Harmony Rag December 2013 Edition

December 2013

Finesse 4th place 2013 International Quartet

Contents FEATURES

10



Waves of success

Stories from the Region 31 contingent at the International Convention in Honolulu USUALS 4



RMT Updates

7



Regional Buzz

13



Calendar of Events

14



Coaching Directory

QUARTET OF NATIONS Sweet Adelines International REGION 31 Sweet Adelines International is a worldwide organisation of women singers committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education, competition and performance

4, 13, 22 and 31 The numbers above are not the jackpot numbers for this week’s lotto. These numbers, in fact, represent the result of the Quartet of Nations contingent at the International Convention in Honolulu, Hawaii. It was a glorious week of indulging in our art form and celebrating the best in the world. It was also a week of super late nights and early wake up calls for those of us not fortunate enough to be there who had to settle for just watching the webcast. But it was well worth staying up and rising early, wasn’t it? Finesse, Fortuity, Viva Acappella and Echo indeed made our region proud with their performances!

The holiday season has come and gone and I hope that you all had a wonderful time with your family and loved ones. I bet you’re all busy with rehearsals again and gearing up for convention. Hope to meet more of you this new year!

Harmony Rag is published quarterly in March, June, September and December by the Regional Management Team (RMT) of the Quartet of Nations in digital format. The June issue is also published in print format.

Materials sent for publication are at the author’s/contributor’s risk and while every care is taken, neither the Quartet of Nations RMT nor Sweet Adelines International accept any liability for loss or damage.

Charl CHARL ASUIT COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR charlasuit@gmail.com charlie74

3 | December 2013 | Harmony Rag

Send all queries, copy and images to the Harmony Rag Editor, harmonyrag@sweetadelines.org.uk Deadlines are one (1) month prior to publication

registrations are made at a later date, the subsidy

REGIONAL CONVENTION 2014 SUBSIDY The Regional Management Team has agreed to

will not be re-assessed. Non-members and members of prospective choruses are not entitled to the subsidy.

award a subsidy to choruses who consistently have

CAL members are also eligible for a subsidy if

to travel long distances to help with the cost of travel

travelling in excess of 150 miles to the convention

to the regional convention in 2014.

venue. The distance is calculated from their home

All registered Sweet Adelines International choruses and Chapter-At-Large (CAL) members travelling in excess of 150 miles to attend the convention will be eligible for the subsidy, regardless of whether they

address and calculated as a percentage of the registration fee. The subsidy applies to CAL members registering with a chorus or individually.

The subsidy is as follows:

are competing or not.

The amount of the subsidy per chorus is determined by the number of members who register to attend and the overall distance travelled from their respective rehearsal venue as illustrated below. For example:  A chorus of 40 members travelling 230 miles would be entitled to a subsidy of £350

If you have any questions about the subsidy, please do not hesitate to contact the RMT. * Distance is taken from the AA Route Planner (http://www.theaa.com/route-planner)

 A chorus of 85 members whose journey exceeds 250 miles would get the full subsidy of £750

NEW REGIONAL APPOINTEES The RMT is proud to announce new appointees, as recommended by the Nominating Committee, to the following regional posts for the Quartet of Nations:  Quartet Liaison - Helen Glavina, Rhapsody UK  YWIH Co-ordinator - Melanie Rice, London

The registration form, which was sent out with the first competition mailing, has been updated to automatically deduct the subsidy from the total amount payable. How the subsidy is used is at the discretion of the chorus management team. For example, it could be shared equally among members

City Singers  Registration Co-ordinator - Kate Middleton, Spinnaker  Team Co-ordinator - Maggi McEwan, Spinnaker

or used towards coach hire.

We are also pleased to announce that Charl Asuit

It is important to note that the subsidy is calculated

continuing in their RMT positions as

on the initial registration only. If additional members’

Harmony Rag | December 2013 | 4

(London City Singers) and Elaine Hamilton (CAL) are

Communications Co-ordinator and Education Coordinator, respectively, for Region 31.

