evergreen district - barbershop harmony...
TRANSCRIPT
EVERGREEN DISTRICT - Barbershop Harmony Society
TIMBRE Quarterly Newsletter of the Evergreen District of the Barbershop Harmony Society
March 15, 2016 “With One Voice” Volume 68, Number 1
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Click to go to page
President’s Message (Rob’s Ramblings) / Vision & Mission Statements Cover District Officers / Editor’s Notes / Division I and II Convention Plans 2 Division III, IV and V Convention Plans / Magical Moments 3 Fine Festival Facts For Free 4 Evergreen Story Teller / Conventions Schedule 5 Evergreen District Historian’s Highlights / Best Seat In The House 6 Reno Mid-Winter Photos and Results 7 Youth Chorus / Mixed Chorus U.K. Tour / Music Educators Outreach 8 Evergreen District Webmaster’s Report re Web Resources 9 Free Coaching Opportunities / Seaside A Cappella Festival Successful 10 Harmony College NW / Pacific Barbershop Summit 11 Regional Leadership Academy Reports / Meet Matt Mercier 12 Membership News / Rich Lapp Teaching Award 13 Mel’s Musical Musings / Mixed Barbershop Harmony News 14 Calendar of Events & Resources Links / Advertising Rates / Last Word 15
Kendall Williams
Leading into 2016
Thank you to those in Divisions I and III who attended and facilitated the Regional Leadership Academies in January and February. It was a pleasure to meet you and learn about your plans for 2016. I suggested in my last article (Dec/2015 Timbre) that every chapter should be focusing on One Thing in 2016. I hope you selected that One Thing, and have made plans for its success.
Over the next while, we want to create Division teams that can assist their Division chapters with Music, Administration and Leadership devel-opment. Our Education Operations Team is gathering resources to assist your chapter. It starts with a diagnosis about where you are, and what you want to do. If you know of experts that we can invite on the Division Team, or if your chapter needs some assistance right now, send me an email at [email protected]. I’d love to hear from you!
Mixed Barbershop in Contest As a member of the BHS District Presidents Council, I have an opportunity on occasion to brag about the forward thinking of the Evergreen District. Division I has invited mixed choruses to compete in their upcoming Division spring contest season. This will be a first in our society. (Other Districts have had mixed quartets, but not choruses.) I offer thanks and congratulations to those will take advantage of this.
Division Conventions I encourage all of you and your chapters to attend the Division convention in your area. Your chorus and quartets can compete or enter as a festival entry. In both cases you can receive an evaluation and some coaching advice. And of course, there’s the opportunity to meet some old friends and sing some tags. Check out the Divisions conventions at www.evgadmin.org .
For the Joy Have you seen the “For the Joy” marketing campaign? I believe it speaks to the hearts of each one of us. “For the Joy” marketing program includes For the Joy of: singing, joining together, friendship and making a difference. It is a wonderfully positive message to be sharing with your audiences. Check it out at www.barbershop.org/joy/
Deke Sharon Known as the “father of modern a cappella music”, Deke was awarded an Honorary Lifetime Membership in the Barbershop Harmony Socie-ty. He loves barbershoppers, calling us “fanatic crazy musical zombies”. One piece of advice he gives all a cappella singers is to “play to the audience, sing to the crowd and ignore the judges”. We sing to entertain, for the love of connecting with people, not for the points.
Wherever you sing this Spring, spread Harmony through Harmony!
Rob Macdonald Evergreen District President
Rob’s Ramblings - Happy Everyone! By Rob Macdonald, Evergreen District President
EVERGREEN - VISION & MISSION STATEMENTS
VISION: “The Evergreen District provides excellence through singing, leadership, fellowship and service.” MISSION: “The Evergreen District will support the goals of the chapter, by providing opportunity for enriching vocal music partic-ipation, training leaders for today and tomorrow, creating memora-ble experiences at all gatherings, and taking the initiative to active-ly participate in the community.”
BHS - VISION & MISSION STATEMENTS
VISION: “To be the premier membership organization for men
who love to sing”
MISSION: “The Barbershop Harmony Society brings men together
in harmony and fellowship to enrich lives through singing”
Timbre Official QUARTERLY Publication of Evergreen District, BHS
2016 District Officers
District President Rob Macdonald [email protected] Executive Vice President Charles Metzger Treasurer Frank Bell Secretary Keith Eckhardt [email protected] Immediate Past President Bob Robson [email protected] Board Members at Large Jim Bates LarryPerkins Ken Leonard Society Board Member Liaison Matt Mercier
2015 District Operations (OPS) Team
Directors of Communications Keith Eckhardt
& Bob Robson Director of Contest & Judging Jimbob Kahlke Directors of District Support Jim Bates &
Bobby Huber
Director of Education John Rettenmayer
Director of Events Don Cain
Director of Finance Don Thorn
Director of Membership Bob Thomas
TIMBRE Editors
Content: Bob Robson — Layout: Jeff Billo Emeritus: Mike Lanctot
403-286-3357 403-970-3451
[email protected] [email protected]
TIMBRE is an official publication of Evergreen District, BHS, published electronically on, or about, the fifteenth day of every third month (March, June, September and December), on the evgadmin.org web site.
To go to the 2016 (and prior years) newsletters: click here
All articles, photographs and other information herein are provided by BHS members, for BHS members, patrons and others interested in barbershop harmony singing in Evergreen District.
NOTES FROM THE EDITORS
This is the second issue of a revised Timbre newsletter under new editors, Bob Robson (content) and Jeff Billo (layout). If you find some of your favorite features from previous issues missing, please let us know. The calen-dar of current events, the lists of previous year contest winners and hall of Fame members have been dropped in favor of links to the online Evergreen district calen-dar, and online honorees lists at EVGADMIN.ORG ..
“Celebrate The Journey” April 1-3, 2016 The Vancouver Thunderbird Chorus has decided to return the contest to Vancouver to better support chorus membership and growth for the local chapters. This year’s contest will be held at the Eric Hamber High School. We have also long thought that as a Division
we were remiss in not including all the barbershop choruses and their quartets to contest.
So, in the spirit of inclusion we have decided to offer all choruses and quartets in the Divi-sion One contest the opportunity to compete by including the mixed choruses and quar-tets and celebrate all the diversity Division One has to offer
To participate, mixed chorus and quartet members need to be members in good stand-ing of HI, SAI, or BHS as full or associate members and then we can look forward to you all walking across the contest stage. If you are in a mixed chorus or quartet and meet the contest membership rules, to register please go to our web site:
http://div1.thunderbirdchorus.ca
When word got out about our decision to include mixed choruses, we were approached by a Regina High School Youth Chorus to participate. They were planning on attending Mid-Winter but could not with the changes in the CDN exchange rate....so how could we say NO. Our hope is that this will create increased participation at Division Contest, and spark interest from local high schools in the Youth harmony movement in Division One.
We also encourage each chorus to send us a note on what makes your chapter special and so we can celebrate the amazing work you have done. We can share them on the weekend and hope to include them in the Program.
We hope to see you all April 1-3, 2016 in Vancouver for Division One Convention and Contest celebrating your chorus journey. We really do need to get to know each other all over again.
Robb Sorensen [email protected]
Contest Chairperson.
