Harmony Rag 2011 Autumn Edition

Region 31 Quartet of Nations, Sweet Adelines International

Autumn 2011 | Issue 3

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY AND WELCOME International Convention October 18 – 22, 2011, Houston, TX October 30 – November 3, 2012, Denver, CO November 5 – 9, 2013, Honolulu, HI

Regional Convention Dates May 11 – 13 2012, Birmingham I n t e r n a t i o n a l

Region 31 Quartet of Nations,

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Spring 2011 | Issue 1

Regional Education Dates “In the Spotlight” Directors, Assistant Directors and Music Team members Education, with Lori Lyford 7th January 2012, Q3 Academy, Birmingham REGISTRATION OPEN

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LABBS and BABS Dates http://www.labbs.org.uk/calendar/ http://www.singbarbershop.com/diary.htm

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Regional Satellite Education, September 15 and 22, 2012 (Venues TBC) Education weekend with Coastline Show Chorus, July 26 – 28, 2013 (Venue TBC)

LABBS Convention October 21 – 23, 2011, Harrogate

European Convention Dates March 14 – 17, 2013, Eindhoven, Amsterdam

BABS Convention May 25 – 27, 2012, Southport

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BABS Harmony College August 24 – 26, 2012, Venue TBC

@SAIRegion31

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Finesse – 2011 Region 31

Champion Quartet

International Education Event AHA 2012 July 19 – 22, 2012, Chapman University, Orange, CA REGISTRATION OPENS JANUARY 2012 Discover your AHA moments in a variety of tracks ranging from vocal skills, visual skills, leadership skills, performance skills and so much more. A literal virtuoso of well-known faculty will be on hand to enlighten, motivate and inspire you. Keep an eye out for more information.

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Summer 2011 | Issue 2

Region 31 Quartet of Nation

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Autumn 2011 | Issue 3

WELCOME Hi everyone, I hope you have all had a fantastic summer – I saw the below “joke” on Facebook and it did make me laugh. A pretty true reflection on our British Summer unfortunately. I hope our friends in the Netherlands haven’t had the same bad luck!

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I am so pleased to be able share Issue 3 of the new look Harmony Rag with you – I guess it’s not so new anymore but are you all enjoying it? Please do send me any feedback (good and not so good always welcome!) as well as any fun stories you have to tell. My goal is to make this magazine as educational as possible so that you can learn from other choruses and quartets in the region – I love the fact that everyone in this organisation is so willing to share! Write to me at: harmonyrag@sweetadelines.org.uk Look forward to hearing from you!

Emma Duguid Region 31 Marketing Coordinator, Vocal Dimension Chorus

NEWS AND VIEWS FROM REGION 31, AUTUMN 2011

It’s worth a shot!

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We also support chorus quartets by coaching them when we can. Eu4ia (or members of it!) have coached Toneacity, Miss Demeanour, Echo, Wicked and Capella. As coaches we do charge (a small amount!) but not our ‘chorus’ quartets as we believe it’s important to support the groups in our chorus. We do work with other Region 31 quartets and choruses and Sandra coached the current silver medallists Storm.

What does the chorus get from it?

They will get members with: - better singing technique (you ‘learn’ in quartet because it’s ‘just you’ doing your part and the coaching is more personal so you develop your singing skills) - better performance skills - you realise how much you need to do to get across the footlights, - more confidence - if you have ‘done it’ on stage in a 4 then you can almost ‘enjoy’ chorus more because you feel confident as part of a group The chorus also gets the camaraderie of supporting ‘one of our own’ in their contests or other events and feeling proud of their achievements. A number of chorus members had a great night with Capella at a local music festival and we were all very proud of Sarah’s Sweet Adelines bronze and then LABBS gold medal with Miss Demeanour and Echo’s bronze medal in their first time out this year. We’ve also enjoyed some good parties at our quartet fundraisers.

So all in all I think it makes us better singers and performers which is better for the chorus and we also want other people to share in the thrill of singing in quartet BUT if you don’t want to do it that’s also fine! We are in a chorus because we have people that want to sing in a group and what makes a chorus is the variety of people.

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in quartet (because you have no-one else to rely on) was much greater and in Eu4ia we have been s a quartet singer myself lucky enough to have some help I know how much I learnt from some great coaches. just being in a quartet. My Within Heartbeat, we first quartet weren’t very good (we currently have a variety of quartets competed in LABBS but didn’t Eu4ia obviously, Sarah come from Miss Demeanour, Emma and Claire from Echo, Wicked a novice quartet and some others that have ‘had a go’ from quartet nights.

We also have an ensemble group called Capella (7 ladies) who benefit from being in a smaller group. Kate (tenor in Eu4ia) has run a couple of social quartet nights round a chorus member’s house - where people come along either to listen or try quartet - in their part or even a different part.

It’s very friendly and unpressurised attle, 2010 Se in (you don’t sing in ng ti pe et after com Eu4ia Quart anywhere) - front of anyone unless you want to we had a little bit of coaching but - it’s just singing in your group with were a bit scared to ask people to a bit of help if you want it). I told help us and worked a lot of it out one of our Leads that she should try ourselves. I realised the joy that quartetting when I heard her ‘doing could come from it - we competed a turn’ at our retreat and she put an at Hull Music Festival and didn’t advert on Facebook which ended win but a couple of ladies from the up with her having a whole night audience came and told us how of quartetting at her house and much they loved our performance. forming a new quartet. We also I also realised how much I was tried it on a chorus night for the forced to learn simply by being in first time a few weeks ago (those that position of a quartet singer and that didn’t want to do it went into having no-one else to rely on. Over another room to do some ‘small the next 8 years I was in this quartet, group’ work with me) - Sandra (bass then another one and each time of Eu4ia) did rotating quartets learnt more (my next quartet came singing Saints Go Marching and we 4th in LABBS) until eventually (in had some brave ladies who sang for 2000) I joined Eu4ia and had learnt everyone at the end and also some enough to get my first medal. interesting revelations when people I learnt a lot from my choruses, of sang different parts and how good course, but the speed of learning their voices were in new parts!

Submitted by Nancy Kelsall, Lead of Eu4ia and Director of Heartbeat Chorus 3

NEWS AND VIEWS FROM REGION 31, AUTUMN 2011

Mac4 on the Fringe…

MacFringe!

