The Pitch Pipe January 2013

Page 1



Contents

January 2013 • Volume 66/Number 3

Features 7

Denver 2012

Maggie Ryan gives you a synopsis of the whirlwind convention week in Denver! In addition, see scores and songs for the international choruses and quartets, Harmony Classic and Rising Star champions.

Departments Bulletin Board Membership Matters Harmony Roundup New Music Reviews In Memory Song of Welcome Accolades

23

Miscellaneous

Meet the 2013 International Champion Quartet and how this geographically challenged group of extraordinary women came together to rise to the top.

President’s Message HQ Matters IBOD Election Results International Update Young Singers Foundation The Overtone Society Contributions Honolulu Registration

Touché!

26

North Metro!

3 32 33 36 49 49 49

4 5 6 22 35 38 39 47

The 2013 International Champion Chorus shares the lessons learned from their journey and the story behind their fourth championship.

29

A Truly Inspirational Woman

President Renée Porzel shares secrets and successes of the 2012 President’s Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient, Ann Gooch.

31

Attracting Younger Members

Get up close and personal with member Karen Fish (Diablo Vista Chorus, Region 12), who helped initiate the art of barbershop within her local high school and kept it going strong for nearly 20 years.

About the Cover Touché (2013 International Champion Quartet), GQ (2013 Rising Star Champion Quartet), North Metro (2013 International Champion Chorus), Carolina Harmony (2013 Division A Champion Chorus) and Westcoast Harmony (2013 Division AA Champion Chorus). Cover and inside convention and competition photos by Lilley Photography.

37

The Music We Sing

Read about two composers we love — Kim Vaughn takes us back to the days of the Gershwin brothers.

44

Honolulu Bound

We want you to join us on the beautiful beaches of Waikiki! Read about some very real tips on how to escape to and enjoy Honolulu on a budget, making it affordable for every one of us.

8 The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013


pitch pipe the

Sweet Adelines International A worldwide organization of women singers committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education, competition and performance. International Headquarters 9110 S. Toledo • Tulsa, OK 74137 P.O. Box 470168 • Tulsa, OK 74147-0168 Telephone 918-622-1444 • Toll-free 800-992-7464 Fax 918-665-0894 www.sweetadelineintl.org Email — Use one of the following departmental prefixes: admindept@ commdept@ education@ meet-corp@ member@ music@ followed by: sweetadelineintl.org Office hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Central Time) Monday through Friday International Board of Directors May 1, 2012-April 30, 2013 Renée Porzel, International President Cammi MacKinlay, Immediate Past President Marcia Pinvidic, President-elect Fran Furtner, Secretary Peggy Gram, Treasurer Sharon Babb Joan Boutilier Betty Clipman Patty Cobb-Baker Paula Davis Carole Kirkpatrick Dale Syverson Education Direction Committee Betty Clipman, Chair Cammi MacKinlay, Diane Porsch, Judy Pozsgay, Dale Syverson

Make the New Year bright with sparkly lanyards, necklace pens and executive pens!

Prices start at just 7 $

99

Challenge yourself with Competition Folio Book 4 – Challenging. $ 5000 for the book and 2 CDs. Folio includes: • I Had Someone Else Before I Had You • Bill • I’m Gonna Steal Somebody Else’s Baby • Laughing On The Outside • Button Up Your Overcoat • Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny, Oh/Ma, He’s Making Eyes At Me • I’m Making Believe That I Don’t Care • There’ll Be Some Changes Made/Runnin’ Wild We are currently working to provide immediate download of music purchased through our online Sales Department. During this transition, please contact us for electronic delivery of music purchases and previews. Contact us directly! Call sales toll free at 877.545.5441 (outside U.S. and Canada 918.622.1444). Email the sales team at brenda@sweetadelineintl.org or michellemccord@sweetadelineintl.org.

The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013

Editorial Review Board Ellen Curran Puffe, Emma Duguid, Marcia Pinvidic, Judy Pozsgay, Marge Zimmerman The Pitch Pipe Editor Linda Clark INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS Kelly Bailey, Executive Director Keesha Cashmore, Interim Controller Lori Decter Wright, Interim Director of Education Jennifer Hughes, Interim Director of Meetings and Convention Services Carol Schwartz, Director of Music Services Joey Mechelle Stenner, Interim Director of Communications THE PITCH PIPE (ISSN 0882-214X) (USPS 603-060) is published quarterly, January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1, by Sweet Adelines International, 9110 South Toledo, Tulsa, OK 74137. Periodicals paid at Tulsa, OK. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE PITCH PIPE P.O. Box 470168, Tulsa, OK 74147-0168. Canadian Post Agreement Number: 1453408. Send Canadian change of address information and blocks of undeliverable copies to P.O. Box 1051, Fort Erie, ON L2A 6C7 Direct all correspondence, editorial copy, and photographs to Linda Clark, The Pitch Pipe, at the above address. Deadlines are 60 days prior to publication. Graphic design by LKM Design, Tulsa, Oklahoma


age of the Sweet Adelines International website!

Global Success — You Helped Teach the World to Sing Let’s do the math! What do you get when you add up more than 30,000 Global Video views, 14,375 Facebook fans, 600 publicity features, 600 chapters welcoming new singers and close to 4,000 Global Open House guests? It equals a global success! You’ve definitely done your part in teaching the world to sing — let’s keep the momentum going throughout January and help make 2013 the most harmonic year ever.

Did You Know? All four issues of The Pitch Pipe are now being printed and mailed to the entire membership! You can still view the digital version of The Pitch Pipe on most mobile devices, smart phones and some e-readers.You can find all the digital issues in the Members Only area of the website. Members Only Visit the Members Only area of the website to change your contact information (mailing address, phone number and email address), utilize the tools in the marketing center and education center, view chapter reports, pay dues and so much more.

YWIH Video Chorus Contest Sweet Adelines International is proud to announce an all-new contest for youth choruses. The contest will be by video (DVD) submission and held on June 1, 2013. Awards include cash prizes of $1,000, $750 and $500 for the first, second and third place winners. All three winners will also received a copy of the Young Women in Harmony Competition Music Folio. Please contact Katie Grassmyer for more information: music@sweetadelineintl.org. ITEM OF NOTE: Effective January 1, 2013, SESAC performance licenses will increase to $10.00.

Contributors

Invite a Friend to Sing! Do you have a friend who loves to sing? Sweet! Invite her to learn the art of singing a cappella music barbershop-style by customizing her own invitation on the homep-

Notice to All Quartets New quartet registrations must be received by Jan. 15 to avoid additional fees. After May 1st, the fee will revert to the usual $80 cost.

Be Our Friend and Follow Us Have you “liked” us on Facebook yet? Are you following us on Twitter? If not, check us out! Sweet Adelines trivia, photos, videos and fun await you!

Reneé Porzel, International President, Executive Committee, Certified Judge (showmanship), International Faculty, Melodeers Chorus, Region 3

Kim Vaughn, Master Director 700, Certified Judge (sound), International Faculty, International Quartet Champion (2001 – A Cappella Gold, 1988 – Savvy, 1976 – High Society), San Diego Chorus, Region 21

Maggie Ryan, Membership Committee, Greater Harrisburg Chorus, Region 19

Lynell Diamond, Music Arrangements Coordinator, Cerfitifed Director; Certified Judge (music), Approved Candidate Judge (expression), Master Arranger, Chapter-at-Large, Region 9

The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013


President’s Message

The holidays are an incredible time of year — especially for women. So many of us are taking care of family members, decorating, baking, shopping, wrapping, planning meals, cooking, welcoming company, working and singing! We get caught up in the to-do list, and it is hard to appreciate the simple things. January is a time of new beginnings. We turn the calendar and have twelve months in front of us full of promise. It is our chance to close the book on last year and look forward to what is coming around the corner. Before we throw ourselves into 2013 with gusto, we need to take a few moments to look back on last year and celebrate a few of our successes. We began 2012 with our first Global Open House. Nearly 350 choruses participated in this month-long event and by all accounts, it was a success. We welcomed many guests and gained new members, too. This month, we are holding our second Global Open House, and we all have the opportunity to increase awareness about our organization even more. The economy and the ever increasing demand on women’s time has caused our membership numbers to decline a bit. It is up to all of us to make membership growth a priority this year. Women who are not yet our members need us … and we need them! Our regional contest season results showed that we are continuing to raise our own musical bar. We keep getting better every year, and are continuing to learn about our voices and what it means to perform emotionally. Contest gives us the opportunity to perform in front of an appreciative audience and learn from our peers. As we prepare for contest this year, we need to cherish the whole experience and appreciate what it means to us as performers. Harmonic Progression is progressing! It has been inspiring to hear about the many ways regions are planning for the final phase of this process. The creativity, compassion and innovation being displayed by our RMTs is very special. There have been some bumps in the road, and there are still some who feel unsettled by the changes headed their way. I wish you all could see the global picture I am fortunate enough to see in this job. We really are amazing. Regions are holdThe Pitch Pipe - JANUARY JANUARY2013 2013

ing contests to rename themselves. Some are pairing choruses in their existing region with choruses moving into their region. I have heard stories about new songs being chosen so everyone in the newly configured region will know a song together. Education events have been combined and new friendships are being formed. We even have a few regions that have no new choruses coming in who are sad they are not getting the chance to re-invent themselves! Have I mentioned that I love us? In July, we held the A Cappella Harmony Academy (AHA) in Orange, Calif. It was a huge success, and the education received in those three days was outstanding. The campus was buzzing with people singing tags, longevity chorus members practicing choreography, incredible performances by Martini and tons of education. If you have never attended one of these worldclass events — you need to! Your next opportunity is at Side by Side: The 2013 Directors’ Seminar, Judge and Faculty Training in July 2013. This fall, our convention in beautiful Denver, Colo., was a smashing success. Congratulations to our quartet and chorus champions, Touché and North Metro! They both gave outstanding performances and will represent us so well as they proudly wear their new gold medals. Carolina Harmony and Westcoast Harmony are our new Harmony Classic Champions, and they both brought the house down with their entertainment packages. What wonderful examples they are for small and midsize choruses. Congratulations to both groups! On Saturday morning, GQ quartet became our new Rising Star Champions. They gave a wonderful performance, and we can look forward to hearing much more

from them in the future. We had over 2,200 contestants cross the stage and over 6,000 people in the audience. The webcast had over 6,000 people watching, and our music was shared in all corners of the globe. In reviewing Denver, we must acknowledge what our members on the East Coast of the United States experienced just as many of us were leaving to attend the convention. Superstorm Sandy caused unspeakable damage. Members lost their belongings, their homes and some lost family members in the wake of this terrible storm. We had a number of choruses who went onstage without all of their members, and competition schedules were rearranged to accommodate travel schedules that were altered. A quartet from Region 15, East Coast Style, was forced to withdraw because one of their members did not arrive by Wednesday. In true Sweet Adeline fashion, she arrived later in the week, and we happily invited them to mic test for the Rising Star contest Saturday. Our members worked hard to get to Denver — even if it was only for two days. Singing means everything to them, and being surrounded by 6,000 people who feel the same way was something they knew they could not miss. Our continued thoughts and prayers go out to all of them as they slowly put their lives back together. I think it is safe to say they have already been having rehearsals and are learning new music! Singing heals! This is only a small glimpse into what made 2012 a wonderful year. We learned more about our voices, made new friends and reached new musical heights. We are not perfect, but we don’t have to be. We just have to be true to the music and everything falls into place. This year promises to be exciting, challenging and busy. My sincere hope is that you have a successful Global Open House and welcome new women into our organization. Get involved in the Sweet Adds campaign, and share what we all love! Bob and I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and wish you a happy and healthy New Year! With a song and a dance, Renée


Greetings from Tulsa! WOW! I am so excited and still running on adrenaline from the Denver Convention! I sincerely hope that everyone enjoyed the festivities as much as I did and that you too are still basking in the Sweet Adelines glow! It is difficult to believe that I have only been the executive director for eight months — most times it just feels so much like home that I think I have been a part of the family forever. That is only one of the innumerable things that I love about Sweet Adelines! As we get ready to close out the calendar year, I always take time in my own life to take stock of the last 12 months and prepare my thoughts for the coming year. This is a great time to reflect on what I have learned and how I am different than I was 12 months ago. I love to look back at holiday photos from last year and take a quiet moment to be ever so thankful for all of the glorious blessings that I have in my life, for all of the people who have made a difference, and for the lessons that have made me who I am today. This is a perfect time to ponder all of the things that I have learned from each of you and to think about how Sweet Adelines has changed me, made me better, and allowed me to witness first hand the incredible power of the diligence to preserve and perfect this magnificent art form. I hope you will allow me to share with you the following top eight lessons I have learned from serving as executive director of Sweet Adelines International for the last eight months. 1. Singing a cappella harmony with Sweet Adelines International IS NOT A HOBBY! Webster defines hobby as “a pursuit outside one’s regular occupation engaged in especially for relaxation.” Oh no … I don’t think being in a quartet or a chorus falls into this category! Rather, being a Sweet Adeline is a lifelong passion — a physical demonstration of true grit and determination. From my seat, being a member is a blood, sweat and tears triathlon of purpose and drive to perfect the human voice in hopes of achieving an overtone that lasts forever. I have learned that women work their entire lives to earn the privilege of performing on that international stage, to achieve that culminating moment when

many voices harmonize to perfection! 2. Sequins and bling can and should be worn at all times. Saving these items for special occasions is a fashion travesty and quite simply a waste of good jewelry. Laugh if you must, but the truth must be told that our organization boasts the best bling on planet earth! I love the fact that Sweet Adelines can be recognized in a crowded airport merely by the glint of their jewelry and the joy in their spirit. I have learned that I no longer have to shelve my jewelry until that special holiday party, but rather I can take it out and wear it on any ole Tuesday morning if I feel like it. We are Sweet Adelines, and we shine seven days a week, 365 days a year! 3. You can work 18 hours per day, eight days straight and still love your job! Always a hard worker, I have worked my share of overtime and put in the hours to do whatever it takes to get a job done … but you guys are downright impressive! Since April, I kept hearing that convention week was a marathon, and you know what, it is! I don’t think I have ever worked harder than I did in Denver. Overall, I worked 131 hours during that nine-day event, and I know that the Board and members worked harder and longer than I did. I am continually amazed by the tenacity, perseverance and stamina that I see from Sweet Adelines members. You rock! 4. Pure joy is real and can be seen backstage at convention! In the day and age that we live in, I think we forget that pure joy does exist. It is rare indeed, but I am so glad that I have had the privilege to see it and experience the feel of it, which I did while in Denver at convention. As most of you know, I had the opportunity of serving as the emcee on one night of the competition. It was a true insider’s view of what happens behind the scenes. I

got the chance to see the raw nerves on the faces of those getting ready to compete, to witness the moments leading up to that culmination flash when the lights went on and the pitch pipe was all that was heard prior to the first note sung. I can close my eyes now and see the faces, herding quietly up the back ramp as they prepared themselves mentally for this big moment. Then there was the performance — each one representing hours and hours of tenacious diligence to perfect every note. I was in awe and stood in sheer appreciation for the sights and sounds coming from that international stage. Then the competitors came off the stage. Sheer, pure, absolute joy was what I saw on the faces of those who had truly given it all they had. I will never forget that moment in time. Total … pure … real … genuine … joy. Sweet Adelines, you continue to impress me and I remain in awe of your talent, your diligence to purpose, your tenacity to achieve perfection and for representing to the world the power of harmony! 5. Sweet Adelines is rooted in true selflessness and inconceivable giving! During convention, Superstorm Sandy wrecked so much of the East Coast. It was so difficult to watch the carnage on television, knowing that so many of our members would be victim to that devastation in one way or another. During that time, when many of us were at convention, I read a post on the SING list from a member who opened her home to any Sweet Adelines member who needed a place to go. Her message went on to say that she was not at home at the time, but that her husband would certainly take in any members who needed a refuge from the storm. It is difficult for me to find the words to say how this message touched my heart. Again, in a world full of cynicism and darkness, this one woman restored my faith in humankind. She wasn’t opening her home for any personal gain, only because she feared that one of her sisters may need something that she could provide — such a simple, yet magnificent gesture. This is but one of so many I have witnessed since April. I love Sweet Adelines and think the whole world could take lessons from our foundation of giving and selflessness. 6. Never underestimate the power of Continued on page 6 The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013

HQ Matters

By Kelly Bailey, Executive Director


The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013

HQ Matters

by any standard measure, but what shocks me is that not only do they have more energy than my 3-year-old, but they still look like they haven’t seen the downside of 50 as of yet. I am convinced that the joy of singing and being a Sweet Adelines member keeps you young! I’m thinking of promoting this as our new membership campaign ;-). 8. I’ve been a Sweet Adeline all of my life … As many of you have read and probably already know, I truly have fallen in love with this amazing organization. I feel like I have been a Sweet Adeline all of my life, I just didn’t realize it until April 2012. Each of you is a shining jewel in the Sweet Adelines treasury, and I consider it an incredible privilege to serve you in this remarkable role. There is just something about this organization that is special — something that sets us apart from all other groups. Some days I think that it is the sisterhood of support that makes us so great — that network of support that we have all over the world where we know we have a group of friends if we should ever have the need. Sometimes, I am convinced that it is the ambition to perfect and preserve the barbershop style that holds us all together and continues this incredible legacy. Other times, I think it is the sheer determination and perseverance to be the best, both in competition and organizationally, as we portray the living example of synergy — that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. But whatever it is about us that sets us apart, we are special. Sweet Adelines sing together, laugh together, celebrate together, cry together, grieve together, love together and create harmony together. What we do is profoundly important and has greatly changed the lives of all of the precious women who have found this incredible gift. The true beauty of Sweet Adelines is that its meaning and significance can be different for each woman, and it can change over the lifespan. I am so blessed to be a part of this tapestry of music and extraordinary talent. Thank you for the precious gift of Sweet Adelines International. pp

The following were elected to three-year terms beginning May 1, 2013:

Patty Cobb Baker, Region 21

Carole Kirkpatrick, Region 13

Peggy Gram, Region 25

Dale Syverson, Region 25

The following were elected to one-year terms beginning May 1, 2013:

Anne Cargill, Region 31

Paula Davis, Region 8

The International Board of Directors is elected by the membership and functions as the governing and decision-making body of the organization.The Board elects the officers of the corporation.The International Board of Directors has the full authority to do all things necessary to fulfill the purpose of the organization, including strategic planning, the levying of fees and the execution of contracts. Board members work directly with the International Headquarters staff to monitor and administer the organization’s programs.