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TIMBRE 2016 Production
Schedule
Issue # Ad/Copy Deadline Publishing Date 2016 #1 (TIMBRE) Feb. 29 , 2016 March 15, 2016
2016 #2 (TIMBRE) May 31, 2016 June 15, 2016
2016 #3 (TIMBRE) August 31, 2016 September 15, 2016
2016 #4 (TIMBRE) November 30, 2016 December 15, 2016
Division I Convention & Contest
Division II Convention & Contest
THE DIVISION TWO CONVENTION IS CALLING!
Collaborative Effort. Yes, we are right in the middle of our planning for the 2016 Division
II Convention, Quartet and Chorus Competition to be held on April 22 and 23 at Our Sav-
ior’s Baptist Church in Federal Way, Washington. This is the third year the Federal Way
Chapter (the Harmony Kings) and the Seattle Chapter (the SeaChordsmen) have jointly
collaborated in the planning and delivery of this event. Federal Way gained the initial ex-
perience in working with the Bellevue Chapter four years ago. It has been such an effec-
tive combined effort that we all are now experienced at our jobs and the work flows almost
smoothly!
Consistent Venue. For four years, we have had the good fortune of having the same
venue, Our Savior’s Baptist Church in Federal Way. They know us, we know them and
each our respective requirements. They open all their Sunday School rooms for our quar-
tets and choruses for changing and rehearsing. The main performance hall is large with
movable chairs, an excellent sound system and a good Green Room. The staff is fully
cooperative as are we in our prep and clean up for their Sunday services.
Great Quartets and Choruses. In 2015, we hosted 30 quartets and 6 choruses including
the International Quartet Prelims. Thanks to the efforts of Jimbob Kahlke and Don Cain
from the District and the Judges and Contest Administrators, the entire Convention was
highly successful. Of course we expect the same for 2016!!
Dynamic High School a cappella Contest. Under the leadership of Lanny Gleason
(Federal Way) and David Rice (Seattle emcee) approximately 10 high school singing
groups, many with a barbershop focus, participated in their own contest on Saturday after-
noon, judged by four independent judges. Cash prizes donated by the Bud Leabo fund
and BHS members were awarded to the top winners’ schools. This year Lanny is lining up
another group of eager middle and high school groups.
Check out our website and get registered - http://www.harmonykings.org/division-ii-
convention.html
Bob Woodruff, Seattle SeaChordsmen
We in Division III are gearing up for our annual Contest and Convention 2016 version on the weekend of May 26-27. This year it is the turn of Calgary Chap-ter known as the Stampede City Chorus to be hosts. In Division III, being a smaller division, we take turns so we can spread the travelling around.
Our Friday evening starts with a LADS meeting where the Division’s chapter presidents, directors, and interested parties meet with Evergreen Leadership to catch up with the latest news from the division and from Evergreen, and also to eat pizza.
Later on Friday evening we hold an ice breaker to introduce new people and meet up with old friends. A meal is provided by our caterer and beverages can be consumed. We sing in quartets and VLQs, Polecat songs and tags. At about 9:00 PM, all four choruses join together to rehearse 4 songs, which will be sung for the Saturday show finale. This year we have picked 4 songs from the new Barberpole Cat 2 book. Each chorus had to pick a song and each chorus had to learn all four to be show ready.
On Saturday we start around 9:00 am with the chorus contest and awards followed with evaluations of the choruses by the judges. Soup and a sandwich is served to all for the lunchtime break.
In the afternoon the quartets compete and awards are given, then evaluations by the judges. The judges are then wined and dined and asked to attend our show in which all four choruses and the four best quartets perform. The high-light of the Show is the Mass Chorus (all 4 Alberta Choruses) singing the songs rehearsed on Friday. The public is encouraged to attend the show.
We finish the weekend with an afterglow after the show where choruses sing on their own or with another chorus, interspersed with quartets or any four guys who want to sing. On Sunday, we recover. Harmoniously, Dave Bruce and Doug Spensley Co-chairs for the Division III Convention For more information click here: Evergreen Division III Convention
by Deena Wolfe. Convention Registration Chair
Division IV in Eugene is just a few short weeks away! Make sure you take
advantage of early bird pricing good until March 7th and save $10 per all
events! Single event tickets are also available for non-competitors. Your all
events includes all contest sessions, the show of champions and the afterglow
on Saturday night which includes all the pizza you can eat!
Check out the convention website for additional information about all the great
activities available in the Eugene area such as golfing, wineries, shopping and
good food. Check out Eugene’s famous Saturday Market which opens for
business on Saturdays beginning April 2nd. Our headquarters hotel is the Val-
ley River Inn which is located right next to the Valley River Center Mall and
many great restaurants such as Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Texas Roadhouse
and BJ’s.
Want to participate in the mic tester chorus? There will be a Joe Barbershop-
per chorus singing on Saturday morning as mic testers, directed by Mel Knight.
Information about the songs to be sung will be on the website!
In a really small chorus and still want to participate? Register for the contest
and come perform for your friends and family. You will receive great coaching
no matter how small your chapter is. Enjoy extra singing? There will be a
surprise singing opportunity at the Valley River Mall on Friday afternoon.
Some websites to check out: http://www.eugenecascadescoast.org or
www.evgadmin.org
Make sure you register early! For competitors, there will be an additional $15
charge for purchasing an all events ticket at the convention.
Registration/packet pick up will be available at the Valley River Inn from 1:30 –
5:00 PM on Friday April 8th and will then continue at the venue, Sheldon High
School, beginning at 5:30 PM. Registration will open Saturday morning April
9th at Sheldon two hours before the chorus contest begins. Single tickets will
be available at either the hotel or the venue.
Questions? Send an e-mail to [email protected]
The Yakima Valley of the Sun Barbershop Chorus invites you to come and join
the fun and excitement of the 2016 Evergreen Division V Convention and Cho-
rus and Quartet Competition. We are excited about providing the opportunity
for great performances as well as reconnecting with our fellow barbershoppers!
With all events taking place June 3-4, visitors should be able to enjoy our sun-ny weather as well as a great convention. Our venue, the Yakima Valley Con-vention Center, provides a central location with free parking, and with the host hotel, Howard Johnson Plaza, just across the street. There are also many good restaurants within walking distance of the venue.
Registration is now open, with early bird rates until May 1st. There are also reduced rates of $99.00 a night at the Howard Johnson Plaza if registered by April 29th.
Chorus and quartet registrations are due by April 30th for all those wishing to compete.
You will find all the information needed to register at the Evergreen Conven-tions Website or our Valley of the Sun Chorus Website ..
We are looking forward to having you join us in Yakima!
Co-Chairs:
Bill McCay Jr. (509) 961-5111 Michael McCay (509) 949-6387 [email protected] [email protected]
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Division III Convention & Contest
Division IV Convention & Pre-lims
Division V Convention & Contest
Have you delivered your gift today? That’s a serious question, because everyone of us has a wonderful
gift to give to our communities. It’s the gift of harmony and it fre-
quently produces one of the Magical Moments that I am now pub-
lishing in the Greensheet. Those special moments typically happen
when your quartet or chorus spontaneously bursts into song.
How are your singers received in a restaurant when you sing Happy
Birthday – in tune? Applause, cheers, whistles, and big smiles?
Yep! You’ve been there. You know all about it.
