Harmony Rag March 2015 Edition

RISING STAR

PHOENIX, AZ Renaissance Phoenix DOWNTOWN HOTEL 5 0 E . A DA M S S T. • P H O E N I X , A Z 8 5 0 0 4 PHONE:

602.333.0000

2015

www.risingstarquartetcontest.com

Contents FEATURES

8

Inspiration vs Motivation

Looking into what inspires and motivates us to sing

10

Competition Tips from Deke Sharon

Useful tips from the father of contemporary a cappella USUALS 4 7 12 15 15

Regional Buzz Warmed Up RMT Updates Coaching Directory Calendar of Events

Editor’s note It’s contest season, yeay! I know you’re all busy preparing but with this issue, I urge you to stop for a minute to think whether it’s inspiration or motivation that helps you get on that competition stage. Personally, I get my inspiration from many sources but I could honestly say that I haven’t really been inspired to a great deal when it comes to singing.

Motivation, on the other hand, is what I’ve got plenty of each time I go on the risers whether at rehearsal or to perform.

The greatest motivator for me is the great feeling I get whenever I see people affected emotionally by the musical performance that I was part of. Music is such a unifying force that allows people to feel the same emotion within those several minutes.

I look forward to meeting you all again or anew in May!

HARMONY RAG QUARTET OF NATIONS REGION 31 Sweet Adelines International 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

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.

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

Charl

CHARL ASUIT Regional Communications Coordinator charlasuit@gmail.com

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FROM WORKPLACE CHOIR TO FRONT ROW Submitted by Lace City

When given the opportunity to sing with colleagues after work, three ladies from across the East Midlands jumped at the chance, but little did they realise that six months later they would become barbershop addicts and be singing on the front row of the UK female champion barbershop chorus.

Members of Lace City leadership team - director Glenn Chaney, assistant director Ellie Blackeby and music team members Alyson Chaney and Teresa McDonnell - wanted to share their love of barbershop music so they ran work-based choirs at East Midlands Ambulance Service and the Creative Quarter in Nottingham. After huge successes, singers from both choirs joined the Lace City Chorus for their summer recruitment programme, going on to qualify as official members in September 2014. After singing with Lace City for only six months, three of the new recruits have now earned the honour of being selected for the front row.

Vegas let alone be chosen to stand on the front row!” Louisa Oukil, singing lead said, “I’ve never really sung in a choir before (unless of course you can count the various performances at primary school) so joining a national championship choir was quite a challenge. Being asked to sing (and dance) on the front row was a great honour and very exciting. The other ladies always made it look so easy but after three hours at rehearsal, you really feel like you’ve done a good workout.

I just can’t wait to perform it all in front of our audiences now.”

“Barbershop singing just has something about it that draws you in,” said Emily Dunn who sings baritone. “After the first session of singing with Ellie and Teresa in our workplace choir I was addicted. The close harmonies just made my toes curl with excitement. When I found out I had been selected for the front row I was so surprised. I feel absolutely honoured to be standing in front of such an amazing group of women and can’t wait to represent Region 31 in Vegas, baby!”

“We have been amazed by the way our new members have learned so quickly,” Lace City Director, Glenn Chaney, comments. “Barbershop singing is more than just knowing your notes and words. It is also a visual art form and effective communication through the music is a key element. It’s a big challenge and we are proud of the way they have all risen to it.”

DALEDIVA PRAISED FOR ITS WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA SUCCESS Submitted by DaleDiva

Rebecca Long, member of the bass section said, “When I began singing with a few colleagues for fun in our workplace choir, I never dreamed that less than a year later I would be preparing to sing at the International Convention in Las

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DaleDiva has been praised for the quality of its website and social media sites by a leading barbershop website. Ben Edwards from barbershophistory.com graded the Divas’ online activity against the top 50 choruses.

He said, “This is one of the better websites in Sweet Adelines. Facebook followers rank in top

five of groups I’ve looked at and the Twitter page is also fantastic. Overall, one of the best scores in the organisation.”

The Divas are working hard to boost their online profile – particularly the number of Facebook followers – before they appear at the Harmony Classic competition in October. DaleDiva Musical Director Ally Law said, ‘We’re making increasing use of our new-look website and social media channels in the run up to Vegas and it’s great for us and for Region 31 to see we’re up there with the best. It’s a fantastic way to keep our followers bang up to date with what we’re doing and keep in touch with our barbershop friends all over the world. We’re working hard to increase our following before we travel to the States in October – please sign up and follow our journey!”

