL LOBE
BROCA'S AREA
WERNICKE'S AREA
OCCIPITAL LOBE
WHAT - Used in thinking, decision-making and planning
HOW - “The frontal lobe is the most important to being a human We have a big frontal lobe compared to other animals By listening to music, we can enhance its functions,” Sugaya says
WHAT - Processes what we hear
HOW - “We use the language centre to appreciate music, which spans both sides of the brain, though language and words are interpreted in the left hemisphere while music and sounds are interpreted in the right hemisphere,” Yonetani says.
WHAT - Enables us to produce speech
HOW - “We use this part of the brain to express music,” Yonetani says. “Playing an instrument may improve your ability to communicate better.”
WHAT - Comprehends written and spoken language
HOW - “We use this part of the brain to analyse and enjoy music,” Yonetani says.
WHAT - Processes what we see
HOW - “Professional musicians use the occipital cortex, which is the visual cortex, when they listen to music, while laypersons, like me, use the temporal lobe the auditory and language centre This suggests that [musicians] might visualize a music score when they are listening to music,” Sugaya says.
CEREBELLUM
SCIENCE FEATURE - MORE ABOUT THE BRAIN ON MUSIC
by Janet Moreton
WHAT - Coordinates movement and stores physical memory
HOW - “An Alzheimer’s patient, even if he doesn’t recognize his wife, could still play the piano if he learned it when he was young because playing has become a muscle memory Those memories in the cerebellum never fade out,” Sugaya says
NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS
AMYGDALA
HIPPOCAMPUS
HYPOTHALAMUS
WHAT - Seeks please and reward and plays a big role in addiction, as it releases the neurtransmitter dopamine
HOW - “Music can be a drug a very addictive drug because it’s also acting on the same part of the brain as illegal drugs,” Sugaya says. “Music increases dopamine in the nucleus accumbens, [in a manner] similar to cocaine.”
WHAT - Processes and triggers emotions
HOW“Music can control your fear, make you ready to fight and increase pleasure,” Yonetani says. “When you feel shivers go down your spine, the amygdala is activated.”
WHAT - Procduces and retrieves memories, regu;lates emotional responses and helps us navigate Considered the central processing unit of the brain, it's one of the first regions of the braiin to be affected by Alzheimers's disease, leading to confusion and memory loss
HOW““Music may increase neurogenesis in the hippocampus, allowing production of new neurons and improving memory,” Yonetani says
WHAT - Maintains the body’s status quo, links the endocrine and nervous systems, and produces and releases essential hormones and chemicals that regulate thirst, appetite, sleep, mood, heart rate, body temperature, metabolism, growth and sex drive to name just a few
HOW - If you play Mozart, for example, “heart rate and blood pressure reduce,” Sugaya says.
SCIENCE FEATURE - MORE ABOUT THE BRAIN ON MUSIC
by Janet Moreton
CORPUS CALLOSUM
WHAT - Enables the left and right hemispheres to communicate, allowing for coordinated body movement as well as complex thoughts that require logic (left side) and intuition (right side)
HOW - “As a musician, you want to have the right-hand side and the left-hand side of the brain in coordination, so they talk to each other,” Sugaya says. This allows pianists, for example, to translate notes on a sheet to the keys their fingers hit to produce music.
PUTAMEN
WHAT - Processes rhythm and regulates body movement and coordination
HOW - “Music can increase dopamine in this area, and music increases our response to rhythm,” Yonetani says “By doing this, music temporarily stops the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease Rhythmic music, for example, has been used to help Parkinson’s patients function, such as getting up and down and even walking because Parkinson’s patients need assistance in moving, and music can help them kind of like a cane. Unfortunately, after the music stops, the pathology comes back.”
Jess's Special Day
Our gorgeous bass, Jess Shenton, is getting married on 31 October Only a few weeks to go!
Wedding preparations are moving on apace and after a sneak look at her wedding dress, Jess will look stunning.
And who's the lucky chap?
Matthew, aka Cleggy
Heartbeat love to you two for your very special day and for a long and happy life together.
Wedding photos are a must!
HEARTBEAT NEWS
SUMMER SECTION TOGETHERNESS
Lovely lyrical leads met on Thursday August 22nd at Janette's house for prosecco, tea and cake and then onto The Beehive (local pub!) for food
Lots of reminiscing, a few notes of I Believe from the King and I And then it rained!!!!
The Baris also managed a meet up with Alumnae as well. Thanbks to Sue D for organising a meal at The Purple Pakora.
Only the baris would crouch down! - Ed.
GOODBYE
by Janette Bolsover
Suzanne Mansfield
There is no doubt that barbershop singing is in Suzanne's blood Having been introduced to the genre by her Mum and Dad (Brenda and Terry) at an early age, she was destined to become an accomplished singer and performer
Suzanne joined Heartbeat over 9 years ago having sung with Cheshire Chord Company. She went on to sing in three medal winning quartets, winning LABBS gold medals with Miss Demeanour and Sound Central and Sweet Adelines gold medals with Domino and Sound Central
With her training in Performing Arts, Suzanne was a natural fit to become a front row 'mover and shaker' and part of the choreography team under the guidance of Sandra Lea-Riley When Sandra left chorus, Suzanne moved into the role as lead choreographer. She devised the choreography for our two new contest songs, which we performed at the 2024 Region 31 Convention in Sheffieldand we came home with silver medals
We do hope Suzanne will return to chorus when life permits!
