Harmony Rag Quartet of Nations Newsletter, Region 31 Sweet Adelines International Autumn 2008
The earth moved with Åse and Alba
The visit of Åse Hagerman and Alba chorus at the Regional Workshop in October, has been claimed as one of the best Workshops ever. For the first time ever, the visiting faculty brought along their chorus for a more interactive workshop and it gave the attendees more
opportunity to find out how this small chorus became the Region 32 champions. Åse has visited the UK many times, either as an individual chorus coach or as part of International Faculty visits, whatever the reason her enthusiasm and vibrancy is always guaranteed. This Workshop was no different
and it’s very obvious how Alba have become Swedish and Harmony Classic Champions. The whole chorus oozes positive attitude in both their singing and performance, and as you can see from the costumes in the main picture they are not afraid to push the boundaries. This
leads to an exciting on-stage performance that leaves you wanting more. The package they performed in the evening show at the weekend included everything, from solo performances from chorus members, and Åse, to section solos using Beatles numbers and
songs classed as traditional barbershop - albeit with a few word changes. The weekend was an overwhelming success - only complaint was no tiered seating in the main auditorium, but the organisation was fantastic a big thank you to the RMT. Can you do it again please?
Quartet of Nations Regional Newsletter
You want to bring Alba to the workshop?- oh, ok then... By Valerie Taylor Education Coordinator Driving back from a barbershop event together, Region 31 Education Coordinator Valerie Taylor and Events Coordinator Emma Riley discussed education plans for the Quartet of Nations Region. Wouldn’t it be great to have some education especially focused on smaller choruses? We can learn a lot from faculty who have experience directing choruses of 100 or more members, but how well does this resonate with choruses of 40, 30 or even 20? We want our education to be just as relevant to them. Valerie and Emma had an idea – their good friend, Åse Hagerman, directs a small chorus in Sweden and they seem to be pretty successful! Why don’t we invite Åse and Alba Show Chorus over to Region 31? And so it began…
Alba Show Chorus were fresh from their recent successes as the 2007 Harmony Classic Division A gold medal winners, plus the Division A and overall gold medals in the Nordic Lights Region 32 convention in May 2008. Plans were made for Åse and 30 members of Alba to travel from Sweden to England. They would take part in the Region 31 education workshop. In fact they would pretty much run it! The chorus arrived in England on Friday October 17th and launched almost straight away into a two hour rehearsal. Members of Region 31 started arriving from all over the UK and the Netherlands, and by 7.30 that night the hall was packed with more than 300 people excitedly awaiting the start of something magical. We were not disappointed!
Åse opened the workshop with her class, “AFRODITE”, a holistic approach to vocal production and performance On Saturday we were treated to a fabulous explanation of how you can use the 4 elements (earth, wind, fire, water) as a tool for tuning, resonance and unity of performance. Åse used Alba as a demonstration chorus – what role models! The two assistant directors from Alba, Åsa Fagerström and Carina Bakke, directed the workshop chorus and two quartets from Alba – Matchbox and Downtown – also ran classes. We sure worked them hard! Throughout the weekend, members of the Region 31 faculty also ran specialist classes in parallel sessions. The highlight of the weekend was the Saturday night show which featured the workshop chorus, Storm quartet (proud to be Region
31’s first ever wild card quartet) and of course Alba Show Chorus. Their highly original show was a sight to behold. Boy did we feel the earth move! Their Education Coordinator Valerie Taylor and powerful guest Faculty Åse Hagerman. singing was amazing, and it was clear to see that outstanding educator. every single member was Alba were just delightful totally committed to the and they worked so hard, performance. with scarcely a minute This has to rate as one to themselves over the weekend. of the most memorable Many new friendships education weekends in were made and we have Region 31. It’s not every day that you memories which will last a lifetime. ship a whole chorus from Crossing borders, oceans, one country to another! languages – nothing could Åse was full of energy, stand in our way. This is what vitality and fun, as always, Sweet Adelines is all about! and of course is an
The Workshop Sessions Copies of all the Workshop handouts are available to download and print out from the Quartet of Nations website - www.sweetadelines.org.uk
Not sure Croydon was ready for Halloween that early in October. 2 | hARMONY RAG AUTUMN 2008
AFRODITE - A class focused on the ingredients of Vocal Production: Air, Flow, Resonance, Oral sounds, Dimensions, Interaction, Tempo, Energy and how we can teach/practise them all together. Energise, Explore and Express Yourself - Using songs and exercises to polish the blending of voices, vocal energy and ways to express ourselves. The Fundamentals of Directing - Glen Chaney’s class covered the basics of directing, from starting and finishing a song, establishing a beat and presence in front of the chorus Barbershop for Beginners - A glossary of terms for all those to new barbershop. Director’s Forum 1 and 2 - Elaine Hamilton, Glenn Chaney and Valerie Taylor held the forum for all front line directors with the help of Åse and Alba’s Assistant MD’s. The Inner Drum - Ase’s rhymic exercises helping you to find your own inner drum to help stabilise tempo and make music more exciting. Organising a Small Chorus - Was for those choruses who wanted to find out more about Alba’s success off the risers. The Elements and You - Discover how the elements can be used as a tool for vocal unity, visual enhancement, rhythmic sesnation, dynamics and emotion message. How to Run a PVI - How to help your chorus members become better singers. Using Tags to Develop Vocal Skills - Alyson Chaney’s class singing tags not just for fun but to also as a way to develop and reinforce vocal skills. Set Yourself Free - The psychology of performorming, Elaine Hamilton went through how you can acheive your full potential by overcoming barriers.
