HARMONY RAG Autumn 2016
LAS VEGAS ON THE HORIZON
Region 31 quartets and choruses are ready to take the international stage
IN THIS ISSUE HARMONY RAG
FEATURES
14 15
• •
Fun, Fundraising & Finesse Glamour, Glitz & Glitter
USUALS 4 • Regional Buzz HARMONY CAMPERS A RIGHT ROYAL TEA PARTY WITH SPINNAKER CHORUS
BECAUSE MUSIC KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES
DALEDIVA’S SUMMER OF FUN
SHAKEN, NOT STIRRED!
ON THE MERIDIAN AND ON THE RISERS
KIRSTIE TAKES OVER THE BATON
MATCH, MIX & MARRY
12 • Column: Warmed Up BREATHING: THE FUEL FOR SINGING, THE FUEL FOR LIFE 18
•
RMT Updates
23 • Calendar & Coaching Directory
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 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
REGIONAL BUZZ HARMONY CAMPERS
Submitted by Andrea Day, The MIX and Cheshire Chord Company
Little did I realise that the germ of an idea to ask a few barber-friends to go camping one weekend would turn into what it became on a weekend in August 2016, Harmony Camp, a weekend filled with friends, socialising and singing was born. When I first embarked on the project, I worried that I wouldn’t fill the 35 places that I needed to, to ensure that the camp paid for itself. But after 90 minutes of the tickets going on sale and every place was filled, those fears were replaced with an overwhelming wonder at what on earth I had created! We had over 200 attendees who represented 87 different barbershop groups across the UK (Sweet Adelines Region 31, BABS & LABBS), Europe (Holland Harmony & SABS) and even BHS chapters in the USA. To
Medal-winning teams of sports day
celebrateour diversity, we asked each group to handcraft their own ‘bunt’ that we strung up to decorate our main marquee. The quality of the entries was fantastic and the competition hotly fought for the top spot with the victors being Sweet Adelines Region 31 quartet, DeciBelles. Sheffield Harmony member, Hannah Braham, devised a devious barbershop quiz for all the nerds; her Music Director and partner, Tim Briggs ran ‘Tim’s Tag Time’ to get us all ringing those chords; and BABS member Pete York taught us some Scottish country dancing.
DeciBelle’s winning ‘bunt’ (left) and team captain of winning quiz team, Alan Hughes (BABS) collecting the trophy from organiser Andrea Day and quiz writer, Hannah Braham (right)
4 | Harmony Rag | Autumn 2016
There was a sports day complete with barbershoprelated rounds such as ‘Pass the Pitch’ where we gave one team member a pitch in their ear and passed the pitch through their team members to see how accurate it was at the end. Our winning team was YankieBeat – made up of our American friends from BHS and members from Heartbeat UK Chorus.
REGIONAL BUZZ The glorious weather helped the weekend at Harmony Camp be even more fun than I could have imagined and when the vintage ice cream van arrived on site to cool us down, it was the icing on the cake.
decided to ask our guests to wear appropriate hats for which the best would receive a prize!
After weeks of planning with the fundraising team, printing tickets and sewing yards of bunting, Sunday, 31st July dawned bright. Nikki It was so wonderful to meet so many barbershop and Liz produced hundreds of scones and cup friends over the weekend – old and new. So much cakes and the obligatory cucumber sandwiches so, that there was just no way that we couldn’t were piled on Leona’s cake stands. Proper posh do it again next year. So if you’re interested in tea services on loan from Gillian meant there joining next year’s summer adventure, search were to be no paper cups for this Spinnakerette for ‘Harmony Camp 2017’ on Facebook or extravaganza. visit www.harmonycampuk.co.uk for more information to ensure that you don’t miss out on Everything was going swimmingly until Wendy the fun in August 2017. All are welcome! realised several pints of clotted cream were still chilling in her fridge some 20 miles down the A3! A scone with no cream at a garden party – unthinkable! So a quick dash to the nearest supermarket and this culinary disaster was averted. We had borrowed tables, chairs and sun-shades from Chris’ neighbours on the understanding that we would sing loudly enough for them to hear us over the fences. Chris A RIGHT ROYAL TEA PARTY WITH was a most gracious host – strong-armed or not – and was ably assisted by Carol, Jacky’s sister.
SPINNAKER CHORUS
Submitted by Elspeth Smith, Fundraising & Events, Spinnaker Chorus
We were in a bar opposite the Sage in May 2016, still basking in the shared glory of our new 3rd place in Sweet Adelines Region 31, when we directed our thoughts to our new roles. This was to be Wendy’s and my first foray into fundraising and events-planning for Spinnaker Chorus and we were keen not to muck it up. When Jacky suggested a garden party in her partner Chris’ garden, we jumped at the chance. Chris, our own ‘Stage Door Johnnie’, is a staunch supporter of Spinnaker Chorus but would he really want a crowd of noisy, excitable women invading his garden, drinking Pimms and dropping scones in his flower beds? As a theme we picked the Queen’s 90th birthday and in view of a Spinnakerette’s penchant for dressing up, we
Official opening of the tea party by Queen of the Risers, Gladys
Harmony Rag | Autumn 2016 | 5
REGIONAL BUZZ their despair bravely. After the hat competition was awarded to the lovely Karen for which she won a bottle of fizz, our guests started to wend their way home. What really struck Wendy and I later wasn’t just how much fun the event itself had been, but how much everyone had worked so well together. Even some who hadn’t been able to come to the party had rallied around and done their bit whether by baking, donating prizes, equipment or buying tickets that they knew they couldn’t use. What’s next then girls?