GOODBYE
by Janette Bolsover
Claire Makinson
Claire joined Heartbeat over 20 years ago and has certainly left a legacy. Claire has been instrumental in building the chorus, holding the position of Chorus President twice and having a stint as joint Lead Section leader Claire's organisational skills have been evident in assisting in logistics for major com-etitions, singing events and fundraising
Most of all, Claire has brought her fabulous singing voie to the chorusand with her ability to learn quickly, blend within the section and encourage and mentor other singers, she has been a perfect member. Claire came to us with a choral background having been part of the reknowned Maia Singers
However, she adapted with complete ease to the barbershop style. As well as singing in the chorus she has sung in two quartets - Calamity and Jane and Mynx - putting herself in the limelight to develop her skills She will be leaving a big hold in the risers!
THE MAGAZINE GOODBYE
by Ann Jones
Carol Trivett
Bass Extraordinaire
Tenor Extraordinaire
All-round bundle of fun
Goodbye for now.
We all hope you will return when the time is right, and your health permits
We will miss your keen sense of humour, your riser wit and your loud voice telling us all that break is over.
And who will keep Nancy in line now?
We will also miss your lovely bass and tenor voice.
Come back soon Carol.
We love you xx
THE MAGAZINE GOODBYE
by Ann Jones
Poet, fun, wordsmith, beautiful bass voice, seasoned quarteter and Heartbeat sensation.
Dulcie Williams
GOODBYE
A message from Dulcie (Facebook)
Hello Heartbeat Buddies
by Ann Jones
Not sure if I can stay in this group as an Alumna as I have now left Chorus to concentrate on being a full time silly old sod Nancy has been very lovely and says I can join the Alumnae so I’ll keep turning up like a bad penny to support you and party and join in what I can
Pete and I are continuing with Lux Acapella as it is once a month in the day on a Sunday in person or on Zoom so very flexible for us old folk who like to travel also with lots of grandchildren now at school and uni.
Obviously I have loved my 18 years with Heartbeat and it’s a wrench but we only have so many hours and who knows how many days Whoops a soliloquy is emerging so I’ll stop
Wishing you love and luck in all you do and I will always be a Heartbeat Bass in my heart
I’m not going to Sweden but I will definitely pop up at a party or barbershop convention and look forward to singing with you some other way. I’m very lucky to still be singing with FOMO Quartet until I go gaga but that may still be unnoticeable as a bass.
Keep being Awesome and Sassy
Dulcie xx
Farewell to lovely baritone Liz Stott, who has left the chorus and moved onto pastures new.
Good luck for the future!
Dearest Gentle Singer,
LADY GARDEN'S SOCIETY PAPERS
As the echoes of our spring and early summer gracefully wane, the ever-pulsing rhythm of our cherished Heartbeat Ton has taken but the briefest of pauses during these languid summer weeks Yet, as you well know, dear singer, the whispers and murmurings of our beloved society never truly take their leave
The Ton's latest escapades are nothing short of captivating.
I must report that Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Kelsall, graced the splendid climes of the High-Altitude Society in the Alps with her most respected presence, where she took a most luxurious and well-earned retreat Rumour has it that the fine mountain spring waters, said to be brimming with restorative powers, were interlaced with a dash (or perhaps more) of spirited-intoxication, surely rejuvenating her esteemed self.
Our very own illustrious courtier, Dame Emmeline de Shankhurst, has once again graced us with her boundless enthusiasm, leading the chorus of hopeful voices, each serenading in anticipation of our valiant 'Hero's' triumph Yet alas, despite fervent efforts, the elusive hero remained just that - elusive - especially the melodious quest to find the 'fire in the blood', much to the chagrin of all One could not help but wonder if perhaps a fortified dose (or two) of Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Kelsall’s famously 'spirited' mountain spring water might ‘do the trick’.
And lo and behold, whispers have echoed of said fairy dust from those enchanted alpine springs, spiritedly being sprinkled by Dame Emmeline, and like magic our resplendent Hero of noble blood has risen to triumph at last! A most miraculous turn of events, one might say
'Fashion Furore'
The ladies of fashion within the Four Houses of Leadingham, Bariton, Bassex and Tenorsville are in quite the frenzy, darlings! It appears that no gown is safe, as garments are practically torn from backs, all to be sold in the noble pursuit of sovereigns for the ever-thirsty coffers of the Ton. Such is the magnificence of these garments, and indeed the eagerness of their purveyors, that this fashionable trade has become nothing short of a resounding success!
And in keeping with this fashionista splendour, whispers are abound of an impending parade of costume and couture. One expects this grand display to transform from a mere Fizz to an all-out blaze of grandeur!
LADY GARDEN'S SOCIETY PAPERS
Naturally, the Ton's favoured modiste, Madame Isabella DelaCurrie will weave her magic once more with her 'merveilleux' creations infused with a whisper of the French 'je ne sais quoi'. Never mind our quiet knowledge that Madame hails not from the land of Parisian delights, but from somewhat chillier Northern realms
'A Musical Intrigue'
It should be noted, dear singer, that the Heartbeat Ton is once again turning efforts towards a new musical challenge - the daring choice of ‘Sweet Child of Mine’ set to rock whoops of delight across the barbershop world
Yet with rumours of audacious frivolities between the mixed musical fraternities, one wonders whether we will hear this melodious number hummed under the breath of certain members of our male fraternity at many a mixed convention in the years to come?
Only time will tell.
Finally, for those still in doubt of the industrious nature of our esteemed court, October will deliver a Grand Performance, certain to stir the hearts of all present Expect nothing less than those exquisite Heartbeat harmonies, and dare one say, the audience shall indeed 'feel the full force of the Ton’
Prepare yourselves accordingly!
Yours in ever watchful observation,
Garden
THE TAG
LOTTO NEWS
And finally....
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this edition. We are always on the lookout for news stories, contributors, ideas, so please share your news and stories with any of The Magazine team And your (constructive) feedback is important to us Please tell us what you like, what you'd like to see, what doesn't work for you
THE MAGAZINE TEAM | Ann, Mandy, Michaelle, Karen, Hils P and Janet