So your quartet just had a gig and you all stop for a cuppa where
the barista detects that you are a quartet and asks if you came to
sing to them. So of course you sing, only then to discover your
coffee is free and a patron hires you for another gig. Did I mention
the huge applause?
We have wonderful harmony to share with our communities and
the more we share it the more we seem to get back. If you deliv-
ered Singing Valentines this year you have just had a great refresh-
er course in giving and receiving. How many stories did you come
home with? How many people did you cheer up?
The Magical Moments column in the Greensheet is there for you to
chronicle your special moments as you share barbershop harmony
all over your communities.
Have you delivered your gift today? Tell us about it.
Keith Eckhardt, Greensheet Editor
Magical MomentsMagical Moments
Fine Festival Facts for Free !
CONSIDER A “FESTIVAL ENTRY” AT YOUR NEXT BARBERSHOP CONVENTION
One of the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) membership benefits is the ability to compete for scores AND ranking in an all-male quartet or all-male chorus contest against other members of the BHS. Since our default mode in Evergreen is “let them sing the way they want to sing”, here is a review of the options for singing at an Evergreen convention outside of the normal contest environment. We call this singing in “Festival” mode, thereby making our con-ventions singing festivals, as well as hard-core barbershop conventions.
All contests adjudicated by certified BHS judges are judged according to the barbershop contest rules and judging criteria. So festival entries looking for a
score must expect to be judged according to the same rulebook. Festival entries singing outside of the barbershop or a cappella style will not get a score, but might participate in the convention fun as “mike coolers” or entertainment during non-contest times of the convention. For those festival participants singing for a score, judges are available to the festival participants to take advantage of their expertise, along with the traditional chorus and quartet com-petitors. Therefore, festival entries may receive a SCORE (but not a rank) and may elect for an evaluation and coaching by the judges.
All participants of a barbershop convention – festival or not - will pay the events fees (or All-Events Ticket) for that convention. In addition, there might be
registration fees for festival participants singing for a score; especially if the participants are non-BHS members or associates. The registration fees will be determined on a case-by-case basis. For the most part, we ask that festival participants be a member of some barbershop or a cappella organization in order to partake in our festival. Exceptions to this policy abound and may include:
Youth Barbershop quartets entering an International prelims Youth contest
Youth Choruses competing for the Youth Chorus Festival at Midwinter conventions
High school or college a cappella ensembles
Festival Quartets
Festival quartets are rare, but could happen in the following circumstances:
An out-of-district quartet might join an Evergreen district contest to “test their performance” in a contest situation.
A mixed-gender quartet might want to be judged by BHS judges to see how well they score in a BHS judging situation. Note that there are now sanctioned mixed harmony BHS contests and there are provisions in the current BHS judging system for entering and clear-ing their songs, etc., but the festival-mode might apply if a mixed-gender quartet wants to see what their score might be outside of that environment.
An all-female barbershop quartet might want to see how they might score under BHS rules, or just to participate in the fun. Harmony Incorporated contests, and all other affiliates, are scored using the BHS contest system, and almost always include BHS judges on their panel; Sweet Adelines International quartets have their own stand-alone judging system.
Jimmy Fallon’s quartet might come to Division V some time. We want to be ready.
Festival Choruses
Festival choruses are groups of six or more singers who sing in a BHS contest, but do not meet the particular BHS rules for size or membership require-ments. The possibilities for festival choruses are much greater than festival quartets. These groups are going to be judged as a barbershop chorus, so the ukuleles and flugelhorns might want to be left at home. Here are some circumstances where a chorus could participate in a contest in festival mode:
Regular chapter choruses might want to officially enter a BHS contest, achieve a score, but forego the competitive ranking. This type of entry has one
leg in an official entry and the other in festival mode. They would sign up to sing “for score only.”
BHS rules forbid more than one official chorus entry by a chapter. If subsets of a chorus wish to compete at the same time as the official chapter cho-rus competes, they should enter as a festival chorus (no matter what the size). They would only be eligible for score (but not ranking) to avoid the rules violations. Evergreen has a VLQ (Very Large Quartet) program where a chorus could compete for scores and ranking as a VLQ, if they had fewer than the minimum 12 men to qualify as a regular chorus competitor. A VLQ entry is meant to be a substitute for a regular chorus entry.
Brigade and Platoon-type choruses that are all BHS members but are affiliated with other chapters, might enter the contest as a festival chorus. If they want to be scored AND ranked, then they must be dual members with the chapter fielding its official chorus and their home chapter.
A community a cappella or all-male barbershop chorus might want to see how they might score under the BHS scoring system. They might also want
to avail themselves of some barbershop harmony-style coaching. They would be welcome to sing as a festival chorus.
An all-female barbershop chorus might want to see how they might score under the BHS scoring system. Harmony Incorporated choruses already are scored that way. They might also want to avail themselves of some barbershop harmony-style coaching. They would be welcome to sing as a festival chorus.
A mixed-gender barbershop chorus might want to see how they might score under the BHS scoring system. They might also want some barbershop coaching. They would be welcome to sing as a festival chorus.
A high school or college barbershop chorus might not be in a position to meet the membership requirements for an official entry in a contest, but might
enjoy the competing experience as a festival chorus, and pick up some coaching along the way.
Having a singing festival, in conjunction with a barbershop convention and contest, might be a great way to have some more fun at our weekend conven-tions. We have shown some paths for that to happen. Next convention, consider inviting a singing ensemble that can sing some barbershop to join in the fun. Barbershop ensembles and spectators alike would really enjoy it.
By Jimbob Kahlke, Director of Contest and Judging
FANTASTIC FESTIVAL FUN AND FLAVORFANTASTIC FESTIVAL FUN AND FLAVOR
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Could you tell us what are you up to, please?
What has your chapter been doing lately? Your TIMBRE is an ex-cellent media vehicle to share news about your chapter with the other chapters in Evergreen, and beyond, because we share the
TIMBRE with other districts throughout the Society. We want to know and share your successes! Have you had a successful visitation, sing-out, membership recruitment drive, received an honor, highlights of honored members, or the pass-ing of a member.? Don’t hesitate to contact the editor or division news digester to promote an upcoming show or event. We’ll help you get the word out to the entire membership, our patrons and subscribers.
Keep those cards and letters coming! Email: Bob Robson
2016 Conventions Information
The dates and locations for the division and district conven-tions/contests for 2016 are now posted on the Master Online Calendar of events at evgadmin.org. They are:
Division I April 1 / 2 Vancouver, BC
Division II April 22 / 23 Federal Way, WA
Division III May 27 / 28 Calgary, AB
Division IV & Prelims April 8 / 9 Eugene, OR
Division V June 3 / 4 Yakima, WA
District October 13 / 14 Vancouver, WA
EVERGREEN STORY TELLEREVERGREEN STORY TELLER
BY BOB ROBSON
A couple of years ago our Barbershop Harmony Society started the
Story Teller project – to provide an opportunity for barbershoppers
and barbershop chapters to share compelling stories – stories that
touch the heart; stories that share a best practice or learning experi-
ence; stories that demonstrate the love we have for singing. Our Ever-
green representative for the Story Teller project is Roberta Miller
from Portland. Roberta is the editor of the monthly newsletter for the
Portland Metro Chapter and via her husband she has had a long rela-
tionship with barbershopping in Evergreen. In the past year Roberta
has been very busy telling Evergreen stories. In the November/
December issue of The Harmonizer, three of her submissions were
featured – one about membership growth in the Tacoma Chapter; one
about Christmas singing in the Spruce Grove Chapter; and one about
a Singing Valentine sent in by Keith Eckhardt. Two more stories ap-
peared in the January/February Harmonizer – one about the very suc-
cessful youth program of the Boise Chapter, and one about an errant
ringing cell phone during a quartet performance. If you have stories
you want to share, please forward them to Roberta. She can be con-
tacted via email at [email protected]. Thank you, Roberta,
for your service to Evergreen. Below are other stories Roberta recent-
ly wrote up to submit to The Harmonizer.