Board Election Results

women’s diligence to empower and grow something they cherish! One of the things I love to do is to look at the history panels that line the hallways and stairwells of our beautiful headquarters building. The displays are such a magnificent testimony to the rich legacy of Sweet Adelines International and a beautiful visual representation of the power of diligence to preserve and nurture this incredible art form. As I look across our nearly 70-year history, I see how the styles and fashions have changed; I enjoy reading the articles of women’s empowerment and the stories of the ladies who have each added her own special mark to make this organization what it is today. I like looking at the crown changes over the years and the historical newspaper articles that are now yellowed with age and fraying around the edges. There are so many transitions that have attributed to our existing identity of today. But what I am most impacted by in my consideration of this visual history of our organization is the look in the eye of each champion, the spark that can be seen in each member’s picture on each of those panels. I look at these and think, “so this is what determination looks like;” that constant, passionate resolve that has resulted in the worldwide women’s barbershop movement of the 21st century. The women that have come before us have provided such a tremendous example of what we can accomplish. The sky is the limit. The tenacity of these heroic, pioneering women serve as a living example of the power of women’s diligence to empower something they love. What a legacy we have! 7. Sweet Adelines have discovered the fountain of youth! I noticed something early on in my eight-month tenure at Sweet Adelines International. All of the women are young, vivacious, spirited, captivating and full of the zeal for life! What has shocked me is that these young vixens I am getting to know are not spring chickens in terms of physical age. Since getting to know several members on a more personal note, I have discovered that some of them are well into their 70s. Now certainly this is not old


2013 Champions North Metro Chorus and Touché Quartet. By Maggie Ryan, Greater Harrisburg Chorus, Region 19 One day you look up and realize they see you differently now. It’s not any one thing, it’s just there in their eyes or that little quirk of their lips — that tiny inside smile that they just can’t help whenever you start talking about Sweet Adelines. Sure, they’ve heard it before. How excited you were for the next contest, how the songs were strong and the arrangements were meaty right where you could bite into them as a singer. The costumes, choreography and coaching were locking into place, and ... and ... Oh. Their eyes were glazing over. They were happy for you, really they were, but ... well, they just didn’t get it. Until now. Now, they see. If there’s anything more cliché than talking about the journey, you’ll have to prove it. And yet, here we are, taking that very route. Why? Because Denver 2012 represented a tortured journey for some, and a magic carpet ride for others. Because this contest left us gasping, and not just because of Denver’s notoriously thin air. Because the distance from almost to absolute is as thin as frog’s hair and getting there might just take you on the ride of your life. The road to Denver was never a straight line. Great journeys never are. There are always switchbacks and setbacks, seemingly huge strides that ought to be measured in

tiny, significant steps. Take your 2013 International Chorus Champion North Metro, for example. If ever there was a chorus whose trajectory seemed sealed in the stars, it was the powerhouse from suburban Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Can it really be 10 years since we last saw them claim gold? They’ve always been right there, right at or near the top, since they made sequins optional with their groundbreaking “Newsies” package that won them the 1997 title. North Metro followed that up with gold in 2000 and 2003, and before our eyes, a decade slipped past. But the chorus roared back with a vengeance in 2012, dazzling the semifinals audience with a sound as lush as velvet and precision as crisp as a military review. The chorus’ finals package of toy soldiers on parade was brilliant and vintage North Metro. It had everything we’ve come to love: Master 700 Director June Dale’s layered and nuanced arrangements, highstepping and eye-popping choreography, costuming complete to the perfect red dots capping every bright smile, and impeccable vocals from the 135 singers onstage. There was just one thing missing. A packed house. North Metro drew the first slot in the chorus finals, an unenviable position in such a deep field. Was the audience prepared to be gob-smacked by the very first group? While Sweet Adelines know that judges evaluate what’s in front of them, as audience members we don’t share that discipline. The first chorus sets the bar for everyone who follows,

Harborlites Chorus. so we parcel out our approval in measured portions. Behind North Metro were nine topnotch competitors, any one of whom could claim the gold. And what no one knew was that North Metro was stepping onstage not in first place, but second behind Harborlites by 18 points. Entering the finals you could have thrown the proverbial blanket over the top competitors. Out front was Harborlites with a sizzling 1,502 points in the semifinals. Next came North Metro’s 1,484 and right behind was Rich-Tones with a 1,476. Denver favorite, Skyline, was sitting in fourth with a 1,435 and the closest thing a chorus can have to home-field advantage. Indeed, the entire top 10 was packed with choruses just itching to pull off an upset. And here is where that journey metaphor slips back into view. You know the one that says every great journey begins Continued on page 8 The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013


with a single step? How about a single step multiplied by135? One, single marching beat repeating precisely in time, step ... step ... step ... each North Metro member completely inhabiting her character as a toy soldier as they entered from both sides of the stage. Was there ever a walk-on you wanted to see twice? This was it. Great athletes will tell you that their best performances sometimes catch them by surprise, that everything just falls into place that day. They talk about how the game seems to slow down, how they can see what’s coming before it arrives. This does not happen by accident, of course. It comes from training, dedication, skill, a lot of repetition and even a little luck. And all of that rests on a bedrock of belief. North Metro marched past its competition to the top of the Sweet Adelines world once again with scores that nearly defy understanding. How about 95 out of 100 in showmanship from both judges for both contest songs in the finals? Five points from perfection. Five. Or no score under 90 for both rounds? That should stamp your ticket to the title without so much as a hiccup. Except, for the second year in a row — it didn’t. Rich-Tones also compiled all-90s scores, an achievement that can’t go by without a hearty congratulations. In 2011, Rönninge Show Chorus finished just behind the near-perfection of the Melodeers in a similar

Skyline Chorus.

Rich-Tone Chorus.

The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013

fashion. This time, Rich-Tones ran into the North Metro buzz saw. The difference in the finals? One point, 1,574 to 1,573, enabling North Metro to slip to the top by a scant nine points. Even June Dale was surprised. “I felt pretty good about our (performance), until I saw Rich-Tones and then I thought, well, that’s that,” she said. June’s admission came shortly after she sheepishly said that yes, she had come to Denver to win. Gold was the milepost for Touché Quartet. this particular edition of the North Metro Chorus, and their willingness to reinvent themselves every few years is what keeps our interest. They have won before, and history tells us they will win again. And we’ll get to watch where their next steps take them. It’s a road we sense is just beginning. While Denver basked under sunny skies and shirt-sleeves temperatures, the eastern U.S. was battered by Superstorm Sandy, which threw travel plans for many Sweet Adelines into total mayhem. Sweet Adelines International staff stayed in contact with competitors as they struggled to arrive in East Coast Style Quartet. Denver in time to compete, and altered the orders of appearance right up to contest day out the map and chucked aside common to accommodate the competitors. In Denver, sense to chase a dream. And they got it, by onlookers informally kept score tracking how George, and darn you if you didn’t find yourmany members of this chorus and that would self happy for them. We’ve seen them come be down five, eight or even 13 members. so close together and in other combinations. For the quartet East Coast Style, Whether we know them personally or not, it all boiled down to one. The Region 15 we feel like we do. This is what sportscasters champions had one member stranded in like to call a “feel-good win,” and you could New Jersey and despite seven flight delays see it on the faces of their competitors during and changes, she did not arrive in time to the announcement of awards. All smiles, little compete and they were forced to withdraw. nods — sometimes pointing inwards — that Undaunted, she finally caught up with her said “Yeah. Good for you.” That’s perspecquartet a day late to compete, but not too tive, and it comes from experience and disaplate to get her chance onstage. In a gracious pointment, sure, but also from admiration nod to the quartet’s disappointment, Sweet and respect. It’s a nice place to be. Adelines International invited East Coast T.S. Eliot wrote that “We shall not Style, to open the Rising Star contest. And cease from exploration, and the end of all our while it wasn’t the road they had intended exploring will be to arrive where we started to take, East Coast Style, ’s and know the place for the first time.” This, detour gave them a different, then, might be where we all find ourselves and gratifying, view. poised. Our landscape is changing and even Because here’s the thing as we stood on familiar ground, we saw a bit about that whole journey of our future on dazzling display in Denver. metaphor: We’re all on it. As we honor our past, we look into tomorrow We’re all headed somewhere. and find you looking back at us, watching Maybe we’re the members and hoping for even more, even better, even of the 2013 International higher. We find that you look at us differQuartet Champion Touché, ently now, your eyes reflecting only the best and we’re from three chapters of what you see. Here’s to that new, shinier and four regions literally span- vision. Here’s to what’s possible. The view ning the United States from from here is lovely. Hop on, and enjoy the Florida to Oregon. These four women threw ride. pp


Kelly Bailey, Colorado Governor Hickenlooper and Renée Porzel.

nces ke appeara a m ts e rt Qua ver. across Den

LoveNote s Most En win tertainin g.

Family Chorus.

azaar. rmony B a H in s le ional Sa Internat

Honolulu Registra tion.

Mass Sing.

he ging with T Martini sin

es.

Bron’s Ton

Melodeers Chorus.

The Fou

rce

Q

uarteJANUARY t. The Pitch Pipe 2013


1st Place Quartet Regions 9, 11, 21 and 24, Wesley Chapel, Fla. Patty Cobb Baker, Gina Baker, Jan Anton, Kim A. McCormic Chapter-at-Large, Harborlites, Pride of Portland and Toast of Tampa Choruses Score: 2830 Semifinals Songs: When The Midnight Choo Choo Leaves for Alabam’ (Olguin); Auld Lang Syne (Hine) Finals Songs: Powder Your Face With Sunshine/Smile Darn Ya Smile Medley (Hine); Lover Come Back To Me (Bergman); Come Rain Or Come Shine (Fullmer); A Tisket A Tasket (David Harrington)

10 10

The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013 The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013


North Metro Region 16, Toronto, ON, Canada June Dale, director 135 on stage Score: 3058 Semifinals Songs: I Love A Piano (Bescos); I Miss Mother Most Of All (Liles) Finals Songs: Toy Soldier Marches On Parade (Giallombardo); Little Man You’ve Had A Busy Day (L. Wright); One Toy Soldier (J. Dale); Breakthrough (J. Dale)

The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013 The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013

11 11


Quartets 2nd Place Bling! Region 9, Plantation, Fla. Dayve L. Gabbard, Angie Love-Callahan, Deanna Kastler, Kim Elger-Griffin Spirit of the Gulf Chorus Score: 2790 Semifinals Songs: Time After Time (Arns); How Many Hearts Have You Broken (Arns) Finals Songs: Bling! It On! (Meyer); If I Give My Heart To You (Clancy); Shanghai (Bergman); Feelin’ Good ( David Harrington)

3rd Place LoveNotes Region 12, Sunnyvale, Calif. Brittany Nicole Gilmore, Mia Dessenberger, Caitlin Smith, Stephanie Rose Lawson Chapter-at-Large, Bay Area Showcase and Mission Valley Choruses Score: 2733 Semifinals Songs: No, No, Norman (Hine); More Than You Know (L. Wright) Finals Songs: Angry/Bill Bailey Medley (Bergman); My Foolish Heart (Bescos); When Will I Be Loved (Wright); Time To Say Goodbye (Lewis)

4th Place Frenzy Regions 13 and 26, New Westminster, BC, Canada Kay Macrosson, Nikki Blackmer, Anne Marteniuk, Judy Pozsgay a cappella joy, Lions Gate and Westcoast Harmony Choruses Score: 2647 Semifinals songs: All The Way (Graham); Shangai (Why Did I Tell You I Was Going To) (Bergman) Finals Songs: Lover Come Back To Me (Giallombardo); Yesterday I Heard The Rain (Graham); I Might Love You…Soon (Metzger); Goodbye, World, Goodbye, (Wright)

5th Place Remix Region 32, Huddinge, Sweden Hillevi Martinsson Billinger, Marie Flink, Camilla Ljung, Marie Henriksson-Jalonen Rönninge Show Chorus Score: 2585 Semifinals Songs: Oh, Look At Me Now (A. Dale); If I Love Again (Waesche, Bergman, Doug Harrington) Finals Songs: My Honey’s Lovin’ Arms (I Love My Lovin’ Charm) (D. Wright); Roses of Yesterday (Bergman, Doug Harrington); The Guy Is Mine (Wikström); I Got Life (Kingström)

12 12

ThePitch PitchPipe Pipe--JANUARY JANUARY2013 2013 The


6th Place a.k.a. Regions 9, 15 and 19, West Palm Beach, Fla. Sue Taylor, Janeen Summey, Harriette Walters, Janell R. Paviolitis Chapter-at-Large, Greater Nassau, Harbor City Music Company and Upper Chesapeake Choruses Score: 2571 Semifinals Songs: I’ve Got A Feeling I’m Falling (Bergman); I’m Through With Love (Diamond) Finals Songs: April In Paris (Cokeroft); I’m Gonna Ring The Bell (Cokeroft); He Was There (Bergman); How Ya Gonna Keep ‘Em Down On The Farm (Cokeroft)

7th Place Lustre Region 19, Elkridge, Md. Kathryn A. Morrical, Lori L. Crouter, Lori A. Dreyer, Jennifer L. Harris Capital Accord and Harbor City Music Company Choruses Score: 2561 Semifinals Songs: Flirty Eyes (Hill); What Kind Of Food Am I (Keller) Finals Songs: Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah (Bergman); Bandstand In Central Park (Bergman); South Rampart Street Parade (Beck, Craig); Are You Having Any Fun? (Rhea); Nobody Does It Like Me (Gellert)

8th Place Spritzer Region 16, Mississauga, ON, Canada Karen E. Romanson, Susann McKinley, Hannah Barton, Sharon Demy North Metro Chorus Score: 2536 Semifinals Songs: Bye-Bye Baby/Baby Won’t You Please Come Home Medley (L. Wright); My Romance (Craig) Finals Songs: As Long As I’m Singing (L. Wright); Over The Rainbow (Giallombardo); You Turned The Tables On Me (Bergman); There You’ll Be (L. Wright) 9th Place Finesse Region 31, Leighton Buzzard, England Helen J. Owen, Beth Brimmicombe, Tanya Jenkins, Nicky Salt Chapter-at-Large Score: 2535 Semifinals Songs: You Turned The Tables On Me (Bergman); If You Love Me, Really Love Me (Bergman) Finals Songs: How Many Hearts Have You Broken (Arns); Heart of My Heart (unknown); You Don’t Know Me (Clancy); Amazing Grace (Shaw)

10th Place Dolce Regions 11 and 21, Aliso Viejo, Calif. Megan Lyne, Ruthie Tabone, Erin E. Sears, Mina Harkey Chapter-at-Large, Harborlites and Mission Viejo Choruses Score: 2492 Semifinals Songs: Don’t Break The Heart That Loves You (Volk); If Ever I Would Leave You (Hine) Finals Songs: Sugar (Reimnitz); At Last (Bergman); The Girl in 14G (Potter)

The Pitch Pitch Pipe Pipe - JANUARY JANUARY 2013 2013 13 13 The


Choruses

2nd Place Rich-Tone Chorus Region 25, Richardson, Texas Dale Syverson, director 115 on stage Score: 3049

Finals Songs: Let Yourself Go (D. Wright); A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square (Bescos); The Night Has A Thousand Eyes (D. Wright); Born This Way (Nystrom)

Semifinals Songs: All The Way (Graham); Hot Town Strutters’ Ball (Minshall)

3rd Place Harborlites Chorus Region 21, Anaheim, Calif. Pam Pieson, director 105 on stage Score: 3016 Semifinals Songs: Love Me And The World Is Mine (D. Wright); Sweet Georgia Brown (Bescos)

14 14

The The Pitch Pitch Pipe Pipe - JANUARY JANUARY 2013 2013

Finals Songs: Almost Like Being In Love Intro (Reimnitz) Oh, You Beautiful Doll (Giallombardo); Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring (A. Dale); Feeling Good (David Harrington); Almost Like Being In Love (Reimnitz)


4th Place Skyline Chorus Region 8, Denver, Colo. Vickie Maybury, director 145 on stage Score: 2875

Finals Songs: Medley: Colorado My Home - Intro (Arns)/Colorado My Home (Alsbury); I Told Them All About You/You Dear (Arns); Somewhere Over The Rainbow (Hine); Country Girl (A. Dale)

Semifinals Songs: If I Loved You (Craig); My Honey’s Lovin’ Arms (ReMix, Doug Harrington, D. Wright)

5th Place Song of Atlanta Chorus Region 23, Atlanta, Ga. Becki Hine, director 106 on stage Score: 2855

Finals Songs: Steppin’ Out (Hine); Young & Foolish (Bescos); Lulu’s Back In Town (Arns) Medley: Disco Inferno (Beck) /Stayin’ Alive/You Should Be Dancin’/ Dance With Me (Craig)

Semifinals Songs: Medley: Ain’t She Sweet/Yes Sir, That’s My Baby (Hine); If I Had My Way (Hine)

The Pitch Pitch Pipe Pipe - JANUARY JANUARY 2013 2013 The

15 15


Choruses

6th Place Spirit of the Gulf Chorus Region 9, Ft. Myers, Fla. Karen Breidert and Tony DeRosa, directors 149 on stage Score: 2793 Semifinals Songs: Goodnight, Little Soldier (Shook, Twardosky); There’s Something About A Soldier (Giallombardo)

Finals Songs: Medley: How Ya Gonna Keep ‘Em Down On The Farm/Green Acres (Senter, Twardosky); This Little Piggy Went To Market (Fellows, Twardosky); The Rooster Song (Twardosky); Medley: Old MacDonald (McDaniel) /Bach Fugue (L.Wright); The Auctioneer Song (Twardosky)

7th Place City of Lakes Chorus Region 6, Minneapolis, Minn. Scott Kvigne, director 109 on stage Score: 2734 Semifinals Songs: My Foolish Heart (Bescos); So Long, Dearie (Craig)

16 16

The Pitch Pitch Pipe Pipe - JANUARY JANUARY 2013 2013 The

Finals Songs: It’s A Good Deal (Steinkamp); Oh, You Beautiful Doll (Giallombardo); Heart Of My Heart (Graham); At Last (Bergman); It’s A Good Deal (Graham)


8th Place Pride of Portland Chorus Region 24, Portland, Ore. Ryan Heller, director 92 on stage Score: 2704

Finals Songs: Performance Package Songs: Beethoven’s 5th Symphony (Heller); My Romance (Craig, Heller); Baby Face (Hine); Hallelujah Chorus, Messiah (Heller); Medley: Beethoven’s 9th Symphony/ Sound of Music (Heller); Joyful, Joyful (L. Wright, Heller)

Semifinals Songs: Sonny Boy (Bergman, Bescos); Floatin’ Down To Cotton Town (D. Wright)

9th Place Buffalo Gateway Chorus Region 16, Buffalo, N.Y. Diane Porsch, director 88 on stage Score: 2663

Finals Songs: Medley: I Can’t Give You Anything/I’m Flyin’ High (Bergman); I Never Meant To Fall In Love (Liles); Gee, But It’s Good To Be Here (Minshall); Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better (Gentry); Medley: Kazoo Koncerto - Ode To Joy/Fifth Symphony/Can-Can (Gentry)

Semifinals Songs: Red, Red Robin (Volk); My Foolish Heart (Bescos)