Sweet! Adds Membership Incentive Campaign The Sweet! Adds Membership Incentive Campaign is

JANUARY 2014 GLOBAL OPEN HOUSE With membership always at the forefront, International headquarters is continuing to support a global membership drive every January and September. We hope you can participate in another motivating Global Open House event this January to support our efforts in raising awareness for our extraordinary organisation. We are excited to bring Sweet Adelines together again in January 2014 in a combined effort to spread harmony and share the

being extended indefinitely! All current members are eligible so please spread the news to your chorus members. When a member refers five or more new members she will receive free international membership for a year or more! Make sure to note each referral on the new member application. For more information go to http://www.sweetadelineintl.org > Member Resources > Sweet! Adds Membership Incentive Campaign.

joy of singing by opening your doors to women

UPDATE ON THE REGIONAL SONGS

across the globe.

Thank you to everyone who put forward suggestions

Scan the Global Resources page of the Marketing Center for samples, templates, materials, handbooks and more. For a thorough review of the Global Membership Drive visit the Webinars page to find recorded presentations. Login at www.sweetadelineintl.org > Member Login.

The Sweet Adelines family is well known for inspiring and motivating each other, so use your gift and give us a lift on the Global Open House Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/61803106490270 7/?previousaction=join&source=1. Share your promotional plans, cheer on other members around

for our new regional songs. Listed below are those that were the most popular and will therefore be included in our list.  Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves arranged by Ase Hagerman  Friends - arranged by David Wright  Anthem - arranged by Olle Nyman and the Growing Girls  Lazy Day - arranged by David Wright We also had a LOT of requests not to remove San Francisco Bay Blues, so that will remain on the list!

the world, post your promotional materials and

Of course we don't expect choruses to learn these

news coverage, and share your success stories and

songs right away, but perhaps you will consider

more!

learning them over time, so we can start to use them

For more information on the Global Open House event click here: http://www.sweetadelineintl.org/index.cfm?id=304

at regional events and conventions. Please ensure you follow all the usual procedures with regard to copyright etc., when purchasing any of these songs.

Also, it's not compulsory to learn any of them, it's just nice to have songs we all know and can sing together.

5 | December 2013 | Harmony Rag

Thanks again to everyone who took part in this and

budget period and will be used for

we look forward to singing with you soon!

organizational strategic planning and budget development for the future.

INTERNATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION RESULTS The election of the International Board of Directors of Sweet Adelines International is complete and the following candidates will be serving along with the current members of the Board:

 A recommendation that choruses, quartets, areas and regions shall pay Sweet Adelines International the sum of $50 per year, per product sold to help defray the costs of trademark logo licensing fee, effective January 1, 2014, was approved.  Procedures for granting Naming Rights in consideration for financial contributions to

 Thérèse Antonini, Chapter-at-Large, Region 1

Sweet Adelines International, the duration of

 Anne Cargill, Aberdeen Chapter, Region 31

said rights, and the installation and physical

 Paula Davis, Velvet Hills Chapter, Region 8

display of naming rights recognition were

 Cammi MacKinlay, Lions Gate Chapter,

approved.

Region 26  Marcia Pinvidic, City of Gardens Chapter, Region 26  Renée Porzel, Melodeers Chapter, Region 3

 Procedures for the acceptance of gifts of real property, personal property, securities, restricted gifts and unusual gifts in the course of regular fundraising activities were approved.