BECAUSE MUSIC KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES
Submitted by Alexandra Terhoff, PRO, No Borders Show Chorus
Spinnakerette ladies who tea (photo above) and JP directing Spinnaker Chorus to what we do best, singing in harmony!
Dressed as Her Majesty, our own Queen of the Risers, Gladys, opened the proceedings with a rendition of I Like A Nice Cup Of Tea. Chris D and Sandra gamely flogged raffle tickets while the urns boiled and made a healthy addition to the coffers. When no more tea and cakes could be forced down, Bethany and JP entertained us with flute and guitar. This must have whetted our musical appetites because it wasn’t long before we were all up on our feet doing what we do best, singing in harmony! Chris marched us all round to his neighbour’s front garden to perform yet more songs. Fifty singing women and a bloke in a hat waving his arms about on your drive on a Sunday afternoon could be off-putting, especially if you’re in the middle of washing your hair but these neighbours hid 6 | Harmony Rag | Autumn 2016
Founded in October 2014, we only had our first rehearsal in April 2015. Our numbers grew during the year and we ended up with 54 people in December 2015 and so decided to make our way to our first Sweet Adelines Region 31 Convention in Newcastle. Sure we had dreams but we were also realistic. With the standard in Region 31 being as high as it is, we hoped to place somewhere in the top half. What a huge surprise we had! After only five rehearsals with the core convention chorus and our competition set of Jazz Me Blues and When You’re Smiling, we travelled to Newcastle. The welcome was warm and friendly! A wonderful idea of Sweet Adelines International is to give participants who sing the first time at convention a little green flag for the badge with the text ‘First Timer’ on it. So everybody was cheering us on and we felt very heart-warmed and proud. What an awesome atmosphere!
No Borders Show Chorus at the 2016 Convention (photo credit: Event Photos)
Many of us arrived the day before chorus competition and watched the quartet competition so we couldn’t wait to get on the stage ourselves. Due to the lack of time with the core chorus, we decided late in the day to change our choreography dramatically. Basically by removing most of it and instead asking individuals to freestyle based upon the visual plans previously discussed. What happened was less like a performance and more like a huge party, even if it did get a little chaotic towards the end. The audience was amazing and really made us feel welcome. We had an absolute ball on stage! Of course the result just blew us away! Some of us were afraid that members of our chorus would fall over the balcony because everybody was just jumping and screaming after being announced second in Division AA! Silver medal! Before we’d really had time to calm down they announced the chorus placing fifth overall with 591 points, No Borders Show Chorus! A second medal! What an incredible first convention in Sweet Adelines. So many moments, so many memories and so many new friends to share our love of music with! See you next year!
DALEDIVA’S SUMMER OF FUN Submitted by Beth O’Donovan, PRO, DaleDiva
2016 has been an exciting year so far for DaleDiva. We started the year with 15 new members who have sung their socks off to get up to speed with our repertoire as well as learning several new
songs with the already established Divas. Taking on new members has been a fantastic opportunity to jiggle things up a bit within the chorus. So as well as new members, we have had Divas change section, we have a new music team and we have a new management team. All of this goes to show how adaptable and welcoming the longer established Divas are and how willing the new members are to embrace DaleDiva’s ethos. The chorus is in such a happy place. Rehearsals have taken on a new structure and have a fresh and fun energy about them and we’ve already stacked up many successful singouts this year including a charity event, a singout in a church with beautiful acoustics, taking part in the BBC Choir of the Year competition and the Llangollen International Eisteddfod – a first for DaleDiva as we had never competed in an event like this before – we will definitely be returning. Competing in the Open Category we were delighted with the result. Third place and only half a point off second place. We thoroughly enjoyed our time on stage, singing four of our favourite songs and singing with absolute joy and enthusiasm and the judges noted this. Another particular highlight was the impromptu sing at the prosecco bar making new friends from around the world, it really was a wonderful weekend. Now that six months have passed, all of our 2016 recruits are now official Divas and are ready for a busy few months ahead as we look forward to a concert with an American chorus who are Harmony Rag | Autumn 2016 | 7
REGIONAL BUZZ
touring the UK, an event at Derby Cathedral as well as several other exciting sing-outs before the end of this year. There are also another three potential recruits in the wings, so we getting very close to our 50 singer maximum. We decided that when we go to an event, we want to be able to all fit on one bus! Also this year we have had our first Diva Fest
and now have a group of gals that do circuit training every Saturday morning followed by a coffee and chat. It’s so motivating to get fit when surrounded by such positivity and support. We are also planning some exciting things for 2017 to celebrate our tenth anniversary, it’s going to be epic! It only seems like yesterday that our founder and Director held the first open evening with only three people knowing anything about barbershop! We feel so lucky to have such an inspirational and forward-thinking leader in Ally. DaleDiva has always been about getting out and entertaining and we are certainly doing that this year. Nothing beats the buzz you get from sharing your joy of singing with others, I am sure you all agree and we wish you as much fun as we are having.
SHAKEN, NOT STIRRED!
Submitted by Sheena Kaighin, Surrey Harmony Chorus
Who will be the next James Bond? Surrey Harmony will have an answer of sorts at their forthcoming show, Shaken, Not Stirred.