Your Comments from the Weekend The Good...
‘It was excellently organised and although there is always room for improvement I can’t think what would have made this weekend any better.’
‘Reassurance from lecturers and other choruses that you are using correct techniques to improve your chorus.’ ‘Inspiration for small choruses.’ ‘Sharing ideas with other choruses.’ ‘A desire to improve.’
and the Bad - things for improvement.... Education was fantastic but main auditorium was dreadful, poor visibility and cramped.’
‘
‘Lower fee for senior citizens.’ ‘Avoid Ivy League weekends.’
Suggestions for next time... ‘More of director and chorus performing and demonstrating.’ ‘Quartets for beginners concentrating on sound and how to improve rather than managing and planning.’ ‘Choreography generally and for small choruses.’ ‘More of Åse’s infectious enthusiasm and tutoring.’
Amazing Alba in full costume. This chorus proves that you don't have to be 90+ size chorus to gold medal winners.
HARMONY RAG AUTUMN 2008 |3
Quartet of Nations Regional Newsletter
COASTLINE HARMONY IS ‘FEELING GROOVY’ !! No one at Coastline Harmony expected 80 women to register for their 7-week “Free Singing Lessons” course. But that’s just what happened and on Thursday 11th September they came along to the first week of their Free Singing Lessons Course with one aim - to sing! “We originally envisaged 50 would be our cut off number, but
somehow it just grew and grew. So many women responded, but we had to stop somewhere. Main question though, “did we have enough risers?” – not really but we managed to squeeze them all in!” “Our Director, Becky Middleton, talked through the importance of good body alignment and breathing, followed by several warm ups. This was followed by a very
unscientific method of voice testing everyone to allocate their specific part. They were given two songs to learn during the course with Coastline, ‘Fame’ and ‘Feeling Groovy’ with the goal of performing to family and friends on their last night, 23rd October. Then Coastline joined the course attendees on the risers to give them the experience of singing in 4-part harmony - WOW 90
Above: Director Becky Middleton leads Coastline and the participants of their seven week Free Singing Lessons course. Below: The performance - at the end of the seven weeks everybody who took part in the course entertained friends and family.
people on the risers! - and what a fabulous sound when we learnt and sang the tags to both course songs!” Over five weeks attendees took part in five more singing lessons learning about vocal mechanism, vowels, diphthongs (this lesson was taken by Regional faculty and chorus coach Valerie Taylor), consonants, and last but not least, choreography with choreographer Sally working on how to tell a story as we sing, using Nursery Rhymes as an example. “On the final night, all the course participants invited family and friends along to see just what they had been up to for the previous six weeks. What a night it was too, it was obvious everyone in the audience and on the risers had a fabulous time More importantly they were able to perform in public complete with choreography. It was a remarkable achievement in such a short space of time, especially for those who had no singing experience before they came along. This of course could not have happened without our director’s extraordinary enthusiasm
and hard work. We have already had 9 ladies pass their auditions and they will be joining us on the risers. We are hoping for more.” Coastline has helped to fulfil course attendee’s ambitions of learning to sing and has also allowed women to experience our great hobby and musical style. Below is some of the wonderful feedback received after the first session:“Dear Becky, Thank you so much for last night - it was great! Please pass on my thanks to the other ‘leaders’, too. What an excellent teacher you are!” - Kim Hope. “I couldn’t believe how many people were there and it was just so much fun, am really looking forward to the next few weeks!” - Jo Noble. “I really enjoyed Thursday. Just wanted to say how much I appreciated the time and effort that was taken to produce the personalised packs and information, plus all the members of the choir who came along on the evening to help teach and support us” Pauline Russell. FAME! – we’re gonna sing forever!
The ‘Fame’ week - with choreography! 4 | hARMONY RAG AUTUMN 2008
A big Thank You from everyone in the IVY League The “Incredible Vocal Youth” or “IVY League Youth Chorus” was born at LABBS Convention just two years ago. Since then both its membership and skills have developed massively thanks to the commitment and drive of the girls and their directors and coaches. Melissa Lane, of the Wessex Harmony Chorus is the brains behind the operation, and assists the girls in organising rehearsals, deciding which
shows to attend and selecting arrangements. Though many of its members come from established barbershop choruses in both LABBS and Sweet Adelines, what makes the IVY League particularly special is that it welcomes singers of all levels of experience aged 8-25. The enthusiastic members enjoy top-quality coaching from experts from the UK and the US, as well as the chance to
take on leading roles within the chorus. Now in its second year, the chorus have just returned from LABBS Convention where they received a lot of positive feedback from the judges. They wish to thank Sweet Adelines Region 31 for your continued support throughout the past year and encourage your younger members to join the friendly, successful atmosphere of the IVY League
The Ivy League girls at rehearsals.