MORE UPDATES FROM SWEET ADELINES INTERNATIONAL HQ The International Board of Directors met on November 3, 2013, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Following is a summary of actions taken.  The charter and chapter membership for the following chapter was authorized: Harmony Gateway Chorus, Region 2, Burton, Michigan  The name change request for the following region was authorized: North Pacific Region 13 changed to North by Northwest Region 13  The Policy Book was revised to reflect the

 The 2013 Bowling for Barbershop fundraising campaign raised $91,588. The 2014 Bowling for Barbershop fundraising campaign will be held again next year from May 1 to August 31, 2014.  An International Young Women in Harmony Festival was scheduled to occur in conjunction with the 2014 International Convention in Baltimore, Maryland.  The 2014 International Convention in Baltimore, Maryland will feature a Tag Singing Station.  A recommendation that members of the International Judging Program be used to

previously approved time limits placed on

adjudicate the Rising Star Competition was

prospective chapters in Step One (three

approved.

years) and Step Two (two years).  The Board participated in a comprehensive Financial Forecasting meeting presented by Headquarters Staff. The Forecast highlighted the fiscal portrait through the 2020-2021

Harmony Rag | December 2013 | 6

 The development and distribution of electronic membership cards was approved.

 A patron membership category with an annual membership fee of $200 was approved.

was bubbling, the bar was stocked, the barbecue

RAISING MONEY IN PARADISE

By Finesse Isn’t it a nightmare trying to think up different idea for fundraising?

Finesse has done lots of different things to try and raise much needed funds over the years but we wanted to do something different for Hawaii.

was fired up, the cream teas were ready, the marquee looked stunning and the gorgeous grounds were looking amazing and were scattered with giant chess, table tennis, giant jenga and other games ready to be played.

People came from far and wide to support us and enjoy the amazing facilities. It was a glorious day, where children played, adults relaxed and we sang.

What we really wanted was something fun, relaxing, open to everyone and maybe a little bit “Hawaiian” but what....?

Then, as if by magic, Marilyn, a friend of the quartet who has always been really supportive of us, offered us the use of her house. This is no ordinary house either; Marilyn lives in Shortmead House in Biggleswade – a beautiful 16th century mansion in the most fabulous grounds!

So we set about arranging “A Day In Paradise” and on a lovely sunny day at the beginning of September our dream came true. The pool was warm and

We were in heaven!

inviting, the outdoor Jacuzzi complete with waterfall

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It was such a fantastic day that we have already

promote our unique form of singing. Look up

booked to do it all again next year. Make sure

Barbershop in Harmony website for further details

Saturday 5th July is in your diary - you won’t want to

www.barbershopinharmony.com

miss it.

— Helen, Nicky, Beth and Tan

There is also an agreement to publicise events provided by other European barbershop organisations, such as SABS (Spanish Association of

BARBERSHOP IN HARMONY

By Sheila Doherty, Region 31 Team Co-ordinator There was a time, some years ago, when the three

Barbershop Singers) and BING (German association of barbershop singers). Barbershop is very definitely alive and thriving in Europe - who can forget Ronninge's amazing performance in Hawaii!

barbershop organisations in the UK, LABBS, BABS

On October 2017, the European Barbershop

and Sweet Adelines did not readily communicate

Convention will be held in Bournemouth and will be

with each other! I'm delighted to say that those days

organised by BinH and representatives from the

are gone and with the setting up of Barbershop in

three organisations. This event will take place in

Harmony (BinH), I can tell you that the three

conjunction with LABBS Convention.

organisations are united in promoting our enjoyment and skills of barbershop singing. Of course we each have a slightly different approach to our art form but there is a healthy respect for each

Barbershop in Harmony is still relatively young but its achievements are quite considerable in achieving barbershop harmony In the United Kingdom.

organisation from the others.

Under the aegis of Barbershop in Harmony, whose

OPEN DIVISION FAQ

members comprise representatives from LABBS,

In continuation of bringing you details of the

BABS and Sweet Adelines, day seminars on

competition changes in 2014, here’s an FAQ sheet on

marketing, directing and a variety of subjects have

the Open Division posted by Sweet Adelines

been offered to members of all three organisations

International.

at a very reasonable cost.

Another objective of BinH was to ensure that we didn't clash with each other’s' important events, like

 Open Division is open to choruses and quartets.  There is not a different registration fee for

conventions and education events so that members

the Open Division. All competition

could attend these without compromising

registration fees are the same (chorus: $150;

attendance at their own organisation's events.

quartet: $100).