Follow the Divas: www.dalediva.com www.facebook.com/dalediva www.twitter.com/DaleDivaChorus

APPLE COUNTY’S CHRISTMAS BONUS Submitted by Heather Addicott, Apple County

There was a real buzz around the chorus in the run up to Christmas. We had been privileged to sing at many events in our local area in November and December – locations ranging

from our favourite pensioners’ Christmas party to a celebration of carols at our rehearsal venue – from a Craft Fair at a local historic mansion to a farmers’ shepherd hut at a Christmas market fundraising for the Children’s Hospice South West. It was here that we were introduced by chorus member Angela Barber to a fantastic organisation called ‘Knitted Knockers’ – a charitable group that donates free soft knitted prosthetic breasts to women who have undergone a mastectomy and also provides a great network for those touched by breast cancer.

Despite the many Christmas bookings, nothing could prepare us for the thrill of meeting and singing for a celebrity at our local hospital. Yes, we featured alongside Peter Andre, a supporter of the Musgrove Hospital in Taunton (indeed his newest daughter was born there last year), at the launch of their ‘Wish Tree’ – part of the ‘Love Musgrove’ Charity fundraiser. The event was organised to thank the hard-working staff for all their efforts throughout the year delivering excellent health care to the people of Taunton and the surrounding area. Resplendent in our seasonal red, Apple County delighted the many staff and patients with a lovely programme of Christmas songs and carols whilst awaiting the arrival of Peter.

He commented on how much he enjoyed our singing as well as mentioning the fact that he, too, sang Winter Wonderland. He really was a joy to

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meet – very popular with the staff at the hospital and with the odd chorus member, too! As you can see he fits neatly into our front row!

ABERDEEN CHORUS APPOINTS A NEW DIRECTOR Submitted by Anne Cargill

The Aberdeen Chorus of Sweet Adelines has recently appointed Sophie Radcliffe as coDirector with Gwen Topp, Master Director. Gwen has directed the chorus for the last 20 years and has always been keen to develop the skills of others in the chorus and Sophie has taken every opportunity to learn from Gwen as well as attending many regional and international events. Now 24 years old, Sophie graduated with a degree in music from Aberdeen University and has also completed the Director Certification Programme. She has sung in the chorus since the age of 14 and is in a medal-winning quartet SPARK. She was also recently appointed to the Regional Management Team as Directors’ Coordinator.

As Sophie said to the chorus when she was appointed, “As I have been in front of the chorus more and more as Assistant Director I have really grown to love directing nearly as much as the singing and becoming co-Director is an amazing opportunity for me to take my Sweet Adeline career to the next level and learn a whole lot more about this wonderful art form for the benefit of the chorus and myself. I feel that having both Gwen and me coaching/directing out

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front will really help our overall performance.”

Gwen added, “I am delighted to have Sophie alongside me as co-Director. Working together we can complement each others’ skills to the benefit of the chorus. And the chorus seems to be very happy with this injection of youthful enthusiasm!”

owe it to our friends on the risers to know our words, notes and correct breathing patterns. We spend lots of time listening to our learning tracks and singing along with them. But how many of us can say, hand on heart, that we practise our instrument every day?

I’d like to share some of my favourite vocal exercises which have really helped me to overcome my own vocal issues following a bout of pneumonia last summer. You can easily do these on a daily basis. They are straightforward and do not require a pitch pipe or a piano and some of them will be familiar to you. Remember to retract your false folds each time you practise.

PRACTISING AT HOME “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

I love this quotation, originally coined by Aristotle in the 4th century BC, and recently used by the Rönninge Show Chorus in their journey towards a record-breaking score at the Hawaii Convention in 2013.

When we practise our vocal skills and transfer these skills into our singing we are practising our musical instrument, but do we always practise with these wise words in mind? Those of you who play or who have played an instrument will relate to what I’m going to say.

In the days when I was taking piano exams I practised diligently for at least 30-40 minutes every day - but I didn’t just play through my examination pieces. I spent a good fifteen minutes practising scales and arpeggios and strengthening the agility in my fingers and hands. I broke down the piece into segments and practised any I felt were tricky for much more time than others I was comfortable with. I slowed down the bars and gradually speeded them up until I was pleased with the result.