DaleDiva founder and Musical Director, Ally Law
8 | Harmony Rag | Autumn 2016
It’s an evening inspired by the glamour of our favourite spy at the Harlequin Theatre in Redhill, Surrey on Saturday, 26th November, at 7:30pm.
presents
Shaken, not Stirred An evening inspired by 007
Surrey Harmony brings the glamour of James Bond to the Harlequin Theatre in an all-new show, also featuring special guests: Hannah and the Hurricanes
World Mixed Quartet silver medallists
Bastet School of Dancing
Showcasing the best of Surrey’s young dance talent
SATURDAY 26th November 2016, 7.30pm HARLEQUIN THEATRE, REDHILL, SURREY, RH1 1NN TICKETS: £15 and £12.50 concessions Book at www.harlequintheatre.co.uk/surrey-harmony-shaken-not-sBrred
www.surreyharmony.com Featuring famous Bond theme songs from follow the link from www.surreyharmony.com. Thunderball to Skyfall, Surrey Harmony is also Surrey Harmony is looking forward to leaving promising to have their own 007, the identity of you shaken AND stirred! whom is currently a secret! Surrey Harmony has lined up a cocktail of entertainment for the evening. Special guests will be Hannah and the Hurricanes. If you missed them at the Region 31 Convention in May, then don’t miss out again. They are the current World Mixed silver medallists, and were UK Mixed Champions in both 2014 and 2015. Surrey Harmony is very excited they agreed to perform at the show. Surrey Harmony also likes to showcase young talent from their home county and is delighted to once more share the stage with the Bastet School of Dancing. They promise a programme which will leave you wanting to practice your own dance moves. Tickets to Shaken, Not Stirred are £15 (£12.50 concessions) and can be obtained from www.harlequintheatre.co.uk or
ON THE MERIDIAN AND ON THE RISERS
Submitted by Debbie Bramley, Zero Degrees Show Chorus
Every Thursday night for two hours or more in the market town of Louth in Lincolnshire, ladies in purple t-shirts gather together in a hub of enthusiasm, harmony and enjoyment. Formed by Chris and Jane Mackintosh-Smith and their daughter Becky in August 2014, Zero Degrees Show Chorus is part of a rich heritage of singing in the town and we are becoming established in the calendar, to support local charities and events. The statistics are impressive – from zero to 33 members in less than two years; a repertoire of 18 songs; over 20 public performances already – with appearances on Radio Lincolnshire and at Harmony Rag | Autumn 2016 | 9
REGIONAL BUZZ a local talent show and at weddings. We joined Sweet Adelines International and competed at the 2016 convention with pleasing results. Our youngest member is 15 years old and others range through the decades to those growing old gracefully beyond three score years; we are a living and growing legacy in true Olympic style. The talent goes beyond singing. Our members include a flautist, a costume maker, a comedic entertainer and a choreographer. Social events – which inevitably involve singing – help to cement friendships and to understand each other as people, as well as singers and help to give something back to our long suffering families.
your memory. Now where’s that purple t-shirt got to again?
KIRSTIE TAKES OVER THE BATON Submitted by Sheila Naylor, Somerset Hills Chorus
Somerset Hills Chorus is delighted to announce the appointment of Kirstie Spencer as its new Musical Director.
Music has been in Kirstie’s blood since she was a child. She began singing in her local church choir, in small groups and in local productions. She took singing lessons at school, achieving her Level 5 certificate at the age of 15 – a rigorous test of singing ability where candidates have to sing Learning has to begin and continue outside of accompanied, unaccompanied and from sight in practice nights. Busy women have owned up to three languages. Kirstie also plays the piano and various venues for this including the bath, the trumpet and for many years was a member of a car, at the ironing board and around the house. marching band. We know this for a fact – as offspring as young as six can sing the lead part of Friends and the She joined Plymouth Mayflower Chorus in 2007, Anthem from Chess! We have a core of founder winning a bronze medal at convention a few members with newer folk joining via word of years later. She became Assistant Director in mouth, friendship networks, a Learn-to-Sing 2013 and studied for the Directors Certification course and even ‘flash singing’ in a restaurant Programme, qualifying in 2015. She continues which drew in some valuable bass members to sing competitively in two quartets, Raise the over steak and pizza. Roof with other members of the Mayflowers and a mixed quartet called Myxd Up. Our chorus is still relatively new and discovering the joys of the buzz and satisfaction of a good Kirstie is revelling in the challenge of being a cone of sound that raises the hairs on the back Director. “Somerset Hills is a fabulous chorus of your neck, the learning of new skills, the with a great sound and we have many plans for thrill of performing and the unexpected, but not the future,” she said. unwelcome benefit that it also seems to improve Zero Degrees Chorus at the 2016 Convention (photo credit: Event Photos)