Sign up for the DCP and improve your directing skills By Fran Pocock DCP Coordinator At the last Region 31 Convention, three candidates received their director certification Fran Pocock writes; I was delighted to have been able to present certificates at our last Regional Convention to three candidates who had completed the Program. Congratulations once again to Sarah Constable from Aberdeen
Chorus, Sue Hughes from Riverside Harmony Chorus and Isabel Wright from Apple County UK Chorus. They are all now Certified Directors. Watch future publications of the Pitch Pipe for their names to be published We have several Directors, Assistant Directors and Candidate Members who have signed up and I would encourage
you to start working your way through the Program if you haven’t already started or continue if you have taken time out. It is probably a good time to start now if you would like to be presented with your Certificates in May next year. Who knows, with Lace City and Surrey Harmony reaching the International Final for 2009, the way
is open for our other top choruses to win our Regional Contest next year. If you are working towards your chorus scoring 600 points or more then you need to complete the program prior to contest to progress to master director, if you are not already in that exulted position. As you have seen over the past few years, our
written by many of the finest educators in our organisation. There are also visual and audio recordings of our top directors, to help with conducting, vocal production, music theory and rehearsal planning Although the programme is mainly designed for front line directors and assistant/associate directors, anyone can apply. Certain tests are only undertaken by directors, assistant/associate directors, but others are open to all and people who perhaps aspire to becoming a director may sit some tests and 'bank'
them for the future, so that if they do become a director, or assistant/ associate director, all theye have to do is successfully pass the remaining tests to achieve full certification. For more information, please contact the Region 31 DCP Co-ordinator,
choruses are performing better and scoring higher. I would urge every chorus to purchase a copy of the DCP Modules. They are a great educational aid and you should encourage your members to consider signing up for the program. Region 31 is now being recognised for its excellence and competitive spirit. We need to keep up the momentum.
What's involved with the DCP The DCP stands for Director Certification Programme. It is an educational programme designed to provide additional training and to further develop skills for Sweet Adelines International directors, potential directors and musical leaders. However it is not
exclusively for these people and others may apply. The Programme currently consists of 11 modules. The information contained in the DCP Resource Modules is designed to help you learn more about directing a Sweet Adelines chorus as well as prepare you for each skill area test required for advancement in the programme. Sample tests are included to help you better understand what kind of information will be asked in each skill area test. The selected reading material contained in the resource was
currently Fran Pocock at franpockock@ mypostoffice.co.uk, or any member of the RMT. Details can be found on the Region 31 website. They will be able to provide you with more information, e.g. cost and answer any questions you may have.
The Modules 1) Conducting Skills 2) Analytical Listening 3) Organisational knowledge and Director resources 4) Teaching skills 5) Management skills 6) Judging categories and competition 7) Vocal production 8) Communication skills 9) Music Theory 10) Rehearsal planning and implementation 11) Chorus performance HARMONY RAG AUTUMN 2008 |5
Quartet of Nations Regional Newsletter
Aloha! Hawaii 2008 For the first time ever - Region 31 has three representatives at International Convention, Phoenix chorus and Eu4ia and Storm quartets. By Kate, Sandra, Nancy and Jane - Eu4ia
Well Aloha everyone! We are home (well 3 of us are). Nancy and Simon decided they would stay a little longer and have a well deserved break. What a trip, we had an amazing time. Although the flights were long and uneventful, we all arrived when we should and met up on Sunday night at the hotel. I must admit I was a little apprehensive because just as Neil and I were leaving to go to Heathrow on Friday I said to him that I could feel my chest hurting. I was told that it was definitely psychosomatic and not to
worry about it. Unfortunately it wasn't and by the time I reached Honolulu full blown Laryngitis had taken hold. I can't tell you how distraught I was and how I dreaded telling the girls. They were wonderful and everyone said that I would be fine by Wednesday. Three days and many steamy showers later however I wasn't better but I did rediscover why I love this hobby so much. The quartet was invited to go the Coronet Club Gettogether on the day before quartet contest. I was feeling a little down when we arrived but everyone I met tried to
help me out. Nancy (Tenor) from the Buzz supplied me with Anti-Inflams and vocal exercises, Nancy (Tenor) from Capri gave me all her special throat teas, Charla (Tenor) Rumors gave me more exercises, Bass from Salt gave me even more exercises and Nicky from Phoenix supplied me with Calendula gargle (which is wonderful by the way!) – I am now the singularly most qualified person at treating the voice when you can't sing through illness. I felt on top of the world when we left that party – the sisterhood was truly alive and I feel
Kate, Nancy, Sandra and Jane perform on stage in Hawaii.