1. On a NG sound go up and down a scale starting on a note which is in a comfortable range for you. Choose a lower starting note and do the same again. Repeat as many times as you can. Then go high.

2. Do the same exercise but bubble this time 3. Choose a note and on an AH vowel gradually decrease the volume very gradually. You will find this will strengthen your breath support and management.

4. On the same note start quietly, again on an AH vowel, and very gradually get louder. Use a mirror to ensure that your mouth shape does not change.

Throughout all these exercises maintain lift by using kinaesthetic tools to keep the sound in the third floor.

You can hear me sing through these exercises by following this link - http://goo.gl/piKp88 To finish, here are some thoughts expressed by Ivan Lendl, champion tennis player and eight times Grand Slam winner (and recent coach of Andy Murray): “If I don’t practise the way I should, then I won’t play the way I know I can.”

As singers, we owe it to ourselves to produce the best possible sound whenever we sing. We

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INSPIRATION VS MOTIVATION When you sing, are you inspired or motivated?

How about when you perform before an audience? Was it inspiration or motivation that made you join your chorus or form a quartet?

Before you answer that, let’s look at how these words are defined - inspiration and motivation.

motivation. One such theory is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, proposed in 1943 by Abraham Maslow in his paper “A Theory of Human Motivation.” Maslow suggested that there are several levels of needs that human motivations generally move through. The most fundamental needs are physiological, safety, love and belonging and esteem. He said that a person must fulfil these first before she or he will strive for the higher levels (self-actualisation and selftranscendence).

The Oxford dictionary defines inspiration as the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.

We often hear of people who have been inspired by a book that they’ve read or hearing stories from other people. Sometimes we also draw inspiration from life experiences, too. This has been evident among many musicians including Adele whose heartbreak inspired the hit song Rolling in the Deep.

Now motivation, on the other hand, is defined as the desire or willingness to do something. It is that inner force that pushes a person to achieve something. Motivation is driven from a goal, to satisfy a desire. Chris Rowbury, a choir and singing workshop leader, says that commitment and responsibility are what motivates him to turn up to choir rehearsals each week. He made a professional commitment to to show up each week and he’s responsible for directing and leading the singers.

What motivates us?

Motivation goes hand in hand with needs.

Over the years, psychologists have come up with several theories to understand human

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From this we can clearly see that the motivation behind joining a chorus or quartet satisfies the third level - the need for love and belonging in a group. Several studies have already shown how singing can be really good for your body, which then delivers on the physiological needs.

What about the need for recognition? As it is contest season across the Sweet Adelines world, it could be argued that winning is a symbol of being recognised which makes it a fundamental motivation for most competitors. For others, however, contest is more than just coming home with a medal. Being on stage is an opportunity

to showcase the best version of themselves as a singer and as a performer - this is what motivates them. In Maslow’s hierarchy, this satisfies the level of self-actualisation.

With motivation, there is no right or wrong. Each one of us will have our own motives when we sing. Circumstances of where and why we sing also changes the motivating factors. Here are some of the motivations that Sweet Adelines members have: • Experience performing on stage (especially on the international stage) • Getting a medal • Entertain and touch people with our performance • Raise money for a good cause • Be a great singer

Where does inspiration come into play?

Inspiration, on the other hand, is something more spiritual. It’s an inner force that drives you to do something (whether creative or productive) or be somebody. We can get inspiration from everywhere and they don’t necessarily have to be coming from the same area of work, study or interest. And it can strike us anytime even without intent.

In 2003, psychologists Todd M. Thrash and Andrew J. Elliot conducted a study on inspiration and published the results on American Psychological Association. Thrash and Elliot presented a construct for inspiration whereby it’s evoked instead of being initiated and that it involves transcendence of our own limitations and preoccupations. What’s interesting and perhaps coincidental is that they established that inspiration implies motivation - when inspiration strikes us, it will make us act towards something and this would be something that motivates you.

Dr Wayne Dyer, a renowned author and speaker in the areas of self-development and spiritual growth says, “Motivation is when you get hold of

an idea and carry it through to its conclusion, and inspiration is when an idea gets hold of you and carries you where you are intended to go.”

To put this in the Sweet Adelines perspective, we may get inspiration from life experiences (like Adele’s heartbreak) which motivates us to deliver an awesome set at convention to get excellent results. We get inspired by people who live their life to the fullest despite odds and this compelled us to join our chorus so we can, in turn, entertain and inspire other people.