REGIONAL BUZZ and Zac’s BABS colleague, Nick Williams had followed their lead and got engaged. Nick also has a fine barbershop pedigree as a member of current gold medal-winning BABS quartet, Finest Hour and formerly of HomeSpun, too, and has been warmly welcomed into the Ignite UK family. Not only that, these two lovely couples have now formed a fantastic mixed quartet Magic Hour whom we look forward to hearing from very soon. Meanwhile, we enjoyed our first visit from Sue Finnigan of the Regional Management Team so New Musical Director of Somerset Hills, Kirstie Spencer, pictured we can get chartered and play our full role in in the middle Region 31, and as Harmony Rag goes to press Chorus President Judith Morris said, “We feel we’re continuing with our recruitment drive. very lucky to have found Kirstie and are looking Following our launch in February – working forward to the chorus evolving as she brings her under the guidance of our Musical Director, unique style and enthusiasm to the role. She is Doug Harrington and creative team Kirsty taking us on an exciting journey which we are Williams, Debbie Varley and Harriet Adamson really enjoying.” – we currently have 45 members. But we’d like more so if you live in the Belper/Derby area and are looking for a chorus to join, or know MATCH, MIX & MARRY someone who may be interested in having a Submitted by Liz Tomes, Communications and go at barbershop singing, please email Ellie at Marketing Officer, Ignite UK Chorus ereynolds_55@hotmail.com. Since we introduced ourselves as a prospective Region 31 chorus in the last edition of Harmony You can also find out what we’re up to and drop Rag a lot’s been happening in Ignite UK. As well us a line on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ as working hard on our repertoire and preparing igniteukchorus for our first public performance, we are certainly sharing the barbershop love by celebrating not only an engagement but a wedding, too! In June, we were thrilled to share in the surprise wedding ceremony (billed as a joint 30th birthday party!) of Igniter Claire Rippon and Zac Booles of BABS Grand Central Chorus, Monkey Magic and current bronze medal-winning The Locksmiths quartet fame. Congratulations Mr and Mrs Booles and well done for springing a surprise that left the girls speechless for once! Just a few weeks later we were delighted to hear that Claire’s fellow Igniter, Rachel Squire
Rachel and Nick got engaged (left) and Zac and Claire, now Mr and Mrs Booles!
Harmony Rag | Autumn 2016 | 11
COLUMN:
WARMED UP BREATHING: THE FUEL FOR SINGING, THE FUEL FOR LIFE
To practise breathing well, try this.
1. Lie on the floor on your back with your hands on your stomach. Breath in (inhale) and your hands will rise. Now breathe out (exhale) and I hope you’ve all had a happy summer, whether they will lower. In this position, it is virtually your chorus has taken a summer break or whether impossible to breathe incorrectly. Try to breathe you’ve carried on rehearsing throughout the in the same way when you sing. summer months. 2. Practise correct abdominal breathing regularly to improve your technique and build your In this article I’m going to share a couple of capacity. things with you which I have found particularly interesting and totally inspiring in the case of Here are two excellent exercises to practise on a the short video clips with the amazing Joyce regular basis, i.e. daily! DiDonato. EXERCISE 1: HISSING The first article is reproduced from the BBC Breathe in to the count of 4, breathe out, hissing, Learn-to-Sing website and concentrates on to the count of 4 some easy and effective exercises to tone up Then, breathe in for 6, and hiss out for 10 your breathing muscles ready for a new term of In for 6, out for 12 great singing. I’m sure you’ll find it useful. I’ve In for 2, out for 12 reproduced the breathing section in full here. In for 4, out for 16 In for 2, out for 16 Learn to Sing: Breathing In for 4, out for 20 Breathing well will support your voice. Singing In for 1, out for 20 when there’s no breath left is a common way of tiring your voice. Follow the steps below to help The idea is to monitor your breathing, and improve your breathing. ensure that you can last through long phrases. Be economical with your breathing. Make sure 1. Breathe deeply from your lower lungs – the hiss is consistent; that it is not louder at the imagine a rubber ring around your waist (your beginning than at the end. You are aiming for a diaphragm) smooth even sound. 2. Breathe in and try to push the ring outwards. 3. Breathe in through your nose and out through EXERCISE 2: SNATCHED BREATHS your nose and mouth. Breathing in gradually, think of your lungs 4. Avoid raising your shoulders as you breathe filling up in fractions, when you count. Focus on in - keep them relaxed and level. the diaphragm, being careful not to hold tension 5. Relax! Tension will prevent you from making in the throat. a good sound.
plus some tips from Joyce DiDonato
Harmony Rag | June 2016 | 12 Alyson Chaney, a certified International Faculty member and current Region 31 Education Coordinator, presents a regular column about how to devise a great vocal warm up routine. She would love to hear from you, too. If you have any great warm-up routines to share, please send to alysonchaney@yahoo.com
COLUMN: WARMED UP On the count of 1 - breathe in (¼ full) 2 - (½ full) 3 - (¾ full) 4 - (full) 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 - breathe out, gradually Repeat, on the count of 1 – breathe in (½ full) 2 - (full) 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 – breathe out gradually
Mixed Quartet Contest Sunday 30th October 2016 Harrogate
Source: BBC website The second link introduces the celebrated opera singer Joyce DiDonato as she gives some tips to singers about performance, preparedness, confidence and, yes, breathing. You can find the link here: http://www.classicfm.com/artists/ joyce-didonato/advice/ Joyce is an American mezzo-soprano famous for the versatility and beauty of her voice. If you’re interested in an example of her amazing voice go to: https://youtube.com/ watch?v=F0VxUR98uAw where she performs with great panache Una Voce Poco Fa from Rossini’s Barber of Seville. Good luck and remember I’m always looking for hints, suggestions and exercises that have worked for you. My email is alysonchaney@ yahoo.co.uk and I look forward to hearing from you.
The 2016 Barbershop in Harmony Mixed Quartet contest will be held at the end of the LABBS Convention in the Harrogate International Centre on Sunday 30th October 2016, starting at around lunchtime and is open to all.