We do share coaches from all three organisations and we sing arrangements of songs from without our own organisations. We all benefit from this "cross pollination". Barbershop in Harmony also has a radio station and they are willing to broadcast CDs submitted by members. It’s another opportunity to

Harmony Rag | December 2013 | 8

 Competitors have 10 minutes to complete their Open Division packages.  Competing in the Open Division meets the 3year competition requirement for choruses.  Riser configurations will not change due to Open Division. There will still be either standard or alternate.

 It is the region’s choice to allow both riser

 Competitors cannot enter both the

configurations; it is also their choice to

International Division and the Open Division

decide which configuration is offered first.

of the same contest.

 The drawing for regional competitions will be as follows: o o

 The same song choice limitations apply to the contest songs as there have always been:

Quartets: Evaluation Only,

no patriotic, religious or Sweet Adelines

International Division, Open Division

International songs may be sung as contest

Choruses:

songs.





One riser configuration:

 Open Division provides competitors with the

Evaluation Only, International

opportunity to present a “show

Division, Open Division

performance” that is enhanced by the

Two riser configurations:

educational experience gained through

Evaluation Only, International

official score sheets. It is for evaluation only

Division, Open Division, riser

and thus receives a letter score.

change, Open Division,

 If a competitor is disqualified from the Open

Evaluation Only, International

Division, they are not eligible for the

Division

Audience Choice Award.

 Directors with dual memberships who sing and direct two different choruses in the same contest will be taken into consideration

 Only competitors entering the Open Division qualify for the Audience Choice Award.  Competitors competing at International in

for the order of appearance draws.

the current year and performing in Open

 Timing starts at the first word spoken or

Division are not eligible for the Audience

sung. Excessive time spent entering the stage can result in a delay of contest penalty.  Competitors will use the same lighting and staging options that are available to the International Division competitors, i.e. no

Choice Award.

To learn more about the scoring criteria for the Open Division, click here. Also, here’s the link to the Competition Handbook for 2014.

pyro techniques or electricity will be allowed on stage.  Competitors may not change from International Division to Open Division (or vice versa) after the first draw for order of appearance has been conducted at HQ.  Competitors wishing to qualify for Harmony Classic or International Competition must compete in the International Division.

Competitors cannot qualify for Harmony Classic or International if they compete in Open Division.

9 | December 2013 | Harmony Rag

WAVES OF SUCCESS What fantastic results for the Quartet of Nations Region 31 representatives in Honolulu!

Hawaii baby!

unfortunately, the hotel made a mistake with our booking and when we arrived at midnight, a full 30

You won’t be surprised to learn that we were

hours since leaving home, we were told we were

tremendously excited to be heading to Hawaii for

checked into 1 room (our usual booking) only this

International this year, but who knew it would be

room only had 1 bed. What started off as necessity

quite as exciting as it was!

to save money has fast become our preference in

The journey was arduous to say the least, especially with a phobic flyer amongst us, but boy was it worth it once we got there? When we discovered we were just a few hours from New Zealand, it really sank in just how far we had travelled. The island was stunning and the weather was perfect, although sadly we didn’t have time to explore. Also

Harmony Rag | December 2013 | 10

order to be together and we have become very adept at sharing with bathroom, hairdryer and straightener rotas to ensure everyone gets ready in time. However only 1 bed was just not going to work!

We coped for 2 nights with roll out beds and were rewarded by being moved to an enormous suite on day 3! We had 2 balconies overlooking the Pacific

Ocean, an extensive dining room and lounge, a

Finesse is thrilled to be invited to perform at the

dressing room as well as the bedroom with,

Region 31 convention in May and also lead some

thankfully, 2 huge beds! Luxury in paradise….well, if

education events. We have a wealth of coaching

you insist!

experience within the quartet and are in the process

There was a wonderful UK contingent in Hawaii and we felt a real sense of camaraderie amongst the Brit Pack! Despite being so far from home we felt like we

of putting together a portfolio to help you decide if you would like Finesse to coach your chorus for an evening.

were surrounded by family and could not have felt

If not perhaps we could come and sing for you at a

more supported and encouraged. All Region 31

chorus rehearsal or show? If you fancy a day in

representatives put in top class performances and

paradise but couldn’t make it to Hawaii, why not join

we were thrilled to spend time with Echo and

us at Shortmead House in Biggleswade on Saturday

Fortuity and to watch Fortuity receive the Novice

5th July for a day of fun and singing in idyllic

Quartet trophy and Top 15 status - richly deserved.

surroundings? Put the date in your diary now!