Do you need both or will either one suffice?

Following Thrash and Elliot’s research, it appears that inspiration begets motivation. Inspiration will, almost always, compel a person to take action. Even the great Albert Einstein said that success is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration or hard work, which brings about the motivation to achieve the required end state.

Since inspiration can strike anywhere and anytime, it’s easy just to have it and do nothing about it. When this happens, it’s possible no one (not even yourself) will benefit from it. Inspiration without motivation is empty.

Motivation can, on the other hand, truly manifest on its own. It occurs the second we open our eyes each day. We get out of bed because we need to go to work. We go to work because we need to get paid. Each week we go to chorus rehearsals because it makes us happy (or whatever your motivation is).

Why is this relevant?

Understanding the motivation behind your members attendance, participation and the actual act of singing could help your chorus in the one or more of the following ways: • Recruitment - you can tailor your messaging to be in line with the overall motivating factor that drives your current members to attract similar-minded people • Retention - if you know what motivates your members, your Board or Management Team

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can focus on activities that will keep this motivation going • Performance - Directors and Music Teams will have a better gauge when it comes to choosing music to sing and how to interpret them As for inspiration, the question is not what really inspires each of our members. It should be more of what can we do to find more inspiration because when the person who stands with you on the riser is as inspired as you are - regardless of who or what that inspiration is - something extraordinary can be achieved. When that happens, your performance can, in turn, be an inspiration to others.

COMPETITION TIPS FROM DEKE SHARON In late January 2015, Deke Sharon, regarded as the father of contemporary a cappella, posted a video on his YouTube channel with competition tips. Deke said that these pointers are universal across all a cappella competitions. Since regional competitions are also underway in the Sweet Adelines International world, let’s see how these tips can actually work for our respective choruses and quartets.

Tip #1: Know your strengths and play to them

With this first tip, Deke talks about getting your group’s best arranger to work on a unique arrangement of the best song that fit your best soloists. Clearly this does not apply to barbershop choruses or even quartets, especially for regional contest, merely due to the fact that contestable songs don’t usually have solo parts.

But Deke goes on to say that you need to know your group’s strengths and use them. He said that we “don’t have to do everything for a great competition set” because if we do, it will expose our weaknesses. If your chorus or quartet is not strong on choreography then do as little of it as possible.

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Tip #2: Get outside advice or help

“Dancers are hot.” Deke may have gone a little bit too long about how dancers are hot so your group should definitely ask for some choreography lessons from them. Of course, we know that it really isn’t about the fact that dancers are hot or that your group can’t dance, it’s about getting coaching to help correct or improve areas where your chorus or quartet is weak.ing continuous Receiving education (through coaching) about our craft is one of the fundamental tenets in Sweet Adelines International. We are fortunate, as an organisation, to have access to great coaches both regional and international - who will help us in one or any of the judging categories. And according to Deke, this could make the difference between being good and amazing.

Tip #3: Perform your set everywhere

Deke recommends that you should perform your competition package in front of an audience and ideally on several different occasions. He says not that to let the contest stage be the first time you deliver it because situations are different between performing it during rehearsal and before an audience - not just the energy (whether positive or negative) from the audience but also the differences in physical surroundings.

This could not be more accurate when it comes to Sweet Adelines International choruses and quartets. Most choruses and quartets will have scheduled dress rehearsals where they invite an audience of, usually, family and friends. But if you do get any opportunity to perform your contest set before a different audience and another venue, do it.

Tip #4: Know your judging criteria

The competition stage is ultimately a game where you need to tick each of the boxes. If you don’t know what the boxes are then how will you know if you have satisfied it or not? In the video, the ICCA/ICHSA(1) judging criteria seems to cover a lot of specific areas to measure a group’s performance. Luckily for us in Sweet Adelines International, we only have four -

sound, showmanship, expression and music.

And like the ICCA/ICHSA, our judging criteria is well defined and documented in the Judging Category Description Book (JCDB). Every chorus and quartet, especially those who are competing, must have and read this.

this is the ultimate recognition that they are striving for so it really boils down to what your goals are for the competition. Of course, if you’ve entered the Open Division, then Deke’s advice is very relevant to you if you’re aiming to get the Audience Choice Award.