The Pitch Pitch Pipe Pipe - JANUARY JANUARY 2013 2013 The

17 17


Choruses

10th Place Capital City Chorus Region 4, Indianapolis, Ind. Bev Miller, director 75 on stage Score: 2650

Finals Songs: What’ll I Do (Craig); South Rampart Street Parade (D. Wright); Somebody To Love (Mannherz); It’s Your Song (Fenske)

Semifinals Songs: Time After Time (Arns); Yes Sir, That’s My Baby (D. Wright)

Division A 1st Place Carolina Harmony Region 14, Raleigh, N.C. Susie Smith, director Score: 1228 32 on stage

2nd Place Saratoga Soundtrack Region 16, Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Nancy B. Faddegon, director Score: 1166 40 on stage

18 18

The The Pitch Pitch Pipe Pipe - JANUARY JANUARY 2013 2013

Songs: Don’t Tell Me The Same Things Over Again/Lies Medley (Bescos); Over The Rainbow (Hine); Heartache Tonight (Arns); Don’t Stop Believin’ (Rochefort)

Songs: The Chant (Faddegon); Also Sprake Zorathustra (Faddegon); Hallelujah Barbershop (Faddegon); I Love To Hear That Old Barbershop Style (Lund); Sweet Adeline (Giallombardo)


3rd Place Heart of Missouri Region 5, Columbia, Mo. Marjorie Friedmeyer, director Score: 1102 26 on stage

Songs: Ya Gotta Know How To Love ‘Em (Bergman); I’m Alone Because I Love You (Coffman); I Can’t Give You Anything But Love/ Love (Bergman); You Are My Sunshine (Uhr)

4th Place Diamond State Region 19, Newark, Del. Pamela T. Nichols, director Score: 1089 25 on stage

5th Place Bella Voce Region 8, Craig, Colo. Chelsea Asmus, director Score: 1033 17 on stage

Division AA

Songs: Fame (Mauritzen); What’ll I Do? (Waesche); Too Many Guys (Bergman, Lobaugh, Baltensberger); Aquarius (L. Wright)

Songs: Mamma Mia! (Rochefort); Once Upon A Time (J. Dale); Cry Baby (Hill, Bergman); SOS (Rochefort); Dancing Queen (Rochefort); Take A Chance On Me (Rochefort); Super Trooper (Rochefort)

1st Place Westcoast Harmony Region 26, Vancouver, BC, Canada Anne Marteniuk, director Score: 1319 49 on stage Songs: Pure Imagination (Minshall); Nothing Can Stop Me/Us Now (A. Dale); How Deep Is The Ocean (Hopkins); Sweet Georgia Brown (Bescos); Entrance Of The Gladiators (Minshall); Just The Way You Are (Amazing) (Minshall); Firework (Minshall); I Got A Feeling (Minshall)

ThePitch PitchPipe Pipe--JANUARY JANUARY2013 2013 The

19 19


Division AA 2nd Place Pacific Empire Region 12, Petaluma, Calif. Patty Pennycook, director Score: 1290 57 on stage Songs: Harmony (D. Wright); How Many Hearts Have You Broken (Arns); You’re Breaking In A New Heart (Bescos); Can’t Buy Me Love (Gentry)

3rd Place Valley Forge Region 19, Valley Forge, Pa. Joe Spiecker, director Score: 1249 52 on stage Songs: Showtime (Spiecker); Nightingale Sang In Berkley Square (Bescos); Sweet Georgia Brown (Avener); Symphony No.5 (Spiecker); Carol’s Theme (Spiecker)

4th Place Orangeville Region 16, Orangeville, ON, Canada Joan Borden and Pat Vipond, directors Score: 1202 61 on stage Songs: For All We Know (Briner); Mama Goes Where Papa Goes (Arns); Somebody To Love (J. Dale); Take A Chance (Minshall) 5th Place Melbourne Region 34, Melbourne,VIC, Australia Jeanette E. Whitmore, director Score: 1172 38 on stage Songs: Everything Old Is New Again (Minihane); Time After Time (Arns); Lulu’s Back In Town (Arns); At The Beginning (Schmidt)

20 20

The The Pitch Pitch Pipe Pipe - JANUARY JANUARY 2013 2013


Rising Star 1st Place GQ Aberdeen, Md. Amanda McNutt, Ali Hauger, Katie Gillis, Katie MacDonald Score: 397 Songs: You Are My Sunshine (Uhr); Put Your Arms Around Me, Honey (A. Dale)

2nd Place Heavenly Napa, Calif. Lisa Shortridge, Elizabeth Dyer, Danielle Shortridge, Rikki M. Pratt Score: 389

Songs: I’m The One You’re Looking For (Johnson); I’ll Be Seeing You (Hopkins)

3rd Place Snapshot Lebanon, Tenn. Rachel E. Craddock, Kyla E. Hallums, Rebecca G. Foster, Hailey Myatt Score: 371

Songs: When I Fall In Love (Minihane); Don’t Break The Heart That Loves You (Volk)

The The Pitch Pitch Pipe Pipe - JANUARY JANUARY 2013 2013

21 21


Newsline International 22

Sweet Adelines International • 259th (Midyear) Meeting of the International Board of Directors, • October 27-28, 2012

International Update • Lynnell Diamond was granted Master Arranger level status in the International Music Arrangers Program. • Carolyn Schmidt was granted Master Arranger level status in the International Music Arrangers Program. • Sally Eggleston was granted emerita status in the International Judging Program. • Maureen Holcombe was granted emerita status in the International Judging Program. • The charter and chapter membership for the following chapters was authorized: The Woodlands Show, The Woodlands, Texas; Singing Sands, Ridgecrest, Calif.; Delta Harmony Xpress, Stockton, Calif.; Aoyama Harmony, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan • International Policy was amended for the election of the 2013-2015 term of regional directors coordinators to permit front-line directors who are changing regions with their chorus as a result of the Harmonic Progression to vote for a director coordinator in the region in which they will become a member on May 1, 2013. • The early-bird discounted registration rate for Side By Side, the 2013 Directors’ Seminar was set at $475. • Effective May 1, 2013, the number of internationally-funded visits to chartered chapters will increase from 15 to 18 visits annually. • The rule “that any contestant who sings the same song in more than one session of the same contest shall be disqualified” was amended to refer to contest songs only. • The International Competition DVD that is available through the Sales Department will be discontinued immediately due to low sales volume. This will save the organization $31,000 in The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013

production costs. Instead, competition performances will be placed on the Sweet Adelines website. Individual performance DVDs of each competitor’s own performance will still be produced and provided to competitors. • Each chorus will be encouraged to send one representative to sing in the new World Harmony Chorus that will perform on the international stage in Honolulu. • Work has begun on a new Young Women in Harmony Competition Folio, which will feature both TLBB and SSAA formats. • A new small and midsize chorus level DVD is under production and will be released at Side By Side, the 2013 Directors’ Seminar. • Sweet Adelines has joined the Center for Nonprofits, which offers opportunities for partnering with other nonprofits, provides networking opportunities for foundations that may be potential donors to the organization, provides educational opportunities and offers discounts for services such as insurance. • The Young Singers Foundation celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. The foundation will be seeking additional marketing opportunities to increase the number of grant applications it receives.

• An exciting International fundraising campaign entitled “Bowling for Barbershop” was approved. Additional details will follow in early 2013. • The Sweet Adelines International website will soon feature a music player so visitors to the homepage can choose to listen to barbershop music by clicking on the player. • In order to increase service provided to our members, publication of The Pitch Pipe Lite will be discontinued and The Pitch Pipe will once again be printed and mailed to all members and subscribers four times per year. A digital version will continue to be published offering multimedia, interactive and bonus features.


By Touché — Introduction by Carole Kirkpatrick, Pacific Sound Chorus, Region 13 What do you get when you have four beautiful, talented, hard-working women, with excellent skills, who are fun, warm, giving, smart and totally genuine? International quartet champions, of course! Touché will be exceptional ambassadors for Sweet Adelines International. I feel honored and blessed to have been with them from the beginning ... coaching, teaching, encouraging them every step of the way, helping them achieve their ultimate dream of becoming Queens of Harmony. These exceptional women have taught me so much about perseverance, dedication and friendship. I love them bunches and wish Touché a wonderful championship year and many, many years of harmony in their, and our, future. .................................... Once upon a time, in faraway lands, four women began a journey. In the beginning their journeys were separate, yet directed by a shared dream — the dream of becoming part of a Sweet Adelines International Champion Quartet, of becoming a Queen of

Harmony. One very special day, their separate roads converged, leading to fantastic adventures, magical moments and a dream come true. Sound like a fairy tale? To Patty, Gina, Jan and Kim, it absolutely feels like one! Their united journey took them to happily-ever-after in Denver, where they were crowned your 2013 Queens of Harmony. That journey, preceded by 100+ years of combined barbershop experience, began when Gina and Kim met at the 2007 BHS International Convention in … where? Denver! An immediate friendship commenced, and their admiration of the other’s singing led to dreams of someday quarteting together. In 2010 that opportunity arose and they invited Jan, Gina’s long-time baritone and stepmom, to join them. Jan was game; now all they needed was a tenor. Kim and Patty had met in 2009, singing tags after a Region 24 Quartet Workshop where they were faculty. A quick e-mail to Patty was all it took. Four individual journeys finally merged and Touché was born in May 2010, named after

a popular restaurant in Kim’s hometown of Portland, Ore. In addition to Oregon, the faraway lands of Touché include Florida (Gina Tampa, Jan - Deland) and California (Patty - Long Beach). They are often asked how they make a long-distance quartet work. Well … the way it works in every fairy tale — magic! (Plus a lot of frequent flyer miles!) The real moral of this enchanted story is that when you love one another and love the music you make together, anything is possible. You just have to believe.

Patty Cobb Baker, Tenor

Standing around a piano singing Christmas carols at a co-worker’s party in 1982, Patty commented, “I just love to harmonize!” Her host, barbershopper Lloyd Erickson, Continued on page 24 The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013

23


Patty with her husband, Jeff.

coordinator and is blessed to work with and learn from her dear friend and director, Pam Pieson. She is co-director of the Golden Sands Chorus of Long Beach, serves on both Region 11, 21 and International faculties, and is a member of the International Board of Directors and YSF Management Committee. Patty gives thanks to her parents for raising her with the gift of vocal music; it has filled her life with so much joy and led her to the love of her life, her husband Jeff. Baritone of 1996 BHS Champion Quartet, Nightlife, Jeff has been her ultimate fan and an amazing life coach. She thanks him, from the bottom of her heart, for sharing her journey. She feels incredibly blessed to be Queen to his King!

replied, “Have I got a hobby for you!” Four months later, Patty attended her first Sweet Adelines rehearsal, visiting and subsequently joining the Houston Horizon Chorus. Voiceplaced as a lead, she persisted in singing harmony whenever possible. Her first (of ultimately six) regional quartet championships was as a lead (Ms. Behavin’, 1988), but in 1992 she was asked to sing tenor in a new quartet, Soundtrax. She never looked Gina Baker, Lead back! Harmony is home for Patty, evoking They call her “brat” — barbershop brat, cherished memories of her dad playing the that is, and she’s proud of it! Gina grew up old songs by ear on the piano as they harmoin northwest Indiana and started singing tags nized together. Soundtrax enjoyed five trips with her dad’s quartets at the age of five. You to the International stage, placing as high as could catch Gina listening to eight-tracks of The Suntones, singing into her hairbrush, 8th in 1995. Around the same time, Patty decided pretending to be Gene Cokeroft. She sang all to leave her job as a contracts business through high school, received the National manager for NASA and began a career as a Choral Award, and performed with The voice teacher and coach. A lifelong student of voice, Patty apprenticed with the founder of The Singers’ Workshop, Debbie Beinhorn. Debbie opened Patty’s eyes to the marvel of the human voice and the spirit that fuels it. A move to southern California in 1998 brought Patty new quartet adventures — Persuasion and Shimmer quartets who were both top ten International finalists. In all, Denver represented Patty’s 17th appearance at International as a quartet competitor! Patty is a proud member of the two-time International Champion and 2013 International third place medalist Harborlites Chorus. As a member of the Music Team, she serves as their vocal education Gina with her husband, Jeff. 24

The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013

Singing Hoosiers at Indiana University. Gina officially joined Sweet Adelines in 1993 and sang under her mother’s direction in Calumet Corner Chorus. After moving to Florida, she formed her first quartet, Fireworks, with her stepmom Jan. Fireworks received a wildcard to International and came in 51st! Her next quartet, Jackpot!, formed in 2001 and competed as a wildcard at International each succeeding year until an 11th place finish in 2004. They initiated the 11th place Mic Tester Pin tradition that continues today. Jackpot! went on to several top ten International finishes, including three consecutive silver medals, until their retirement in 2009. Although having achieved International notoriety, Touché is Gina’s first Regional Championship Quartet. Gina is very active in her chorus, Toast of Tampa Show Chorus, serving on the chorus management team and dancing on the front row. She credits her chorus, the leadership and directors Joe Connelly and Tony DeRosa as being the main force behind her development as a singer and her strong performance style. At the regional level, Gina is a member of the Region 9 Education Faculty and coaches several choruses and quartets. Gina thanks her parents, Jerry and Bonnie, for raising her in the culture of barbershop and allowing her to explore and cultivate her talents while encouraging her all along the way. Gina is married to her Ironman Jeff Baker, the inspiration to her music and her true soulmate in life. They have two daughters, Lauren and Lisa, and live in Wesley Chapel, Fla. Together, Gina and Jeff work at St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where Gina is an R.N. and practices her other passion — taking care of premature infants and their families.

Jan Anton – Baritone

In 1979, Jan attended a wedding reception, and found herself sitting at a table with a lovely man named Joe Loose. He was wearing a unique tie clip — four men singing in straw hats. When Jan asked him about it, Joe told her he sang in the BHS Arlingtones Chorus and invited her to attend their upcoming show. At the show, Jan heard her first barbershop quartet, Chicago News. After picking her jaw up off the floor, Jan wandered into the afterglow where Don Bagley asked her to sing a tag. He told Jan,


Gina, singing in Fireworks, Jackpot! and Touché . Jan wants to thank Karen Breidert, her very first teacher and mentor in this wonderful art form; her special friends, for their love and support; and Jerry, for being so understanding of all her time away from home. He is truly her biggest fan! Lastly, she wants to thank Team Touché : Gina, Kim and Patty for their hard work and total dedication that enabled them to reach their dream. She feels so blessed.

coaches who have taught her so much over the past 25 years —Betty Clipman, Carole Kirkpatrick, Renée Porzel, Kim Vaughn, Roland Wyatt, West Coast Jeff Baker, Shannon Harris and barbershopper husband, Tim. She is so thankful for their abiding belief in her! Life outside of Sweet Adelines is narrow but rich for Kim, spent with family and her career. You can regularly find Kim playing domestic goddess in her backyard, entertaining friends and loved ones! Kim has four children: Alisha (35), Anna (30), Kendra (25) and Chad (22). Her passion and favorite pastime — outside of singing and her career — is spending time with them and her grandkids — Carlos Kim McCormic – Bass (8), Adaya (1), and the latest addition to For Kim, Touché’s week the clan, Jocelyn, who is just three weeks in Denver was full of amazold. Thanks to Alisha and her husband ing moments — seeing so Mike, one more grandbaby is on the way, Jan with her husband, Jerry. many dear friends in the halldue in July! Kim’s career has been in the “You know, the women do this, too!” Don way celebrating their semifinals medical field since 1995, specializing in nusent Jan to the little chorus down the road performance; spending time with coach traceutical/botanical medicine. She serves — Region 3’s Melodeers Chorus, and Jan Renée Porzel in her beautiful President’s the alternative and integrative medical promptly joined. Jan was choreographer Suite; seeing the crowns and the smiles on community as an independent consultant. for the chorus for several years and was her quartet mates’ faces during the awards Kim currently sings with Cascade everyone’s favorite fill-in baritone. She ceremony; being treated like royalty at the Harmony Chorus in Canby, Ore., and is joined her first quartet, Stardust, in 1988 Coronet Club show and feeling so much also a member of the Pride Of Portland and won her first Regional Quartet Chamjoy; watching the Coronet Club slideshow Chorus. Kim and Tim live on the outskirts pionship a few short months later. She still of previous queens and realizing she was of Portland in beautiful wine country, remains very close friends with her very first now a part of that legacy! A dream that where Sunday drives and hikes with the lead, The Four Bettys’ Lynda Keever. In began for Kim in 1988 was finally realized! dogs are a regular occurrence. Region 3, Jan earned five more Regional You may remember Kim from her .................................... Championships with Stardust, Midnight appearances with International quartet In French, “toucher” means “to Magic and The Tonight Show, and qualicompetitors Razzcals, Act IV and Out Of touch.” Throughout their long barberBounds. It was while Kim was singing with shop histories, countless people — in fied for International seven times. Jan left the Chicago area after meeting Razzcals that Gina first saw Kim perform ways that have shaped them into the her husband, Jerry, in 1993 at a BHS disand fell in love with her rich bass voice and women and quartet they are today trict contest in Peoria, Ill. Jerry is a lifelong captivating stage presence. Kim’s gratitude — have touched each member of Touché barbershopper — and Gina’s dad! Gina runs deep for the guidance provided by the . They thank all of the teachers, directors, was only 20 years old when coaches, friends, chorus she and Jan met; little did members, quartet sisters they know that 19 years later and especially family they’d win a crown together! who have touched them Jan and Jerry married duralong the way, with speing the 1994 Sweet Adelines cial thanks to Touché International Convention in coaches Carole KirkReno, in a little Elvis chapel. patrick, Renée Porzel, They will never forget the Betty Clipman, Jean feeling of walking into the Barford, Stacey St. Melodeers rehearsal as the John and Jeff Baker. chorus sang I Love You Truly to Their endless love and them. Everyone was crying! support have helped the That very same day, Jan won four of them become livher first International chorus ing proof that, no matter gold medal. After relocating how long it takes, never to Florida in 1997, Jan began Kim with her family. Left to Right: Anna, Alisha, Kendra, Chad, give up on your dreams Kim, Tim, Shannon, Mike, and Ryan. her quartet journey with … just believe! pp The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013

25


A Moment To Cherish — A Journey Of Joy With Lessons Learned

By North Metro Chorus, Region 16

And now, with a score of 3058 points, your 2013 International Chorus Champion … North Metro Chorus! It was a heart-stopping moment for all 135 singers as we flew to our feet with complete joyful abandon. Did they really call our name? As we looked to the stage in this surreal moment, we knew it was true! June Dale, dedicated director for more than 40 years, was in a state of shock as we made our way to the stage. Her outpouring of love and belief in each one of us resounded as we jumped, hugged, laughed and cried — this was the ultimate reward for two years of revitalization, hard work and the redefinition of why we sing! 26

The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013


We were thrilled to compete first in the finals at this year’s competition, as we love to experience the talent and creativity of all of the wonderful choruses within our organization. After enjoying such amazing performances, we are both humbled and honored to wear these gold medals. Our journey this time around was an intentional one as we made a very conscious decision to redefine our approach. You would think that two years to prepare would be plenty, but any chorus who works toward an International Competition can agree that the months move more quickly than we ever anticipate. Inspiring the hearts and lives of people with our music has always been at the center of why we love to sing. The ability to compete well plus enjoy the journey to the stage as a chorus meant changes needed to be made in our preparation schedule and in the individual mindsets and work ethic of each member.

invested in small group work early in the process and then ensured the deadline dates for qualifying music and visual were set and met earlier than in the past. What we were really interested in was a higher quality, more consistent musical and visual approach. We agreed as a chorus that we needed to create new singing and performance habits in order to reach our goal of performing two consistent rounds at International. Moments of greatness are possible with a random approach, but consistency of a higher quality product requires building new habits. The work became fun as the members began to hear and see the changes happening from week to week. We reminded ourselves that learning can be scary. “What if I try and I find out I can’t?” We all decided to go for our next level despite this fear. We all began to surprise ourselves as we found new territory to explore and began to see improvements that were recognized by our leaders and our peers.