We can promise another exciting contest with the added bonus that the top three quartets with qualifying score, will be asked to represent the UK in the European Mixed Quartet contest in October 2017. If you like the idea of mixing it up in harmony, then put the date in your diary and start thinking about who you can get together with in 2017 to form your own quartet. If you are attending LABBS Convention, you can watch the excitement at no additional cost. If not, tickets can be purchased from the LABBS website or on the door.
Barbershop in Harmony, is a collaboration between: The Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers (LABBS). Region 31(Quartet of Nations) Sweet Adelines International and the British Association of Barbershop Singers (BABS). With a collective voice of over 6000 singers, the three organisations are working together to promote and raise the profile of barbershop singing in the UK.
MUSICAL DIRECTOR REQUIRED Rhapsody UK Chorus needs a new Musical Director with drive, ambition and the ability to keep us winnng Gold! We are current Sweet Adelines’ Region 31 Small Chorus Champions and have been singing together for 8 years. We need a person with proven experience in the barbershop genre, someone with energy and commitment to work us hard to develop both the musical and performance elements of our chorus. For more information, email annawildman@virginmedia.com by 30 September 2016 The successful candidate will be ably supported by our experienced Assistant Director and music team. Rhapsody UK chorus numbers 32 and meets weekly at Ormiston Bushfield Academy in Peterborough each Tuesday evening. More information about us can be found on our website www.rhapsodychorus.org.uk
FEATURES Plenty of rah-rah for our Region 31 representatives who are off to Las Vegas! Our Region 31 members wish all our remarkable chorus and quartet competitors the very best of luck as they go off on their respective adventures next month to Las Vegas. Everyone knows you’ll do your absolute best and rest-assured, you will be watched from afar at all hours of the night and day via the wonders of the Sweet Adelines International webcast. We can’t wait to see you and cheer Maison De l’Art. They will also get to enjoy you on! Andy’s culinary skills (they really are in for a treat). As a happy coincidence, Finesse sang at the Potts’ wedding so we are thrilled they will FUN, FUNDRAISING & FINESSE join us in France and promise they will receive Submitted by Helen, Nicky, Beth and Tan, Finesse another personal performance of Till There Was Finesse has been busily fundraising alongside You. preparing our BRAND NEW packages for Vegas 2016 where we will proudly represent Region 31 We are really excited to have Tan’s Dad organise another ceilidh on 1st October in Whittlesey with for the seventh consecutive year. a cabaret style show where Tan’s son Kai and his Nicky relocating to France hasn’t slowed the band will provide the perfect dancing music. pace at all as she joins our trio rehearsals via Additional entertainment includes Portobello Skype and as we all do, practices hard listening Road (BABS silver medallists with Helen’s to recordings making sure we hit the ground hubby, Stuart, on bass), Phoenix and Rhapsody running when all four of us are physically choruses. This show requires your input, so don your dancing shoes, grab a ticket and join us together! We are working SMART. for what promises to be another amazing night. We would like to offer huge congratulations to Tickets are £10 and can be reserved by calling Tan Jennie and Michael Potts, who won the raffle on 07973 542888. If Whittlesea is a long way from prize for VIP treatment at our French show home, you may also be interested to note that with overnight accommodation and breakfast Tan’s Dad is offering the use of one of his fields in the gorgeous surroundings of Nicky’s house, (just three miles from the venue) for anyone who
14 | Harmony Rag | Autumn 2016
FEATURE STORY
VARIETY SHOW AND CEILIDH SATURDAY 1 OCTOBER 2016 At Sir Harry Smith Community College, Eastrea Road, Whittlesey, Peterborough. PE7 1XB
7.30 – 10.30 p.m. Featuring FINESSE
PORTOBELLO ROAD
The best Ladies Barbershop Quartet in the Country and International 5th place barbershop Champions who will thrill you with the package they will perform in the USA later in October along with a few old favourites.
Portobello Road is one of the UK's leading A Cappella quartets. As a quartet, they have an impressive heritage, with 9 Gold medals (plus numerous other colours) from the British Association of Barbershop Singers (BABS) between them and nearly 100 years of singing experience!
PIG DYKE BAND PHOENIX
Dance the night away with a ceilidh called by a number of different callers between the entertainment spots with music from Kai, Kathryn and Chris that make up the Pig Dyke Band, one of the youngest and most vibrant bands around.
One of this country’s top Barbershop Choruses of some 50+ women singing close harmony acapella. Under the direction of Linda Wood, a sight and sound to behold.
PIG DYKE MOLLY In glorious black and white, the group has taken Fenland traditional dance, shaken it by the scruff of its neck and turned it into exciting entertainment for the 21st Century.
INTONATION
RHAPSODY
Peterborough’s newest and friendliest mixed small choir, led by Aida Vidan.
Peterborough’s Premier Ladies Barbershop Chorus. Sweet Adelines Small Chorus silver medallists.