blessed to know them all. Thanks to everyone who gave me a hug and wished me well. The following morning (contest day) we did discuss scratching but decided we had gone so far and we didn't want to let everyone down. We just wanted to do the best we could and if that meant Nancy, Sandra and Jane had to sing as a trio and produce as many overtones as possible then so be it! I must admit, we did better than I ever hoped coming 28th as I squeaked some very strange notes. Somehow we seemed to get away with it, I just thought I would try and ignore the voice and concentrate on enjoying myself. Thinking about Olivia, my daughter, watching on the Webcam at home was quite a motivator! Alison Chaney was wonderfully supportive as were the rest of Storm, who sang beautifully in the contest – thanks to them – their kind words really did help. The girls from Phoenix were also great as were Ellie (Luminous – fabulous 15th position!) and Liz (Upbeat) – we had so many good wishes it would be impossible to thank everyone but every cheer was really appreciated. Once we had finished our performance we received some lovely comments and
well needed hugs. All that for just 6 minutes – we must be mad! It is wonderful though and watching Phoenix the next day have their time on contest stage was fabulous – they really sang their hearts out. Well done girls! All in all, the contest was incredible for many reasons. Watching the choruses and quartets in the finals was inspiring and as Sandra said, it was like being at a West End Show – the singing and choreography was out of this world. The only down side was the position the Brits had been seated. As usual we were right at the back and behind a large concrete post (absolutely true!). I suppose it's the penalty for being one of the last regions to qualify. You never know, maybe one day we will be in decent seats. We did keep up the Great British rock band tradition though and almost get thrown out of our hotel on the Friday. It was my birthday and we decided after going for a meal we would party in my room. Sandra insisted on doing a Meatloaf song and some Irish Dancing (that may have had something to do with it). If anyone wants to see it I filmed everything, right up to the point where Security arrived!! This hobby is fantastic! Love to all who helped us get to Hawaii – Thank you.
The Results - International Convention 2008 Chorus Results 1st
Melodeers Chorus 141 on stage
Score: 1480
2nd
Scotsdale Chorus 133 on stage
3rd
Skyline Chorus
Quartet Results 1st Moxie Ladies
Score: 1344
7th Zing
Score: 1395
2nd Jackpot
Score: 1309
8th Martini Score: 1262
149 on stage
Score 1394
3rd Razzcals
Score: 1304
9th Sparx
4th
North Metro Chorus 165 on stage
Score: 1367
4th Maxx Factor
Score 1293
10th Affinity Score: 1250
5th
Ronninge Chorus
123 on stage
Score: 1354
5th Capri
Score: 1291
28th Eu4ia
Score: 1136
20th
Phoenix
76 on stage
Score: 1163
6th Mojo
Score: 1276
33rd Storm
Score: 1120
6 | hARMONY RAG AUTUMN 2008
Score: 1267
Score: 1251
Region 31 support for Young Singers Foundation Region 31 is to take £300.00 to Hawaii to present to the Young Singers Foundation. Fran Pocock, our YSF liaison would like to thank the RMT for its donations over the past 2 years totalling £195. This has been added to a bucket collection taken at Convention in 2007 and donations made by individuals. The Young Singers Foundation believes that a well-rounded education for our young people should include music. Without the opportunity to participate in music programs, youngsters are deprived of unique opportunities to develop their creativity, to learn selfdiscipline and team work, to increase their sense of self-worth, and to learn to live in a global society. They also advocate the teaching of music in the schools. By its example,
YSF hopes to show the way for generous and growing support for music education and music educators among those in Primary Schools right through to 6th form and beyond. The Young Singers Foundation was created by Sweet Adelines International in 1992. Early on, the Foundation’s Management Committee determined the purpose was to enrich the lives of young people through educational programs in vocal music. They offer grants to fund school-based and after school music programs; and award scholarships annually of at least $2,000 each to help further the vocal music education of a full-time student who is enrolled in an accredited learning institution. For more information on how young people could benefit in our
region, see www. youngsingersfoundation.org/ programs. You can download brochures, application forms and information on how to apply. Perhaps you know of a group of young people who would like to sing but need help getting started. Why not point them in the YSF direction. If you don’t ask you won’t get! Fran welcomes donations, in sterling or euros, from anyone in Region 31. Cheques should be payable
Fame at Last! By Di Baker Lace City Chorus
to “Young Singers Foundation UK” and sent to me – Fran Pocock , at 1 Fastnet Close, Haverhill, Suffolk CB9 0LL. Why not have a 50p or an equivalent euro collection per member in your chorus. It is surprising how much this would raise if everyone in our region donated a small sum. YSF are grateful to everyone who contributes to their funds, however small.