Lesson #1: Love our music! Be courageous to change direction if the music does not work for us. The first hurdle is always music selection. We actually had chosen a new first round package in fall 2011. We taught and choreographed it and then had a coaching session. June Dale and Erin Howden sat in the car afterwards and, in a fit of nervous laughter, agreed that they both hated the music equally. We needed a change. At the turn of 2012, we were thrilled when June and Erin threw out the music and introduced a brand new set of piano tunes with which the chorus immediately and enthusiastically jumped on board. We were especially excited about singing the toy solider songs. Our love of the music made all the difference to the speed of the learning process and the end product.

Lesson #3: Surround ourselves with caring experts and seek out continuous education. We were blessed that two incredibly gifted men, Tony DeRosa and Joe Connelly, coached us. They both introduced and inspired new approaches to singing that worked very well for us. Tony’s approach to vocal technique was amazing and refreshing as we worked and developed while we thought we were playing! He is a master musician and vocal teacher, and his passion for our art form and for musical excellence is contagious. Joe, another tremendously gifted musician and coach, has been with North Metro for more than 23 years and continues to bring a fresh perspective to our interpretive plans and to our musical product. His passionate approach and his ability to inspire the best possible performance from each member are second to none. Both Tony and Joe, in spite of their crazy schedules, came to our rehearsals on-site in Denver, and their obvious genuine emotion meant the world to us as we enjoyed the final stages of our preparation. We thank both of these loving people who gave freely of themselves to help bring our performances to life.

Lesson #2: Celebrate fear and be courageous about our personal growth! We all made a conscious decision to set a plan in motion for individual musical and performance improvement. We wanted to feel more confident and prepared during this competition. We wanted to increase the predictability of our performances. We recognized that competence would breed confidence, so we all had work to do! We knew the chorus would only be as strong as each individual member’s preparation and skill level. We

Lesson #4: Intentionally strategize our preparation. In addition to setting earlier deadlines

for individual preparation, in the spirit of our goal to feel as prepared as possible, we set a September date for a show in which we performed both of our sets at matinée and evening performances. Although having a show prior to contest is not a new concept for many choruses, this is the first time we had done it, and what a wonderful experience it was! It allowed us to ensure we were performance-ready earlier, but it also provided us with useful insight to continue to mold our packages even further. Effective planning and preparation substantially increased the joy of our journey and the fun we were able to have onstage! Lesson #5: Work smart and hard, but plan to play! In past competitions, we found ourselves in the situation where we have attended extended rehearsals on-site and by the end of the week, we were too tired to enjoy ourselves. We vowed that would not happen this time! Our first gathering was at our regional pep rally on Monday evening. What an evening to celebrate as four choruses (North Metro, Buffalo Gateway, Saratoga Soundtrack and Orangeville) and two quartets (Spritzer and Phoenix Rising) represented Region 16. It was a wonderful time of sharing joy and music together as we were reminded how many wonderful relationships formed because of this incredible organization. We planned only one two-hour rehearsal per day during the week to ensure that the ladies were able to enjoy the convention. Tuesday was an unusual but wonderful time for us as the chorus was given the day off! We decided that instead of rehearsing, we would go on a chorus field trip. One of our members coordinated the scheduling of six buses to take us on the Billy Banjo tour through the city of Denver. After this we had dinner and went to the Harmony Classic together to support our regional representatives and enjoy the hard work of all the competing choruses. We have never considered the option going to play instead of rehearsing. Having playtime in the midst of an International Contest was foreign territory to us, but a formula we are sure to use in the future! Celebrating Our Leaders Earning a gold medal requires commitment from every member of a chorus; Continued on page 28 The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013

27


however, there are a few people whose inspiration helped us climb higher than we ever thought possible. June Dale, master director 700, certified music arranger, coach and extraordinary leader. There are no words that can properly reflect the joy this incredible woman has brought to our chorus for more than 40 years as our dedicated musical director. She is truly a visionary. We appreciate her courage to embark on new creative ways to present music in the barbershop style. Her loving, caring and determined approach with each and every member creates a positive environment for continuous learning. In spite of her highly competitive instincts, she has always put the needs of the people at the center of her leadership. Her joy and her passion for barbershop come through as she magically arranges, teaches, coaches and leads us. In doing the math, this amazing woman has directed our chorus at more than 2,200 regular rehearsals. Her courage as she endured constant pain this past year awaiting hip replacement surgery this month is a testament to her dedication and strength. The members of North Metro are truly grateful for this incredible director, leader and friend. Erin Howden, associate director, choreographer, international faculty, coach, creative genius. June’s daughter, Erin, is June’s right hand, an outstanding leader

and an integral part of our success. Brilliant, unique, innovative — these words have all been used to describe Erin’s stunning visual work. She inspires personal belief and enthusiasm as she motivates people to pursue breakthrough levels of continuous improvement and excellence. We are so thankful for her relentless push for higher levels, her vision, her mastery and her innovative concepts that bring our music to life. Lynn Reisch, costume design coordinator, designer extraordinaire. Lynn, also June’s daughter, has a flare and a vision for costuming that creates a visual spectacle, reinforcing the musical image being created onstage. Her flare for colour and design are impactful, and the chorus is very lucky to have her on our team. Each one of us had our own amazing and memorable life experience in Denver that will live in our hearts forever. Here is some insight from a first-time gold medal winner in our chorus. A Member’s Perspective ... My First International Gold! “I have never been comfortable wearing my achievements pinned to my chest, but I do wear this medal with joy. It is a marker of this remarkable journey that I have been encouraged to experience. It reminds me of each step I have taken along this musical path and of the enchantment of

that big day. It is a symbol of the pride and love I have for my North Metro Chorus and the chorus leaders. It is the evidence of the overwhelming support and love I felt from the audience through their heartfelt applause and accolades that made me believe that I was truly special in this moment in time. And finally, the brilliance of the gold exemplifies the Sweet Adeline community who, through their vision, has allowed me to soar and has led me to a place in music I have never even dared to dream.” A Final Note of Thanks We would like to recognize and thank Sweet Adelines International for encouraging continuous education and musical excellence all over the world. There are so many who offer their time for the betterment of us all. We owe special gratitude to the members of Region 16 who have always shown us so much love and encouragement. We would also like to thank our families for their love and support, every person who has helped us on our path and each of you in our audience who have allowed us to shine our light. We are so very proud, honoured and thankful to be your 2013 International Chorus Champions! With love and thanks, North Metro Chorus pp

Lynn Reisch and Erin Howden. 28

The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013


Passion, Singing and Harmonizing the World 2012 President’s Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient, Ann Gooch Annie as International President 1975. By Renée Porzel, Melodeers Chorus, Region 3 It’s hard to summarize 53 years of singing, performing and teaching, but Ann Gooch has spent her life doing all three with style, flair and a passion for changing women’s lives through music. To really understand the path Ann has followed since she joined in 1960, we have to start with a little background about her non-Sweet Adeline life. Ann’s career included a bachelor’s degree in music education from Florida State University, and a master’s degree in education from the University of Florida. She served for many years as a professor of music and humanities at Florida State College. She also taught classes on art appreciation — and gave me the lesson of a lifetime a few years ago. She was preparing a lesson plan for one of her art classes and took me to the Museum of Modern Art in Jacksonville. I was wandering around trying to find a painting that I liked and stopped for a long time to study an enormous canvas — with one orange dot in the bottom right hand corner. Ann asked me what I thought of it — and I said that I was shocked that it was considered art. I told her that anyone could take orange paint and put a dot on a canvas and call it art.

she has never sung in a Sweet Adeline chorus! She directed the Greater Orlando Chorus for five years, the Valley Forge Chorus for two years and has been the director of the Jacksonville Harmony Chorus for the last 40 years. It seems it was destined for Ann to be a director. In 1960, Ann was teaching junior high music and was facing the task of picking music for her students. She deContinued on page 30 A coaching session with Renée Porzel.

Her answer was quintessential Annie; she said, “Yes, dear — but did you?” She educated me that day! Her journey the last 53 years reflects her can-do attitude and her absolute dedication to spreading barbershop harmony to every corner of the world. Our name – Sweet Adelines International – is truly a reflection of Ann’s vision and perseverance. It’s safe to say that we would not be harmonizing the world if it weren’t for this talented woman. Ann has a very interesting claim to fame — despite her long membership,

Jacksonville Harmony sings Make Mine Music. The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013

29


cided to get the boys in her class singing status after spending remembers emceeing in a and found four-part arrangements to give many years teaching and towel in Miami and wearing to them. Some local male barbershoppers coaching our members. a long, black, see-through heard them sing and suggested they attend She was one of the womlace dress in Hawaii. I’ve a local chapter rehearsal. They also told en who helped develop been told she also wore an Ann there was a local women’s barbershop the original Faculty entire dress made out of chorus — and she was very intrigued. She Program in the 1970s seashells — but she will not went to their rehearsal and found 18 singers and has taught classes all corroborate that story! She getting ready for their regional competiover the world. is always ready for the next tion. They told her she couldn’t sing with Ann served on the new idea, the next character them until they came back from contest, Board of Directors for and the next chance to enJim Kane with Annie and the week they returned, Ann was 25 years and was our tertain. At 75 years young, at International there and ready to get started. The chorus international president she is raring to go and ready Convention. administration knew that Ann was a music from 1975–1977. She to keep moving forward to teacher and when they introduced her, they loved serving on the the next challenge. announced to the chorus that Ann was their Board and told me she One of her friends, new member and also their new director! enjoyed the politics and Dee Pelletier, describes She was totally surprised but assumed that the negotiating. I would Annie as “the real deal this was something the group did when have loved to see her in — compassionate, considthey took in a new member, thus she hapaction at a meeting! erate, caring and even-tempily agreed to give it a try. And the rest is During her presipered.” Ann is unflappable history; she has been serving as a front-line dency, Ann heard the and takes whatever life director ever since. It was a match made in Quarternotes quartet hands her and keeps on heaven! sing a song about what smiling. She has been an Ann’s years in Sweet Sweet inspiration to so many of Adelines have been filled with Adelines us, and we are fortunate to every leadership role this would be have her in our midst. organization has to offer. She like in other When asked about has been a judge for 40 years countries. Annie and Jacksonville herself, Ann quickly turns and is currently a certified Ann thought Harmony Broadway the conversation to the music judge. She began at a — why not? Show, 2011. person in her life who has time when there was no actual And then been her rock, her support program — the judges trained she made it system, her number one each other! They learned by happen. She raised the funds fan. Her husband Jim has been through judging a contest, and then to get the idea rolling by every contest cycle, every show and every analyzing each other’s work. putting on a show at Interconvention with Ann, and she believes They were trailblazers who national Convention, and the she never could have accomplished any laid the groundwork for the money raised was used for of the things she has without his love and judging program that is in world development. During support. Jim established the Ann Gooch place today. Ann emcees her presidency, she traveled Award in her honor to help support nonAnn has also been in Showcase at to England, Holland, Sweden, North American regions and the work a long list of quartets, most International New Zealand, South Africa, they are doing to spread barbershop harnotably La Fiesta, who placed Convention in Mexico, Singapore and Austra- mony in their countries. He is so proud of in the top 20 in Miami and in Miami. lia. She searched out leadership all that Ann has accomplished. the top 10 for a few years after everywhere she went in order For 53 years, Ann Gooch has been that. I’m sure many of you to keep the program going working tirelessly as a teacher, mentor, remember the cat number! and got in contact with any coach, director, committee member and When I asked Ann how many woman who expressed interest friend to our members. She has changed quartets she has been in, she in learning more about us. We the lives of so many women, and her said there was no way she are truly an international orlifetime’s work has truly made a difference. could count them. There is ganization because of her absoAnn Gooch is past international rarely a time when she is not lute belief that this music must president, certified music judge, internasinging in a quartet and conbe sung by women all over the tional faculty emerita, master director, tinues to grace the stage with world. We are all reaping the 2001 Harmony Classic AA champion her elegant style and largerbenefits of her work today. and instrumental in the development of than-life stage persona. And If you have been a memthe non-North American regions. For Little Devil her singing is pretty good, too! ber since the 1960s, you have this dedication to our organization, our at chorus Ann has been given witnessed some amazing stage members and the barbershop craft — we Halloween Party. international faculty emerita outfits from our Annie! She thank you. pp 30

The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013


Attracting Younger Members Ladies First is a female barbershop chorus at Concord High School in Concord, Calif. It is a select group of singers from grades 10-12, taught by Christian Emigh and coached by Sweet Adelines member, Karen Fish. The chorus has a distinguished history within its 18-year tenure at the school. As the school’s singular barbershop chorus, the group has taken top honors at festivals in Boston, Las Vegas, Seattle, Hawaii, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Chicago and Vancouver, Canada. In 2005, Ladies First received official recognition from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for their selection as California’s representative choir chosen to perform at a series of concerts honoring military veterans over Memorial Day at the nation’s Capitol in Washington, D.C. In 2006, the group was awarded a gold medal at the New York Choral Festival for their performances at Lincoln Center. Well known throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, Ladies First has been a featured group for the San Francisco Giants, the Oakland Athletics, the Golden State Warriors and the Oakland Holiday Parade. The group’s appearances for television and radio include NBC, KTVU Channel 2 and KFRC Radio. But how did they get started? And how can you start a similar phenomenon in your town? We got up close and personal with Karen Fish (Diablo Vista Chorus, Region 12), who helped initiate the art of barbershop within her local high school. Q: How long have you been involved with Sweet Adelines? I’ve been a Sweet Adelines member since 1988. I came to barbershop as a classically-trained vocalist with three young children; I needed a fun night out! Twenty-four years later and it’s still a fun night out with great music and wonderful friends.

Q: How did you get your start in singing? I started singing in third grade when my mom put me in chorus at the request of my teacher because I kept getting in trouble for singing in class. We performed songs from the “Wizard of Oz.” I loved it and have been singing ever since. Q: Was there a special teacher that inspired you to continue? Mr. Hartzell, my high school choir teacher, encouraged me to take vocal lessons. Although my forté was classical, Mr. Hartzell provided me with the opportunity to sing a variety of musical genres. Q: How did you get started in Ladies First? In 1994, Airiana Guthrie, a teacher at the local high school and a brand new Sweet Adeline to the Diablo Vista Chorus, approached me. Airiana wanted to start a new class at Concord High and could teach the basic songs but needed assistance with the finer points of the barbershop craft. Thus, a partnership to form the Ladies First choir was born. Skip to 18 years later, and I am still coaching alongside Christian Emigh as the teacher. Q: What is the Ladies First class curriculum? As in any chorus, I always start with the basics. Mr. Emigh breaks the girls up into quartets and small groups to teach them sight-reading (Solfége). I coach the barbershop portion of the class. We have sectionals, extra rehearsals and choreography classes. I bring in both men’s and women’s coaches from the barbershop world in order to give Ladies First a well-rounded musical education in barbershop.

Ladies First Choir with teacher, Christian Emigh. Q: Can you list some challenges you have had in coaching Ladies First? There are a few major challenges. Girls at this age don’t always have the range to sing bass, so the size of our class depends on our number of basses. We lose seniors and gain raw talent. Our school year begins at end of August, and we have to have a full program up and ready to perform by the end of November. This is a working choir; we’ll average 15 - 20 performances during the holiday season. Ladies First is Concord High’s premier choir. It is an audition-only class. Those auditions take place every May where we have nearly 80 young ladies try out. They go through both individual and group auditions before selections are made. Ladies First has grown from 11 girls who had never heard of barbershop to nearly 40 young ladies who want the opportunity to perform and compete in this gold medal-winning choir. Another challenge is the difference in ages. We’re working with teenage young ladies, which means hormones, drama and boy troubles! Sometimes I’m not just the coach but also a second mother, mentor and sounding board. But in the long run, I love it! Q: What are some mantras or life lessons you emphasize with girls? That any music –memorable music – draws from life. Sometimes they are just too young and haven’t lived enough to get that, so I give them instances in my life, and it helps them to visualize the Continued on page 49 The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013

31


Membership Matters

What’s New in 2013? Membership matters more than anything to Sweet Adelines International. It’s what keeps this organization vibrant, thriving and enduring. You are what make it extraordinary, which is why we are focusing heavily on spreading your harmony and passion with others across the globe. If we haven’t already put enough emphasis on your participation in the Global Membership Drive, here’s another reminder to keep it fresh in your mind: in January 2013 we launch another Global Open House event and the new Sweet! Adds Membership Incentive campaign! It’s important for all of us to remember that the purpose of these internationally-supported events is to strengthen the Global Membership Drive initiative using the One Voice, One Message collaborative strategy. Neither of these campaigns will be successful without the enthusiasm and drive of our membership, and we truly need to rely on the support and loyalty of the membership to make a difference. There are two main objectives of the One Voice, One Message program: we want to first increase public awareness of Sweet Adelines International by building a consistent image and brand utilizing the real women. real harmony. real fun. graphics and message across all of our regions and chapters. Next, we need to capitalize on this increased awareness with well-planned, coordinated promotional events to attract new members. The One Voice, One Message program is an ongoing mission to create awareness about our organization, attract more singers and ultimately increase membership. It is a long-term program that we will build for years to come. All the resources, tools, promotional plans, etc. that we generate are designed to support this program over the next several years. Before announcing what’s new in 2013, here’s a brief reminder of some very helpful existing benefits and resources: • Sweet Adelines International website • Marketing Center resources • Global Open House promotional videos 32

The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013

• The online Ad Builder • Real Guide to Growth handbook with bookmarks • Global Event Timeline template • Global Membership/Marketing Plan template • Global News Release template • Global Campaign Evaluation template

• • • • • • •

• •

• • • • •

• •

Now it’s time to announce the many new items available for you to take advantage of: Global landing pages for: The Global Open House for members The Global Open House for prospective members The Sweet! Adds Membership Incentive Campaign Invite-A-Friend electronic postcards on the website A Google-based chapter search A Facebook Global Event page New archived webinars on “What’s New In 2012/2013?” and “Social Media Marketing” New directional signs and business card templates in the online Ad Builder New items added to the Sweet Adelines International Cafe Press store I’d Like to Teach The World To Sing sheet music, now available in the newest version of the Mass Sing Songbook New items added to the Global Resources page of the Marketing Center Performance press release template PSA script samples Archived webinars Applied membership campaign plans and a variety of samples from the January 2012 event Global publicity Social Media Marketing Guide

The January 2013 Global Open House After months of promoting and preparing, the January 2013 Global Open House is underway. Surveys went out to chapter leaders at the beginning of the month to obtain feedback on participation levels and plans. Another survey will go out in February to evaluate promotional efforts. We hope each member, whether or not you belong to a chapter, is making even the most simple effort to raise aware-

ness for Sweet Adelines International this month. As we saw in 2012, this event has the potential to bring Sweet Adelines together to amplify the unity of our organization, tighten bonds between members no matter the distance and reach out to women around the world.

