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July 28, 2017

Choir Community Summer Special #2

Admin Team Items

Summer Greetings from Cathy & Dick

We hope you are all having a lovely summer so far!

This past month we were blessed with the chance to travel to England and Wales with Cathy's daughter Eliza for a three-week adventure. On the way we connected with many wonderful people in the Natural Voice Network, a community much like our own Ubuntu Choirs Network. We were welcomed into homes, joined rehearsals, shared meals and traded songs, and found kindred spirits in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, and South Wales. This community singing biz' really is soul food! We look forward to bringing some new material learned from our new friends to our August drop-in singing sessions!

We also have the SWAT events on August 9th and September 10th, and Karen Porkka's sessions on August 11th and 12thmany opportunities to sing in community. We hope many of you will join in, and of course we have GHC and HNC starting up the week of September 18th.

Editor’s Note:Details for the above events can be found in the following items.

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Three Toonies For Tunes Together In August

Cathy Baker and Dick Jackson are now back from a holiday where they connected with some great song leaders and collected some great songs! They will be hosting summer drop-in singing sessions in August.

Everybody is welcome. Bring a friend or two! 

We'll sing some songs, some chants and rounds, and we will have a lot of fun.

Every Tuesday at HNC time, 12:00-1:30pmEvery Thursday (except 10th) at GHC time, 7:30-9:30pm

Drop Three Toonies* in the basket for each drop-in session at The Church of Truth (111 Superior St)* $6, other denominations happily accepted.

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SWAT Event Aug. 9: Remember Hiroshima and Nagasaki. 

All singers welcome

If you would like to sing at this SWAT event at Esquimalt Gorge Park on Aug. 9 , which will be led by Cathy & Dick, please send a note to dick@gettinhigherchoir.ca, or just show up and find them at the event.

We don't have an exact starting time yet, so an email to Dick would help. We have been asked to do "Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream" by Ed McCurdy, so if you're not familiar, here's a link to an old recording with Pete Seeger. Other songs for this event will be introduced at the Three-Toonies drop-in sessions August 1st, 3rd and 8th, but everything will be easy enough to join in on. Welcome, everyone!

-----------------------------------------------A Capsule Event Description… This ceremony mark the 72nd anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Japan, will be held on Wed., Aug. 9th from 6:30 PM (Lantern making) 9 PM at Esquimalt Gorge Park, This year we are honoured to welcome The Hon. Judith Guichon, Lt. Governor of BC. We are also privileged have special guest Rudi Hoensen, a Nagasaki survivor. Activities include lantern making, the Hiroshima/Nagasaki Art Exhibition, singing with the Getting Higher Choir and a Japanese cultural performance. We acknowledge the Raging Grannies who have arranged this event for many years, and are now handing over the baton to the Vancouver Island Peace and Disarmament Network (www.vipdn.org)-----------------------------------------------

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SWAT Event Sep 10: Grandmothers for Africa Cycle Tour Welcome Home

All singers welcome

We have accepted a kind offer to sing as the Grandmothers for Africa Cycle Tour wraps up, as they ride to the BC Parliament Buildings (did you know that's the official name!). Find Cathy or Dick off to the east of the main steps (toward Government Street) at 2:00pm for a refresher on the songs we'll do, then we'll gather at the stage at 2:30pm, and we'll sing a 15-minute set at 2:40pm. The cyclists will arrive at 3:00pm! If you'd like to sing at this event and want to receive updates, please write to dick@gettinhigherchoir.ca to let him know. We'll work up some songs for this event at our drop-in sessions in late August.

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Dear Singing Friends

Mid-summer greetings to all of you! I am recently back from a wonderful two weeks in Ireland with my daughters and grand-daughter, re-connecting with dozens of cousins, and placing my mother's ashes in the family grave, alongside her parents and siblings.

Soon I'll be heading up to Cortes Island, where I'll be leading a workshop at Hollyhock, August 9-13. (It starts the evening of the 9th, and finishes before noon on the 13th)

It's called SINGING FOR CHANGE, and further details are athttps://hollyhock.ca/programinfo/robinsong/

I would be thrilled to see you there! If you have any questions about it, feel free to email me.

A few things to know about this and any workshop at Hollyhock:Scholarships (usually of 50% ) are available. https://hollyhock.ca/programlist/scholarships/.Seniors (65+) get 10% off cost of meals and rooms.