What is the Young Singers Foundation? The Young Singers Foundation feels a well-rounded education for our young people should include music. Without the opportunity to participate in music programs, youngsters are deprived of unique opportunities to develop their creativity, to learn self-discipline and team work, to increase their sense of self-worth, and to learn to live in a global society. More information about the Foundation can be found on their website: www.youngsingersfoundation.org
Harmony Rag - Apology Ooops... sorry. All at Harmony Rag, would like to apologise to New Land Singers for missing their photograph out of the Convention issue earlier in the year. Lucky Apple County got their photograph in twice, so to put the record straight here are the photographs with the correct chorus names.
New Land Singers
It’s not everyday that you see a barbershop quartet on the red carpet, in fact it’s not many days at all! But that’s how lucky Lace City singer Di Baker felt as she signed autographs at a hotel in Liverpool. She reported on her recent claim to fame: Two Americans were sitting at our table for breakfast and of course we got talking and I asked where they lived. Upon mentioning that I had been to Detroit two years ago, she asked, “Why would you want to go to there?” I explained that my chorus were singing at the Sweet Adelines International Convention representing the United Kingdom. Her face lit up and she said, “Oh! that’s amazing, my Mom loves Sweet Adelines and would love your autograph”. We bumped into them again waiting for the train into Liverpool. We said hello and straight away she got a note pad and pen out of her handbag and asked me for my autograph. I had to write down all my details – region, name of chorus, what part I sang etc. When I told her we were ranked 6th in the world she was overcome and said she couldn’t believe that she had met someone from such a fantastic chorus. I also told her that we would be in Nashville next year and she is hoping to bring her mother. As you can imagine I felt very proud.
Apple County Chorus
HARMONY RAG AUTUMN 2008 | 7
Quartet of Nations Regional Newsletter
Tropical Harmony Tour 2009 The music of Italy ranges across a broad spectrum of opera and instrumental classical music, but Plymouth Mayflower Jess Curtis never expected to hear barbershop there, let alone find herself singing in the Vatican Square. However, last July that’s just what she did through a connection with Tropical Harmony. Touring a different country each year, the 40-strong chorus is made up from Sweet Adelines who come from all over the United States and Canada with their director, Patsy Meiser. Jess decided to join the tour after meeting Patsy in the Summer of 2007 when Tropical Harmony toured Great Britain and Ireland. She said, “It was great fun. We sang ‘Three Coins in the Fountain’ at the Trevi fountain itself, and ‘Let There Be Peace’ in the Vatican Square
(the Pope appeared just afterwards!). Apart from Rome, we visited and sang in Assisi, Florence, Firenzuola, Galluzo,Venice and Pompeii.” Jess said there were many moving experiences during the tour. “The highlights for me included Pompeii, where Patsy seized the moment to direct us in the small amphitheatre with Vesuvius as a background; we were given permission to sing in the Basilica in Assisi – a very profound moment which moved many listeners to tears; and again in the Certosa monastery outside Galluzo, where The Name of the Rose was filmed.” “On the more rural side, we demonstrated we could hold our own with operatic tenors and sopranos who sometimes featured as after dinner entertainers. On one occasion, one such pair demonstrated their
belief that the louder the volume and the wider the vibrato the greater the performance. This aroused our competitive side, and, when they finished their programme, we sang back – Barbershop-style - con brio. The soloists were dumfounded, not being used to having their audiences retaliate. I even heard one of them say Mama mia!” Not all of the party were singers, in fact one of the great advantages of touring with Tropical Harmony is that relatives, friends and partners are all welcomed equally and enjoy the experiences. Jess is looking forward to the next Tropical Harmony tour in May 2009, in Holland and Germany. In 2010, Patsy is organising a tour to Spain and Portugal. For more details contact: www.tropicalharmony. com or patsymeiser@ embarqmail.com,
Finesse Fabulous Female Bass Singer required to join Successful, Ambitious
Tulips from Amsterdam If you’re able to make that tour next year, or would simply like to welcome the Netherlands to region 31 at our next convention, you might like to learn the words to Tulips from Amsterdam “In Dutch”. Ineke Kooistra of the Flying High Singers has kindly translated it into English phonetics!
Tulpen uit Amsterdam Als de lente komt dan stuur ik jou tulpen uit Amsterdam,
Als de lente komt pluk ik voor jou tulpen uit Amsterdam, Als ik wederkom dan breng ik jou tulpen uit Amsterdam. Duizend gele, duizend rooie, wensen jou het allermooiste, Wat m’n mond niet zeggen kan zeggen tulpen uit Amsterdam. Zeggen tulpen uit Amsterdam.
Lonely Parts Are you looking for a happy, fulfilling barbershop experience that lasts?
If so, you’ve come to the right place. If you’re interested in directing and can find a place in your heart for any of these choruses, please, get in touch soon!
Riverside Harmony Chorus They are sad to announce the departure of their much loved Musical Director and friend Sue Hughes who feels she can no longer continue directing the chorus due to other commitments. Therefore they are now looking for a new Musical Director. For more information and enquiries please email Kim at kimpotter@blueyonder.co.uk. T They all wish Sue the best for the future.