Tickets - £10 available from Tim or Lynn on 01733 844181 email t.jenkins@open.ac.uk or Tanya - Finesse on 01525 720570
would like to camp overnight to break up a long journey. Six Internationals, has it really been that many? Six Internationals! Five finals: tenth, ninth, fourth, third and fifth International medals. As many of you know, we take our responsibility to represent Region 31 at International very seriously and ensure we do everything possible to make our performances the very best they can be. We are really very excited to be going back for a seventh time and will do everything we can to make you proud. We would like to thank you in advance for all the support we receive via social media – we truly feel you are there with us when we get the opportunity to read your comments and messages.
one of our events and don’t yet have one of our enamel pins, it’s not too late. We ask for a minimum donation of £3.20 for each pin which includes postage within the UK. You can order your pin by making a donation via our PayPal account – do please put your address in the comments section, as it doesn’t automatically do this, so we can make sure your pin arrives at the right place! Our PayPal account is finessetenor@ gmail.com All that is left for us to do is to wish every Region 31 competitor the very best experience performing on the International stage! So to The MIX, Heartbeat, Viva Acappella, Vocal Dimension and our special returning friends, Fortuity – break a lip and we’ll see you all there!
GLAMOUR, GLITZ & GLITTER
Submitted by Valerie Taylor and Viv Cooper, Vocal Dimension Chorus
Everyone in Vocal Dimension Chorus is excited to be preparing for our second appearance in the Harmony Classic competition in Las Vegas in October. Our second International adventure! As one of our coaches, Erin Howden, said: “To get the opportunity to compete at International is a great achievement, but to be a returning competitor is really something special.” It was enough of a challenge to come up with the idea for our 2014 Wimbledon package so coming up with an idea to top that was quite a feat! Our Director, Valerie Taylor, said: “We already had our contest song and that gave us a few different directions to explore. It was great fun choosing the other songs for our set, including a medley that was specially arranged for us by Joey Minshall.”
Our preparations for Vegas are now at fever pitch! We have just premiered our Harmony Classic package which is based on a musical If you would like to support us but can’t attend awards ceremony, like the Olivier awards. Prior Harmony Rag | Autumn 2016 | 15
FEATURE STORY to the show we were fortunate to be coached by David Sangster of Forth Valley Chorus. It was a lot of fun and David gave us some very useful tweaks and tips – we really hope he’s able to come back and work with us again in the future! The premiere itself was a big success and included plenty of glamour, glitz and glitter, some very recognisable numbers from popular musicals and a fair sprinkling of comical characters vying for supremacy. The audience gave us a great reception and everyone enjoyed hearing our wonderful guest acts – the Include Choir, the Royal Harmonics Chorus and HeadQuarters quartet. On 17th September we’ll be hosting our Summer Party fundraiser at Woodcote Golf Club. Then on 1st October we’re throwing open the doors for our official Las Vegas dress rehearsal at the Warwick School, Redhill. Please do check out these events at www.vocaldimension.co.uk and come along if you’re able to – we’re so grateful for all your support! And if you haven’t done so already, you can still buy tickets for our Stars & Stripes Raffle and the chance to win up to £250, or support our crowdfunding project at www. crowdfunder.co.uk/vocal-dimension-chorusgoing-for-gold To coincide with this being Olympics year, we’re visualising International Convention as the Olympic Games of the barbershop world and we mean to make every bit as much of an effort to excel as Team GB did in Rio. So Region 31, please cheer on your very own contenders Finesse, Fortuity, The MIX, Heartbeat, Viva Acappella and Vocal Dimension – good luck to all, we’ll do our best to make you proud!
ON STAGE TIMINGS
FOR REGION 31 REPRESENTATIVES IN LAS VEGAS HARMONY CLASSIC, DIVISION A Vocal Dimension, contestant no. 1 Las Vegas
UK
Netherlands
Tue, 18 Oct 18:20
Wed, 19 Oct 02:20
Wed, 19 Oct 03:20
QUARTET SEMIFINALS Fortuity, contestant no. 3 Las Vegas
UK
Netherlands
Wed, 19 Oct 10:31
Wed, 19 Oct 18:31
Wed, 19 Oct 19:31
Finesse, contestant no. 15 Las Vegas
UK
Netherlands
Wed, 19 Oct 13:05
Wed, 19 Oct 21:05
Wed, 19 Oct 22:05
The MIX, contestant no. 17 Las Vegas
UK
Netherlands
Wed, 19 Oct 13:27
Wed, 19 Oct 21:27
Wed, 19 Oct 22:27
CHORUS SEMIFINALS Heartbeat, contestant no. 2 Las Vegas
UK
Netherlands
Thu, 20 Oct 10:37
Thu, 20 Oct 18:37
Thu, 20 Oct 19:37
Viva Acappella, contestant no. 18 Las Vegas
UK
Netherlands
Thu, 20 Oct 15:50
Thu, 20 Oct 23:50
Fri, 21 Oct 00:50
Watch live on www.sweetadswebcast.com
16 | Harmony Rag | Autumn 2016
RMT UPDATES runs from 1st May to 30th April, the then existing RMT ran the 2015 convention in Nottingham Submitted by Dorothy Main, Region 31 Finance and Nuala finished up the convention account Coordinator before I really took over in July last year. This I can hardly believe that I’m already into my was a great relief as it would have really been a second year as your Finance Coordinator for this baptism of fire to be thrown into the deep end amazing region of ours so I’d like to share with right on the eve of the convention itself! you what I do within the Regional Management Team (RMT) as the ‘Keeper of the Purse’ and also Our region runs its financial year from 1st January as a long standing member of Aberdeen Chorus. to 31st December so the accounts breakdown that makes up part of this article, shows the figures Before I get into facts and figures, can I just for 2015’s convention, the six Ignite workshops take this opportunity to say a heartfelt thank held in September and October last year and the you to my predecessor, Nuala Hobden of partial income and outgoings for the LoveNotes Spinnaker Chorus, who was the region’s Finance weekend which was held in January 2016. Coordinator for six years until I came into the team in May 2015. I’ve lost count of the number You’ll see that 2015 was a profitable year in that of times I’ve asked her for advice or to check I the convention finished up in profit and the Ignite was on the right track when I took over and she workshops – some of which were profitable is always there when I need her and always with and others made losses – actually broke even unfailing good humour. Because we have our overall so cost nothing. Your regional dues are convention in May each year and the RMT term currently charged at £16 per member and £8 per