WE SING, WE SERVE
In December 2015, the men of the Calgary Foothills Chapter – West-ern Hospitality Singers – decided to support the Calgary Interfaith Food Bank. One of the chapter’s quartets had a five-minute spot on a local radio station and presented the Food Bank with a check for $2,000. A month later ten men from the chapter joined some veteran volunteers at the Food Bank and worked along a conveyor belt sorting food. The unrelenting conveyor belt was a challenge at times, but with the support of some veteran volunteers up and down the line, it turned out to be a most enjoyable three hours. They are planning to supply one shift a month of 10-12 men.
The men also sang a couple of songs at the mid-shift break. Several other volunteers enjoyed the singing and are interested in attending the chapter’s next annual show. The Food Bank staff are very interest-ed in having the full chorus perform for a volunteer appreciation event later in the year, now scheduled for May 1st.
The Barbershop Harmony Society slogan “We Sing, We Serve” is just what the Western Hospitality Singers are trying to achieve in commu-
nity outreach, serving with money, music and manpower.
THE DOCTOR IS IN!
Ed Gentz, and his quartet, Four in a Chord, had the privilege of deliv-ering about 40 Singing Valentines last year. Their first appointment was for a doctor, and while in his waiting room, a gentleman asked what chorus they belonged to. When they told him it is the Tacoma Totemaires, he said that 20 years ago he hired them to sing to his girlfriend before he proposed to her. Twenty years and seven children later, he expressed how much it had meant to him. Since his wife was with him, they serenaded them with “Let Me Call You Sweetheart.” He expressed his thanks and gave them $40.
After singing to the doctor, who was well known in the Gig Harbor area, the bass, Hugh Merritt, said he was in need of a doctor and had tried to get in as his patient, but was turned away. The doctor told his assistant, “Please get his name and phone number; this gentleman is my new patient.” What a grand start to a weekend of singing!
RANDOM ACTS OF MUSIC
Four In A Chord has a great time delivering Singing Valentines each year. When they have a lunch or dinner break, they would ‘feel a song comin’ on’ and sing wherever they were.
This year they met a dozen guys who were interested in singing with them and taught them tags. Three of them have attended rehearsal and plan to return because they had so much fun singing.
Through the ‘Random Acts of Music,’ they have been on Facebook and web pages other than their own, connecting with dozens of peo-ple. It has also helped them get out the information about the chorus so we’re no longer Tacoma’s best kept secret!
Ed Gentz, President Tacoma TotemAires
Four in a Chord
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Have You Missed Copies of the
TIMBRE or the Greensheet?
Archived copies of YOUR district newsletters are stored conven-iently on the Evergreen District website - click here Any missed copies can be downloaded directly to your computer or printed.
Evergreen District Historian’s Highlights
We strongly encourage all members to support these two organizations in the excellent work they do to promote music
education and encourage youth involvement. Click on the logos below to go to the web sites.
"Capturing the Magic" by Jim Betteley
Hello Evergreen! It is a tremendous privilege to follow in the footsteps of my old friend Mr. Ed Hartley who left us too soon. Ed and Ray
Greaves left a wonderful treasure for all of us: Evergreen Gold, A Fifty-Year History of the Evergreen District (1998). It should be noted that
the book is dedicated to the memory of Ray Greaves. Yes, old Mr. Hartley is my inspiration for taking up where he and Ray left off (1997).
Evergreen District President Rob MacDonald said I'd be "Capturing the magic for the next 50 years." First I thought yeah, that's right, but
I'm 56 soon so ... you know. I'll do the best I can with your help for as long as I can.
I have so many thoughts and ideas about what is possible, but I don't want to be a one man show. Please know there is really a
team working to improve what we have already done in digitizing the work of Ed, Ray and others. We live in a very technological world
with social media and the web. While I want to produce a product you can put your hands on, I am also cognizant of what is possible with
an online component. My mind is open! We could showcase our history with stories, pictures and video as well as those little anecdotes
from those who were there when... All of this can add life, twists and chuckles allowing all of us to relive the experiences of a particular
moment in our past. Wouldn't that be a wonderful thing.
So, my very first act is to share my thoughts about how to begin. That, ladies and gentlemen, is to listen to you, your ideas and
suggestions. The best way to communicate with me is by email: [email protected]. I will also make myself as available as possible at
division and district contests. Who knows, I may seek you out for ideas or help with some of the work ahead. Preservation of our rich past
and present will be our purpose. I hope you will help me do it in a way we deserve, with quality, richness, accuracy and love. We all love
this great hobby of ours. Lets capture the magic together.
A few years back our society president coined the phrase "Singing is Life, The Rest is Just Details!" I'll be singing and focusing on
details. Let us do it together.
Jim Betteley - Evergreen District Historian
THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE Ever wanted to be a judge for a day? Have a great seat for the
contest?
Well - it’s that time again – your opportunity is here!
The 2016 Conventions (Spring & INTL) are now up for bids on the
Best Seat in the House (BSITH) website: http://bestseat.org/?List.
and Evergreen is here: http://bestseat.org/?District=EVG
The BSITH auction proceeds go directly to Harmony Foundation
International, or Sing Canada Harmony, as you choose, and are
used to perpetuate the Society. The more people we get to sit
in the Best Seat, the more we can raise for HFI and SCH!
A message from Mike Kelly; BestSeat Manager
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2016 Evergreen District Int’l Seniors Quartet
Representative
Social Insecurity Gary Raze (Tenor), Kevin Stephens (Lead), Marty Anderson (Bass) and Bob Martindale (Baritone)
2016 Evergreen District Int’l Seniors Quartet
Representative
Silver Chords Dan Tangerone (Tenor), Robert
Schmitt (Lead), Dick Swanson(Bass) and Dave Brasher(Baritone)
Congratulations to our Youth Chorus & Senior Quartet Representatives at 2016 Mid-Winter in Reno
2016 Evergreen District Int’l Seniors Quartet
Representative
Doubletake Brad Wilcox (Tenor), Wes
Sorstokke(Lead), Bruce Morgan(Bass), Chuck Landback(Baritone)
Mountain Standard Time - Boise Chapter Directed by Rich Lapp and Sean Kane
Emerald City Sound - Bellvue Chapter Directed by Travis Tobias
EVERGREEN RESULTS FROM RENO MIDEVERGREEN RESULTS FROM RENO MID--WINTERWINTER
EVERGREEN VERY WELL REPRESENTED AT RENO MID-WINTER CONVENTION
The Evergreen District had great representation in the singing events at the Mid-Winter Convention in Reno, with two cho-
ruses in the Youth Chorus Festival and 3 quartets in the International Seniors Quartet Competition.
