September - October 2010

PRESIDENTIAL PERSPECTIVE It occurs to me that there has been a decrease in the morale of the chapter as a whole. Call it a coming down from the Philly experience, jitters about the upcoming District Competition, con-flicting feelings regarding the direction the Chap-ter should be taking, or whatever, I feel it is a growing problem. I would like to highlight what I believe are two important contributors to this decreasing morale, both of which can be adjusted/corrected relatively easily. These are: 1) criticizing neighbors on the risers and 2) talking negatively about others behind their backs. Criticizing another member’s singing, perform-ing, or other related activity can be very damag-ing to morale, especially when spoken where oth-ers can hear it. The person being criticized can experience a sense of being demeaned, con-stricted, or attacked. He may feel tense, unsafe, or on-guard. His energy starts to fizzle. What you may not be aware of is that criticizing others also puts you and others around you who hear it in a negative frame of mind. How can either the person doing the criticizing or the person being criticized concentrate on singing and performing and be at their best? The answer is they cannot – it is simply not possible when embroiled in nega-tive emotions. You may argue that criticism can be constructive. This is generally true only if the person being criticized has asked for feedback. Even then the criticism can be uncomfortable.

Criticism directed at a person who does not ask for it is generally not effective and therefore has no beneficial outcome – in fact it is likely to be destructive. So why do we criticize? Are we upset because a person is not doing what we expect them to be doing? Are we thinking “I don’t do that or act that way so why should I allow you to”? In this case we are making a judgment about another that seems face deep but impacts much more deeply. Do their mistakes ruin the “moment” for us – do they take away our pleasure? Do we feel that they have let us down? These all may be true, but is criticism really an effective means to make our experience more pleasurable? It is easy to find fault with other people. In fact, often we gain a subtle enjoyment from highlight-ing the faults of others. If we are truly honest, however, we will see that when we criticize other people we probably have the very same weakness ourselves. Perhaps we may not make the particu-lar mistake quite as frequently or as badly, but we still share it to some extent. There is a great quote from the Book of Matthew: “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3-5). I believe that the most effective way to eliminate our critical behavior is to refuse to be responsi-ble for others. We can only be responsible for ourselves. We have no way of making others do what we wish. So why not convert the “nega-tive” energy required for criticizing others to

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“positive” energy obtained from improving your own skills. This will surely benefit our singing, performing, and relationships much more effec-tively and positively. Practically speaking, we need to leave the “critiquing” to the Director and Section Leaders, where it belongs, and let go of our need to be responsible for others. What we can and should do is seek to inspire, encourage and motivate others to do the right thing. We can offer support and concern, but, ultimately, we need to recognize that it is only the other person who can change themselves. I also hear too often members saying negative things about others. “He always sings flat”, “he moves like a statue”, he has no sense of timing”, are a few examples – I am sure you can think of many more. Speaking negatively about other people contradicts our well being. It goes against the natural order of connection between people. In addition, negativity in any form is usually damaging to our spiritual and psychological states. Speaking negatively of others creates a separation between us and our fellows and em-phasizes our self-centeredness – this is not good.

Why do we do this? We speak negatively of oth-ers for a variety of reasons but I believe that we commonly do it so as to prop ourselves up by putting others down, whether we choose to admit such motives or not. Negative comments elevate us and leave us with the soothing and flattering idea that we are somehow superior to others. While pointing out a flaw in another, we are often simultaneously implying that “I do not have that problem, aren’t I great.”

One effective way to curtail negative comments is to cease having a measuring stick for other people. Next time you find yourself talking about another person, honestly assess whether you are speaking positively or negatively about that person. If you realize that you are speaking negatively, stop and honestly assess the motives behind your words. Not speaking negatively about others would seem to be an easy thing once we recognize that we’re doing it. All we need to do is simply stop talking bad about others, right? Theoretically yes, but this is not so easy in practice. Once, however, you become aware of just how often

you speak poorly of others and discover your motives for doing so, you can easily make a con-scious decision to change your frame of mind toward the positive. At the very least you can follow the adage: “If you don’t have something positive to say about someone, then don’t say anything.” I believe that staying positive is a happier and healthier way to live your life. Not only will stay-ing positive make each of us a better person, but it will influence those around us to be positive – it is truly contagious. Let’s be responsible for ourselves and not try to shoulder the burdens of others when not asked. I think this change of atti-tude will result in a better Chapter in every way, will make Chapter meetings more enjoyable, and will bring you closer to your fellow chorus mem-bers. Why would we not want this? I am con-vinced with just a little effort from everyone, we can make this happen. Please help me to do so. Positively yours, Bill