SOUND BITES, PURE INNOCENCE, BREAKTHROUGH and UPBEAT as well as current medallists STORM and FORTUITY. Other competing Lace City quartets over the years include BLUSH!, FLIRTY SOMETHING, t all started as it often does. “I’ve ELIXIR, JUST THEM, CHANTILLY, got this friend ...” says MacTenor ETERNITY, FILIGREE, STAGEFRIGHT, one night at rehearsal. Six weeks TOPAZ and the DOYLEY BIRDS. later, there we all are, looking Shortly after Convention in May glam and experienced quartet member (SOUND BITES and STORM) Alyson Chaney announced that she would be starting a Quartet Club aimed at all those who had always wanted to try quartetting but had always felt daunted by the prospect unless fortified by several glasses of wine at a chorus afterglow! The ground rules would be simple : to create a non-threatening environment Mac4 Q where all those who wanted to uartet try their hand at singing in a small group – not necessarily a quartet ready to open the would be encouraged. It would be show of one of the free comedy open to all members of the chorus events during the Edinburgh fringe who wanted to have a go. The club festival. Yes, we had finally made Submitted by Mac4 Quartet, of Forth would meet once a month and it onto a festival flyer, in a festival Valley Chorus would learn straightforward songs venue and we soon got into the ideal for trying out in a small group festival mood. situation.

A la Jonathan Ross we were In the meantime Alyson contacted the Four ladies and the Pitch – Lorraine Rochefort who is well that’s pitch! Opening up the known to many of you as a coach show then singing different acts and arranger. Lorraine offered to onto the stage during a one hour supply some suitable music and comedy performance. It was a uartet singing has been tags and gladly accepted to become great experience for us. Turning a very important part of the patron of the quartet club. (We ourselves out of the workplace the Lace City Chorus’s are hoping that she may visit us and family tea-times six nights development and has always been in 2012!) The stage was set – now in a row became a finely tuned encouraged and promoted by to recruit some willing quartetters routine. Using microphones for from the chorus and send out some amplification purposes rather than teach tracks for the first song, Elvis using microphones for contest CD Presley’s “Loving You”, arranged by purposes. That was really good Lorraine. fun! Handling unpredictable Alyson was amazed at the first situations with the comedians and club night’s turn out of over 30 the microphones. Well, that was singers, with (happily) a fairly pretty good fun too. And enjoying equal representation from each the camaraderie between all the section. The evening began performers and sound crew. That with some quartet warm-ups, a was great!

Helen, Rachel, Morgaine and Kate having fun! couple of simple tags and then We were supported, as ever, by singers were invited, cajoled our long-suffering families willing to Lace City’s director, Glenn Chaney. and encouraged to get into have dinner at 4.30 in the afternoon, Some of you may remember past Lace City quartet medallists like small groups to sing the entire by our partners who valiantly

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turned out to “mind us” and sell CDs, and as ever by our friends in Forth Valley Chorus who turned up on different nights to “enjoy” an eclectic mix of comedy themes!

At the end of all this you would expect us to have at least a few good one-liners to entertain you with. Not the case! But to avoid disappointing you here is what was voted the top three jokes of this year’s fringe comedy performances “Doctor, doctor, I can’t say my Fs and Ts” “Well, you can’t say fairer than that” I had to choose a password with eight characters. I chose Snow White and the Seven Dwarves Crime in multi-storey carparks. It’s just wrong at so many levels.

Keep laughing. It’s good for us singers.

Quartet Promotion at Lace City Chorus

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spotted the below article on the Yahoo SING list not too long ago and thought it was pretty useful… as usually this is the time of year that we are thinking about new costumes for next year’s contest!

This article was one from the Summer Pitch Pipe in 2007 called “Costumes and Change” Here are tips for the “unit” look even if the costumes are different.

Visual balance and proper fit is the secret to success!

Fit: First and foremost for ANY costume.it must FIT properly! When the costume chairman is measuring folks she should have them wear their “all in one” and then make them laugh and while they are laughing, measure quickly before they can “suck it in” again!

Our public audiences view us as we truly look, not as we would like to look.

We must stop trying to kid ourselves. Costumes are not fit like normal clothing. We need

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“ 2 hours of vocal coaching, confidence giving and thorough enjoyment” Sandra Middleton (lead)

Who needs Gok Wan?!

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“Great night, great friends …….

The quartet club gives you the confidence to sing in front of others – a real fun night!”

Karen Norton (tenor)

Submitted by Alyson Chaney, of Lace City Chorus

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“Fun, friendly way to develop my confidence and development as a singer. Helped by encouraging support” Carole Bowman (bari)

“I love singing quartet but haven’t got the confidence to sing in public so singing with others who feel like I do is fantastic” Jayne Armstrong (lead) If you’d like to find out more in terms of organisation and session planning please contact Alyson Chaney on alysonchaney@yahoo. co.uk

to breathe and move and have the costume return to its original position without tugging on it.

Sleeveless tops or short length bottoms should be worn only if they are truly attractive on the individual or the entire group. Properly fit costumes, however, can make a design that is uncomplimentary to some members, acceptable for a chorus unit appearance.

Sleeveless tops for a chorus should always be avoided.

Costumes must compliment the entire quartet; three doesn’t count!

We can see you!

Color: Each color, including white and especially black can vary greatly and will be apparent under stage lights. This does not mean all costumes must be made of the same fabric but they must give the same appearance. Viewing fabrics in bright sunlight is a great way to detect a good match. Dye lots must match if using the same fabric.

If you choose a color theme or pattern, the color intensity of the hue must be the same. You could use all pastels, all primary colors or an equal balance of both. If you choose one outstanding color of a different intensity or pattern, it also needs to be balanced throughout the group.

Patterned or designed fabrics should be large enough to be detected from a distance or they will look solid. A large print or plaid becomes more distinct from a distance and should therefore be matched or aligned with all other costumes unless you are going for the varied “different” appearance.

Texture: Textures of like colored fabrics can look very different on stage. Velvet and cotton look very different and if used within the same unit, must be evenly placed or distributed throughout the group. Using

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“Great confidence booster in a safe non-judgmental environment.

Contributes to higher achievement of chorus” Sue Wheeldon (tenor)

“GREAT = G ~ Gives, R ~ real, E~encouragement, A~all, T, terrific!”

Penny Hay (bass)

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tag or even just a bit of the tag.

Remember the club is aimed at singers who had never quartetted in a sober state (!) so even a whole tag was pretty daunting.

The new song was sung with great gusto by the entire group and then bit by bit, octets and yes, quartets emerged from the group willing to have a go. Each attempt was met with rapturous applause and encouragement from the rest of the group and the supportive atmosphere helped even VERY reluctant singers to give it a whirl, knowing that they were among friends.

Since then the group has gone from strength to strength with quartet volunteers now champing at the bit to sing not just a tag but in many cases a whole song.

Success indeed!

The group is now enjoying a second song and many more tags, secure in the knowledge that their considerable efforts are being rewarded. Indeed let’s hear from the members who have experienced the quartet club at first hand…

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different textured fabrics of either the same or different color can add interest and impact to costumes.

Sequins or sparkling, shiny fabric can be considered a different texture and must be balanced on each costume or within each group of performers. Example: Our white with silver costumes were not silver with white. There is a difference.

Too much silver or sequin or flash would detract from the overall visual balance.

Style: Decide on the visual effect you want: formal, casual, sporty or character. The style selections must vary within your chosen theme and be placed strategically within the group for balance of the overall picture. Wearing different tops with bottoms that are the same is not as visually effective as total diversity. Encourage variety with tops and bottoms: skirts, long, short, full, handkerchief, angled, fringed, ruffled or tea length, slacks, shorts, slim pants, wide pants, etc. Tops can be long-sleeved, short-sleeved, halter, strapless, angled or sheer.