We’d love to meet up with as many of you as possible over the next year to thank you for your support and encouragement and let you know how much it means to us.

Yours in harmony, Helen, Nicky, Beth and Tan

Whirlwind for Echo It's been a whirlwind few weeks in the land of Echo, jet setting from North Wales to Waikiki, and now we are finally starting to come back down to earth we For Finesse, this is the first year we can honestly say we really enjoyed the semi-finals although the draw

have a few stories to share and a few public thank yous to make.

was as terrifying as ever - wonder if that will ever feel

First stop for us was the LABBS Quartet Contest in

like a given - we doubt it! The finals were so much

Llandudno at the end of October. Now the only

less stressful than in previous years because we took

possible way to start an Echo contest day is in a

a package that was all about us being ourselves and

caravan, in the pouring rain, with no heating and no

was so much fun to perform. To be rewarded with

hot water! Yup, that’s right. Having arrived from

our 4th ribbons and medals was beyond exciting.

Derbyshire, Cheshire and Hampshire looking

Our dream this year was to make Top 5, so fourth

forward to a warm welcome and a hot shower we

was a wonderful bonus! Onwards and upwards? We

were instead cold and smelly. Add into the mix

hope so but there’s a lot of hard work and

Emma’s distinct lack of voice, brought on by a

fundraising to be done in the meantime.

business trip to France the previous week, and things weren’t quite panning out how we’d

11 | December 2013 | Harmony Rag

envisaged! But that’s when all the coaching and

from Remix taking us through the traffic pattern and

rehearsing kicks in. We managed to get through our

she sprinkled some of her Swedish sparkle over us

semi-finals package pretty much unscathed, but by

as we headed to the stage. Standing side stage

the time we had to compete with our Finals Package

listening to the awesome Martini gave us goose

later that same evening, one of the songs never even

bumps. To be singing in the same venue as such

sung before in public, Emma's voice had all but

talented ladies was a huge buzz. We took to the

disappeared and our nerves were at an all-time high.

stage, gave it our all and were happy with our

Thankfully she managed to croak out a performance,

performance. We also got the honour to cheer and

and we were immensely proud and excited to be

support (and possibly share the odd cocktail or two

awarded Gold Medals with an average score of

with!) the other 2 fabulous quartets from Region 31,

76.8%.

Fortuity & Finesse, and cried tears of joy when Finesse were rightly awarded their 4th place medals and cheered long and loud for Viva Acappella. Were we happy with our placing? If we are brutally honest, at first we were disappointed. But when you sit back and see the huge wealth of talent that crossed that stage and the number of quartets who would have love to have traded places with us to get that chance, then we would be very inconsiderate not to appreciate the amazing opportunity we had and be thankful to even make it to the International Stage.

31st in the world? We'll take that!

The following Friday saw us take to the skies and set off on a 30 hour jaunt to the beautiful Honolulu - it's a hard life being a quartettist sometimes!! We arrived to high humidity, high temperatures and very high levels of excitement! We felt like the luckiest people in the world to get such an opportunity and were determined to do our best and enjoy the experience to the maximum. We rehearsed, we met up with some lovely friends from Denver last year, we rehearsed, we hopped from the sea to the infinity pool and back again, we rehearsed, we sunbathed, we rehearsed, we explored the island, we reh...... you get the picture! It was soon Wednesday and contest time. We were up at 4am, fully made up and hair done by 5.30am and singing by 6am in a far flung, darkened conference suite so as not to disturb the Japanese families staying either side of our rooms.