For the past couple of years Evergreen did not field any choruses in the Youth Chorus Festival, so it was with
great pride that this year we had two entries. From the Bellevue Chapter, Emerald City Sound, had 15
singers on stage under the direction of Travis Tobias. They were in the Plateau AAA category (ages ranging
from 21 to 25 years old) and were given an OUTSTANDING rating. From the Boise Chapter, Mountain
Standard Time was represented by 38 singers, under the direction of Rich Lapp and Sean Kane. Singing in
the Plateau A category (ages under 18 years) they received an EXCELLENT rating. Congratulations to all
singers in both of these choruses.
In the Seniors Quartet Contest there were three entries from Evergreen. Placing in sixth, with a score of 71.7% was DOU-
BLETAKE (tenor Brad Wilcox; lead Wes Sorstokke; baritone Chuck Landback; bass Bruce Morgan). In tenth place was SO-
CIAL INSECURITY (tenor Gary Raze; Lead Kevin Stephens; baritone Bob Martindale; bass Marty Anderson) with a score of
69.7%. The SILVER CHORDS (tenor Dan Tangarone; lead Robert Schmidt; bari Dave Brasher; bass Dick Swanson) place 22nd
and received a score of 66.1%. All of these quartets deserve a huge thank you for taking the time and energy to be at the mid-
winter convention to represent our District. The winning quartet in the seniors contest was HIGH PRIORITY from the Far West-
ern District and they garnered a score of 76.3%.
By Bob Robson Evergreen District Past President
When we learned that the Harmony Foundation was paying for Youth Chorus' rooms and registration at this year's Mid-Winter Convention in
Reno, we jumped at the chance to place a Youth Chorus in the Festival! Rich Lapp was asked if he would like to direct the group. That was
the first of December, 2015. We sent in our deposit, hoping to put together enough guys.
Invitations were sent out to the schools that participated in the Idaho Youth Barbershop Festival last September at the Morrison Center. Hop-
ing for at least twelve responses we got 68! Rich chose the three songs the boys would perform with rehearsals starting January 4th. As time
went on, the number of boys able to go to Reno dwindled, not for lack of enthusiasm but other obligations, tests, etc.
With a bus load of 37 young men, we headed for Reno January 28th, fresh from a special guest appearance at the A Capella Fusion/High
School Vocal Contest sponsored by the Boise Chordsmen. Excitement was high in anticipation of rehearsing with Deke Sharon, producer of
the Pitch Perfect movies, The Singoff World-wide and father of today's a capella movement. The top 5 quartets from this year's International
Competition were there to mentor the 400+ young men from all over the United States and Hong Kong plus Westminster, this year's Interna-
tional Champion chorus!
They sang very well, earning an EXCELLENT rating from the judges. At each seminar, our guys were front and center, soaking in as much of
the experience and knowledge as they could.
Much more could be said of the 4 days but you had to be there! Thanks to the boys, the chaperones and especially director Rich Lapp and
assistant director Sean Kane for their patience, enthusiasm and leadership in making this a once in a lifetime experience. By Dennis Berg
MIDMID--WINTER YOUTH CHORUS EXCITEMENTWINTER YOUTH CHORUS EXCITEMENT
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Join us as we bring harmony to the UK in 2017 - by David Honrud Music is as universal as a smile and in June 2017, you have the opportunity to share both with fellow a cappella enthusiasts across the
pond! Imagine meeting people for the first time and singing together in perfect harmony. Picture yourself in a flash mob in the hometown of
the Beatles! How about singing Loch Lomond on the shores of Loch Lomond? The possibilities are endless. The group will sing music
ranging from traditional Barbershop to somewhat more contemporary songs. The chorus will consist of men and women singing both sep-
arately and together. ACFEA Tour Consultants will be arranging the travel and accommodations, Emma Gibson and Josh Honrud will be
the directors and the UK Travelin’ team (Marie, David, and Jenny Honrud) will fill in the rest. Emma Gibson is the director of Peace Arch
Chorus, Young Women in Harmony and sings bass in Glow; 2015 Sweet Adeline’s International 9 th place quartet. Josh, as you may know
was traveling the US visiting 55 choruses in 2015. He is currently the President of the Mount Baker Toppers in Bellingham and is no
stranger to the stage in your 2010 District Quartet champs The New Originals. Stops will include London (3 nights), Milton Keynes (2), Liv-
erpool (2), Keswick (2), Glasgow (2), and Edinburgh (2), June 3-17, 2017. A refundable deposit of $100 to hold your spot on the trip is
due by April 1, 2016. The cost of the trip will include round trip airfare, hotel accommodations, breakfast each morning, bus transporta-
tion, ACFEA concierge and directors fees. Final cost TBD (approx $4,000 us). If you would like further info, please contact any one of us
ASAP. Our friends across the pond want to know how many will be joining them for tea!
Contact info:
Marie and David Honrud 360-384-4432 [email protected]
Emma Gibson 604-377-8191 [email protected]
Josh Honrud 360-927-3289 [email protected]
MIXED CHORUS GOING TO U.K. IN JUNE MIXED CHORUS GOING TO U.K. IN JUNE -- JOIN US !JOIN US !
In recent issues of the Harmonizer there have been a number of articles written about the inroads the BHS has been making with music edu-
cators – well – we are proud to share that such reaching out has also been happening within the boundaries of the Evergreen District.
Hugh Turnbull of the Eugene Chapter reports that his chapter manned a booth at the Oregon Music Educator Association conference, January
15-16, 2016 at the Hilton in Eugene. Hugh says the objectives for participating in this conference were: providing resources to music educa-
tors; enriching school music programs; and providing information about barbershop harmony. The two-day conference was highly successful
for the Eugene chapter, having had many interested teachers stop at their booth and having given out all of the resources they had on hand.
A very similar thing was done by the Calgary Foothills Chapter – manning booths on the weekend of Oct. 23-24, 2015 for music educators and
fine arts teachers at two separate conferences in Alberta. New banners, new PR material and a slick power point presentation attracted many
visitors to the booths. Additional links to web materials and upcoming events were made available here: http://www.sing4fun.ca/youth .
Chapters interested in having a booth at conferences, fairs, festivals, etc. are encouraged to seek out other chapters who have had direct ex-
perience with setting up a booth – to get tips on how to be successful. Chapters with this recent experience are – Eugene and Calgary Foot-
hills, as above; plus Pullman-Moscow and Tacoma chapters who had booths and exhibits at recent fairs and festivals. At the BHS office in
Nashville, contact Sherry Lewis, Outreach Program Manager, to determine what resources might be available to support your type of event.
By Hugh Turnbull and Bob Robson
REACHING OUT TO MUSIC EDUCATORSREACHING OUT TO MUSIC EDUCATORS
Why is the new Administrative Website important? This new website has a public face so that the public can learn about us and connect with us. The rest of the website is for members only and it’s chock full of data and online tools to help us manage and communicate. Automation is a key feature of the website with much more to come. It’s all about serving you better.