The variety and difference within your theme makes it interesting and gives a great final effect!

Today’s Sweet Adelines are looking for the modern up-to-date appearance, however, a costume is a costume and should be designed to highlight the personality and style of the performer and the visual impact they are trying to achieve.

Costumes that are exactly alike make a very strong picture and are very effective with well-planned choreography. “Different” costumes can add spice and interest and create a total mesmerizing unit look. It’s great to have choices, but keep in mind that the purpose of a costume is to complete and enhance a well-produced performance!

Submitted by Emma Duguid, Region 31 Marketing Coordinator and Vocal Dimension Chorus. From Summer Pitch Pipe 2007 “Costumes and Change” 6

NEW Director for Flying High Singers

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lying High Singers has bid a farewell to their Musical Director, Stuart Sides, and is looking back on the time he

Wil Saenen

directed us with appreciation. Flying High are very pleased to announce that her new Director will be Wil Saenen, and is looking forward to a successful collaboration and a beautiful musical future.

Do you know where to start?

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re you interested in arranging but don’t know where to start? Then read on ...

Do you have a good knowledge of music theory but struggle to translate that into the barbershop style?

Would you like to know how to use the “circle of fifths”?

Lorraine Rochefort, Certified Music arranger, is visiting the UK in January 2012 and has offered to run a one day workshop for anybody

interested in arranging music in the barbershop style.

This is real back to basics stuff i.e. how do you actually get started?

Chord choice, circle of fifths etc.

We will take a piece of music and work through as much of it as possible together as time will allow.

There will be no such thing as a “stupid question”!

Venue: West Sussex / South Hampshire (depending on the home locations of those interested) Date: Sunday 29th January 2012 Cost: Difficult question until I have an idea of the number of participants!

Costs will be c. £350 divided by the number of people attending (actual costs only. This is not a profit making venture!)

Please register your interest by e-mailing Debbie Hopkinson, Director of Coastline Harmony, at d.hopkinson3@ntlworld.com.

There is no commitment until we know the number of people interested and I can confirm the price – don’t miss out!

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Judges Jukebox

ver wanted to know the answer to a comment you have had on your competition score sheets? A regular feature of the Harmony Rag is the Judge Jukebox – send your question in to harmonyrag@sweetadelines. org.uk and we’ll have it answered and played back to you in the next edition! In this edition, we’re not exactly answering a question, but Valerie Taylor, Approved Candidate Judge (Sound) has shared a great article that she wrote on how to find your starting note of a song very useful. Thanks Valerie! : The thing I always have trouble with is working out which note to start songs on. I’ve never been taught this so when the pitch pipe goes I really

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Submitted by Valerie Taylor, Approved Candidate Judge (Sound) and Director of Vocal Dimension Chorus

Miss-D search for a Tenor!

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hen Miss-D formed back in 2008, never did we envisage what a fantastic journey we would end up on over three years. We have been so lucky to achieve the successes that we have had and meet and work with some fantastic, inspirational people.

However, in 2008 never did we think what would happen when one of us needed to go off and pursue other adventures. Sarah Foster was only 16 when the quartet formed and University seemed like a lifetime away but inevitably, time flies when you’re having fun (or doing lots of revision!).

So here we are in 2011 with Sarah on the verge of undertaking that adventure, with 6 months in Dardilly, France and then moving onto Bremen, Germany for another 6 – as part of her languages degree.

So what happens next when you still have a fire in your quartet belly to continue the journey and successes?

Back in June we set about looking for another tenor to be as big a part of the quartet as Sarah has been and astonishingly we had such a great response that we ended up having to schedule in two daysworth of auditions to be able to

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tune up note on the fifth note of the scale.

Music is a language just like French or Spanish, and we all need to know enough about our language to get the most out of making music. Learning to read the key of a song and understanding which note is which will make your barbershop experience even more rewarding!

Number of sharps - #

Number of flats - b

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The first thing is to know it’s in E flat! You need to look at the key signature, which is the collection of sharps (#) or flats (b) which appear on the left hand side of the music.

Three b signs tells you it’s in E flat (see below). Then you need to know which note you start on. Each set of 5 lines is called a stave. If you sing the tenor part, you are on a G (second line up on the top stave),

KEYS Key

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don’t know how so you would be I’m supposed to singing three notes find my note! It’s up from the note fine with songs that is blown - a that I know well, typical tenor tune but with the newer up note on the ones it’s difficult. third note in the : Finding scale. If you are a your note lead you are on a at the start D (just under the of a song without bottom line), so any help from your you need to sing director can be one note (a half tricky! It requires step or semi-tone) some knowledge down from the of the key the song Eb. You will see is in and where you that you move are in relation to immediately up the key note. For to the Eb, which is example, if a song the key note.

Valerie Taylor is written in E flat, If you sing the pitch that is blown will be an bass, you are on an Eb (the note E flat. To find your start note from is written on a little line, called a there, you need to figure out which ledger line, underneath the bottom note in the scale you are singing. stave), so you are singing the key The scale for Eb would be Eb, F, G, note, an octave lower from the note Ab, Bb, C, D, Eb. that is blown. If you sing bari, you Most of us know the song “That’s are on a Bb (second line up on the What Friends Are For”, which is in bottom stave), which is 5 notes up E flat. from the key note - a typical bari

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see all of the incredibly talented women that wanted to come and have a sing with us. And although it was one of the most challenging projects we’ve ever undertaken, we had so much fun just meeting people and singing with such a great bunch of girls.

However, we are massively pleased to announce that the new Tenor for Miss-Demeanour is Kim Potter!

Kim sings with Sweet Adelines Region 31 chorus Milltown Sound,

want to wish her loads of luck, love Kim is also the Tenor section leader and fun on her big adventure and for the IVY League as well as within hope that she brings us back some her chorus. souvenirs… We love you tonnes We are so excited to have her and will see you in October. Sarah on board and can’t wait to start will be back with us for LABBS rehearsing towards a new chapter convention when we retire as in the Miss-D story. Unfortunately champions and pass on the gold (for us) Kim won’t be able to join baton! us at this year’s LABBS convention I’m sure you’ll join us in saying as she’ll be in Houston, Texas with “bon voyage et bon chance” to our her fantastic chorus competing in beautiful Fosterface and a massive the Harmony Classic contest. But big “How do” to Kim. needless to say that we’ll want to Long live Miss-Demeanour! See show her off as soon as possible you all soon. and can’t wait to sing for you.

Sarah, Sooze, Amelia, Sarah and Kim. x We’d like to thank Helen, Beth, Tanya and Nicky of Finesse for giving Submitted by Amelia Charnock, Baritone of Miss Demeanour Quartet us some great advice to start off the process, as well as Jo Braham, Sandra Lea-Riley , Emma Shanks (Echo and Heartbeat Chorus) and Cath and John Gregory (Amelia’s parents) who all played massive parts in the process of finding Kim. We really couldn’t have done it ow! What an incredible without all your support and talent year we’ve had at (and tea making skills).