Champion Quartet ED
DIRECTOR WANTED Tynside Harmony close harmony chorus meet weekly at West Moor Community Centre, North Tyneside. The 50 ladies encourage you to call for further information if you can help with their search for a new director: A TOUCH OF TLC 0191 2362825
further details and an application form
MUSICAL DIRECTOR WANTED Help the Stockport Liberty Belles Chorus to achieve their aim to improve and reach goals. They are based in Stockport, Cheshire, very close to a motorway link and rehearse on Thursdays. If you are interested in working with them, please contact Marjorie Bellamy on 01625 877 703 or email: libertybelles_marj@yahoo.co.uk
ILL F N O I If you think SIT this could be you… O P Go to www.finessequartet.co.uk for
2004 LABBS Quartet Champions 2005 LABBS International Quartet Champions 2006 IABS International Ladies Quartet Champions
8 |harmony rag autumn 2008
Send your Lonely Part request to: Rose Paxman 69a Muskoka Drive, Sheffield S11 7RH Tel: 07768751262 Email: rosesings@gmail.com
Riverside Songbirds at Dove Farm Once an idea is planted in to the head of a barbershopper, it’s pretty difficult to remove it. So when Helen Waine, Riverside Harmony’s team co-ordinator, came up with the idea of a quartet
retreat, excitement started to boil The idea was for as many people as possible from the chorus, Riverside Harmony, to go to the countryside for the weekend and have some
fun singing in quartets. The group of nine hired three cottages at “Dove Farm” in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, which was ample space and they endeavour to take more people there next year.
The cottages also include a conference space, where the singers were able to rehearse. The ladies were glad they also had had the benefit of the karaoke machine brought by one member when the opportunity arose for them to appear on the local radio!
The group had a fantastic time rehearsing ‘Candle on the Water’ and ‘Get Happy’ on the Saturday before retuning to Ashbourne the following day to promote barbershop on the radio. They all recommended the idea as being a lot of fun and helping to develop their skills.
Above: The ‘Songbirds outside the Ashbourne Radio studios. Right: Singing in the studio at Radio Asbourne, Derbyshire.
Surrey Harmony to be pitched to BBC The International Convention stage won’t be the first mouthful of fame Surrey Harmony get to taste next year as French filmmaker Katryn Brooks sets them in her sights. In fact, the documentary writer will be spending a full 18 months with the chorus, joining them on their exciting journey to Nashville next year. Katryn first met the chorus through a member, Lorraine Thomas, who also sings with Hunky Dory. Excited by passion and dedication shown by the Sweet Adelines' members, Katryn said, “I am interested in getting to the bottom of what makes these ladies so passionate about their art. They are so close, I want to know what makes them tick. Where do they find their inspiration? Even when a house move forces them to another country they will seek out a new barbershop chorus
to join and continue singing with. That’s dedication.” The Documentary will cover Sweet Adelines as a whole and look at competitions, judging and International Convention through the eyes of some of Surrey Harmony’s new members as well as the more experienced ones. Katryn hopes viewers will be excited and inspired by the emotional stories behind the ladies of Surrey Harmony and that they will enjoy following Surrey’s journey to Nashville and the International Convention. The documentary is to be pitched to film festivals, the BBC and Channel 4 upon completion. Surrey Harmony also said a fond au revoir to their PR Guru and front row Goddess Sheena Kaighin this month. Sheena is off to Alaska for a few years, but will be heading straight for Alaska Sound Celebration Chorus so we expect to bump into her in Nashville! We hope she doesn’t get frostbite in her chorus shoes!
Wanted A Dynamic and Enthusiastic Musician to direct 50 strong ladies harmony chorus This established Close Harmony Chorus meets weekly at West Moor Community Centre, North Tyneside. For further information please call:
A TOUCH OF TLC 0191 2362825 harmony rag autumn 2008 | 9
Quartet of Nations Regional Newsletter
Your opinions do matter - Chorus Feedback 2008 Thank you to all choruses who took part in the Annual Regional Evaluation. This is a very useful tool for the RMT, as it provides areas where you feel we are doing well and areas where we could do better. We really need your feedback to help us make important decisions about the many different aspects of Region 31. If your chorus did not complete the Evaluation this time, please encourage them to do so in the future. Your opinions matter, but we can’t know what these are if you don’t let us know! Provided below are the main comments from each topic and answers from the RMT. If you wish to ask any questions, please feel free to contact any member of the RMT. Communications Comment – 1) Not all our members use the internet
and therefore would continue to need access to the Regional newsletter in the tradition way. 2) Our chorus tends to use more web based applications now. Answer – As you can see, these were two widely different comments about the same subject! The RMT continues to listen to the feedback about changing the method of delivering Harmony Rag and it is not our intention to exclude anyone from this extremely useful and interesting publication. However, the majority of opinion received is that we should publish it on line. This is the most cost effective method too, so that has to a consideration for the RMT also. As the Region has improved and grown the need to use larger convention halls, the need for first class education at workshop events,
etc., has also become essential. Everything comes at a price and the RMT continually looks for ways to save money and this is an example of how we can make a saving. We are endeavouring to cut costs while also using the most up to date methods to communicate with our members. After all, if it’s good enough for the Pitch Pipe, then it’s good enough for us and we did start it before them! Comment – Visits from RMT to a chorus say every other year would be good, maybe a visit to a combined board meeting/ music team to offer practical assistance. We could communicate what we feel we need from RMT in terms of education – and other bits – as face to face is much preferable to email and phone. Answer – A questionnaire was sent out to choruses not too long ago, asking if
Dordogne France House, sleeping 8, to let in Dordogne area. Has been visited by members. Located near Rocamadour, Gouffre de Padirac, Sarlat and other attractions. Pool, garden. £499 / week. Details, availability at www.gitevisit.com. Contact: rgmb55@yahoo.com or Tel: 01323 733786. 10 |harmony rag autumn 2008