For the public
District Leader, Chapter, and Quartet Directory that doesn’t reveal personal information
Learn about our many quartet and chorus champions
Learn about our many award winners
Three ways to communicate with our district leaders
Full access to our official District Events Calendar with greatly extended details
New convention information website to provide ALL the details about a convention
For all district Members (after login)
Extensive District Directory with greatly enhanced details over ebiz
Search ability to find quartets, chapters, and people (even prior members)
See a very detailed status report about your chapter
See detailed information about every chapter in our district
Chapter rosters that can be sorted many ways
List of prior chapter members back to 1996
Quick way to create a chapter list with the data you want in the list
Quick way to look up many email addresses
Cookbook to teach you how to use ebiz
Six quick ways to communicate with your district leaders
For Chapter and District Leaders
Send an email to selected district and chapter leaders by selecting their job positions
View the log-in log to see who has visited the admin website
For District Leaders
Report bounced email addresses which are immediately sent to appropriate chapter secretaries
See Chapter Status Reports for all chapters
See Chapter Leader reporting status for next year
Ability to report chapter BOTY awardees so that others can appreciate your chapter heroes
See a membership history graph since 2001 for the district and all chapters
See automatically collected weekly statistics about our district
Planned Future Enhancements to the Admin website
Greatly enhanced webpage for reporting chapter and district events including shows, conventions, education, social events, and open meetings
Ability to identify every quartet in the district and a companion webpage for the public to request a quartet to perform
A webpage for chapters to use to share the details of a sing-out with their chapter
Automation you don’t see
Weekly update of district, chapter, quartet, and personal data from ebiz
Monthly email to all elected chapter officers reminding them to view their latest chapter status report
Weekly emails to members whose dues are up soon, or are more than two weeks past due
Monthly emails to all district leaders to remind them of key tasks for the month
Keith Eckhardt EVG District Admin Webmaster [email protected]
EVERGREEN DISTRICT WEBMASTER’S REPORTEVERGREEN DISTRICT WEBMASTER’S REPORT
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Check it out now !Check it out now !Check it out now !
Click on the image belowClick on the image belowClick on the image below
to go to the Admin website!to go to the Admin website!to go to the Admin website!
A SUGGESTION TO THE COMMITTED AND COURAGEOUS – YOU’RE INCLUDED!!
by Charlie Metzger and the Education Group
Evergreen offers free coaching for quartets and choruses. The coaches for quartets are volunteers from QCED – Quartet Cham-
pions of Evergreen District. Seems a great choice: winners of the Evergreen District quartet contest helping the quartets who
have not had that experience.
What’s the catch? Well, ideally it works well if you gather a few quartets who get to join you for a day. Each quartet is coached
while the others look on, benefitting from your learning and then offering the benefit to you while the other quartets are coached.
Learning and sharing and a commitment to improve, work wonders together. There are other scenarios and we’ll try to make any
coaching effort work for you. Contact Mel Knight for help to get it set up! Mel can be reached at: [email protected]
Choruses follow a different path. Your Director and President begin by talking to Mel about a coach. Mel will find a member of
QCED who is also an experienced chorus coach. Together you find a date and location. Your chorus is served on its own terms.
Stipulate the areas in which you’d like to improve and the coach will focus on those things. Or, you can leave it to the coach to
suggest possibilities. Again – contact Mel at: [email protected]
These workshops are free to all who request them. But, of course, someone has to pay the expenses. Remember that extra
$10.00 fee you paid to go the QCED show at District? That’s the money that pays the coach’s expenses! Let’s line up for coach-
ing to get that money spent!
But, more importantly, get some feedback and ideas about how you might better do the things your ensemble wants to do as
you sing, perform, and serve in your community.
Back to cover page Timbre - March 15, 2016 - Page 10
EVERGREEN OFFERS FREE COACHING OPPORTUNITIES
SOMETHING EXCITING IS HAPPENING IN EVG
by Steve Barclay, QCED President
Ever see something really wonderful, and wish you'd been
around when it began? The Quartet Champions of the Ever-
green District (QCED) were proud recently, not only to be pre-
sent at a wonderful new Evergreen event, but to be responsible
for its inception! Just this January, in the lovely town of Seaside
on the beautiful Oregon coast, QCED sponsored the inaugural
Seaside A Cappella Festival - complete with an a cappella con-
test on Friday night, followed on Saturday by a barbershop
show.
All in all, the festival drew 15 groups competing in two divi-
sions, including men’s, women’s and mixed quartets, one bar-
bershop chorus, and three college a cappella groups from Ore-
gon universities. From early 20th century traditional barbershop
tunes through big band and swing and even to pop you're hear-
ing on the radio right now, these groups all gave energetic, hu-
morous, poignant and beautiful performances. Of special note -
many of the contemporary groups' musical selections were ar-
ranged by the members performing onstage! It was incredible
and refreshing to experience this mix of styles which all fall un-
der the a cappella umbrella!
Energy was high Friday night - the all new event of the week-end, the a cappella contest. Scores were extremely close in the youth division, but Mind the Gap (University of Oregon) pulled
out ahead, followed by On the Rocks (University of Oregon), and Divine (Oregon State University). Mind the Gap won the division, but the real winners were the audience members, in-cluding the many barbershoppers who got to see this exciting brand of a cappella singing.
The open division was also closely contested, and here's where we got to see barbershop shine, with winners Flipside followed by (another) On the Rocks and the Salem Sen-ateAires barbershop chorus. We were proud to display this ex-cellence to our contemporary a cappella enthusiasts in the au-dience - both communities have lots to learn and enjoy from each other!
Those coming to Saturday night expecting the usual QCED
show were given something new as well! We kicked the night
off with a comedic play starring talented thespians, and the
QCED chorus serving as a “Greek Chorus” whose songs add-
ed perfect accents to the dialogue. Then began an entertaining
parade of past champ quartets, headlined by reigning Ever-
green District Champs 4.0 and festival champs Mind the Gap.
It was a terrific weekend, and plans are already underway for
an expanded contest in January of 2017 - next year QCED
plans to add high school a cappella groups to the contest as
well. This festival is only going to get bigger! So, if you missed
it this year, make plans to attend in 2017, and years from now
you'll happily know you were there at the beginning of a brand-
new Evergreen tradition!
SEASIDE A CAPPELA FESTIVAL SENSATIONALLY SUCCESSFUL
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I’ll bet you didn’t know that Over Time, 2000 Internation-al Senior Quartet Champion are still together! Better yet, are still booking shows! We have some new songs that we’re sure will tickle your audi-ence’s fancy: gospel, up tunes, ballads and comedy. You’ll hear songs from us you won’t hear anywhere else! Our fee? Forget it. We’d just like to perform on your show and will be happy to appear for expenses only. Or even a
small honorarium if you insist and we’ll donate it to the QCED Endowment Fund, which promotes coaching and development of quartets in the Evergreen District. You can’t beat the price! On top of that, we’d be willing to put on a quartet workshop or do some coaching prior to the show. If we haven’t sung on your show for a while, now’s the time for a repeat performance. If we have never appeared on your show in the past, we think the time has come.
Contact: Mel Knight 14897 SW Osprey Ct 503-590-1646 Beaverton, OR 97007 [email protected]
We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Over TimeOver Time
Gary Jerry Bud MelGary Jerry Bud Mel
2000 International Seniors2000 International Seniors
Barbershop Quartet ChampionBarbershop Quartet Champion
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIESEDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Harmony College NW: Right Around the Corner By Carl Van Hoff, HCNW Co-Dean
June 17-19, 2016 – HCNW. If it’s not yet on your calendar, it’s a
great time to put it there. Let the boss at work and the family at
home know that you’ll be unavailable those days, because you’re
scheduled for a trip to an island of musical bliss.