Downeasters Barbershop Chorus Greater Portland Chapter P.O. Box 48, Yarmouth, ME 04096 (207) 846-6841 www.downeasters.org Downeasters Leadership for 2010 Bill Peterlein……………………………………. President Walt Dowling .….……..……...VP, Music and Performance Cy Kendrick……..…..….………VP, Chapter Development Dave Marstaller………...……..…………………..Secretary Larry Bean……..…………………………………Treasurer Ted Tracy …...…..…….………………….Delegate to NED Ted Tracy…….. ……………..……………....Past President Jack Baggs……..………………………………… Director Dwight Pensiero……………....……..…………....Librarian Tom Liebert……………..…Marketing & Public Relations Richard Roberge...……………………….Chorus Manager Tom Liebert………..………….……………….Webmaster Dave Brown ………..…………...Board Member At Large Dave Cole….….…….…….…….Board Member At Large Phil Gage ……………………….Board Member At Large Bruce Sturgis…….………..…Downeast Soundings Editor Email: soundings.ed@gmail.com

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October 4 (Mon) What: Coaching Retreat with Steve Tramack Type: Downeasters-only event (all members invited) Where: Harrison Middle School, Yarmouth, ME Time: 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM Schedule: October 16 (Sat) What: Benefit Concert Type: Public per-formance When: 7:00 PM Where: Historical Society of Wells and Ogunquit 938 Post Road Wells, ME October 22-24 (Fri-Sun) What: Northeastern District Convention Where: Westbrook Performing Arts Cen-ter 471 Stroudwater Street Westbrook, ME. Headquarters: Wyndham Portland Airport Hotel 363 Maine Mall Road South Portland, ME November 6 (Sat) What: Maine Music Society's "Battle of the Blends XVII" Where: Franco-American Heritage Center 46 Cedar Street Lewiston, ME Time: 7:30 PM Admission: $20.00 December 3 (Fri) What: Christmas Concert Type: Public per-formance Where: Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School 256 Main Street South Paris, ME Time: 7:00 PM

Happy Birthdays: John Gross Sept. 18 Wally Duplessie Sept. 21 Phil Gage Oct. 4 Carl Lerman Oct. 11 Scott Kilda Oct. 16 Dave Burns Oct. 22 George Feinberg Nov. 3 Gerry Barnicle Nov. 6 E. J. Lilley Nov. 9 Larry Newth Nov. 12 John Mansfield Nov. 19 Manen Clements Nov. 23

RECORD-SETTING CURMUDGEON LUNCHEON On Thursday, August 5, eleven (11) smiling (and/or grouchy, depending on the recollection, the story, or the moment) Old Timers gathered at Pat's Pizza for lunch. WHAT A TIME!! Actually, it was a GREAT time! Every-one was nice to everyone else, trips to the men's room were minimal, all enjoyed the food, and the stories were fun -- whether new or olde. The record: For the first time, EVERY-ONE WHO SIGNED UP SHOWED UP!! Moreover, one came unannounced -- a most pleasant surprise! Attending: Dick Baird (visiting from afar), Lin Billings, Joe Fortin (also from away now), Ray Houlden, Mick Lary, Bud Mos-ley, Wayne Newton, Al Phillips, Marshall Wagner, Fathah Dick (Grand Poobah) Wheeler -- and the unexpected but most welcome: Ted (Clam Festival Booth Organizer Extraordinaire) Brackett. CURMUDGEON CALL: The final luncheon of the Over-The-Hill Gang for 2010: Tuesday, October 5 11:30 A.M. -- Pat's Pizza, Yarmouth RSVP REQUIRED!! TO: REW -- ("Fathah" Wheelah) rwhe550515@aol.com 773-1991 HHA (His Humble Assistant) -- wnewland@maine.rr.com 781-2597

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2010 NED District Convention News

Greetings! For those that have been away or asleep in recent months, the Portland Downeasters will be hosting the 2010 NED District convention (Oc-tober 22-23). The competition site will be the Westbrook Performing Arts Center at the brand new Westbrook Middle School. As we near those dates, our responsibilities as the host chapter are growing. We are in need of volunteers for both days of competition (Friday and Saturday) to assist in the “smooth sail-ing” of the performing arts center. Volunteers are needed to move the judges and competitors around, to take tickets, manage the doors of the auditorium, and a host of other host chapter responsibilities. Thank you to Curt Roberts and Carl Cappello for volunteering their time as “Judge Chauffeurs” for the weekend. One of our primary responsibilities as a host chapter is to ensure that the Judges have solid transportation to and from their flights and the contest venue. So, thank you again to these individuals. If you have any questions or con-cerns about the contest, please con-tact Miles at miles@dowslawoffice.com or 207-653-8591. Miles C. Hunt, Esq.