KEEPER OF THE PURSE
18 | Harmony Rag | Autumn 2016
RMT UPDATES
youth member and this is the only actual regular income that we can rely on to run our large region. The financial implications of holding conventions and workshops are dependent on many factors such as the cost of venues, the number of attendees, fees for International faculty and performers, judging panel travel costs, the $/£ exchange rate (which is pretty awful for us at the moment), etc., etc. I hope the chart for 2015 gives you an indication of how the region’s finances are managed. 2016 will show an entirely different picture, however, and more of that in the spring 2017 bulletin when the final year figures will be completed. So, now a wee bit about me! I joined Aberdeen Chorus in December 1987 and have loved every minute of it. My first quartet, Hopscotch, competed three months later in Hayling Island which is a very long way from Aberdeen. We came second in that contest and in 1992 we were regional champions and travelled to Baltimore to compete at International! Now that was an experience I will never forget – such a buzz and no chance of winning anything so we just had a ball and enjoyed every second on that stage. I sang baritone in my quartet and chorus but decided to try being a quartet lead with a new quartet called Quartz in 1999. Two years later we were the 2001 regional champions
Dorothy Main, Region 31 Finance Coordinator
and this time we travelled to Portland for the International quartet contest. Another fabulous experience. My third and current quartet, Vocal Zone, got together at the end of 2001 and 15 years later we’re still laughing! We did achieve a few regional medals, our highest being second place but we stopped competing at regional a few years back, concentrating on performing all around the UK instead, until the new category of Open Division was introduced in 2014. We entered that contest and won the Audience Choice Award. I heartily recommend singing with a quartet for so many reasons. Most of all the fun we’ve had, the people we’ve met and sung with and for, and the places we’ve travelled to. Over the past almost 30 years with Aberdeen Chorus, I’ve done almost every job there is except costume chair! I was also on the first RMT before the UK & Netherlands Area became
Harmony Rag | Autumn 2016 | 19
RMT UPDATES Region 31 in the late 90s and served as Events Coordinator for three years. I loved that job then and I’m loving being the ‘Money Wifey’ on this RMT now. We have a great mix of youth, age, experience, enthusiasm, new ideas, moral and practical support with and for each other, humour, and most of all the feeling of being on a real team which bodes well for the region’s future.
in 1995 where we achieved a score of C-! In those early days my barbershop heroes were Surrey Harmony, Forth Valley and the Aberdeen Chorus who seemed to take it in turns to win the gold medal. Little did I realise that Lace City would eventually attain those giddy heights a few years later.
I’ve sung in quartet for over 20 years, firstly with Sound Bites (regional champions in 1997, Of course there will be other new faces and 1999, 2002 and 2006) and then with Storm new talents on the RMT so if one of these might (regional medallists virtually every year we have be you, please get in touch with any one of us competed since 2008). I’ve represented Region and we’ll be happy to chat about being an RMT 31 in the quartet contest at International five member and what it entails. times and six times in the International chorus contest – five of those with Lace City and once as It was lovely to see some weel kent friendly faces an ‘ooter’ with Forth Valley. I’m also a Certified at the registration desk last May at the Sage and Director and directed Lincoln Sounds for over 12 also to meet some new folks who had only been years gaining three small chorus medals. email addresses before convention! We’ll be back there again in May 2017 so I hope you’ll come and say hello!
MEET YOUR EDUCATION COORDINATOR
Submitted by Alyson Chaney, Region 31 Education Coordinator
Hi, I’m Alyson Chaney and I’m delighted to be your Education Coordinator once again. I’m really excited about the future of our fantastic region and I love working with the current RMT – what a team! I’ve been involved in barbershop for 26 years now, initially as one of the teacher helpers with the Arnold Hill School Girls’ Barbershop Chorus in Nottingham and later as one of the founding members of the Lace City Chorus. I had sung in various choirs and ensembles for most of my adult life but for me the barbershop sound was something really special. I can still remember our first outing as a barbershop chorus singing for evaluation at the Assembly Rooms in Derby 20 | Harmony Rag | Autumn 2016
The Chaneys, Glenn (left) and Alyson (right)
RMT UPDATES I was the Young Women In Harmony (YWIH) Coordinator a few years ago and proudly directed our YWIH chorus, Showstoppers, several times at regional convention. Many of these young women are now regional champions in their own right in both quartet and chorus. Two of my proudest moments were at the Rising Star Contest in 1999 where three quartets (In the Spotlight, Fruit Salad and A Cut Above) from Arnold Hill School did so well and then again in 2007 when Ellie Mills (now Blackeby) won the Rising Star Contest with her quartet Luminous. Another proud moment also occurred in 2007 when I was awarded the Ann Gooch Award.