Masterpiece! After they were at HCNW their last time, they went
back to International and won gold! Come hear them perform, get
some coaching from them, take some classes, and even learn
about their journey to the gold medals (including the changes they
made.)
Frenzy! They took second place at international last fall, and they
are going for gold.
We have courses for every slice of the barbershop world – quartets,
general singers, directors, newbies, music team, music geeks. We
have many courses for all of you.
Satisfy the music geek. We’ll have courses on Finale and Audacity.
We have courses that will ask you for lots of singing. And we have
courses that will add to your skill set, and your understanding of
how and why barbershop works.
Finally – coaching. Bring your quartet. Bring your chorus. We
have coaches who can address all aspects of your performance
package.The courses are listed on the Harmony College website --
harmonycollege.org. -- so you can see all of the wonderful possibili-
ties. Who are the faculty? Check the website.
Registration will be open in early March. Go the website at Harmo-
nycollege.org. to register. Remember the reaction you had the first
time you went to Harmony College? “I never knew it was this much
fun! Why did I wait this long?” You’re smarter now, and you won’t
make that mistake again. But why not spread the news to those
friends of yours who have never been? Let them know how much fun
they’ll be in for. And when they do come to HCNW and have a fabu-
lous weekend, you’ll be the hero for convincing them to come!
For our Canadian singers who are currently hammered by the ex-
change rate, we have a discount. See website for details.
See you in Tacoma, and bring twenty of your best friends.
Back to cover page Timbre - March 15, 2016 - Page 12
Evergreen District Evergreen District -- 68 Years of Harmony in the Pacific Northwest, Western Canada & Alaska68 Years of Harmony in the Pacific Northwest, Western Canada & Alaska
(Advertisement)
Evergreen District, Division I Regional Leadership Academy by Gerry Borden
The Evergreen District Regional Leadership Academy for Division I was held at the Willoughby Christian Reformed Church in Langley, BC on Saturday, January 16. Thirty-five students and five instructors met to share ideas, best practices and experiences, representing the chapters of Chilliwack, Greater Vancouver, Kelowna, Langley, Salmon Arm and Vancouver. The participants from Nanaimo were unable to attend due to illness and had to withdraw. Five classes were held: Presidents, Secretaries, Treasurers, Membership and Music Team, led by instructors: Rob Macdonald, Keith Eckhardt, Frank Bell, Bob Thomas and Charlie Metzger, respectively. The venue was excellent for this activity, with a large meeting hall and kitchen facility, multiple classrooms with tables and chairs, whiteboards and electrical outlets, although internet access was unavailable. Registration for the session was $40 CA per person, or $150 CA for four or more. This was one of the best educational bargains that we have seen for years! All comments were favorable and students mentioned that they received some very good ideas and valuable connections from attending. Thank you, to all who gave of their time and talent to help make this event a success.
REGIONAL LEADERSHIP ACADEMY NEWS
Evergreen District, Division III Regional Leadership Academy by Bob Robson
The Red Deer Chapter hosted the Division III Regional Leadership Academy at their church rehearsal hall on Saturday, Feb. 20. All four of the
Division III chapters were represented with chapter leaders spread throughout the venue in five different classes.
Class leaders were: Rob Macdonald for presidents; James Thexton for treasurers; Charlie Metzger for music teams; Cliff Otto for secretaries
and Jeroen Beudeker and Bob Robson for membership. A total of 22 people participated in the day.
Who says you can’t sing at an RLA? After lunch the group spent time singing over the six songs for the Alberta Harmony Platoon (set for
March 12) and for the mass chorus at the Division III convention (May 28).
Thank you to the Red Deer Chapter for taking care of the details for a successful day of sharing information and best practices – all with the
goal of helping our chapters to be more successful.
SUPPORT...
MEET MATT MERCIER - NEW BHS BOARD MEMBER
AND BOARD REP SERVING EVERGREEN
Hi folks! My name is Matt Mercier. I’m a brand new Society board mem-ber at large and the liaison to the Evergreen District. I’ve spent some time with the leaders of your district and it’s pretty clear to me that they are prepared to make my job very easy! They certainly seem to be ter-rific leaders, and I’m certain that I’ll be able to learn a lot from them.
In my view of the world, the role of a Society board liaison is on the one hand simple and on the other hand complicated. The simplicity lies in the fact that the whole job can be summed up in one word. That word is communication.
The complexity lies in the fact that my job is to facilitate communication between a lot of different stakeholders. Needless to say, it’s my job to bring the message of the vision and mission of the society to the Dis-trict. I am also responsible for bringing word of the Evergreen District back to the board and staff. Those are the easy parts.
The more complicated and perhaps the most enjoyable part of my job will be to get to know as many of you as I can, and to communicate with you about what’s going on at HQ. Most importantly, I will get to listen to your concerns, answer your questions and enjoy your compa-ny. I’m looking forward to that part most!
When I’m in the Great Northwest in June (at Harmony College North West), please be sure to introduce yourself. I fully expect to go home hoarse from singing with many new friends.
Sing-cerely Matt Mercier.
Click here:
Not An April Fool’s Joke Harmony College North West registration
will open April 1st!! Check it out here:
www.harmonycollege.org
Back to cover page Timbre - March 15, 2016 - Page 13
DISTRICT, CHAPTER, QUARTET & MEMBER ACTIVITIES
Evergreen District Evergreen District -- 68 Years of Harmony in the Pacific Northwest, Western Canada & Alaska68 Years of Harmony in the Pacific Northwest, Western Canada & Alaska
STRIKING A CHORD
What we do, as barbershoppers, is “ringing chords.” What we need to do more of is “striking a chord.” Ringing chords just requires four of us. That’s why we can spend long periods of time, just singing tags etc. One great barbershopper said that “we have perfected the art of self-entertainment.” Striking a chord requires having an audience.
Most barbershoppers have memories of ringing chords in a stairwell, a parking garage, a restroom or wherever, but I’m pretty sure that some of our strongest and best memories are of instances when we touched someone with our singing. When we “struck a chord” with someone. When we caused an emotional reaction with them. We, resonating, resonated with them. Maybe they smiled, cried, applauded, or recalled a great memory. We need more of these experiences. To accomplish this, we need the following:
Sing in front of the public more often. Be relevant in your community. Support a charity with money, music or manpower, or a combination of the three.
Connect with the lyrics of our songs. Be storytellers. It’s easier for us, because unlike many forms of singing, we don’t have our heads buried in a music book.
Connect with our audience(s)(whether one or one thousand)
Sing every song with meaning, not like an “Oh Yeah” song that we have sung 100 times before.
Make the singing great and the storytelling a priority and part of our muscle memory.
Every time you sing, whether at rehearsal or in a performance, try to make it better than the last time.
How does it make you feel, when your director or someone sitting in on your rehearsal or someone in the audience, says, ”I just got goose
bumps.” You struck a chord with them! Do that more, and more, and more.
These basic items will help attract more fans and more potential new members. Represent!!!!!!! Strike a chord!!!!!!!!