We had the absolute pleasure of the lovely Marie

Harmony Rag | December 2013 | 12

We’ve been very fortunate with some super support and advice. Our thanks go to the LABBS judges for some sterling coaching after prelims, Sweet Adelines Judge, Joan Boutillier, and of course our choruses, Heartbeat and Spinnaker, who have been just

wonderful, with ladies from both joining us for the

have a couple of private gigs already in the diary too.

whole LABBS weekend and fundraising amounts

If you’d like us to be a part of your event, sharing our

beyond our wildest dreams which made it possible

experiences or songs, then do get in touch with

for us to compete in Hawaii.

Emma: trumptoncat@hotmail.com or visit our

So, what's next for Echo? Well, on 02 February 2014

Facebook page.

we’re performing on the Rockapella show with Heartbeat & Cottontown at the Plaza Theatre in Stockport. In May we’ve been invited to appear at the BABS Anniversary Convention in Harrogate, and we

2014 09 - 11 May

Target the Top: Quartet of Nations Region 31 Annual Convention

23 - 26 May

BABS 40 Annual Convention

Harrogate

25 - 26 July

A Cappella Harmony Academy

Tulsa

22 - 24 August

BABS Harmony College

Nottingham

30 October - 02 November

LABBS Convention

Harrogate

03 - 08 November

Sweet Adelines International Convention

Baltimore

th

Nottingham

Email harmonyrag@sweetadelines.org.uk if you want to include your event in the calendar for free. Event flyers and posters are subject to advertising guidelines.

13 | December 2013 | Harmony Rag

ELLIE BLACKEBY, Lace City

SANDRA LEA-RILEY, Heartbeat UK

mills_ellie@hotmail.com

sandraleariley@virginmedia.com

ANNE CARGILL, Aberdeen

DOROTHY MAIN, Aberdeen

annecargill2012@btinternet.com

themains@talktalk.net

ALYSON CHANEY, RMT Workshop Coordinator, Lace

NICKY SALT, CAL

City

nicky.salt@hotmail.co.uk

alysonchaney@yahoo.co.uk

DAVID SANGSTER, Forth Valley

GLENN CHANEY, Lace City

carsonsangster@aol.com

glennsings@yahoo.co.uk

VALERIE TAYLOR, Vocal Dimension

EMMA DUGUID, Vocal Dimension

valerie.taylor@privacysolutions.co.uk

duguidemma@gmail.com

GWEN TOPP, Aberdeen

ELAINE HAMILTON, RMT Education Coordinator, CAL

gmtopp@yahoo.co.uk MICHELLE WALKER, Lace City

elainemrssh@aol.com

shelbywalks@yahoo.co.uk

TANYA JENKINS, CAL

LYNDA WOOD, Phoenix

tunefultan@virginmedia.com

lynda@pottonwoods.co.uk

NANCY KELSALL, Heartbeat UK nancykelsall@hotmail.com

COPY DEADLINE The next Harmony Rag will be issued in the end of March. Please send all contributions to harmonyrag@sweetadelines.org.uk by

28 February 2014

Harmony Rag | December 2013 | 14

Coaching for 2014 As part of the 3-year education plan set out for Region 31, choruses are entitled to claim the cost of coaching fees (up to a maximum of £250) in 2014. To apply for this funding: 1. Choose the coach, who you think would best help your chorus, and make the necessary arrangements 2. Pay the coach directly 3. Download the coaching fee reimbursement form to claim up to £250 of the coach’s fees – DOC, DOCX, PDF 4. Submit completed form along with a copy of the receipt to Nuala Hobden (nualahobden@yahoo.com), Finance Co-ordinator of the Quartet of Nations, Region 31 Note that the funding can only be used for coaching and not any other purpose.

The coaching should be carried out in 2014 only. Deadline for submitting claims is 31 December 2014.

Quartet of Nations Region 31 Convention 2014

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN Key dates 28 Feb – Early bird registration closing date 24 Mar – Registration closing date Click here for details