Please join the 2013 Global Open House Facebook page. Share your promotional plans, cheer on other members around the world, post your promotional materials and news coverage, share your success stories and more! For more information on the Global Open House event, go to http://www. sweetadelineintl.org/index.cfm?id=304 Sweet! Adds Membership Incentive Campaign Don’t forget — beginning this January, members will be rewarded for their recruitment efforts in the new Sweet! Adds Membership Incentive Campaign. To further strengthen the January Global Open House and the Global Membership Drive, members now have the opportunity to earn dues incentives and additional bonuses for bringing in new members. When completing the new member application, don’t forget to include the name of the member who referred that new member in the “Referred By” field. For more information about the Sweet! Adds Membership Incentive Campaign and the rewards being offered, go to http://www.sweetadelineintl.org/index.cfm?id=317. Just imagine the global impact of showing women all over the world the joy of singing barbershop harmony. With 24,000 members worldwide speaking with one voice, delivering one message — we can make a tremendous impact on membership. With your help we can create a recognizable brand for Sweet Adelines International and make it a household name. Now wouldn’t that be extraordinary!


Harmony Roundup

Queen of Our Hearts By Ellen E. Withers, Top of the Rock Chorus, Region 25 On Oct. 13, Top of the Rock Chorus was proud to host a wine and cheese party to celebrate Peggy Gram’s 40th anniversary as their director. Peggy’s service at the helm of the chorus, as well as serving at the helm of Sweet Adelines International, has been a huge credit to both. “When I started directing Top of the Rock, I never anticipated I would be celebrating 40 years of directing this fantastic group,” Peggy said. “We didn’t have a director, and I was the assistant director. I told them I would take it on until we found someone better.” Before the bash, Peggy continued to reflect about her time as director. “People ask me what we do, and my answer is we make things better in the lives of the women we touch and their families, as they experience the power of the music and the magic of the camaraderie and spirit that grows among musicians who are creating art together,” Peggy said. “In turn, we make our community better as we share the product of our rehearsals with them. Music just has a way of bringing people together whether you’re creating it or listening to it. “My time with the chorus has been a gift, a learning laboratory for me,” Peggy said. “I was so young when I started this adventure, I look back in amazement that the leadership was willing to entrust the responsibility to me, but I am very fortunate that they did. It has been a life-changing experience for me.” Although Peggy feels there are a multitude of benefits to directing, she explains what she likes best about leading singers to a better performance. “My favorite thing about directing has been getting to meet and work with so many talented people,”

From Left to Right, Kristi Jacimore, #25 Events Coordinator & member TOTR, Nancy Nortz, #25 & member OKC, Kat Nortz, friend, Peggy Gram, Camron Marsh, grandson, Kerri Barnes Marsh, daughter, Kristen Barnes Rhodes, daughter. Photo by Chris Barnes. Peggy said. “If you’re a singer, you aren’t really happy unless you are singing, so it is rewarding to watch women blossom as they find the chorus, return to singing, and start to grow again as singers. I love leading that education process. I am an educator at heart and get the largest charge out of seeing the synapses come together as someone gets it across the room, whether that’s mastering the concept of a challenging vocalize as we warm up, as she hears a chord lock and ring for the first time, or seeing her standing on stage acknowledging an audience’s applause and seeing in their eyes that the music we made together moved them.”

Sweet Adelines’ Spirit Reaches Australia’s Outback By Sharon Cartwright, Northern Beaches Chorus, Region 34 Australia’s a rugged country with wide expanses of dry and dusty land separated by remote townships with tiny populations. In one such community resides a Sweet Adelines member named Melissa Harrison. A barbershop brat, originally a member of Coastal aCappella Chorus in the lush Central Coast resort area of New South Wales, she is now a Chapter-at-Large member and a teacher at Wanaaring Public School, one of the most isolated schools in the state. Her mum Jennie and aunty Cheryl are longtime Sweet Adelines members, and Melissa sang with the Young Women In Harmony Chorus at the Seattle Convention in 2010. With only nine students enrolled from kindergarten to year six, Wanaaring Public School has little opportunity to raise funds to provide additional sporting equipment. So when a sports equipment coupon

promotion was run by one of Australia’s pons provided new and interesting things largest supermarkets, Melissa reached out to read. The students loved looking on to the Sweet Adelines maps to see where all the network to help. She choruses were located, dreamed of a target thus learning more about of 10,000 coupons their vast country. and with Region Melissa and the 34’s generosity, the children sent a letter of little school received thanks to each chorus 37,773 coupons! This that supported them. enabled each student What may have seemed a to choose their own small gesture to indipiece of sporting vidual members of the equipment, somemany choruses who got thing previously way behind the effort really beyond their reach. made a difference to this Counting the isolated community and coupons became a has helped Melissa feel part of the school’s more connected to her math lessons and Sweet Adelines sisters Students from Wanaaring reading the notes that Public School say thank you to across the country. arrived with the cou- Sweet Adelines! Continued on Page 34 The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013

33


Harmony Roundup

Do Something Musical By Debbie Toy, Chesapeake Harmony Chorus, Region 1 It was in the summer of 2009 when Jan Sczcerba came through the door at Chesapeake Harmony Chorus for the first time. Who could ever have imagined the impact she would have on us in such a short time. Jan was a school teacher — a reading specialist at a local elementary school. She always had a smile on her beautifully made-up face, and was quite the fashionista, but also knew how to go casual at Girl’s Weekends (aka Singer’s School, or FLASH — depending on the region). Her laughter and smile could light up a room like no other. Jan was a classically-trained singer, so watching her morph from soloist to singing barbershop harmony first as a lead, then tenor section leader, was a treat — although perhaps a challenge to the

perfectionist in her. After a few weeks on the risers, she gave up comparing how the notes appeared on the music staff to how our director wanted it to be sung. Unfailingly, she watched Tancey’s hands — regardless of those little dots on the paper. In addition to being a wonderful wife and mother, Jan was the sort of grandmother I secretly wished I had. She was always planning something fun with her grandchildren in mind — baking cookies, watching the wildlife over a campfire in the woods or her own backyard. Done together, it was special time for them all. She had a serious side though and could always be counted on to dissolve tension within the chorus when something was amiss or to be the consummate diplomat to solve an impasse. Using a technique developed for sixth graders or younger, we would secretly fill a chorus member’s bucket with good thoughts to brighten her week or a thank-you for an obscure job

performed on behalf of the chorus. Jan was kind above all else. Her arrival at Chesapeake Harmony was the result of her late brother Roy’s wish that she do something musical. She’d been out of music, one of her many creative outlets, for a time, and she found us online. What serendipity for us all! She loved being a Sweet Adeline, and we loved having her be a part of our small but mighty chorus. Our Jan passed away on a recent autumn afternoon. It was much too soon. Chesapeake Harmony Chorus wants Jan’s legacy of doing something musical to live on. We are hopeful that our donation to YWIH in her memory will, in some small way, allow others to do something musical. We miss you, Jan. Our hearts are heavy with grief, but we know that you are singing tenor with the angels and watching over us as we continue to do something musical in your memory.

Alaska’s Growing Girls Sheena Kaighin, Alaska Sound Celebration, Region 13

by

Alaska has got its own version of the “growing girls!” Its Young Women in Harmony Chorus just keeps getting bigger and bigger. Now in its fourth year, Alaska A Cappella U (AAU) is an annual oneday festival staged by Region 13’s 2012 Champion, Alaska Sound Celebration. It is traditionally held on the same day as ASC’s Fall Show, which gives the girls both an educational day of barbershop singing and the chance to perform on stage in front of a packed house. AAU is organized by Chera Boom and Melodee Risi, both of whom are Sweet Adelines Certified Directors. Melodee says, “I was amazed in 2011 when we had 43 girls. That was double the previous years’ number, so you can imagine our excitement when this year we had 85 participants!” Teaching the barbershop craft and good vocal technique are the top priorities of the event. Chera says, “It shows the girls that being a performer is more than those few exciting minutes on stage. There’s the hours of rehearsal, maintaining focus, learn34

The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013

ing choreography, getting make-up and costume details right and then waiting until you go on stage.” Every Sweet Adeline knows the thrill of performing. And after the show the excitement in the green room was evident. Dozens of girls in matching T-shirts clutched the flower each of them had been given as they came off stage and talked to friends old and new about their performance. First timer Gabbe Blackwell is hooked. “It was neat how all the music blended together. I was a little nervous because I was also a piper, but in the end it was a breeze. I had such a fun time, and really want to come back next year.” Mary Rasheed was thrilled about singing bass for the first time. “It was an awesome experience. I sing in my church choir, but this was very different — the atmosphere, the technique, the movement. The choreography was the cutest thing, looser and more fun than what I do in other groups.” The success of AAU is beyond what Chera and Melodee dreamed of when they started the Festival in 2009. But they have

Chera Boom (L 3rd row) and Melodee Risi (R 2nd row) with Alaska A Cappella U members before their performance. bigger aspirations. Chera says, “We are getting increasing support from teachers in the school system. We’d like to encourage more participants from further afield in Alaska, start some quartets and eventually have a year- round YWIH Chorus. And one day we’d like to be cheering an Alaskan quartet in the Rising Star competition.” Melodee pays tribute to Alaska Sound Celebration for it’s for support of Alaska A Cappella U. She says, “AAU began thanks to a grant from YWIH, but since then Alaska Sound Celebration has continued to underwrite the festival, and members help with everything from registration to teaching choreography and ordering many pizzas for hungry girls.” It seems the future is bright for barbershop in the last frontier.


Young Singers Foundation

Endowment Fund Goal $500,000 • Current Level $424,190

The Foundation in Denver

Members of the Denver Silent Auction Team pictured from left to right: Joan Kienitz, Anita McLarin, Hisako Denda and Marsha Williams. The silent auction and donations generated $22,185 to benefit the Young Singers Foundation. A special thank you goes out to Kate Veeder, Chair of the Silent Auction! During the quartet finals, members generously donated $4,903 to the Friends of the Foundation collection. Thanks to Melina Perry and Brianna Perry who served as the co-chairs of the Friends of the Foundation in Denver. The total proceeds raised by the Young Singers Foundation in Denver were $27,088! Thank you to all who contributed. We hope to see you in Honolulu in 2013!

The Voice Box

Health Tips for Sweet Adelines What happens when I lose my voice? By Rachael Gates Also known as aphonia, having no voice usually implies that the folds have become so swollen that they are weighed down and stiff.Vibration is absent or severely decreased, irregular and slow. More phonatory pressure and increased breath flow is needed to initiate a tone. If you have to push to get a tone started, something is wrong. In such cases, voice rest is better than phonation.

Dr. Rachael Gates is a singing health specialist. She has taught at Northwestern University,The Hartt School of Music, Yale University and Michigan State University where she is currently on the Musicians’ Wellness Team.The Young Singers Foundation Bev Sellers Memorial Scholarship helped to fund her college education.

Young Singers Foundation, one of the official charities of Sweet Adelines International, is committed to enriching the lives of young people by supporting the educational and performance opportunities in vocal music. Please support the Young Singers Foundation with your tax-deductible gift. You may contribute online by visiting http://www.youngsingersfoundation.org/giving.cfm. Follow us on Facebook: http://www. facebook.com/pages/Young-Singers-Foundation/400692866741. The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013

35


New Music Reviews

New Music Reviews By Lynnell Diamond, Toast Show Chorus, Region 9

of

Tampa

CMA Carolyn Healey has once again created a musically luscious ballad arrangement for our adult singers. The song is Cry Me A River, made popular in the 1960s by singer Julie London. Carolyn uses frequent lead solo passages that make the arrangement best for groups with a strong lead voice or section, and tenor melody lines are used in the hook, so strong tenor voices are also important. The song’s haunting minor mode melody and frequent secondary harmonies indicate that this arrangement is best suited for general audience performances. The arrangement is rated medium/challenging, and voice ranges from high to low are: lead, high D - middle C; tenor, high F - mid G; bass, mid E flat - low E flat; bari, high B flat - mid B flat. The final folio in the Competition Folio series, Competition Folio Book 4 – Challenging, is now available from the Sweet Adelines International Sales Department. The folio is comprised of three ballads, one swing song and four uptunes, all arranged at the advanced level. Tom Gentry, a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society, provided two of these arrangements for us: Bill, a favorite love song from the musical Show Boat, and Button Up Your Overcoat, a wonderful swing song from the 1920s. Sweet Adelines CMA Avis Fellows also contributed two arrangements to the folio: I’m Gonna Steal Somebody Else’s Baby, a clever uptune from the 1920s with snippets of Somebody Stole My Gal and I Want a Girl (Guy), and the beautiful ballad I’m Making Believe That

I Don’t Care. Also included are two of CMA Jo Lund’s fine arrangements of a classic barbershop ballad, Laughing On The Outside, and an uptune medley of There’ll Be Some Changes Made and Runnin’ Wild. I Had Someone Else Before I Had You, another popular barbershop uptune, is arranged by CMA Lorraine Rochefort, and CMA Linda Masterson’s entertaining medley of Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny, Oh and Ma, He’s Making Eyes At Me complete the folio selections. Dale Syverson’s excellent learning notes are included, along with learning media for each song. Several arrangements are now available for singers in our Young Women in Harmony program in both TLBB (tenor,

The song’s haunting minor

mode melody and frequent secondary harmonies indicate that this arrangement is best suited for general audience performances.

36

The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013

lead, baritone, bass) and SSAA (soprano I, soprano II, alto I, alto II) formats. I Feel Pretty from the Broadway musical “West Side Story” is a new arrangement for young singers by CMA Carolyn Schmidt. This delightful song describes every girl’s dream, and Carolyn’s arrangement captures all of the joys of a teenager discovering that she is a very special person. Additional titles adapted for YWIH singers from Sweet Adelines adult arrangements are I Don’t Know Why (I Just Do), If You See Johnny, God Bless America, Mary, You’re A Little Bit Old Fashioned, The Star Spangled Banner, We’re All In This Together. The Sales and Marketability Committee of Sweet Adelines International

accept music arrangements for review. Published music arrangements earn generous payment for the arranger. If you have an arrangement to submit for review, contact Carol Schwartz at Carol@sweetadelineintl.org for further information on the submission and review process.


The Music We Sing, Part 1: The Gershwins By Kim Vaughn, San Diego Chorus, Region 21 The 1920s were a fascinating and exciting time in America. The Great Depression was over and the “Roaring Twenties” were on their way! It was the age of Charlie Chaplin, dance marathons, flappers, the Charleston, the Cotton Club, Al Jolson, Coco Chanel, art deco, and The New Yorker magazine. Young people flocked to major cities like New York and Chicago wanting to sing, dance, and be entertained. They were greeted by the music of AfricanAmericans like Jelly Roll Morton, King Oliver, Duke Ellington, Bessie Smith, and a young Louis Armstrong — and they loved it, adopting it and adapting it into white American culture. The jazz influence was here to stay! One of the most creative teams in the history of music as well as two of the best at adopting and adapting the jazz style were brothers George and Ira Gershwin. From The Real American Folk Song is a Rag to I’ve Got Rhythm, Fascinatin’ Rhythm, The Man I Love to Rhapsody In Blue, the rhythms, the colors, the emotions are all there for us to enjoy, even today. Ira, born in 1896 and George, born in 1898, were two of four children of Russian Jewish immigrants who immigrated to New York City. George dropped out of school in 1914, immersing himself in piano and the popular music scene with a job as a salesman for the music publisher Remick. He was greatly influenced by ragtime and stride piano music, and as a songwriter had his first hit in 1920 with Swanee, recorded by the leading vocalist of the time, Al Jolson. Ira graduated from high school in 1914 where he demonstrated a talent for light verse although he started out working for their father, who ran a number of small businesses. By 1917 he was fascinated with the entire subject of lyrics and began writing under the pseudonym Arthur Francis — so as not to trade on the success of his younger brother. Ira’s first personal success was as lyricist for a Vincent Youman’s show called Two Little Girls in Blue. But the brothers worked best when they created together. From 1924 until George’s death in 1937, the brothers wrote almost exclusively with each other, composing over two dozen scores for Broadway and Hollywood. They wrote and created, along with librettist DuBose Heyward, the classic Porgy and Bess folk opera, and George attained great

success in the concert arena as a piano virtuoso, conductor, and composer of such celebrated works as Rhapsody in Blue, An American in Paris, and the Concerto in F. In 1930 they wrote the show Girl Crazy and its catchy yet strikingly complex hit number I Got Rhythm. The 1932 show Of Thee I Sing was especially notable for its crackling political satire that would win the 1932 Pulitzer Prize. In 1936 George and Ira went to Hollywood to write for the RKO film studio but by mid-1937, George was complaining of headaches. He died from a brain tumor on July 11, 1937. He was not quite 39 years old. It would be three years before Ira could or would write again. But Ira did eventually work with other songwriters. Ira worked in film and theatre with collaborators ranging from Kurt Weill and Jerome Kern to Harold Arlen, Burton Lane, Vernon Duke and Harry Warren, among others; writing such standards as Long Ago (and Far Away) and The Man That Got Away, both nominated for Academy Awards. In addition to his own career, Ira attended to the details of his brother’s estate and the Gershwin legacy. With help from singer, pianist and historian Michael Finestein, he annotated their manuscripts and consigned to the Library of Congress all the materials that pertained to their careers. In 2007, The Library of Congress created a special award: the Gershwin Prize, in honor of George and Ira Gershwin. The first winner of that first prize was Paul Simon. Subsequent winners have been Stevie Wonder, Sir Paul McCartney, Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Finestein has written an interesting book called The Gershwins and Me that is interesting reading for those who would like to know more. In 1983, after a 40-year career and at the age of 86, Ira died in his Beverly Hills home.