Milltown Sound. In But of course, we can’t finish this story without say how much we are May 2010 we took to the stage for our very first Sweet Adeline’s going to miss Sarah. She has been Region 31 competition and after a such a huge part of what we’ve lot of hard work and preparation done so far (we literally couldn’t we were hoping to score around have done it without her!) and she has not just been our quartet tenor 400 points. Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine we could but our friend and sister too. We achieve first place in the small chorus category. We went in to experience the thrill of competing with all our fellow Region 31 pals and with a whopping 562 points, we won! As if the weekend hadn’t brought enough excitement, we then discovered we’d qualified to compete in the small chorus Harmony Classic contest 2011 in Houston, Texas. We still can’t believe it! When we found out that this is only offered to the top 5 small choruses in the world, well you can imagine how honoured we feel, and to top that we are the first ever UK small chorus to qualify! We really can’t wait to represent our region and the UK in the Harmony Classic.

Houston we have Harmony!

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who were the 2010 small chorus champions. Kim hails from Golborne near Wigan, so she’s a local Northern girl (drinks pints, sings karaoke, like pies) so she’s right up our street! She has been singing barbershop since the ripe old age of 16 so already has some great experience under her belt –

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feedback and support of our fellow singers was overwhelming.

We have also recorded our own album in the studio of a local radio station and were asked to create a jingle for the radio’s breakfast show. More recently, we appeared on the entertainment section of ITV’s Granada Reports, who want to follow our journey to the states. Form an orderly queue for autographs! Ahem.

As we all know in Barbershop land, we have plenty of fun singouts and lots of socialising but when we decide to compete we have to get focused for the hard work ahead, and work we do! This year we have had a weekend of coaching from the lovely Lynda Keever (Lead of the Four Bettys) and another

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After winning the gold medal in Newcastle in 2010, our director Dian sadly had to move back to the states. Fortunately, we found our new director Jen Carson-Fox (Tenor in Tone-acity Quartet) fairly quickly and set our sights on new goals and always trying to better ourselves, we entered the Southport Music Festival in September 2010. To our great delight, we won the barbershop category and ended the year on another high.

After our wonderful success at the Sweet Adelines Region 31 contest, we were invited to sing at the Region 31 educational weekend in Telford. That was so much fun and gave us the opportunity to show our region what this small but mighty chorus can do. The

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full weekend of coaching from our other American coach Linda Liddicoatt, who specialises in small choruses and has taken many to gold medal achievements. We have also had regular coaching from the wonderful Lesley (Jen’s Mum) and Jen herself with our music team, management team and the members who are all so committed.

Being a member with all these ladies is truly inspirational.

With our trip to Houston in near sight we’ve been doing lots of singouts and plenty of fundraisers too including car boot sales, quiz nights, acoustic nights, bag packing days at the local supermarket, you name it we’ve done it! With the trip only weeks away the race is still on to reach our target so if you’re feeling generous then please do visit our website and donate, we’d be eternally grateful.

For those who’d like to watch us on the webcast, we’ll be singing on Tuesday 18th October at roughly 12:56am UK time (so, early Wednesday morning!). We have a great show package lined up for the international stage, but of course it’s remaining a secret as we want to make it a nice surprise for everyone watching and supporting us. So we’ll keep those plans to ourselves, at least for the moment.

Finally we would like to thank all our friends in the States and so many at home here in the UK and the Netherlands from whom we’ve had constant encouragement and good wishes. Region 31 is going to take America by storm this year with a representative in almost every contest, we are so excited!

It’s been a whirlwind of a year, but possibly the best year of our lives!

Long may this wonderful journey continue. Good luck to all of the Region 31 competitiors; Finesse, Lace City and Surrey Harmony – we’ll be cheering!

Houston here we come!!!

Submitted by Stephanie Hepburn, member of Milltown Sound Chorus 9

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REGION 31 EDUCATION – EXCITEMENT DOESN’T EVEN DESCRIBE IT!

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am very excited to share some Education news with you – there is a lot going on! Firstly however, I have some news from International that I wanted to share.

You know I mentioned there may be a Queens College in 2012 and I was working hard to try and make it happen? Well, unfortunately it has not been possible to arrange this for 2012, as the Coronet Club budget would not allow for the costs involved. I have, however, asked them to consider us for the next round of Colleges in the future. I have also requested they contact us earlier in the process, so that we can work together to maximise cost saving opportunities, e.g. booking venues earlier and thereby getting a better rate. Earlier collaboration would also allow us to consider potential part funding from the Region. We work about 3 years in advance with our Regional budgeting, so earlier contact would provide us with the opportunity to factor this into our education budget and plans.

I’m really sorry it has not been possible to make this happen for next year. I’m sure, like me, many of you will be very disappointed. You may still see the event advertised on the Coronet Club web site, but please ignore it. I have asked them to remove it to prevent any confusion, but it may take a little while for the site to be updated.

Having said all that, all is not lost and we do have the Satellite workshops to look forward to in September – these workshops are going to be called ‘Ignite’. Given the costs of travel and accommodation we are bringing fabulous education to your doorstep (or very close!) and will be organising one day power workshops to fire up your vocal skills! These workshops will

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be for one day only, so no overnight stays required (unless you want to of course!) – we will be picking venues

so that they are as convenient as possible as all the choruses in your area workshop. The cost of the

workshops will be minimal, hopefully £20 or less per member. You will be able to bring your own packed lunch, to keep costs down.

All the International Faculty for these 6 events have now been confirmed (see biographies overleaf!) and we are now in the next stages of planning these events across the Region for September 2012 - watch this space! Details will be coming out as and when we can, but in the meantime, please put these dates in your diaries!

Where and When?

Who?