Tip #5: Play to the audience, not the judges

Tip #6: Have fun

Deke says that if you just perform for the judges, you’ll be thinking about the perfect blend, pitch, etc. and will lose the emotional element of your package. He goes on to say that getting the crowd behind you is much more rewarding than impressing a handful of judges. This, perhaps, is a controversial point in the Sweet Adelines International world. Some choruses and quartets are really out to impress the judges because

The last and the most important tip that Deke gives is this - have fun! And if you do, both the audience and the judges will see this. This advice is so universal that there’s no point in elaborating it for our own contests.

(1) ICCA = International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella, ICHSA = International Championship of High School A Cappella

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INCOMING RMT MEMBERS We are delighted to announce the appointment of four wonderful women to the regional management team (RMT). Pictured from left to right, Sophie Radcliffe, Dorothy Main, Sue Finnigan and Sara Wilcox will be starting their two-year term in May 2015.

Four RMT posts are due for new appointments this year: Directors, Events, Finance and Marketing. Sophie, from Aberdeen Chorus, will be taking over the Directors’ Coordinator position from Petrina Bache. The holder of this post is elected by the Directors but since she was the only candidate presented by the Nominating Committee, Sophie takes on the post as ‘elected by acclamation’. Dorothy, also from Aberdeen Chorus, will be taking the reins on the region’s finances from Nuala Hobden. Sue (from Sheffield Harmony) and Sara (from Milltown Sound) will be taking the posts of Events Coordinator and Marketing Coordinator, respectively.

With these incoming members, there is a good representation from small, mid-size to large choruses and even Chapter-at-Large (CAL) on the RMT.

SUMMARY OF THE JANUARY 2015 RMT MEETING The following items were discussed and agreed at the RMT meeting held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Nottingham last 23-25 January 2015:

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• Incoming RMT members for the two-year term beginning 2015 were in attendance - Sue Finnigan (Events Coordinator), Sophie Radcliffe (Directors Coordinator), Dorothy Main (Finance Coordinator) and Sara Wilcox (Marketing Coordinator).

• All members of the judging panel have agreed to facilitate education workshops on the Sunday of the convention weekend. Details of the classes will be published in the convention bulletins.

• Sue Finnigan has been confirmed as this year’s Official Panel Liaison (OPL), providing an opportunity for hands-on training as the incoming Events Coordinator for Region 31.

• Rates for the Harmony Bazaar will remain as last year’s.

• Convention order of appearance (draw) will be published on the convention website.

• Venue for 2016 convention will be announced shortly.

• Regional dues will be increased from £15 to £16.

• Final details of Ignite 2015 are being prepared.

These will be published shortly.

• An education event featuring LoveNotes (Sweet Adelines International 2014 Quartet Champions) will be held on 29-31 January 2016.

• A mixed quartet contest will be held and tagged onto the 2015 LABBS Convention in Bournemouth. Details of registration and tickets to follow.

Next RMT meeting dates are: 07 May 2015 in Nottingham 17-19 July 2015 in Birmingham

NEW REGIONAL WEBSITE The regional website for the Quartet of Nations Region 31 of Sweet Adelines International was relaunched at the beginning of March. It was the culmination of three month’s work with Suitcase Media, the agency who was awarded the contract.

Our Regional Communications Coordinator, Charl Asuit, oversaw the project as well as hands-on contribution to the overall design.

Some of the features that we’ve added are: • Profile pages for every accredited chorus and registered quartet in Region 31 • An interactive search of nearest chorus • A news feed • Page listing the history and milestones of Region 31 • Knowledge base to make the most out of your membership with Region 31 and Sweet Adelines International Several members have already sent in their feedback on the redesigned website.

“Brilliant! Great effort. So flashy and sassy. Region 31 rocks!”

where we communicate to our members and supporters. We will also be adding more articles that you, your chorus or quartet may find useful.

TWO NEWLY CHARTERED CHORUSES IN REGION 31 We’re delighted to welcome Singing Unlimited (based in Hoofddorp, Netherlands) and Moor Harmony (based in Wadebrige in Cornwall) to the Region 31 family! Both choruses have received confirmation of their accreditation from Sweet Adelines International HQ early this year, which qualifies them to compete at this year’s regional chorus competition.

“The website looks really fantastic - well done!”

“New website looks good!”

“Wow - what a great achievement. Very excited to see Region 31 leading the way into using the current media, showing how progressive we all are.