Fortunately for us, the music never dies. Our arrangers, our choruses and our quartets (Above) George Gershwin search out (Below) Ira Gershwin. these amazing songs and preserve them for us all to enjoy. Have you sung a Gershwin tune? It’s very likely you have. Everyone you can think of — from Fred Astaire to Amy Winehouse, Bing Crosby to the Moody Blues — has loved and sung a Gershwin song. Let’s all go sing a Gershwin tune! pp Songs by George and/or Ira Gershwin: Bidin’ My Time But Not For Me Clap Yo’ Hands Crazy For You Embraceable You Fascinating Rhythm Foggy Day, A How Long Has This Been Going On? I Can’t Get Started I Got Plenty O Nuttin’ I Got Rhythm I’ve Got A Crush On You It Ain’t Necessarily So Let Yourself Go Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off Little Jazz Bird Long Ago (And Far Away) Love Is Here To Stay

Love Walked In Man I Love Man That Got Away, The Nice Work If You Can Get It Of Thee I Sing Rhapsody In Blue Real American Folk Song Is A Rag S Wonderful Shall We Dance Slap That Bass Somebody Loves Me Someone To Watch Over Me Strike Up The Band Summertime Swanee They All Laughed They Can’t Take That Away From Me

The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013

37


The Overtone Society is an official fundraising outreach of Sweet Adelines International. The Board of Directors conceived the Society in 2009 so that members and non-members could take leading roles in the financial security of this dynamic organization. Like the capacity of an overtone to ring indefinitely, your financial support of the programs, services and facilities can result in the perpetuation of this organization for generations to come. All contributions to The Overtone Society directly benefit the mission of Sweet Adelines, which is focused on educating and acknowledging exceptional a cappella singers in the barbershop style, and their successful leadership locally and internationally. Mission Statement: The Overtone Society is committed to ethically and professionally soliciting financial support from members and nonmembers to ensure a robust and stable financial position for Sweet Adelines International, to support and expand its programs, services, and facilities and to protect and perpetuate our organization for future generations.

Ways to Give

There are several ways to contribute to the Overtone Society. • Direct gifts are those that can be sent to the Headquarters office in Tulsa, Okla. • Gifts of any size can also be made by going to The Overtone Society page on the Sweet Adelines International website and clicking on the “give now” button. • Contributions can also be made in person at The Overtone Society booth in Harmony Bazaar at International Convention, or through the live collection that takes place during the competition. • In addition to the traditional philanthropic means to donate, there is also planned or deferred giving that allows an individual to leave money or assets to Sweet Adelines International payable upon death. This is also known as 38

The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013

Overtone Society Donations as of November 30, 2012

estate planning. Estate Planning & Deferred Giving Estate planning (deferred giving) makes up a very large percentage of the total giving in the United States. An average person works 40 years to accumulate his or her assets, spends 10 to 20 years conserving that accumulation, and often takes two hours or less to plan for the distribution of those assets. Planning is not about how much you own (“my estate is not worth that much”), but planning is for the peace of mind for those you leave behind and for the legacy you wish to leave. Currently, only one out of three people in the United States has a will, and of those who do, many of their wills are out of date. A will addresses issues related to where you want your property to go, can designate guardians for minor children and even make provision to reduce taxes. Deferred giving contributions amount to almost $23 billion in total gifts annually, and it is estimated that these figures will increase in coming years. In order to make this type of gift, an individual can name Sweet Adelines International as a beneficiary in a life insurance policy or through a charitable remainder trust. There are tax advantages to setting up these specialized giving programs, and with some exceptions, contributions made in these situations can result in a tax deduction for the year in which the premiums were paid. Please consult with your attorney or tax professional to determine which of these giving options best serves your needs and those of The Overtone Society. Thank you in advance for your generosity and the philanthropic spirit that ensures that the legacy of Sweet Adelines International will continue for generations to come.

Anderson, Birgit L. Bernard, Karen W. Burg, Barbara M. Burklund, Patti Busch, Barbara Cambell, Beckie Caterpillar Foundation Center Stage Show Chapter Chalmers, Lee P. Davis, Judy D. DeVine, Alice D. Ferenc, Deborah B. Furtner, Fran Garside, Michele Goin, Patti I. Gordon Generation Foundation Green, Victoria L. Head, Karlie Hennessy, Deborah Holland, Clare Hughes, Shelly K. INTERKULTUR Management GMBH Johnson, Coral C. Jones, Ronald G. Jurs, Dorothy S. Kirkpatrick, Carole A. Kurth, Nancy S. Loos, Jolene and Randy Mahoney, Meg McFarland, Samuel A. McKarns, Marjorie Miller, Bev Ortega, Edie Osterman, Valorie L. Palagi, Julie Ann Peckham, Sue Peters, Debra L. Pollock-Mouche’ Charitable Fund Ridout, Karen and Philip Rocky Mountain Region 8 Schmidt, Carolyn E. Sims, Michele Swanston, Helen M. Thirion, Cynthia & William Trout, April E. TuneTown Show Chapter Velvet Hills Chapter Virginia Medical Alliance, P.C. Wile, Patricia Williams, Susan B. Wolff, Jane Wright, Patti Zylks, Gwen E.


Contributions

All contributions received and posted through November 30, 2012. Listed in alphabetical order by first name. Young Singers Foundation Acappella Jubilee Xpress, 24 American Assoc of University Women Northville-Novi, n honor of Jeanne & Roger Lundberg Anita Cleaver, Brindabella, 34 Anita Wolfe, Kansas City, 7 Ann Reid, Melodeers, 3 Anne Rhome,Vienna-Falls, 14, in memory of Virginia L. Minnick Atlantic Bay-Mountain, 19, Pasadena, MD Atlantic-Gulf, 9 Barbara deFerrari, Golden Apple, 15 Barbara Hill, Mission Valley, 12, in memory of Fran McWherter Barbara Hyder, CAL, 9, in memory of Maripat Hansen Barbara Patton, Kansas City, 7 Barbara Pletcher, City of Lakes, 6 Barbara Reid, Spirit of Detroit, 2 Bay Area Day Timers, in honor of Bay Area Day Timers, Santa Clara, CA Bayou Blend, 10, in memory of Howard LeBlanc Beckie Martini, CAL, 8, in honor of 8 RMT Becky Wilkins, Queen Charlotte, 14 Bette Templeton, Toast of Tampa Show, 9 Bev Miller, Capital City, 4 Beverly Bruening, Laurel Harmony, 17, in memory of Melba Emert Beverly Garelick, Bay Area Showcase, 12 Beverly Leding, Westosha Lakes, 22, in memory of Jean McFayden Beverly Shoecraft, Kansas City, 7 Brenda Arriens, Carolina Harmony, 14, in honor of Kate Veeder Bridger Mountain Harmony, 24

Bruce McGrath, Templeton, CA, in honor of Diane McGrath Candice Bassett, Southern Acappella Sound, 25, in honor of SASC members Capital City, 4, in memory of Matthew John McCardle, Lillian Singer, Susan J. Bettcher, William Patterson & William Steinwachs Caren Laiosa, Wilmington, DE, in honor of Jan Muck Carol Austin, Harborlites, 21 Carol Morgan, Sounds of Superior, 6, in memory of Tracy Martin Carolyn Frampton, Sligo, PA in memory of Jessie C. Zaremba Catherine Sarwar, Bayou Blend, 10 Cathy Bucholtz, Harmony Celebration, 15 Cathy Frey, Toast of Tampa Show, 9 Celebration Charles & Gail Stevens, Westborough, MA, in memory of Robert Dallaire Chautauqua Shores, 16 Colonial Spirit, 1 Colorado Spirit, 8, in memory of Kathryn Ann Bridge Cookie Weinert, O.K. City, 25 Crosstown Harmony, 22, in memory of Shirley Woller Dean Rust, Alexandria,VA, in memory of Virginia L. Minnick Deb Bloomquist, Scottsdale Chapter, 21, in honor of Scottsdale 50th Anniversary Debi Gordon, Bay Area Showcase, 12 Deborah Bauch, River City Sound, 22 Debra Leedham, Circle of Harmony, 16 Diana Duff, Kansas City, 7, in memory of Tom Hedges & In memory of Joan Bishop Diane Rousseau, High Country, 8 Donna Johnson, Windsong, 8 Donna Kerley, Tulsa, OK, in honor of Rita Hull

Donna Prochazka, Bay Area Showcase, 12 Dorothy Hirt,Vienna-Falls, 14 Douglas Whitney, Tipp City, OH, in memory of Judy Brown East Central, 4 Ellen Kurcis, Arlington,VA, in memory of Robert Dallaire Eris Doorneweerd, Plymouth, MA, in memory of Nancy Dallaire Ferne Hogan, CAL, 11 Five Valley, 24 Fusion Gayle Lowell, CAL, 25, Priscilla Sullivan Gem City, 4, in memory of Alma Brill Gene & Beverly Dunn, Broken Arrow, OK, in memory of Carolyn Fedde Golden West, 21 Greater Cleveland, 17, in memory of Bill Clipman Greater Eugene, 24 Greater New York, 15, in honor of East Coast Style Gretchen Slemmons, Brookline, MA, in memory of Robert Dallaire Harborlites, 21, in memory of June Snow, Don McPherson, Carol Jean Mussen, Betty Burkholder, Don Ramsay, Myrtle Ziemer, & Shirley Feld Harmony Celebration, 15, in memory of Lorraine Chasnov Harmony of the Gorge, 24 Heart of New Jersey, 15 Hellen Wistrand,Västerås, 32, in memory of Christina Westlund Inland Harmony, 13 J. Atlas, Willows, CA, in memory of Judy Brown Jackie Bottash, Potomac Harmony, 14 James Willwerth, Westborough, MA, in memory of Robert Dallaire Jamie Reed, CAL, 8, in memory of Marsha Ann Bower Jan Gervais, Pacific Empire, 12

Jan MacCaskill, Harmony Celebration, 15 Jan Meyer, Spirit of the Gulf, 9 Jan Sloan, Celebrity City, 11, in memory of Diane Pagano Janet Corrigan, Greensboro, NC, in memory of Robert Dallaire Janet Manning, Walpole, MA in memory of Robert Dallaire Janet Shawcross, Lowell, MA, in memory of Marjorie Palmer Janice Propert, Bay Area Showcase, 12 Jean Knight, Framingham, MA, in memory of Robert Dallaire Jean Woods, Melodeers, 3 Jeanette Bryant, Idaho Falls A Cappella, 24, in memory of Jessie C. Zaremba Jeanne Elmuccio, Liberty Oak, 15 Roger & Jeanne Lundberg Foundation, Northville, MI Jerry Tullos, Houston Horizon, 10 Jersey Harmony, 15 Jim and Julia Gleason, Florissant, MO, in memory of Judy Brown Jive! Jo Gray, MAL, in memory of Jane Poocher Joan Kienitz, CAL, 2, in memory of Mary Alice Thurman-Whipple Joan Stoner, Pride of Toledo, 17, in honor of Pride of Toledo’s 25th Anniversary Joanna Lyes, Greater Auckland, 35 Joanne Parker, Cranberry Shores, 1 Joe Liles, Kenosha, WI Joyce Brandt, Hickory Tree, 15, in memory of Joan Shuster Judi Naill, Sierra Gold, 12, in memory of Marion Cleaver Judy Stutzman, Song of the Lakes, 2 Julie Kendrick, Melodeers, 3, in memory of Carolyn Fedde June Berg, Riverport, 22 Karen Moran, Melodeers, 3 Karen Ridout, Harborlites, 21

ThePitch PitchPipe Pipe--JANUARY JANUARY2013 2013 The

39 39


Contributions

Karen Wysocky, Crosstown Harmony, 22, in memory of Rick Wysocky Kate Veeder, Waikato Rivertones, 35 Kathleen Roche Goggins, Worcester, MA, in memory of Robert Dallaire Kathleen Traynor, CAL, 8, in memory of Mary Couch Kathy Sellstrom, CAL, 10 Katie Bratton, Melodeers, 3, in honor of Julie Kendrick Kay Lehman, Tucson Desert Harmony, 21 Kristi Bianconi, Grand Rapids, 3 Lannette Crutchfield, Calumet Corner, 3, in memory of Dodie Wodrich Linda Hoagland, Omaha, NE, in memory of Mary Couch Linda Melcher, Song of the Lakes, 2 Lindi Bortney, MAL, in memory of Lorraine Chasnov Lipschtick Lisbet Duponte, CAL, 15, in memory of Gina Genovese Live it Up!, in honor of 2s Lorna Stephens, Emerald City, 7, in memory of Mary Williams Magic Valley, 10 Mardell Sunley, Harborlites, 21 Margaret Donapel, Jersey Sound, 19, in memory of Jessie C. Zaremba Mari Pettersson, Harmony Heights, 32, in honor of Camilla Ljung, 32 for a wonderful education Marilyn Block, Liberty Oak, 15, in memory of Lorraine Chasnov Marilyn Douglas, CAL, 10 Marjorie Schirmer, New Pine Creek, OR Marsha Bock, Bayou Blend, 10, in memory of Bertha “Cookie” Nagel Martha Delargey, Shoreline Sound, 2 Martha Gilliam,Vienna-Falls, 14 Martha McCardle, Capital City, 4 Marti Lovejoy, MAL, in honor of The Sing Group Mary Beth Smith, Melodeers, 3 Mary Beth Szabo, Scottsdale, 21 40 40

Mary DiLeo, Women of Note, 9, in memory of Joan Shuster Mary Hower, Sparkling City, 10, in memory of Margaret Schneider Mary-Sue Johnson, MAL, in memory of Lorraine Chasnov Melinda Reitman, Winterhaven, FL Melodie Hays, Coeur d’Alene, 13 Metro Rhythm, 15 Michele Garside, Diablo Vista, 12, in honor of Cyndi Sharp Michelle Sevigny, TuneTown Show, 23 Midwest Gateway, 5, in honor of 5 Judging Panel (2012) Nadine Hauser, London, 2 Nancy Hill, Acappella Omaha, 7, in memory of Mary Couch Naturally, in memory of Charles Gutowski Nikki Blackmer, a cappella joy, 13, in memory of Sarah Solomita North Atlantic, 1, in memory of John H. Shultis Jr Northwest Harmony, 24 Noteworthstanding Olive Carey, North Metro, 16 Oregon Coast, 24 Oregon Spirit, 24 Patricia Hubbard, East Syracuse, NY Patricia McCandless, Bay Area Showcase, 12, in memory of Marion Cleaver & Fran McWherter Patricia Wile, Potomac Harmony, 14, in memory of Virginia L. Minnick Patt Mueller, Celebrity City, 11 Patty Cobb Baker, Harborlites, 21, in honor of Donna Kerley Patty Collins, Baton Rouge, 10, Jackie Hall Peg Millard, CAL, 19 Phyllis Wrenick, Troy, OH, in memory of Judy Brown Potomac Harmony, 14 Pride of Baltimore, 19, in memory of Virginia L. Minnick Pride of Portland, 24

The - JANUARY 2013 The Pitch Pitch Pipe Pipe JANUARY 2013 2012

Ray/Pat Levesque, Westborough, MA, in memory of Robert Dallaire Regina Reninger, in honor of Chrissy Chadwick, Annandale,VA Regina Reninger, in memory of Carole Schauer, Annandale,VA Rhonda Brennan, Melodeers, 3 Risa Page, Celebrity City, 11, in memory of Morris & Barbara Sears, RMT 8, in memory of Jamie Reed’s father Robert Billings, Tulsa, OK Rocky Mountain, 8, in honor of 8 Judging Panel Ron and Carol Gutberlet, Salisbury, MD, in honor of Sue and Cam Weiffenbach Rosalie Anderson, West Shore, 3 Roxanne Crowley, CAL, 1, in honor of 1 Competings Ruth Feld, Heart of Iowa, 5, in honor of Diane Huber SA Headquarters Staff, in honor of Donna Kerley SA International Board of Directors, in honor of Donna Kerley Sally Burns, Shoreline Sound, 2, in memory of Marie Parzych Samuel McFarland, McLean,VA Sandra Detroit, Pride of Portland, 24 Sarajoy Pickholtz, Melodeers, 3, in honor of Kenneth Goldman Scottsdale, 21, in memory of Jim Carpenter Sea Breeze Harmony, 24 Sharon Hohmann, Bay Area Showcase, 12, in honor of The Great 8 Sharon Holmes, Scenic City, 23 Sharon Spalding, Ashland, OR, in memory of Sharon Kinman Smith Sheila Koplitz, Fox Valley, 22 Shelly Hughes, Melodeers, 3 Sheryl Curlee, CAL, 25, in memory of Marion Nikolajczyk Sierra Gold, 12, in memory of Marion Cleaver Sisters in Song, 4

Skyline Harmony, 14, in honor of Dorothy Halvorsen Spirit of Harmony, 6 Sue Beck,Voices Northwest, 13, in honor of Mina P. Coleman & In memory of Carolyn Fedde Susan Chirafis, Spirit of Southeast Texas, 10 Susan Lengal, CAL, 4 Susan Svendsen, Santa Monica, 11 Susan Zura,Vienna-Falls, 14 Susanna Price, Houston Horizon, 10 Suzanne Zam, Gainesville Harmony Show, 9, in honor of Competings of 9 Sylvia Kelty, Pride of Baltimore, 19, in memory of Virginia L. Minnick TGIF The Best Ever Book Club, Waterford, MI The Villages at Walker Meadow, Franklin, MA, in memory of Robert Dallaire Tom & Shelly Masters, Menomonee Falls, WI, in memory of Maripat Hansen Toula Oberlies, Capital City, 4, in honor of Jessica, Declan and Jasper Vicky McKinley, River Blenders, 5 Victoria Green, Saratoga Soundtrack, 16 Wagner Insurance Agency Inc., Chico, CA, in memory of Judy Brown Walker Meadow Mens Club, Westborough, MA, in memory of Robert Dallaire Wanda Spivey, CAL, 5 Wendy Witt, Melodeers, 3 Western Lights, 3, in memory of Robert J. Bollweg Windsong, 8 YWIH 22 Karat Gold, Menomonee Falls, WI Ann Cianchette, Royal River, 1 Arbutus Sounds, 26 Betsey Usher, Nashville, TN, in honor of Amy and Tony Cox Bluewater, 2


Music City, 6, in memory of Sarah Stang Nina Yellin, Flower Mound, TX, in memory of Joan Shuster Omni Interlocken Resort, Broomfield, CO Pattee Bender, Grand Rapids, 3, in memory of Helen Rozema Red RockAppella, 21, Fran McWherter Shoreline Sound, 2, in memory of Marie Parzych Susan Heald, Metro Mix, 5, in memory of Arlene Schultz & Becki Greer Trish Holland, Kansas City, 7 WE Energies, Milwaukee, WI Whistle Junction Wisconsin Energy Corporation Foundation, Inc., Milwaukee, WI Yahoo SING Group Sandy Adams, MAL, 15, in memory of Joan Shuster Nancy Aird, Shoreline Sound, 2, in memory of Marie Parzych Paula Allen, Greater Kingston, 16, in awe of 16 competitors Lauren Altiere, Scottsdale, 21, in honor of the 18 Scottsdale Youth members Anonymous, 13 Sherril Arnold, Mobile, AL, in honor of Anita Wolfe Atlantic Bay-Mountain, 19 Marlene Babb, Shoreline Sound, 2, in memory of Marie Parzych Gina Baker, Toast of Tampa and Touché, in memory of Mary Couch Carolyn Barron, MAL Anita Barry, Jersey Harmony & Hickory Tree, 15 Carolyn Benkowitz, Song of Atlanta, 23, in honor of Vicki Wonders Foltz & Lee Wonders Ann Berg, Top of the Rock, 25, in honor of Peggy Gram (40 Year Director of Top of the Rock ), Dale Syverson and Darlene Rogers Karen Bernard, Bayou Blend & Voice of Vermilion, 10 Brenda Bernhardsson,Voices in Harmony, Center Stage 17