Ignite Scotland — Saturday 15th Sept

City of Roses Aberdeen

Hillfoot Harmony Forth Valley

Ignite Central — Saturday 15th Sept

DaleDiva Lincoln Sounds Lace City

Rhapsody UK Cambridge Harmony Phoenix

Ignite South East — Saturday 15th Sept

London City Viva Acappella Surrey Harmony

Coastline Harmony Spinnaker Solent Sounds Vocal Dimension

Ignite South West — Saturday 15th Sept

Apple County Somerset Hills

Mayflowers Plymouth Champagne Cornwall Dres Kernow

Ignite North West — Saturday 22nd Sept

Milltown Sound Cheshire A Cappella

Heartbeat Sheffield Harmony Liberty Belles

Ignite Netherlands — Saturday 22nd Sept

New Land Singers

Flying High Singers

NEWS AND VIEWS FROM REGION 31, AUTUMN 2011

INTERNATIONAL FACULTY FOR IGNITE WORKSHOPS

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Vickie Dennis, Master Director of the Houston Horizon Chorus, Region 10 Vickie is a dynamic and highly talented musical leader who uses her unique and positive style of teaching, coaching, and managing skills toward the enhancement of the barbershop style of music. Vickie received her Bachelors of Music Degree from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas in 1995. She taught junior high choir for many years but now devotes her teaching and directing skills to barbershop ensembles. Vickie has been a member of Sweet Adelines since 1975 and has been actively involved in the organization. She is currently the Great Gulf Coast Region 10 Education Coordinator. In November 2002, Vickie earned the title of Master Director. But she is quick to add that she could not have become a Master Director without the “Master Singers” in Houston Horizon! For years she has coached quartets and choruses in both Sweet Adelines and the Barbershop Harmony Society. Vickie loves singing in a quartet. She sang bass with the International finalist quartet, SoundTrax, and is currently singing lead with Oasis, Region 10’s Quartet Champions for the past three years (see picture). In 2010, Vickie also became the director of the Houston Tidelanders Chorus of the Barbershop Harmony Society. Vickie is the wife of Larry, a member of the Tidelanders, and the proud grandmother of Hunter and Hali Bayless . Vickie loves sharing the knowledge she has gained from coaches, teachers, and friends from the Sweet Adeline organization as well as from other educational experiences.

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Gail Jencik, Master Director of Coastline Show Chorus, Region 1 In 1997, after more than 20 years as a Sweet Adeline, Gail stepped down off the risers to become the director of Coastline Show Chorus. In her years as director, Coastline has grown from 30 members to over 100 members and the chorus has won five first-place medals in the North Atlantic Region as well as four top-ten International medals. A native New Yorker, Gail travels the world as a visual, musical and vocal coach for individual and ensemble singers and performers. Creativity, rhythm, and dance along with vocal production and conducting skills are her areas of expertise. As a member of the International Faculty of Sweet Adelines, International her coaching credits include more than a dozen gold medallist choruses and quartets in Sweet Adelines International, The Barbershop Harmony Society, and Harmony, Inc. Gail and her husband Mike Maino reside at the Music Mansion in Providence, R.I.

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Åse Hagerman, Master Director of Alba Show Chorus, Region 32 Åse is a professional voice teacher. She currently directs Alba Show Chorus in Sweden - the winner of Harmony Classics, US in 2007 and now in the line-up for Houston Harmony Classics in October 2011. She is a Master Director and has been on the International Faculty since the early 90’s. Åse has been in Great Britain many times for coaching and teaching and she loves the British humour and generosity. For many years she has travelled around the world coaching small, medium and large choruses. Her passion for vocal production is huge and she always combines the vocal tools with energy, expression and rhythm. For all of the 10 years that IES took place, Åse was on the Faculty at that event. Her teaching is a combination of kinaesthetic/visual, which means that you will be able to take home physical exercises and vocal visualizations to use in your daily voice-training.

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NEWS AND VIEWS FROM REGION 31, AUTUMN 2011 Darlene Rogers, Master Director of Texas Harmony Chorus, Region 25 At home in Texas Darlene has a job as a church musician and a private voice studio. It is hard to find a day when she is not surrounded by music. And that’s exactly how she likes it - she is the Master Director of Texas Harmony Chorus, does PVIs and coaches Richtone Chorus on a regular basis, travels almost every weekend teaching vocal skills to fellow Sweet Adelines. She is a Certified International Faculty member and relishes each opportunity to teach or coach. She works with both choruses and quartets at all levels of expertise. At this time Darlene is co-chairing the ACappella Harmony Academy (the next international education event for general membership) with Kathy Carmody to be held in July 2012. It’s going to be an exciting time!

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Mo Field, Master Director of Stockholm City Voices, Region 32 Mo is a Vocal Performance Coach and has a strong history of music in her roots. From a very early age she has been involved in various choirs, musicals and orchestral groups. She is also a successful singer/songwriter, (her catalogue currently held by EMI in New York) with an acclaimed self-titled album.

Mo has sung in several successful quartets and vocal jazz groups and ensembles; has gleaned great experience in several choral situations, from section director, to assistant director, to Master Director - achieved in 2008, while winning the SA International Harmony Classic Division A title with the renowned Stockholm City Voices - a womens’ SAI chorus from Stockholm, Sweden. Under Mo’s direction, Stockholm City Voices recently “wowed the crowd” at the 2010 Sweet Adeline International Convention, claiming not only the Harmony Achievement Award, but also becoming the 7th Place International Medalist Chorus - with only 38 voices on stage! A first in the Sweet Adeline world.

As a sought after arranger, her charts can be heard as sung by many quartets, (including Queens of Harmony) and choruses (including International finalists) As a coach, she has a strong grasp of the four judging categories, and thrives in motivating musicians to reach for a well-rounded education in the barbershop craft - always striving with curiosity for their next greatest potential, and to perform as honest performers - drawing out the most artistic, interesting, innovative and clean, full sounding product possible!

Mo coaches choruses large and small, for she believes that everyone has “A” level moments, it’s all about capturing them, and helping them multiply - regardless of chorus size or level.

Currently, she absolutely enjoys and is honoured to be coaching and teaching at music seminars, schools, symposiums and workshops in the US, Sweden, Finland, Canada, Germany, England, Australia and New Zealand.

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Enjoy music from the root of your soul! Work for it, and watch it soar!

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And finally… RMT funding is available for YOU! Choose your own Education for YOUR chorus in 2011 - then tell everyone about it!

Have you claimed £250 from the Region yet? If not, make sure you do – timing is running out! Funds will be available from 01/01/11 until 31/12/11. Claims cannot be 12

made for coaching in any year other than 2011. Please note 31/12/11 is the final date for claims to be submitted. If you should choose to use this funding to cover more than one visit from a coach, then you should wait and submit one claim only, after their final visit, providing that is in 2011.

Any questions about Regional Education, then don’t hesitate to contact me at elainemrssh@aol.com In harmony, Elaine Hamilton Region 31 Education Coordinator Forth Valley Chorus and Mac4 Quartet

SATURDAY 7th JANUARY 2012, 9.30am-­‐9.30pm AT THE Q3 ACADEMY, BIRMINGHAM

In the Spotlight!

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NEWS AND VIEWS FROM REGION 31, AUTUMN 2011

One small step for a chorus… one giant leap for fundraising!

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hen word came through that Surrey Harmony had a second Wildcard to attend International, our excitement at the thought of performing in Houston was dampened by the question of how, in the current economic climate, we were going to pay for it all?

The flights alone were expected to cost around £40,000 with another £10,000 needed for registration costs and hire of rehearsal space.

Our decision to attend needed the backing of the whole chorus if we were going to make it across the pond. Fundraising began with a flourish, spearheaded by our fundraising representative; Jean Dack, we have had Fashion Shows, an Easter Egg Raffle, Quiz night,

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Submitted by Julia Abbott, PRO of Surrey Harmony Chorus.