they would like a visit from a member of the RMT, however we did not receive very many responses, only 5 in total. This year, we have focused our visits on those choruses who scored the least over the last couple of years, as we have felt this was where there was the greatest need. Also, the top scoring choruses have tended not to request an RMT visit, so we have respected their wishes. Of course there is a cost implication in this too as not all visits are funded by International, so we try to ensure we keep costs at a minimum when arranging these. For example we try not to send someone from Aberdeen to visit a chorus in Cornwall and vice versa. Please remember this is a two way process though and if you want an RMT member to visit your chorus, just contact anyone on the team and we will do our best to arrange it. Comment – It will not be possible for us to arrive in time for Director’s briefing at convention next year (I suspect we are not alone in this) – if not too technical to do, can this be videoed and then set up on a loop during the afternoon, perhaps near the registration desk? Answer – There are a couple of options here. The Director could possibly send a representative to the briefing, who could let her/him know what was said. Alternatively, though filming and streaming the briefing is technically possible, it is time consuming and reliant on several pieces of technology to be available and working, as well as time from people who have a great deal to prepare post the briefing. The simplest way to achieve this is for the Competition Coordinator’s briefing notes to be made available after the briefing for any late arriving chorus that requests it or Director for whom a written briefing is preferable. If any chorus
thinks they might need this, they should contact the Competition Coordinator closer to May. Comment – It might be helpful/useful to have email groups set up that relate to board members and/or directors, i.e. if a Treasurer has a question she can ask the group. Answer – Great idea! This is not something that needs the RMT to set it up. Why doesn’t the person who had the great idea do it, perhaps using Harmony Rag to advertise it?! Treasurers can always contact Eileen Milne, RMT Finance Coordinator, as she is in touch with most Treasurers in the region. Events Planning and Organisation Comment – A number of comments were made about the cost of travel and geographical difficulties being problems in attending Regional events. Answer – This continues to be an issue in a Region as large as ours and we continue to look for different ways of meeting the needs of the Region. For example, next year we are planning to hold 2 workshops to specifically help with this (venues yet to be decided, but one will be in England and one in Scotland). We received a number of good ideas in the responses too, which we will look at carefully. We would also welcome any suggestions for potential workshop and convention venues. Please bear in mind the venues would need to have sufficient local accommodation to support a large number. Please contact the Events Coordinator, Emma Riley, with your suggestions. Education Plan Comment – Not sure what is meant by Admin education. Answer – This can be about any aspect of chorus/quartet administration, from how to set goals, to how to market your chorus, to a
l Chorus feedback cont... how to attract younger members. Anything you feel you’d like help with really! Comment – Events involving the whole Region are great, but wonder if smaller events addressing pertinent aspects of music education relevant to choruses in their particular stage of development would be more use in the long run. Answer – The RMT discussed this very topic at our last meeting in August, as we are very aware of the danger of having a two tier Region. We are already trying to address this with specific help for lower scoring choruses. Also, the workshop in October with Ase Hagerman and Alba was specifically planned with smaller choruses in mind. (That’s not to say the education won’t be relevant for larger choruses and quartets too.) Again, there were a number of excellent suggestions in these comments for this topic, which we will look at when planning future events. Comment – Is there a list somewhere showing what educational materials the Region has? And how do we get hold of these? Answer - The best place for this is the Region 31 website. We try to put all handouts from previous workshops on this and there is a lot of other information there on a variety of topics. Membership Comment – Many choruses commented on how they’d successfully run ‘Learn to Sing’ courses and how this has helped increase their membership. The ‘Making Your Membership Numbers Rocket’ course was also very favourably mentioned. Regional Leaders Comment – Is it unreasonable for every chorus, large or small, to receive at least one visit from a Regional Faculty member for coaching
during the course of a year and maybe a biannual visit from an RMT member to a board meeting, to offer suggestions on a personal level to try to meet/assess individual chorus needs? Answer – The short answer to this is yes, it is unreasonable. We are now the second largest Region in the world and visiting every chorus in one year in now just not possible. Having said that, not all choruses want a visit see the comments in the Communications section. Apart from the cost implications, most of our Faculty and RMT also have full or part time jobs. They are also ALL volunteers and, although they wish for more days in the week and weeks in the year, they unfortunately have to fit their lives around the work they do for the Region! As previously mentioned, please remember this is a two way process and if your chorus would like a visit, contact anyone on the RMT to arrange this. Comment – It is sometimes difficult to get a response to a request/ advice from RMT. Answer – We were disappointed to read this comment and can only apologise if you have felt this way. If you have difficulty in obtaining a response, please feel free to contact anyone on the team who will chase this up for you. N.B. There was one comment which was aimed specifically at one member of the RMT and this has been addressed. Within the questionnaire there was also an opportunity for you to make suggestions about future events, what you’ve found most beneficial over the last year, what you believe to be the main concerns for the RMT and how the RMT can get more members involved in Regional leadership. Thank you for all of these. We will endeavour to take account of these in our future planning. Thank you again for all of your feedback, without which we cannot address your needs.