Sarah Bican, Jacksonville Harmony, 9, in honor of the Jacksonville Harmony’s 50th year in action Arlene Blackmer, a cappella joy, 13, in honor of Bev Staats 50th Anniversary as a Sweet Adeline Nikki Blackmer, a cappella joy, 13 Marilyn Block, Liberty Oak, 15 Marsha Bock, Bayou Blend, 10 Carol Bonner, Sounds of Pittsburgh, 17 Marcia Bosma,Verdugo Hills, 11 & Harborlites, 21 Jackie Bottash, Potomac Harmony, 14 Doris Boudreaux, Bayou Blend, 10 Barbara Braxten, Liberty Belle, 1 Nancy Brian, Pride of Kentucky, 4, in honor of Pride of Kentucky Amy Brinkman, Choral-Aires, Chicago Fire, 3, in memory of my Dad, Bob Bollweg, and of Mary Couch Kay Bromert, Harmony Central, Special Arrangement 7, in honor of my good friends in Zing! Patricia Broussard, Bayou Blend, 10 Carol Brown, CAL, 17 Laura Brown, Greater Richmond, 14 Bev Bruening, Laurel Harmony, 17, in memory of Melba Emert, former member of Ligonier Valley, 19 Mandi Strelow Burch, Harborlites, 21, in memory of Sally Briner Gail Burke, CAL, 9, in honor of the tireless Marti Lovejoy and in memory of Fran McWherter, 21 and Judy Price, 8 Kathy Callahan, Canadian Showtime, 16 Marcy Canulette,Voice of Vermilion, 10 Canyon Lake Lioness Club Vivien Carmichael, Cincinnati Sound, 4 Kathy Carmody,Velvet Hills, 8, in memory of Sheila Cope

Pat Carr, CAL, 23 Diane Catellane, Shoreline Sound, 2, in memory of Marie Parzych Lee Chalmers, Choral-Aires, 3, in honor of the 100th birthday of my Mom, Marjorie Pearson Debbie Chamberlayne,Vocal Dimension, 31 Alyson Chaney, Lace City, 31, in memory of Gwen Cresswell Becky Cherry, Shoreline Sound, 2, in memory of Anne Kotchman Diane Clark, CAL, 2 Linda Clements, Spirit of Detroit, 2 Betty Coleman, O. K. City, 25, in memory of Peggy Bagby Jo Coleman, O.K. City, 25, in memory of Peggy Bagby Beverly Colomb, Bayou Blend, 10 Cathy Conley, CAL, 24 Rebecca Conner, Capitol Accord, 19, in honor of Marti Lovejoy and all of the hard work she does all year long for us Amy Cordero, Greater Nassau, 15, in memory of Joan Shuster Betty Couch,Voice of Vermilion, 10 Marilyn Cox,Velvet Hills, 8 Joan & Guy Cummings, MAL Sara Davis, Houston Horizon, 10 Kelly Deare, RiverSong, 7, in memory of Kathy Cornish Martha Delargey, Shoreline Sound, 2, in memory of Marie Parzych Marilyn Dickey, Pride of West Texas Show, 25 Mary DiLeo, Women of Note, 9, in honor of Joan Shuster, 15 Judy Dixon, Rich-Tone, 25 Maggie Donapel, Jersey Sound & Philadelphia Freedom, 19, in memory of Jessie Zaremba Peg Drummey, MAL, in memory of Anne McGowan Dana Dunlevy, Hickory Tree, 15, in memory of my mother, Anne Lawlor

The ThePitch PitchPipe PipeJANUARY2013 2013 The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY JANUARY 2012

41 41

Contributions

Canadian Showtime, 16, in honor of Jim Arns, Betty Lou Coleman, Debbie Hite Center Stage Show, 23 Central Oregon Showcase, 24 Chesapeake Harmony, 19, in memory of Jan Sczcerba Colleen Matt, Crosstown Harmony, 22 Dan Czycalla, Columbus, OH, in memory of Mary Alice Thurman-Whipple Darciann Ketter, West Bend, WI, in memory of Rick Wysocky Deana Grade,Yahara River, 22 Diane Jochum, CAL, 22 Enchanted Mesa Show, 21, in memory of Georgianne Podrug Smith Ferne Hogan, CAL, 11, in memory of Sharon Kinman Smith Grand Rapids, 3, in memory of Fran Beugelink Great Lake Sound, 3, in memory of Dodie Wodrich Greenville in Harmony, 14, in memory of Ara Radler’s Mother, Sybil Carrol Jones & Virginia (Ginger) Hardin Janice Stevens, Gem City, 4 Jerry and Sharon Roberts, Broken Arrow, OK, in memory of Carolyn Fedde Jersey Sound, 19, in memory of Jessie C. Zaremba Joy McDougall, Fairbanks Frontier, 13, in honor of Great Somers Christmas Donation Judith Westers, Grand Rapids, 3 Kay Stephens, Delta Harmony Xpress, 12 Larry Luttrell, Miami, FL, in memory of Peggy Waters Leah Williams, Grand Rapids, 3, in memory of Helen Rozema Linda Sherratt, MAL Marché Marquis, Alamo Metro, 10 Midwest Gateway, 5 Music City, 20, in memory of Jeanne Schroeder, Catherine Mattis & Bev Thorson


Contributions

Carla Elkins, Emerald City, 7, in memory of my mother, Karen Elkins Marilyn Fairchild, Cedar Sounds, 22 & Metro Mix, 5 Sherry Feller, High Country, 8 Anne Fenton,Vienna-Falls & Escapade, 14 Pat Fenton, Houston Horizon & The Woodlands Show, 10 Deb Ferenc, Greater Cleveland, 17

Nancy Field, Greenville in Harmony, 14 Shirley Fine, O. K. City emeritis, 25, in memory of Sheryl Kinder Renee’ Fisher, Emerald City, 7, in memory of my mother, Karen Elkins Jean Flinn, Greater Cleveland, 17 Cathy Frey, Toast of Tampa, Spirit of the Gulf, 9 Patti Gallagher, Fairbanks Frontier, 13 Sharon Gardner, Top of the Rock, 25 Mary Linda Gauche, Shoreline Sound, 2, in memory of Marie Parzych Paula Giffey, Potomac Harmony, 14 Martie Gilliam,Vienna-Falls, 14 Laura Gliedman, Mountain Jubilee, 8, in memory of Judy Price Golden Apple, 15, in memory of Joan Shuster Bette Gorton, San Diego, 21, in memory of my husband, Tom Gorton Lyn Graham, O. K. City, 25 Peggy Gram, Top of the Rock, 25, in memory of Polly Sullivan & Peggy Bagby, two grand ladies who were great supporters of young women & music Grand Traverse Show, 2, in memory of Mary Alice Whipple Cathie Grant,Vienna-Falls, 14, in memory of Chrissy Chadwick and Carole Schauer Shirley Green, Edgewater, Florida, in memory of Jeri Sweeney, Sound of Sunshine, 9 Cathy Guidry, Bayou Blend, 10

42 42

Judy Sanford Guise, Greater Nassau, Island Hills & Sirens of Gotham (prosp.),15 Barb Hansen, Metro Nashville, 23 Andrea Hass,Velvet Hills & Skyline, 8, in memory of Sheila Cope Cindy Hegle, River Blenders, 5 Dina Hendershot, Melodeers, 3 Janet Henry, Alaska Sound Celebration, 13, in memory of my Dad, John Henry Martie Heyde, The Woodlands Show, 10 Polly Hightower, CAL, 10 Charlie Hill, Aloha Chapter FWD, SPEBSQSA Lisa Hilton, Pride of West Texas Show, CROSSFIRE, 25 Libba Hinson,Voice of Vermilion, 10 Mel Horgan, Skyline, 8, in memory of Sheila Cope Mary Hower, Sparkling City, 10, in memory of Margaret Schneider Molly Huffman, Capital City, 4, in honor of Chris Noteware & Ann Jarchow Asuka Ichikawa, Twin County, 15 Sally Ison, The Woodlands Show, 10 Christa Jacimore, Top of the Rock, 25 Marianne Jackson, Sparkling City, 10 Donna Johnson, Windsong, 8 Heather Johnston, Fox Valley, 22 Diana Jordan, Alaska Sound Celebration, 13, in memory of Jean Mahoney Janet Kamrad, Spirit of the Gulf, 9 Melody Kelly, Lone Star, 10 Sylvia Kelty, Pride of Baltimore, 19 Becky King, Merrimack Valley, 1, in honor of MVC director, Eileen Gioe Susan Kinniff, Bayou Blend, 10 Sharon Kittle,Yahara River, 22 Rachel Klein, Emerald City, 7 Bunny Klinger, High Country, 8 Marion Koch, Mission Valley, 12 Pam Kurburski, Austin Harmony, 10, in honor of my mother, Helen Kurburski PeeDee Kurfess, MAL, in memory of Joan and Dody Karen Laderman,

The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013 The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013

Harborlites 21, in memory of Sally Briner and Jim Mundy Sally Lampe, Pride of Portland, 24 Evelyn Langenstein, Spirit of Syracuse, 16 Bron Latta, Top of the Rock, 25, in honor of Dot Calvin and in memory of Sally Briner Bercry Leas, Spirit of the Gulf, 9, in honor of Karen Breidert Marcelle LeBlanc, Bayou Blend, 10 Peggy Leon, City Voices, 5 Linda Liddicoatt, Shoreline Sound, 2, in memory of Marie Parzych Corla Lindsey, Bayou Blend, 10 Beth Lisk, Upper Chesapeake, 19, in honor of my barbershop moms, Lee Hines & Marci Saunders Marti Lovejoy, MAL, in memory of Peggy Bagby Gretchen Lovelock, Shoreline Sound, 2 Kathy Lucken,Vallee de Croix, 6 Lori Ludlum, Shades of Harmony, 19, in memory of Jessie Zaremba Susan Lynch, Sound of New England, 1 Angie Mack, Lawton Harmony, 25, in memory of Peggy Bagby Elaine Macrillo, Seneca Soundwaves, 16 Beckie Martini,Velvet Hills, 8 Lee Mathis,Voice of Vermilion, 10 Betty Matthews, Capital Accord, 19 Betty Mausolf,Virginia Coast, 14 Ann McAlexander, Melodeers, 3, Capital City, 4 Martha McCardle, Capital Cit,y 4 Anita McLarin, Greater Richmond, 14 Cathie McClary, Shoreline Sound, 2, in memory of Marie Parzych Becky McDuffee, St. Louis Harmony, 5 Judith Mellen, Shoreline Sound, 2 Frances Mewett, Endeavour Harmony, 34 Sue Middleton, Jet Cities, 13 & Pride of Portland, 24 Mary Milian, CAL, 9 Anna Miller, Scenic City, 23 Joey Minshall, Westcoast Harmony, 26

Marylou Montpas, Shoreline Sound, 2 Vivian Moran, Spirit of the Gulf, 9, in memory of Helen Wilcox and Peggy Waters, wonderful women who were a great inspiration to me and were both passionate about encouraging young women to join to Sweet Adelines Kathy Mussett, Mission Valley, Mystique 12 Jackie Narduzzo, Acappella Omaha, 7 Elaine Neasham, Sea Breeze Harmony, 24, in memory of Fran McWherter Gael O’Brien, Sound of New England, 1 Mary Ann Page, Smoky Mountain Harmony & Song of Atlanta, 23 in memory of Nancy Shumard and Jane Dorsey Risa Page, Celebrity City, 11 & Harbolites, 21 Jennifer Palus, Metro Nashville, 23 Kathy Parker, The Woodlands Show, 10 Cindy Burrus Partlow, Spirit of the Gulf, 9, in memory of Peggy Waters Mary Patrick, Shoreline Sound, 2, in memory of Anne Kotchman Sandy Perley, Heart of Missouri, 5 Lynda Peterson, CAL 12, in memory of Fran McWherter Piney Hills Harmony, 25 Bonnie Plumley, River City Sound & Yahara River, 22 Carole Prietto, St. Louis Harmony, 5 Cheryl Pyle, Austin Harmony, 10 Vicki Raichl, MAL, in celebration of Tomi McEvoy, new director of Inland Empire Sharon Rankin, O. K. City, 25 Leslie Rawlings, Shoreline Sound 2, in memory of Doris Jordan, mother of Merry Lu Jordan, director of Water Wonderland; in memory of Frank Poindexter, father of Sandra Carpenter, member of Spirit of Detroit & Live It Up!


Cynthia Sommerville, Shoreline Sound, 2, in memory of Doris Jordan, mother of Merry Lu Jordan, director of Water Wonderland, in memory of Frank Poindexter, father of Sandra Carpenter, member of Spirit of Detroit & Live It Up!! Cheryl Springer, Saratoga Soundtrack, 16 Lorna Stephens, Emerald City, 7, in memory of my mother, Mary Williams Kathy Sullivan, Greater Nassau, 15 Mardell Sunley, Harborlites, 21 Kate Sutton, Bayou Blend, 10 Kathy Swenson, inland Empire, 21, in honor of our director, Tomi McEvoy, and her competing Unlimited 21 and in memory of Rosalie Cervantes and Lynn Zacker Lee Tayon, Lone Star, 10 Myra Tener, Bayou Blend, 10 Lloyd Thomas, Pride of Baltimore, 19 & Wellington City, 35 Trudie Thompson,Vienna-Falls, 14 Marilyn Turner, Houston Horizon, 10, in memory of Margaret Schneider, Sparkling City, 10 Susan Updegraff, Tucson Desert Harmony, 21, in memory of Lila Kraft and Dotty Early Vienna-Falls, 14, in memory of Chrissy Chadwick Joyce Walker, Potomac Harmony, 14, in memory of my Mom, Evelyn Walker, and in honor of Ozzi Mask Cookie Weinert, O.K. City, 25 Jan Welsh, Shoreline Sound, 2, in memory of Doris Jordan, mother of Merry Lu Jordan, director of Water Wonderland, in memory of Frank Poindexter, father of Sandra Carpenter, member of Spirit of Detroit & Live It Up! Jan Welsh, Shoreline Sound, 2, in memory of Marie Parzych Nancy Werden, Cincinnati Sound, 4 Christine White, CAL, 21

Ruth Widerski, Merrimack Valley & Coastline Show, 1 Becky Wilkins, Queen Charlotte & Carolina Style, 14 Ellen Wills, Bayou Blend, 10 JoAnn Wilson, Greater Cleveland, 17, Scioto Valley 4, TGIF, 17 Valorie Winslow, Sound of New England, 1 Anita Wolfe, Kansas City & Wamego Dutch Mill, 7 Kim Wonders, Metro Nashville, 23, in memory of my mother, Lee Wonders, and my sister,Vickie Wonders Foltz Lynn Woolf, Spirit of the Gulf, 9, in memory of Helen Wilcox Sheila Worthington, Shoreline Sound, 2, in memory of Marie Parzych Alice Zaher, Spirit of the Gulf, 9, in honor of Karen Breidert Deanna Zerr, Skyline, 8 Adelina Zottola, Scottsdale, 21, n honor of the 18 Scottsdale youth members Susan Zura,Vienna-Falls, 14 In Memory (Donation will be listed separately if more than 12 donations were made in that person’s name.) Sheila Cope YSF Arlene Armata,Velvet Hills, 8 Carol Shouldice, High Country, 8 Catherine Leavitt, Colorado Springs, CO Catherine West, High Country, 8 Char Lou Simonson, Southern Star, 8 Colette Mayers, Grand Mesa, 8 Deanna Zerr, Skyline, 8 Del-Rose, 8 Dolly Baker, Colorado Spirit, 8 Edie Couture, Palco, KS Frances Worthington,Velvet Hills, 8 Gayle Miller, Skyline, 8 Grand Mesa, 8 Henry Goldman, Colorado Springs, CO High Country, 8 Jill Reuter, Tempe, AZ Joan Levitin, Pacific Sound, 13 Juliet Diana, Skyline, 8 Kacki Brown, Southern Star, 8 Kathleen Sorg, Mountain Jubilee, 8 Kathy Russo, Tempe, AZ

Linda Barker, Grand Mesa, 8 Mary-Sue Johnson, MAL Mel Horgan, Skyline, 8 Nancy Schroeder, CAL, 8 Nancy Stromer,Velvet Hills, 8 Pat Dorsey, Top of the Peak, 8 Randi McQuiston, Mountain Jubilee, 8 Rocky Mountain, 8 Rocky Mountain, 8 Arranger Group, The Farm Team Sandra Mosser, High Country, 8 Sharon Babb, Colorado Spirit, 8 Shellie Angelette, Pinola, MS Sherry Feller, High Country, 8 Skyline, 8 Vicki Rowley, Grand Mesa, 8 YWIH Cheryl Harshman, Del-Rose, 8 Holly Beck, Rich-Tone, 25 Nebraska Pride, 8 Peggy Bagby YSF Betty Coleman, O.K. City, 25 Mark & Sarah Fortino, Overland Park, KS Nancy Grove, O.K. City, 25 YWIH Angie Mack, Lawton Harmony, 25 Asbach Vanselow, Wauconda, IL Betty Coleman, O.K. City, 25 Bruce & Francie Wenner, Leawood, KS Central States District, Des Moines, IA Dan & Estyl Bowser, Overland Park, KS Don & Linda Fuson, Leawood, KS Donna Smith, O.K. City, 25 Harvey and Janet Kiser, Manhattan, KS Heart of America Jana Henderson, Kansas City, 7 Jim & Marcia Massey, Oklahoma City, OK Judith Peterson, O.K. City, 25 Kay Lehman, O.K. City, 25 Keith & Connie Schweer, Overland Park, KS Kim Balfanz, Arvada, CO Mildred Sawyer, O.K. City, 25 O.K. City, 25 Polly Worthington, O.K. City, 25 Rose Marie Wolf, O.K. City, 25 Sally Liles, O.K. City, 25 Wendy Whorton, O.K. City, 25 Yonni Mobley, CAL, 25

The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013 The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013