If you have suggestions for other topics in future articles, let me know.
DISTRICT, CHAPTER, QUARTET & MEMBER ACTIVITIES DISTRICT, CHAPTER, QUARTET & MEMBER ACTIVITIES DISTRICT, CHAPTER, QUARTET & MEMBER ACTIVITIES MEMBERSHIP NEWS
By Bob Thomas, Director of Membership [email protected] 253-924-0662
RICH LAPP RECEIVES TEACHING AWARD The Pesky Award for Inspirational Teaching recognizes kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers in Idaho and beyond who make a major
difference in the lives of their students through their passion and caring. Alan and Wendy Pesky, founders of the Lee Pesky Learning Center,
created the award with the College of Education through a mutual vision to honor and recognize inspiring teachers.
Each of the four teachers selected for the awards receive $2,000 and their schools receive $500 each. It is the only award known of its kind in
the country.
This year's 2015 Recipients include:
Rich Lapp, Timberline High School, Boise School District; 10th-12th grade choir teacher.
Kara Brocksome nominated Lapp and said he pushed his students to be better every day. “He taught me that caring and patience is key to
being a good teacher. He led with love and high expectations that showed his students that he cared about our success as students and as
future citizens of the community.” (article by Chris Wethered)
Verb 1. strike a chord - create an emotional response; "The music struck a chord with the listeners" resonate, come across - be received or understood
2. strike a chord - refer to or be relevant or familiar to; "I hope this message hits home!" hit home, strike a note, strike home
impress, strike, affect, move - have an emotional or cognitive impact upon; "This child impressed me as unu-
sually mature"; "This behavior struck me as odd"
3. strike a chord - evoke a reaction, response, or emotion; "This writer strikes a chord with young women";
"The storyteller touched a chord" touch a chord
arouse, elicit, evoke, provoke, enkindle, kindle, fire, raise - call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses);
"arouse pity"; "raise a smile"; "evoke sympathy"
BARBERSHOP CRAFT & COACHING NEWSBARBERSHOP CRAFT & COACHING NEWSBARBERSHOP CRAFT & COACHING NEWS
Mel’s MusicalMel’s Musical MusingsMusings
In singing, unlike playing the clarinet or
violin, the singer himself is the instrument.
Good posture and proper alignment of
the body are the first steps to playing our
vocal “instrument” well. Since we want to
create a free, well supported, resonant
tone, it’s necessary to devote the time and effort to improve our
posture so our “instrument” may produce the quality of tone we
want.
Here are some things that can get in the way of good vocal quality. See if any apply to you:
Up-lifted, or forward pushed chin
Forward hunched shoulders
Shoulders held too high
Head tilted to one side or the other
Inefficient balance
General stiffness or rigidity
Slumping
In general the singer should stand tall, a feeling of being lifted from the back of the head by a large rubber band. The sensa-tion should make the singer feel he has grown several inches.
From here on, each part of the body has a role in the total alignment of the “instrument.”
Feet- shoulder width apart
Knees- relaxed in a slightly bent position
Spine & Upper Back- stretched forward- An inability to
pull the back straight will affect the rib position and subse-quent breath support
Hips & lower back-forward and directly in line with the
upper body
Chest- high and wide. Lower ribs should be comfortably
expanded
Arms- loosely at sides. No tension in hands or fingers
Shoulders- roll back and let them drop. Do not raise
shoulders, especially when breathing
Neck and head- should feel lengthened slightly in the back
in order to keep the head level.
Jaw- relaxed, as just before a yawn. Tension here will
probably cause similar tension in the throat and tongue.
Of course, barbershoppers often have to move as they sing. But by keeping most of the above aspects in mind as you per-form, you have a much better chance of producing quality sound. And yes, all of these items are especially appropri-ate for chorus directors! Setting a good example of excellent posture and alignment will certainly receive a much better re-sponse from your chorus. “Monkey see, monkey do” comes to mind.
Happy Singing, Mel
By Mel Knight
Back to cover page Timbre - March 15, 2016 - Page 14
Mixed Barbershop
Harmony Association an affiliate of the Barbershop Harmony Society
MIXED BARBERSHOP HARMONY NEWSMIXED BARBERSHOP HARMONY NEWS
Harmony Hits New Heights
RENO, Nev. - Cheers rang out in the Capri Ballroom of the Peppermill Resort in Reno, Nevada during the board meeting of the Barbershop
Harmony Society (BHS - http://www.barbershop.org/) at its Midwinter convention when they accepted the newly formed Mixed Barbershop
Harmony Association (MBHA - http://www.mixedbarbershop.org/) as its newest affiliate.
The MBHA gives men and women an organization devoted to supporting and enhancing the experience of singing barbershop harmony to-
gether. The BHS (a men's singing organization), and its sister organizations Sweet Adelines International (SAI - http://sweetadelines.com/)
and Harmony, Incorporated (HI - http://www.harmonyinc.org/) were built on the close harmony tradition of four part, single-gender singing in
the style popular at the turn of the Twentieth century.
"This is a great day for mixed harmony ensembles in North America", said MBHA President and CEO Ron Morden. "We now have a better
opportunity to share the joy of mixed-voice singing to men and women in Canada and the United States. There is more mixed harmony hap-
pening out there than we know, and it's time for them to have an organization that supports their efforts and promotes this style."
The MBHA will be working with the BHS to offer contest opportunities and to serve as the qualifying body for North American entrants to the
biennial World Mixed Harmony convention and contest hosted by Barbershop in Germany (BinG! - http://www.barbershop.de/en/events/
worldmixed/index.html).
The MBHA will be seeking similar support from other choral organizations, building on the popularity of a cappella singing and personal vocal
expression through song in mixed harmony ensembles.
For Evergreen District & Historical Information, please click on these links:
Hall of Fame Members Scores Archives
Quartet Champions Past Presidents
Chorus Champions Tall Timbre Awards
Barbershopper of the Year District Chapters
Here’s a handy Link to the Master Online Calendar
at evgadmin.org : Click here for the Calendar
You will get an up to date view of current and future events. You can select type or date range of events you wish to see.
EVERGREEN DISTRICT MASTER CALENDAR
The Last Word
Back to cover page Timbre - March 15, 2016 - Page 15
EVERGREEN DISTRICT INFORMATION LINKS
For more useful information, please click on these links: BHS Website Bud Leabo Memorial Fund Info BHS Phone Number - 1 - 800 - 876 - SING (6474) - toll free
EVGADMIN & EVGSINGS (Evergreen web sites) Sing Canada Harmony the evernet Harmony Foundation International
MORE MEMBER RESOURCES LINKS
“WILL SING FOR ANY REASON”
TIMBRE Advertising
Rates for 2016
A great way to be seen by barbershoppers
Full Page 7.5” x 10 “ $ 120. per issue
Half Page 5” x 7.5 “ $ 60. per issue
Qtr. Page 3.75” x 5 “ $ 30. per issue
Card Size 2” x 3.5 “ $ 15. per issue
Quartet 2” x 3.5 “ $ 10. per issue 0r $ 30 Annually
Next ad deadline:
For 2016 TIMBRE #2 (to be published June 15, 2016) Publication-ready ads must be in by May 31, 2016 Contact Bob Robson [email protected] re availability and advertising content guidelines .