In Memory - Nellie Irvine It is with great affection and love that Coastline Harmony will remember one of their long standing members, Nellie Irvine. Nellie passed away on 26th September, aged 80. Nellie joined Coastline in 1985 as a Lead and was always full of fun with a smile for everyone, even when times were very difficult for her. She loved going to Convention and at our parties she delighted in
dressing up in the required theme. At her request the chorus were honoured to sing at her funeral one of her favourite songs ‘That’s What Friends Are For’.
The Buzz are coming... Two weekend workshops 17 - 19 July 2009 - England 24 -26 July - Scotland Look out for information updateS in the next issue of Harmony Rag and on the Region 31 website www.sweetadelines.org.uk
harmony rag autumn 2008 | 11
Quartet of Nations Regional Newsletter
Regional Faculty The Regional Faculty is our own group of trained coaches and educators. They can help in a variety of ways including chorus and quartet coaching, as well as management and administrative advice. Please feel free to contact them to see what they can do for you. Alternatively if you are unsure who to contact, your Education Coordinator, Valerie Taylor, can advise you on who would be best for you. Fees and expenses should be agreed with faculty members in advance. Anne Cargill Aberdeen Chorus Aberdeen – 01224 704627 acargill@lochside.fsbusiness.co.uk
Dorothy Main Aberdeen Chorus Aberdeen - 01224 782124 emmandee@tiscali.co.uk
Alyson Chaney Lace City Chorus Nottingham – 01636 814377 alysonchaney@yahoo.co.uk
Rebecca Middleton Coastline Harmony Chorus Fareham – 01329 2354491 becks2010@hotmail.com
Glenn Chaney Lace City Chorus Nottingham – 07960 112732 glennsings@yahoo.co.uk
Mike Taylor Spinnaker Chorus Southampton – 01489 600134 mike@singwell.me.uk
Elaine Hamilton Forth Valley Chorus Edinburgh – 0131 334 2372 elainemrssh@aol.com
Valerie Taylor Surrey Harmony Chorus Croydon – 020 8660 8037 Valerie.taylor@privacysolutions.co.uk
Dates for your Diary Regional Convention Dates 8th – 10th May 2009 Newcastle 7th – 9th May 2010 Newcastle
International Convention Dates 20 - 24 October 2009 Nashville, Tennessee
Barbershop in Harmony Marketing Workshop Saturday 4 April, Birmingham
European Convention 5 - 8 March 2009 Eindhoven, the Netherlands
Got a Show? Let us know the details and we will print it here. Swell those audiences for free!
Have you got a story for Harmony Rag? DEADLINE for the next issue 27 February 2009 Contact the Editor: Rose Paxman 69a Muskoka Drive, Sheffield S11 7RH Tel: 07768751262 Email: rosesings@gmail.com
Gwen Topp Aberdeen Chorus Aberdeen – 01224 575366 gmtopp@yahoo.co.uk Michelle Walker Lace City Chorus Nottingham – 0115 965 4524 shelbywalks@yahoo.co.uk
Regional Management Team 2008 – May 2009 Debbie Pern - Team Coordinator Aberdeen Chorus Tel: 01224 586430 admin@deesidegolfclub.com Tracy Bailey - Directors’ Coordinator Champagne Cornwall Chorus Tel: 01726 63937 allthebaileys@aol.com Eileen Milne - Finance Coordinator Aberdeen Chorus Tel: 01224 742453 ge@cromar26.demon.co.uk Valerie Taylor - Education Coordinator Surrey Harmonye Tel: 020 8660 8037 valerie.taylor@privacysolutions.co.uk Emma Riley - Events Coordinator Surrey Harmony Tel: 07771 562962 emma.riley@reedelsevier.com Deborah Lamble - Membership Coordinator Spinnaker Chorus Tel: 01202 487287 deborah@lamble.plus.com Alison Page - Communications Coordinator Prospective Rhapsody UK Chorus Tel: 01733 242937 alison_page@btinternet.com Marketing Coordinator Position Filled from May 2009
12 |harmony rag autumn 2008