43 43

Contributions

Bobbie Reid, Spirit of Detroit, 2 Christy Reid, Mission Valley, 12, in honor of Mission Valley Regina Reninger, ViennaFalls, 14 Mary Rhea, O. K. City, Zing!, 25, in memory of Peggy Bagby Karen Ridout, Harborlites, 21 Emma Riley,Vocal Dimension, 31 Tera Rockett, Carolina Style, 14, in memory of Shelba Marlowe Shirley Rose, Scottsdale, 21 Marsha Ross, Harborlites, 21 Rosie Roy,Voice of Vermilion, 10 Catherine Sarwar, Bayou Blend, 10 Sashay 2 - Cam, Deb, Marie & Jill; in memory of Mary Alice Whipple Jane Schlinke, Alamo Metro & Soundwise 10 Jackie Schmidt, Spirit of the Gulf, 9, in memory of Helen Wilcox, Spirit of the Gulf and long time Sweet Adeline in 1 and 9 Priscilla Schoelzel, CAL, 1 Bonnie Schuler, Lone Star & Panther City, 10 Carol Schultheis, Evergreen, 15 Susan Schuman, Harmony Celebration, Harmonics, 15 Susie Scott, Cincinnati Sound, 4 Jan Seales, Pride of Kentucky 4, in memory of Sweet Adelines gone too soon Connie Selmi, River City Sound, 22 Michelle Sevigny, TuneTown Show & Song of Atlanta, 23 Sara Shirk, City Voices, 5 Delia Siemers, Golden Apple, 15, in memory of Joan Shuster Mickey Simmons,Voice of Vermilion, 10 Judith Sirut, Shoreline Sound, 2, in memory of Anne Kotchman and Marie Parzych Mary Smith, The Woodlands Show, 10


How to Harmonize in Honolulu Without Breaking the Bank As we begin a new year, many of you are budgeting for the 67th Annual Convention and Competition in Honolulu — if you haven’t already started. Some of you will use your savings, some will put the expenses on a credit card and others will simply continue to save your money for a less-expensive convention. Well, contrary to popular belief, Honolulu doesn’t have to break the bank. A savvy, budget-conscious traveler can find money saving ways to approach Honolulu. Known for its touristy reputation, crowds and inflated prices, Honolulu often gets a negative rep. The Aloha State is also considered a paradise — and you CAN enjoy paradise on a shoestring budget. Depending on where you are traveling from, whether you are a sharing a room and how expensive your tastes and shopping habits, the average budget for a week in Hawaii is $3,000 (U.S.). If you start planning in January, you will need to save $300 a month— that’s approximately $10 a day. And if you seek out the lowest airfares, share a room with a friend and follow some of the advice in this article, you could drastically cut that average budget of $3,000 to a more reasonable number. Getting There and Getting Around It’s best to start planning for your trip as early as possible. Planning months in advance helps you get the best deals on airfare. Airfare is also least expensive in Hawaii’s off-season, which thankfully is mid-April to mid-June and September to mid-December. Interestingly, these are the best times to be in Hawaii in terms of reliably great weather. Many airlines offer discount packages during these off-season months. Another advantage to traveling during off-season is you won’t have to deal with crowded tourist spots and beaches. 44 44

The Pitch Pitch Pipe Pipe - JANUARY JANUARY 2013 2013 The

Sweet Adelines International has secured airline discounts from several of the airlines flying into Honolulu. You can find the discount codes on our website. Some travel agencies also offer payment plans. Working with a travel agent is a good idea as one can help you make travel plans according to the budget you describe. Using the airline discount codes and shopping for flights online will ensure the best deal. Once you land in Oahu, you will want to share a taxi with friends if possible. The convenience of a taxi is often worth the cost, especially if you are sharing a taxi. Taxi drivers are often island-born and proud of their island, acting as ambassadors of aloha — pointing out landmarks and places of interest. So a shared cab ride from the airport to your hotel can be a great way to start off your week of harmonizing with friends from all over the world. Airport shuttles take you right to the front steps of your hotel and generally cost around $15 one-way if you make the reservations in advance. If you stay in the Hilton Hawaiin Village or Sheraton Waikiki, your transportation to and from the Hawaii Convention Center (via bus/shuttle) is 100% FREE. Buses throughout the island are $2.50, and can be a fun and adventurous way to explore. Four-day passes are $25 and are good for unlimited travel on 100 routes around the island.

Fun, Cheap and Free Activities Several hotels in Hawaii actually offer free shows and events for their guests. Ask your concierge if they have special events or musical/cultural performances that don’t require payment. The Hilton Hawaiian Village hula dancers, fire dancers and fireworks on Friday at the pool – free. Poolside seating is $20 and includes Mai Tai punch. The hotel also offers a free nightly Torch Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m. The Hilton Hawaiian Village has 22 acres of FREE white-sand beach to enjoy, plus swimming pools and waterslides and a beach lagoon. You might also see some penguins and flamingos on the property. Many cultural events are free to hotel guests (hula lessons, necklace making, etc.). The Sheraton Waikiki has the most amazing infinity pool that will leave you breathless. Enjoy an afternoon of lounging in the pool, overlooking the ocean. The hotel also boasts an Aloha Day Schedule of fun cultural experiences — Puka Shell Crafts, Lei Making, Ukulele Lessons, Hula Lessons and more. All for FREE. Check the hotels schedule when you arrive. Speaking of amazing pools, the Ala Moana has the coolest rooftop pool in Honolulu. The hotel is also adjacent to the Ala Moana Shopping Center. And remember, window-shopping is always free! When visiting Hawaii, sightseeing is usually number one of the list. There are many beautiful beaches that offer free views of the sunset every night. And there are many destinations where you don’t have to pay a cent to see the gorgeous scenery. Iolani Palace offers a free performance of the Royal Hawaiian Band every Friday. The USS Arizona Memorial, where you will see the Pearl Harbor


Museum, offers free tours for a limited number of visitors every day. You can also hike to the top of the Diamond Head crater. If museums are your thing, you won’t want to miss the Honolulu Museum of Art. Works by Picasso, Van Gough, Cezzanne and Matisse, including local artists as well, grace the walls. Or wander through the impeccably landscaped courtyards all for under $10. The Waikiki Aquarium is a wonderful place to visit with many exhibitions specific to Hawaii and the tropical Pacific ($9 adult admission, $6 senior admission, free-$4 for children). Meet the Komodo dragon at the Honolulu Zoo. A trip to this zoo is never dull — spend a day there for just $14. The Dole Pineapple Plantation is a must for any visitor. There is nothing like fresh Hawaiian pineapple. Admission to the grounds is free and there are plenty of free activities, including pineapple cutting demonstration and fish-feeding pond. The garden tour is $5, pineapple maze is $6 and train tour is $8.50. Rates drop by 50% if you have a group of 25 or more. Keep your eyes open for humpback whales off Makapu’u on Oahu’s South Shore or Kaena Point on the northwest side of the island from November through April. Where to Dine on a Shoestring Budget Those expensive breakfast buffets and meals in hotel restaurants are delicious, but the expense adds up quickly. Just across the street from the Hilton Hawaiian Village is a lovely little joint called Wailana Coffee House. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, this place is open 24/7. Steak and Eggs are $10 and a burger and fries are $8. Portions are large and the service is friendly.

One could eat there three times a day for way less than $30. Food trucks and stands are an inexpensive and adventurous way to dine. From hotdogs to sushi to spam rolls (yes, they are really delicious) you can find a deal for around $10 or less. Have a hankering for some fresh seafood? You won’t want to miss Nico’s Pier 38. The seafood is as fresh as you can get and you can order inside and eat outside whilst watching the fishing boats. The pan-seared ahi is $8.45 and comes with rice and fresh organic baby greens. Uncle’s Fish Market and Grill is just as good and located right next door to Nico’s. Prices at Uncle’s range from $5.95 to $16. Are you an adventurous foodie on a budget? Check out Helena’s Hawaiian Foods. Find real Hawaiian food and try several items that won’t dent our wallet. Grab a taste of kalua pig ($2.90), poi ($2.25) and fried butterfish collar ($4). Mei Sum Dim Sum offers some tasty samplings ranging from $1.95 to $3.15. A culinary adventure awaits you and you’ll get full for under $10. Looking for something a bit more trendy and fancy? Vino is a fun tapas and wine bar on Honolulu’s Restaurant row. Seafood ravioli and gourmet pizza for under $10 and wine flights starting at $2.50. If you love good food and low prices, you won’t want to skip this delicious adventure. ............... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Many attractions and restaurants offer senior and child discounts, so be sure to ask! And keep your eye on our website and The Pitch Pipe for up-to-date information on deals and specials. We look forward to seeing you in Honolulu! Aloha! pp

Example Budgets As of December 15, 2012 Tulsa, Okla. to Honolulu Nov. 3-10, 2013 Airfare (through Lowestfare.com): $800 Hotel (Sheraton Waikiki Hotel): $210.90 per night All-Events Registration: $160 Airport transfers: $30 Busing from hotel to Hawaii Convention Center (if you stay in hotel block): $0 Food and snacks ($40 per day): $280 Souvenirs and activities: $250 Total: $2,996.30 Total (if you share the cost your hotel with a friend): $2,258.15 Christchurch, New Zealand to Honolulu Nov. 3-10, 2013 Airfare (through New Zealand Air): $1,299 Hotel (Ala Moana Hotel): $188.10 per night All-Events Registration: $160 Airport transfers: $30 Food and snacks ($40 per day): $280 Souvenirs and activities: $250 Total: $3,335.70 Total (if you share the cost your hotel with a friend): $2,677.35 Los Angeles to Honolulu Nov. 3-10, 2013 Airfare (through Delta, using the Delta airline code): $414 Hotel (Hilton Hawaiian Village): $215.46 per night All-Events Registration: $160 Airport transfers: $30 Busing from hotel to Hawaii Convention Center (if you stay in hotel block): $0 Food and snacks ($40 per day): $280 Souvenirs and activities: $250 Total: $2,642.22 Total (if you share the cost your hotel with a friend): $1,888.11

What To Sing For The Next Contest? Preparing For The Honolulu Stage. By Marge Bailey, CAL, Region 24 It’s the most asked question in the Sweet Adelines organization. It’s the decision made by every director, music team and quartet. “What’ll we sing for contest?” At every contest Regional and International there are attendees writing down the songs that each competitor sings in their

programs — with stars and underlines on those that they would like to look at and consider. “Rich-Tones sang Nightingale Sang In Berkley Square. There’s Red Hot Mama and what about What’ll I Do or If I give Me Heart To You? There’s also Time After Time — I heard three different versions of that one!

We need more uptunes — there’s three or four versions of Red Red Robin. Which one is the best? Which one scores better? And what about that wild and crazy version of Yes Sir, That’s My Baby? And wow! Did you hear My Honey’s Lovin’ Arms?” Continued on page 50 The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013

45


Dive into the competition … and the Pacific Ocean

Honolulu, Hawaii Nov. 4-9, 2013

Experience timeless beauty blending with the modern luxuries

of today. Swim in the warm waters of world-famous Waikiki one moment, then enjoy the dramatic mountain views of the Nuuanu Pali Lookout another. Come to Convention for the world’s best barbershop performances; stay for vacation with your best friends. Watch for more information about the 2013 Honolulu International Convention and Competition in the coming months! Please visit our Honolulu 2013 Convention webpage: http://www.sweetadelineintl.org/ index.cfm?id=302 Join the party on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/events/277182442403585/

46

The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013


The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013

47


48

The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013


Song of Welcome In Memory

In Memory

Accolades

Song of Welcome Delta Harmony Xpress Chorus Region 12, Stockton, Calif. Chartered on September 20, 2012 Carol “Kay” Stephens, team coordinator Curtis Mannah, director

Sally Briner, Harborlites, #21 Judy Brown, Sounds of the Valley, #12 Betty Brunkow, Wamego Dutch Mill, #7 Rosalie Cervantes, San Diego, #21 Barbara Davidson, Heart of Columbia, #14 Sheryl J. Kinder, Chapter-at-Large, #25 Jean Lewis, River Oaks, #11 Janice May, River Valley, #16 Marianne McAvoy, Millennium Magic, #1 Theresa (Terry) Lovin, Lock Cities, #2 Mary Alice Whipple, Chapter-at-Large, #25 Lee Wonders, Metro Nashville, #23 Joan Shuster, Greater Nassau, #15 Trena Smith, Danville, #5 Donna Struyk, Magic Valley, #10 Jan Szczerba, Chesapeake Harmony, #19 Jessie Zaremba, Jersey Sound, #19 Doris Zerbini, Diablo Vista, #12

Accolades Director Certification Program Advanced to Certified Director Joan Adler, Channelaire, #11 Britt Bergqvist, Prospective Telge, #32 Christine Knowles, Twin County, #15 Elaine Macrillo, Seneca Soundwaves, #16 Cindy Pilios, Tri City Sound, #11 Linda Verzosa Southern Company, #9 Kathleen Watkins, Cincinnati Sound, #4 Chelsea Young, South Florida Jubilee, #9 International Judging Program Accepted as Approved Candidate Judges Carolyn Schmidt, Music, Hickory Tree, #15 Kerry Denino, Sound, Scioto Valley, #4 International Music Arrangers Program Advanced to Master Arranger Lynnell Diamond, Chapter-at-Large, #9 Carolyn Schmidt, Hickory Tree, #15 Advanced to Certified Arranger Joan D’Agostino, Channelaire, #11 Elaine Gain, Greater Kingston, #16 Cheryl Suhr, Skyline, #8

Ladies First performed at Grand Ole Opry in April 2012. Continued from page 31 Sweet Adeline choruses. There are girls singing in California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Texas, Utah, Alaska and Washington. Q: What advice can you give to other regions to reach out to local school system and do a similar program? The approach that has worked the best is to introduce barbershop singing to the students. I’ll take Ladies First or a quartet into other schools. It excites the kids, and they go to their teachers and request to try it. Each year Mr. Emigh takes Ladies First to all the feeder schools and puts on a program before those schools make their schedules for the next year. It’s a great way to open the door and introduce them to the world of barbershop. Q: What advice do you have for attracting younger members to Sweet Adelines International? You have to sing songs that are fun and upbeat. We will compete with very square barbershop, because that’s how they learn the craft, but I always have entertaining songs for our package. Q: What advice can you give for those teaching young singers or working with younger members? Patience! There is a lot going on in their lives, and you have

to be there for them when it gets overwhelming. Share lots of laughter, love, hugs and smiles. But most of all, just be there for them. They are what their name evokes, Ladies First. Q: Any final words? I have to thank Christian Emigh. How many teachers would hand over their class to a coach and let them create and mold their choir? Chris and I have developed a warm friendship filled with trust and a love of music. I get to put the fun into Ladies First. It’s a wonderful opportunity, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Karen received degrees in music and English from California State University, San Jose, and is currently a member of the Diablo Vista Chorus. Active as a performer as well as a coach for more than 25 years, Karen has performed on the Sweet Adelines International stage as a member of numerous quartets and choruses. Beyond her work with Ladies First, Karen is the music director for the Young Women in Harmony division of Sweet Adelines’ Region 12. Continually active as a competitive barbershopper, Karen is currently preparing for the Sweet Adelines International Regional Quartet Competition to be held this upcoming spring as part of Taylor Made for an opportunity to compete on the International stage in Honolulu. pp The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013

49


Continued from page 45 The problem is that most performers approach the decision of what they should sing in reverse order. First of all, you must know whom you are — what are your assets? What are your problem areas? You consider these before you buy a new costume, choose a director or place the singers on the risers. However, since the biggest question is what to sing — this should be your first consideration. Sit down with your music team or with the members of your quartet and look at the assets. 1. How are your vocal skills (yes, this includes breathing!) 2. How many voices do you have in each section? 3. How high and low can the voices sing in each part? 4. How do the director and singers handle the interpretative areas such as phrasing, dynamics, tempo and rhythm patterns? After you have reviewed these areas it’s time to look for music. First, look for the printed music available from Sweet Adelines International. They are listed on the Sweet Adelines International website. Secondly, check with your education director, other directors and, of course, check that program with all those songs that you’ve starred and underlined. Hopefully, when you listened to these performances, you noted ability of the chorus or quartet to handle the music. If you have a chorus of 30 fairly new singers with developing vocal skills, you need to be aware that the music performed by a chorus of 60 voices with well-developed vocal skills will most likely be beyond your capabilities. Review what you did the previous year. Re-read the score sheets while you look at the performance. Do either of these songs suit your style? What was your level? Do you want to do these two songs again? Or maybe do one of them and learn one new one? Or didn’t either one of them work and you want to start over? If you want to ask for help from a music judge or an arranger, let them know your level in the last contest, your size, how your vocal skills are developing and the arranger of the arrangement you are considering. Finally, start early. You need a lot of time to be sure the music you have chosen will work for you. Sing through the music with your music team. Do what Dale Syverson calls “trap shooting” — looking for challenging areas such as key changes, unusual rhythm patterns, busy lyrical patterns, chords that are widely voiced, places where the baritones are above the leads, long phrases that need good breath management, lots of hard consonants and breathing patterns that will affect stamina. With all of these pieces in line, your chances of doing well in a contest setting are greatly improved. Your hard work will be rewarded with higher levels and a lot of joy in your performance.

50

The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013

Sweet! Adds Membership Incentive Campaign Beginning January 2013 you can earn FREE DUES and additional bonuses for recruiting NEW members! Participants who are directly responsible for adding new members between January 1 and December 31, 2013 earn: +5 members = free dues for 1 year ($90 value) +10 members = free dues for 2 years ($180 value) +15 members = free dues for 2 years and The Pitch Pipe recognition ($180+ value) +20 members = free 3-year membership and The Pitch Pipe recognition ($243+ value) +25 members = engraved brick on the HQ patio, free three-year membership, The Pitch Pipe recognition AND International Convention acknowledgement ($343+ value) PLUS, each member that adds 25 members or more before August 1, 2013 will be entered into a drawing to win a dream vacation to the 2013 Honolulu Convention (includes airfare, registration and hotel at $3,000 value). How Sweet! is that? Member recruitment tools are readily available for your use in the Marketing Center on the Sweet Adelines International website. When members come together — anything is possible. One Voice, One Message!


Classifieds ATTENTION SM/MID SIZE CHORUSES: Exceptionally well-made light green sparkly tops with black/ green handkerchief skirts. Created by Designing Women and these are WOW COSTUMES! Thirty-six (36) sets and no alterations have been made to the originals.90% acrylic, 10% lycra, hand-washable. $40/set, shipping extra.View at www. rivermagicchorus.org or contact yeagi@comcast.net

Sweet Adelines International is proud to announce an all-new contest for youth choruses. The contest will be by video (DVD) submission and held on June 1, 2013. Awards include cash prizes of $1,000, $750 and $500 for the first, second and third place winners. All three winners also will receive a copy of the Young Women in Harmony Competition Music Folio. For more information, please email music@sweetadelineintl.org The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013

51


52

The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013


The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013

53


54

The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013


The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013

55


56

The Pitch Pipe - JANUARY 2013




Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.