INTRODUCING YOUR NEW MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR: MOREIDA LORD We are very happy to welcome Moreida into the team. She is the newest member of Region 31 RMT, who took the post officially in July this year.
Moreida is from Venezuela but moved to Aberdeen in 1989 and has lived there ever since. However, she only discovered barbershop in 2003. “After a difficult period in my life I felt I needed something new and uplifting. I always For the past ten years I’ve been a member of the liked singing, but had never done so publicly Sweet Adelines International Faculty and have – other than at home with family and friends. I absolutely loved travelling all over the place to mentioned this to a work colleague and she told coach and to teach. As I’m now retired from my me one of her friends sang in a group – you may real job as a languages teacher, I have plenty of like it, she said.” And she did like it! time to fulfil my role as an International Faculty member and I’m sure I’ll see some of you in this Following the audition process, she joined capacity over the next year or so. Aberdeen Chorus in August that year and has loved every minute of it. “I feel very fortunate to In my spare time I love reading (detective novels have found the chorus when I did. I have made mainly), gardening (we have two allotments – I fantastic friends and can confirm that you are know, it’s crazy), cooking, especially bread and only limited by your own ambition.” cakes, hill walking in the UK and Europe and travelling to new and exciting places. Many Since becoming a member, she has been Chapter of these new and exciting places have been Treasurer and supported the management team provided by barbershop – I’m sure I would in a variety of roles (both official and unofficial); otherwise never have visited such diverse places supporting new members as part of the costume as Hawaii, San Antonio and Seattle without committee and today she is in charge of chorus barbershop! makeup and grooming. But most of you will have seen Moreida in the chorus’ front row where she I have a fantastically supportive family and it gets the chance to deploy all her performing skills! does help being married to a barbershopper – “I love the idea of make-believe – of pretending Lace City director, Glenn Chaney! you’re someone else. Singing in the chorus has allowed me to explore my inner actress in a safe I look forward to meeting you all over the coming and secure environment. I specially love the months and many thanks for giving me so many pageantry and the getting ready to perform.” opportunities over the years. In real-life, Moreida is a Talent Development Manager for a service company to the oil industry. In this role she supports employees Harmony Rag | Autumn 2016 | 21
RMT UPDATES
TIDBITS Quartet Regional Competition
Moreida with cat Sheldon (left) and Gavin, Moreida’s partner with Amy, the other cat (right)
across Europe and Russia/CIS with their development needs and helps managers identify options to facilitate individual and team growth. She designs, develops, and delivers training programmes either face to face or online. In this role, Moreida has travelled extensively to other countries in the region and has gained a unique insight into other cultures. She is passionate about people development and her expertise and knowledge is sought after in Europe and further afield – most recently she travelled to Singapore to train the Human Resources team and share her expertise with them. She is a coach, counsellor and mentor, and with her degree in Psychology she feels equipped to contribute to the RMT as Membership Coordinator. In her own words: “Following convention, I wanted to know more about what the RMT does and after discussions with Dorothy and Sophie, they encouraged me to put myself forward for the role. I really did not expect to be successful in my first attempt; therefore I was delighted, surprised and very honoured to have been appointed to the team. I felt a great sense of responsibility and this was very evident when I was invited to attend my first RMT meeting a week later.” Moreida shares her life with Gavin, her daughter, Monica, and two cats, Amy and Sheldon. 22 | Harmony Rag | Autumn 2016
With the inception of the Open Division at the regional level in 2014, members have been exploring new and exciting ways to participate in their regional contests. As a result of many requests from competitors, the Judge Specialists and the Education Direction Committee have developed a new policy to allow members to fulfil their desire to compete in more than one quartet. This new policy states: “A member may now compete in up to two different quartets during the same regional contest, as long as they are in different competition divisions, e.g. one quartet in the International Division and one in the Open Division. No more than two members per quartet may compete in the second quartet in the same regional contest.”
Latest RMT appointments We’re pleased to announce the appointment of the region’s new Quartet Liaison coordinator, Lesley Sheridan from Milltown Sound Chorus. She will take up this post in October on her return from her honeymoon. Congratulations, Lesley!
Saving the best till last... The Buzz will come to Region 31 in 2017 As we go to press with this issue of Harmony Rag, it’s with great pleasure to announce that The Buzz will be including Region 31 in their travels in 2017. They will be at our annual convention to highlight the weekend for us and work with our members on the Sunday education classes. Details to follow in the next issue. Yay!
CALENDAR & COACHING DIRECTORY 17-22 October 2016
70th Sweet Adelines International Convention
Las Vegas
28-30 October 2016
LABBS Convention
Harrogate
12-14 May 2017
Quartet of Nations Region 31 Newcastle 2017 Convention
Gateshead
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
COPY DEADLINE The next Harmony Rag will be issued in December Please send all contributions and adverts to harmonyrag@sweetadelines.org.uk by 18 November 2016
Harmony Rag | Autumn 2016 | 23
Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers LABBA LABBS 40th ANNIVERSARY CONVENTION It’s a very special year for our Association – and we’d love you to join us in Harrogate from Friday, October 28 - Sunday October 30, 2016 for what promises to be a fabulous weekend of song, friendship and celebration. u Exciting competitions for ladies’ quartets, mixed quartets, quartet champions and ladies’ choruses u Education masterclasses u Entertainment from OC Times Twitter: @singlabbs #LABBS16 R
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… leading the way in harmony