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Pamper Days, many singouts and even more raffles. Our Easyfundraising link swells our coffers on a quarterly basis and is a must for all choruses (don’t forget to

mention us when you sign up!).

No stone has been left unturned in our quest to get to Houston, with weekly egg sales, our 400 Club and Waitrose Community Matters Scheme all adding to the funds. A cheer goes up, every time we raise enough for another seat on that plane, our mantra has definitely been “Every little helps”.

So we are nearly there and with the hard work nearly done, the excitement is beginning to build.

Ceejay Seaman, Bass with Hunky Dory sums it up for us. “This is my first International and I cannot wait to sing in front of thousands.

I am really looking forward to it, bright lights, big city, false eyelashes, bright pink top; bring it all on, let’s ring those chords! Like a child excited about a birthday or Christmas; I’m counting down, but instead of the number of “sleeps” until the big day, I’m counting down in ‘paydays’! Only two left!

Still to do: get visa waiver (kind of important!), travel insurance (relatively important), (purchase currency for food and keep (very important), fine-tune moves and breaths (….!!!)”.

And with just a few more weeks of rehearsals left… 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Houston here we come!

need to recruit a new

Barbershop Chorus, Poole, Dorset

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Musical Director We are a hard working, up and coming chorus placed 10th in LABBS and have just won Bournemouth Choir of the Year 2011

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Following the departure of our Director, we now wish to improve under the Ambition and Inspiration of a new leader.

Are YOU or do you KNOW someone who might be interested ?

Please send CV application or requests for further details to Jane Francis: janeff@ntlworld.com 14

NEWS AND VIEWS FROM REGION 31, AUTUMN 2011

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In Cahoots UK

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Kim, Emma, Suze and Caroline xxx Submitted by Caroline Donovan, Baritone of In Cahoots UK and PRO of Phoenix Chorus

Incredible Vocal Youth!

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’m sure the question “what does IVY actually stand for?” has crossed your mind at some point!

It simply means: Incredible Vocal Youth. Initially formed in 2007 as the youth chorus of LABBS, the IVY League is an exciting, energetic and enthusiastic youth chorus now in its fifth year and continues to provide a fantastic introduction into the lively UK barbershop community. We meet every few months to rehearse for a day in Coventry to work on old and new material, and we perform regularly at shows and conventions around the country. Financially supported by donations from LABBS and Region 31, as well as many barbershop clubs, quartets and

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In Cahoots are: Lead - Emma Court developed an appetite for a cappella through singing madrigals at school. She has also taken solo parts in Gilbert & Sullivan and Vivaldi

Hospital, London, loves holidays in the sun, the occasional CLR, and would love to play Nancy in Oliver!, the innkeepers wife in Les Mis, the grandmother in Billy Elliott or Oda May Brown in Ghost!

Baritone - Caroline Donovan has already been “in cahoots” with Kim for many years, both on the Music Team in Phoenix Chorus and in many quartets including Caboodle, Flaunt! and Zest! She started singing at school (another madrigal group!) and came back to it when she discovered barbershop 21 years ago at a Phoenix open evening. Caroline works as a PA at the RSPB which suits her nature-freak tendencies perfectly! She lives in Potton with long-suffering partner André and a very noisy cat!

We’re really looking forward to the coming year and can’t wait to see you all in Birmingham. Find us on Facebook!

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rand new quartet, In Cahoots UK, can’t quite believe how quickly things have happened!

The seed was planted in July when Nicky Salt played matchmaker and put Emma and Caroline in touch with each other. Suze and Kim joined the team soon after and three rehearsals later they have already: chosen a name, learned two songs, started looking at contest songs, got a website underway, arranged their debut sing (Finesse fundraiser evening on October 1st, tickets £10!), laughed a lot, cried a little and already feel like they’ve formed a strong bond.

productions. Emma’s career as an IT Consultant has taken her around the country and her barbershop experience includes singing with The Red Rosettes, Gem Connection, Signature and most recently Viva Acappella and The Late Show quartet. She lives in Bracknell with her lovely husband, and barbershop groupie, Guy and 2.5 Burmese cats.

Bass - Suze Phillips is a relative newcomer to barbershop but has sung in various groups over the years, everything from madrigals, to rock backing vocals, to gospel. Suze lives in Hertfordshire and sings with Welwyn Harmony Chorus and says that when she first sang bass she “felt like she’d come home”!

Proud of her Pennine background, she has a healthy interest in real ale (“Finally, another beer drinker!”

Caroline). Her second favourite hobby is cooking and she can often be found rehearsing in the kitchen.

Suze works in IT in the education sector in London.

Tenor - Kim Handel has been a barbershopper for 36 years (“I started when I was 3!” Kim). She has sung with Reading Barberettes and Phoenix Chorus and in numerous quartets, notably The Minor Birds, Caboodle, Flaunt! and, most recently, Zest! Kim is Chief Nursing Officer at The Wellington

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NEWS AND VIEWS FROM REGION 31, AUTUMN 2011 m, 2011

of Champions. Many of our girls also sang with the Young Women in Harmony chorus on the Sunday, coordinated by the fabulous Ellie Mills.

2011 has so far been, and will no doubt continue to be, another big year for the IVY League. This is the first year the chorus is run completely “by the girls...for the girls”.

With a new look logo and website, lots of new members and brand new songs we continue to go from strength to strength! Part of our exciting regeneration involves Gateshead as part of the branching out from our barbershop individuals Region 31 Convention, Harrogate roots, with a view to becoming across the country, we are International Convention Centre more of a glee chorus, providing the as part of the BABS Convention & eternally grateful for your support! opportunity for more musical and The past year has seen us Venue Cymru in Llandudno as part of the LABBS Convention. It’s always choreographic creativity and even travelling the UK to take part so the chance for the girls to perform a delight for us to be involved many great opportunities! In 2010 solos and duets! Something in we spent an excellent retreat with all 3 organisations! Moving particular to look forward to is a into 2011, in May we enjoyed yet weekend in Lincoln with the NBYC, Lady Gaga Medley, arranged by our thanks to BABS’ Harmony Lincs another fantastic weekend at the wonderful Director, Hari Birtles!

Symphony Hall in Birmingham at Club, where we had coaching from We had an inspirational coaching the amazing Finesse – Region 31’s the Region 31 convention, where day with Nicky Salt in September we received a greatly appreciated two time gold medallists and 2009 and overwhelming standing ovation and are now looking forward to the LABBS Champion Quartet. We also for our performance on the Show LABBS Convention in October and enjoyed performing at The Sage in a youth competition in Manchester in November. And as if that isn’t enough, we hope to work alongside the NBYC again in 2012 at a joint rehearsal, and possibly a show or retreat. Watch this space!

So, if you’re aged 8-29 and love singing, get involved, we always welcome new members! We are also constantly looking for opportunities to perform across the country, so if you would like to book us for your show, get in touch!