From the e-Mail Bag: CHRISTMAS MUSIC 2010: THE SECRET OF CHRISTMAS FELIZ NAVIDAD HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS I’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY JINGLE- BELL ROCK COVENTRY CAROL O HOLY NIGHT SILENT NIGHT DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR Sing-a-long music: HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS PLEASE LET YOUR SECTION LEADER KNOW IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE LATE OR NOT ABLE TO MAKE A RE-HEARSAL. Thank-you, Jack

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Sept 26, 10 Dear gentlemen: For all of you who attended our ex-cellent coaching session retreat yes-terday, thank you for your effort throughout the day. Hopefully, you felt the energy which Steve Tramack was trying to instill in us. Now, it is up to us to use that en-ergy to our advantage as we move forward. We need our "A game" whenever we sing, whether it be a rehearsal, a singout or a contest. Our response to Steve showed us we can do this; now,

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we must deliver. Thanks once again to all who at-tended and for your support of our ef-forts. Sincerely, Walt Dowling

Chapter Sympathies Recent Passings Frank Noyce Frank Noyce died recently after a long illness. Frank was an excellent bari who sang in the fifties and sixties in THE OCEANAIRES which included Mark Stimson,Lewis "Ike" Clark, and Ed Sadler. ALLEN RIDLEY Al Ridley died recently in a local hospital. Al had a beautiful lead voice and for a short time in the sixties sang with THE YANKEE PEDDLERS who included Skip Morse, Burt Warren, and Link Abbott. Other commitments including choir directing resulted in Al's leaving the chapter. Submitted by Dick Wheeler ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Quartet Corner The Four Bari's just returned from a great singout. they traveled to the depths of Oxford Maine, to a little place called "Two

Lakes Campground". We were the guests of the owners in a last group get together before the campground closed for the season. The event was a full Thanksgiv-ing dinner offered up by the entire camp-ing community of around 80. We were the first "taste" testers. After we waited for most of them to finish, we took over for the entertainment. We had a blast singing for the folks. In between songs, they gave away door prizes of which Marylou won one. We sang all of our fa-vorites, ending with "America the Beauti-ful" & "Irish Blessing". Great time had by all. It is so nice to represent the chorus in meeting new folks. We mentioned the upcoming show at the high school in Ox-ford Hills. "It is great to be a Babershop-per" Dave Cole {Four Bari's}

When I was the Chorus manager, we had alot of singouts. guys did not mind going out to sing to folks that would not normally go to our shows. Then the word got out that we were not get-ting paid the standard $600. fee for performing. That is when the fun stopped and it was all about money and less on making people feel good. Lets step back and get our selves out there. Grab three other guys, and go to the nursing homes, assisted living centers, anywhere................. just get out and SING. People are not judging us, they just like to hear us sing. I hope we come together soon, or we might be heading back down the road some of us thought we destroyed. We have tasted the cake at Philly, lets see what kind of cake Kansas City might

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have. Just remember the feeling we ALL had when Steve Plumb came out on stage and said "In First Place, Rep-resenting the Northeast District in Philadelphia..... goes to Portland Maine". I for one would love to hear those words again. Lets support our younger members who have stepped up to take on major responsibilty on our behalf. Miles & Ryan on the up-coming District Convention. Our lead-ership and Board of Directors on mak-ing decisions for our betterment. Our new Show Chairmen who will be look-ing for help, and last but not least, Mr. Jack Baggs, who believes in all of us. We are still the Northeast District Champs! Lets go show the rest of the NED that we still are......... who we are!! Dave Cole

Many Thanks A hearty Downeaster thank you to Miles for his efforts in coordinating the 2010 District Convention. This is a huge under-taking and an excellent opportunity for the Downeasters to get some NED PR points. Thank you to Carl and Dave for volunteer-ing to chauffer. AND a big thank you to Ryan for honcho-ing the advertising! Also thanks go to Dave Burns, Cy, and Ted for their excellent effort on the nomi-nating committee. During this budgeting time I would like to extend a warm thanks to Larry, Carl, Cy, and Bill Babbit for their work on the Fi-nance Committee. Bill Peterlein

Call for Volunteers!

The Downeasters are hosting the 2010 North-eastern District (NED) Convention, to be held October 22-24 in and around Portland, ME this year. We are actively seeking volunteers to assist in this endeavor. If you would like to volunteer, please go to www.downeasters.org where you will see a link to click here and fill out and submit a volunteer form. Your help is greatly appreci-ated!