Good luck with the continued work to complete the website. I will watch with great interest!”

“Congratulations with the fantastic look and layout of the new Region 31 website!”

“Great revamp! The site is looking fab.”

Singing Unlimited

“Loving the new website. Really easy to use and informative. Thank you.”

“Great job team, it’s vibrant and energetic just like our region. Thank you for working so hard on this.”

“Love it! It is professional, functional and exciting!”

“Its great! So much better on my mobile.”

“Looking fab and colourful! Well done.”

Work, however, is continuous with this new website as it was never intended to be a static and glossy brochure. It will be a platform

Moor Harmony

With these choruses chartering, Quartet of Nations Region 31 is now the largest region in terms of number of registered members (1,362) in Sweet Adelines International.

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RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE ANN GOOCH AWARD Each year, the Ann Gooch award honours a member from a worldwide region or satellite area for her outstanding contributions to her chapter, region or area. In addition to receiving recognition on stage at the international convention, a US$500 is also given to the education fund of the recipient’s chapter or the region if the recipient is Chapter-at-Large.

Region 31 has been fortunate to have three recipients in the past – Alyson Chaney in 2007, Anne Cargill in 2011 and Elaine Hamilton in 2013.

Wouldn’t it be great to have the 2015 recipient from our region, too? If you agree and have someone in mind then please put their names forward to HQ.

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Eligibility requirements for candidates are: • Recipient must be a member in good standing of Sweet Adelines International.

• Recipient must be a member in good standing of a chapter, Chapter-at-Large, or Member-atLarge in the Satellite Area or Regions 31, 32, 34, or 35.

• Through her talent and dedication, the recipient must have made outstanding contributions to the furtherance and development of Sweet Adelines International and the barbershop style as an American art form in her chapter, region or area.

You will need to complete this form - http://goo. gl/RwVPxS - and send along with a recent photo of the candidate (if available) by 07 May 2015 to Corporate Secretary Janell Mason at international headquarters, 9110 South Toledo Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74137 USA or via email to corp_secy@ sweetadelineintl.org.

ELLIE BLACKEBY, Lace City mills_ellie@hotmail.com

SANDRA LEA-RILEY, Heartbeat UK sandraleariley@virginmedia.com

ANNE CARGILL, Aberdeen annecargill2012@btinternet.com

DOROTHY MAIN, Aberdeen themains@talktalk.net

ALYSON CHANEY, Lace City alysonchaney@yahoo.co.uk

NICKY SALT, CAL nicky.salt@hotmail.co.uk

GLENN CHANEY, Lace City glenn.chaney@yahoo.co.uk

DAVID SANGSTER, Forth Valley carsonsangster@aol.com

EMMA DUGUID, Vocal Dimension duguidemma@gmail.com

VALERIE TAYLOR, Vocal Dimension valerie.taylor@privacysolutions.co.uk

NORMA FERRIER, Forth Valley norma.ferrier@whec.edin.sch.uk

GWEN TOPP, Aberdeen gmtopp@yahoo.co.uk

ELAINE HAMILTON, CAL elainemrssh@aol.com

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

TANYA JENKINS, CAL tunefultan@virginmedia.com

LYNDA WOOD, Phoenix lynda@pottonwoods.co.uk

NANCY KELSALL, Heartbeat UK nancykelsall@hotmail.com 07 May 2015

Quartet of Nations RMT May Meeting

Nottingham

08-10 May 2015

Nottingham 2015

Nottingham

22-25 May 2015

BABS Sing 2015

Llandudno

17-19 July 2015

Quartet of Nations RMT July Meeting

Birmingham

19 September 2015

Ignite 2015 Scotland

Dundee

19 September 2015

Ignite 2015 South West

Devon

19 September 2015

Ignite 2015 Central

Nottingham

26 September 2015

Ignite 2015 North West

Manchester

26 September 2015

Ignite 2015 South East

Redhill

05-10 October 2015

69th Annual International Convention

Las Vegas

30 October - 01 November 2015 LABBS 2015 Convention

Bournemouth

07 November 2015

Ignite 2015 Netherlands

TBC

29-31 January 2016

LoveNotes in the UK

Birmingham

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COPY DEADLINE The next Harmony Rag will be issued in June - please send all contributions to harmonyrag@sweetadelines.org.uk by

31 May 2015