Tuesday 18th October at 12.56pm AB Cme D Milltown Sound Chorus (Contestant Number 3) You can email us at enquiries@ Wednesday 19th October at 11.10pm AB Cme D Finesse (Contestant Number 28) Thursday 20th October at 10.37pm AB Cme D Lace City Chorus (Contestant Number 22) and ivyleaguechorus.com. You can also find us on YouTube, Facebook and at 12.15am AB Cme – Surrey Harmony Chorus (Contestant Number 28) Twitter, as well as our own website: Tune in by visiting www.ivyleaguechorus.com.

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in IVY League

Birmingha

h#p%//www.sweetadelineintl.org/webcast.cfm

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Submitted by Rosalind Johnson, Vice Chair of The IVY League

NEWS AND VIEWS FROM REGION 31, AUTUMN 2011

ECHO (Echo Echo)

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hen Echo Quartet first sung together at a social gathering in December 2010, we had little idea that less than 6 months and four rehearsals later we’d be standing on the stage in Birmingham being awarded Bronze Medals! Since Beckie (bari) and Karen (tenor)

sends us great to-do lists, and we all work very hard individually and in pairs in-between rehearsals. In the short time between December and our first official rehearsal in January we managed to choose and learn our two contest songs which meant that when we first met in Portsmouth we were ready to do any note and tuning adjustments and get straight onto the interpretation side of things, as

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We are very lucky to have had fabulous support, from our families who have put up with us taking over each others’ homes for entire weekends; from our two wonderful choruses Heartbeat and Surrey Harmony; the additional groups who we sing with “Sing Out Sisters” and “Capella”; and especially from our fantastic coaches Sandra Lea-Riley & Nancy Kelsall from Eu4ia who have given us so much of their valuable time, energy and experience.

We have just had our first rehearsal since Birmingham and have pencilled in six more before contest next May. Trying to find free weekends and avoiding chorus retreats and bookings; Sing Out Sisters and Capella gigs; family and all other commitments can be challenging, but we’re absolutely sure it’s worth it!

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20 pairs of Black Palazzo pants. Made by ‘Opening Night’ and bought from America.

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100% Polyester. Sizes 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 & 28.

Worn twice. £10 per pair including postage.

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well as drinking copious amounts of pink wine and laughing until we cried. We have found that having weekends together is a fulfilling and productive way of rehearsing. We are all fresher and more awake than we would be if we met on a weekday evening, and we have plenty of time to sing through the songs individually, in duets, trios and learn a lot from both the listening and the singing.

We usually travel on Friday after work, begin singing on Saturday at around 10.30am and finish early evening, when we uncork the wine, open the crisps and dips, and order in the curry! Sundays’ singing usually starts at around 11am and we spend 2-3 hours going over everything we worked at on Saturday, before two of us hit the motorway back home.

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live approximately 250 miles from Emma (lead) and Claire (bass), we knew we were going to have our work cut out when we made the decision to compete. We sat round the table and managed to find four weekends, one every month from January to April, when were all available and our rehearsal plan was born.

We thought the distance might prove a challenge, but apart from a few lengthy and slightly tired motorway journeys (we almost chose the name M40!) it’s proved to be better and more productive than we thought. Email plays a big part in our communications, that’s how we picked our two contest songs after countless hours of CD and video link sharing; our name and even costumes. Emma is fantastic at forward planning and

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Echo Quartet

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Submitted by Claire Heighway, Bass of Echo Quartet and member of Heartbeat Chorus and ‘Capella’

Contact Jan White at jcw22@hermes.cam. ac.uk for photos and more information.

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NEWS AND VIEWS FROM REGION 31, AUTUMN 2011

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE EUROPEAN CONVENTION IN 2013

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lans are in place for another European Convention – the last event in 2009 was such a huge success (and great fun too!) that the organising team are planning for the next! Save the date - Wednesday 13th March – Sunday 17th March, 2013. Like in 2009, it will be held at De Koningshof, a Conference Center in Veldhoven – a fantastic venue all under one roof!

Check it out here The Convention brings together many barbershop organisations – Holland Harmony, BABS, LABBS, BinG, DABS and us! The details have yet to be finalised, but in order to make it a true European competition, up to 5 choruses and 5 quartets from each organisation

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would be invited to compete – this would probably be the top 5 from our 2012 Convention. Everyone however is welcome – it’s a great event to be at, so much fun being able to get to know and sing with barbershoppers from all over Europe!

International Convention. In the next edition of the Harmony Rag you will be able to read all about Anne as well as why she was awarded! In the meantime, congratulations Anne!

ANN GOOCH AWARD – AWARDED TO OUR VERY OWN ANNE!

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ig congratulations go to Anne Cargill of Aberdeen Chorus for being awarded the prestigious Ann Gooch award by Sweet Adelines International. This award recognises her achievements in education and promotion of barbershop harmony singing in the UK. Anne will be presented the award in Houston, TX at the

Anne emceeing at the International Convention in Seattle, 2010

NEWS AND VIEWS FROM REGION 31, AUTUMN 2011

JUDGE VALERIE, CONGRATULATIONS!

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he Regional Management Team are very excited and proud to announce that Valerie Taylor, Director of Vocal Dimension Chorus, has been invited

At just six days old new Diva baby Hugh Will iam takes his fir st DaleDiva rehear sal in his stride with proud mum Sarah, dad Dave and musica l director Ally

ding Divas or Ally Law coaches bud DaleDiva musical direct bly Rooms em Ass rby rkshop at De at our ‘Diva for a Day’ wo

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BUDDING DIVAS SHINE AT SINGING WORKSHOP

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hope you enjoyed it too.

Anyone who knows Ally knows she likes a challenge so for the first time we’d taken our popular annual event away from a local school hall to Derby Assembly Rooms – the Valerie trial scoring in Region 13 city’s biggest venue (quite a step to judge on her first Sweet Adelines up!). It all worked out brilliantly International panel next April. She and we had around 190 girls and is delighted to be judging in the women come along to enjoy the Sound category next Spring in day. We concentrated on two songs, Region 19, Ocean City, Maryland. the recent Adele hit ‘To Make Valerie has made history by You Feel My Love’ and Beyonce’s being the first ever Sweet Adelines ‘Single Ladies’ – with a few of those judge outside of the USA and famous moves thrown in!

Canada! Big congratulations Valerie It was great to see the youngsters - we are absolutely thrilled for you! joining in and we hope it will We will be hearing from Valerie in encourage them – as well as our the next issue of the Harmony Rag - more mature guests – to take up she will be telling us more about her this wonderful hobby of ours. In fact judging journey, so stay tuned! we’ve already had lots of interest from budding Divas interested in joining the chorus. To see how much they enjoyed the day just take a look at some of the comments on Facebook.

We’ve now set our sights on the next big DaleDiva project – our annual show in November, which for the first time this year we’re e had a fantastic time at also taking to Derby. It’s one of our most ambitious ventures so our ‘Diva for a Day’ oneday singing workshop far – perfectly timed to coincide in Derby recently and it was great with our fourth anniversary – and we’re really looking forward to yet to see some of our barbershop friends there from the Liberty Belles, another new challenge.

Tickets are now on sale for Sheffield Harmony and Cheshire A Cappella. Thank you for coming ‘Believe’ at Derby Theatre on Sunday along to support the event and 13 November and we’ll be staging a matinee and an evening show. for helping to make it the success There’ll be a-cappella and pop it was. We had a great time and

tracks from the Divas, spots by vocal quartets Farenheit and Forté and an appearance by special guests ‘Live and Unsigned’ finalists XPOSE. There’s something for all the family so why not come along - it will be great to see you! See the poster in this edition of Harmony Rag for details.

Meanwhile, it’s business as usual and we were proud to perform at a charity event recently for Peak FM radio DJ Becky Measures – a Diva supporter who runs the National Hereditary Breast Cancer Helpline charity. We were pleased to once again support this most worthy cause – the second performance we’ve done for Becky this year.

And it was an honour to perform at the wedding of BBC Radio Derby presenter Aleena Naylor – another of our local radio supporters. We’re thrilled that Aleena will also be compering our annual show.

But the most important news we have to announce is the arrival of our latest Diva baby!

Many congratulations to tenor Sarah and husband Dave on the safe – if a little early – arrival of Hugh William Sargent weighing in at 8lb 4oz on August 26 at 6.30am. Ally did wonder why Sarah had missed rehearsal the night before…

Finally, may we take this opportunity to wish our friends in Finesse quartet the very best of luck at International – especially our vocal coach Nicky. We know they will sing up a storm and do Region 31 proud!

Submitted by Liz Tomes, PRO of DaleDiva Chorus

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NEWS AND VIEWS FROM REGION 31, AUTUMN SUMMER 2011

countries, will participate in the competition that takes place from

July 4 to 14, 2012. The World Choir Games are a biennial competition

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IT’S GOING TO BE SPECTACULAR! BARBERSHOP CATEGORY WILL DEBUT AT INTERKULTUR’S WORLD CHOIR GAMES IN CINCINATTI – BE PART OF IT!

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magine thousands of singers from all across the globe, dressing in traditional attire and parading through the streets of downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. That is exactly how the seventh World Choir Games will get under way on July 4, 2012, when the largest international choral competition in the world comes to North America for the first time. The World Choir Games, a prestigious competition of vocal groups representing an estimated 400 choirs from more than 90

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NEWS AND VIEWS FROM REGION 31, SUMMER AUTUMN 2011

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and are referred to as the “The Olympics of Choral Music.” 2012 will be the first time in the event’s history it is held in the United States.

As an international competition, the World Choir Games recognizes that there are choral forms unique to the host country and the 2012 competition will include two new categories: Barbershop Quartet and Show Choir.

The World Choir Games involves amateur choirs, both adult and youth, competing in 22 different musical genres in including barbershop, folk, jazz, pop, gospel and sacred. There is an Open competition for all choirs and a Champions competition for those who qualify; judging is done by an impartial international jury.

Choral groups taking part in the 2008 Games in Graz, Austria, hailed from Russia, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Croatia, South Africa, Great Britain, Italy, Austria, China, Indonesia, the United States and more than 80 other nations.

Much like the Olympics, the event features elaborate opening and closing ceremonies and a parade of costumed participants that will make its way through the streets of downtown Cincinnati.

The Olympic-style friendly competition will award gold, silver and bronze medals to top contenders in various competition categories. In addition to the entertainment-packed opening and closing ceremonies, there will be numerous awards ceremonies and hundreds of public performances, including “Friendship concerts,” free choral performances on city streets, public squares, attraction venues and parks.

Doesn’t that sound pretty amazing! Wouldn’t it be great for a Region 31 chorus to head out to Cincinnati to take part in this fabulous competition? Well, it’s certainly not too late to register, so check it out – it certainly would be a once in a lifetime experience!

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This is a huge marketing opportunity for barbershop! Why? To gain visibility among: – 20,000 + other singers – 70% under the age of 30 – Music educators and professionals – Other music organizations – The media – The public We would be able to educate participants and showcase “today’s barbershop” as well as creating awareness in our organisation and, ultimately, increase our membership!

See below many website/social media links for you to check out

and if you have any questions at all about the games, don’t hesitate to contact Emma Duguid, Marketing Coordinator at duguidemma@gmail. com. Emma will be able to send you the registration forms for the event.

These can also be found on the official website (see below).

For more information about the 2012 World Choirs Games: www.2012worldchoirgames.com Facebook.com/world.choir. games.2012 Twitter.com/worldchoirgames Flickr.com/2012worldchoirgames Youtube.com/2012worldchoirgames

NEWS AND VIEWS FROMRMT REGION 31, AUTUMN 2011 REGIONAL FACULTY

Nuala Hobden – Finance Coordinator Spinnaker Chorus 02392 231569 nualahelen@aol.com

Elaine Hamilton Forth Valley Chorus 0131 334 2372 elainemrssh@aol.com

Elaine Hamilton – Education Coordinator Forth Valley Chorus 0131 334 2372 elainemrssh@aol.com

Dorothy Main Aberdeen Chorus 01224 782124 themains@talktalk.net

Petrina Bache – Events Coordinator Phoenix Chorus 07772 932432 trinabache@btinternet.com

Mike Taylor Spinnaker Chorus 01489 600134 mike@singwell.me.uk

Jeanette Yuile – Membership Coordinator CAL 01330 811544 j.yuile@btinternet.com

Valerie Taylor Vocal Dimension Chorus 020 8660 8037 valerie.taylor@privacysolutions.co.uk

Jean Graham – Communications Coordinator Mayflowers Plymouth 01752 783724 jean.graham2006@btinternet.com

Gwen Topp Aberdeen Chorus 01224 575366 gmtopp@yahoo.co.uk

Emma Duguid – Marketing Coordinator Vocal Dimension Chorus 07815 114476 duguidemma@gmail.com

N a t i o n s ,

Glenn Chaney Lace City Chorus 07960 112732 glennsings@yahoo.co.uk

o f

Tracey Bailey – Directors’ Coordinator Champagne Cornwall Chorus 01726 63937 allthebaileys@aol.com

Q u a r t e t

Alyson Chaney – Regional Faculty Coordinator Lace City Chorus 01636 814377 alysonchaney@yahoo.co.uk

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Chris Bentley – Team Coordinator Forth Valley Chorus 0131 539 1247 chrisbentley963@hotmail.com

R e g i o n

Anne Cargill Aberdeen Chorus 01224 704627 acargill@lochside.fsbusiness.co.uk

S w e e t

Michelle Walker Lace City Chorus 0115 965 4524 shelbywalks@yahoo.co.uk

A d e l i n e s

COPY DEADLINE

I n t e r n a t i o n a l

The Winter Harmony Rag will be issued at the beginning of January.

Please send all articles to harmonyrag@sweetadelines.org.uk by

25 November 2011 th

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