With love and best wishes for you all this glorious summer,

~ Siobhan(aka Shivon Robinsong)

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GHC “Choir Life” web page updates

June Concert PhotoBill Weaver’s concert photos were posted a couple of weeks ago and there is a link to them on the Choir Life/Choir Photos/2017 page. (Please check out the Photo Submissions Requested item below)

GHC CalendarThe GHC Calendar which has been on our site’s Choir Life Home page for a number of years is now on a page of its own with a link to it on the left side bar menu of all web pages in the Choir Life section of the site. The purpose of this calendar is to give everyone quick and easy access to all upcoming GHC, HNC, Soundings and CCLT dates. If you ever can’t find a date you need on it feel free to ask me for it. That will prompt to correct my oversight. For now you can check it out by clicking here.

GHC Video PagesVideos for our recent concert with Coco are now posted with great gratitude to choir community members Howard Dieno and Peter Savage. Also…what used to be one very long page is now a group of pages. One for Documentaries, one for Media Coverage and one each for the years 2006 to 2017 all accessed from a Choir Videos Menu page. (Please check out the Video Submissions Requested item below)

~ Bill

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Choir Photo Submissions Requested

Did you get some good photos from audience for either of our recent concerts, or any past concerts, that haven’t been submitted previouosly? Do you know someone who did?

If so…it would be much appreciated if you would send copies to me for posting on our site. If you can please specify which concert they are from and identify who took them. If you can also say whether they are from a Friday or Saturday concert that would be good.

If you have any questions about this please contact me at 250-920-4160 (9 to 9 daily) or by email to bill@gettinhigherchoir.ca.

Thanks in advance

~ Bill

** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **Choir Video Submissions Requested

In particular we have no video for any songs for our January concerts with Finatan O’Brien and in general there are lots of songs from other past concerts for which we would love to find video.

Each of the new Choir Video pages for 2006 to 2017 now has the full repertoire listed for each concert whether or not every song is matched with an embedded video, or a link to a video. For ease, and speed, of scrolling through the pages I have added a yellow background to all the songs listed for which I don't yet have embedded videos or links. 

I searched Youtube and embedded, or linked to, every one of them that was previously missing from the original Choir Video page. That brought the total up to over 100 (the huge majority of them taken by the generosity and dedication of GHC Tenor Howard Dieno). I also have a few songs covered with audience generated phone videos. Camera work is obviously preferred but phone videos can also work as long as they are each for a full song and aren’t too jumpy. After party clips are also welcome even if they don’t meet those criteria.

I am hoping that some of you will have past concert videos in your archives that match some of the missing titles. If you know of audience members who might have taken video at a concert please check with them. Any full song videos you have or find, and can share, will be very much appreciated.

If you are able to submit video please provide whatever information you can about which concert, which night and who made it.

While my primary goal is to replace as much yellow background as possible with the missing videos additional videos for any songs are also welcome as long they are different than the existing ones.

I don't expect to ever get video files for every song for every concert but I would like to gather as many as I can.  With that in mind I will continue listing, and clearly identifying, songs that are lacking videos on the publicly posted video pages...and...I will happily continue updating the pages for as long as video submissions continue to come in. 

As always please make all submissions to bill@gettinhigherchoir.ca

~ Bill

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Recent GHC Facebook Page Postings

Either Siobhan or RhiannaGHC FB Page Co-Admins shared this:

This was sent to me by a good friend.... Its so beautiful that music can truly be loved and experienced by ALL... Enjoy GHCommunity #musicmovesme https://youtu.be/8oDKu2R5LbE

Shani Thomson Tuesday Soprano shared this:

65,000 sing Bohemian Rhapsody while waiting for their concert to start! I could see this happening at a GHC concert. Click here to hear!

Newsletter:Summer Community Submissions

There are no more Newsletters until the beginning of September but there may be, from time to time, GHC News & Business “Summer Specials” such as this one. With most of those specials I will include whatever submissions I have on hand (possibly just in the order received).

As with the newsletter:

Dated Events will be repeated in such specials automatically until their date has passed. Any other items that you want repeated must be re-submitted once they appear in one of these special announcements.

In order to keep my volunteer work in providing this extra summer service to a minimum please make sure that any item you send conforms to the newsletter submission guidelines specified on our site’s “Using Our Newsletters” page. If you haven’t visited that page lately please review it before you send your first summer submission.

Please submit your items to: bill@gettinhigherchoir.ca .There are no guarantees when, or even if, such special announcements will go out so any items you submit are on “standby” only.

~ Bill

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Community Member’s

Submissions------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The appearance of an item in this document does not constitute a GHC

endorsement of whatever that item offers. The responsibility for each item rests with the person named in the item’s “Submitted by…” line.

------------------------ For more information please visit ------------------------Using Our Newsletters Submission Guidelines Sections You Can Submit Items To-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Community Members’ Life Announcements

Birthings or passings, celebrations or sadnesses, travels or returns, promotions or projects, etc. If known please include choir community affiliations (ie GHC, HNC, etc.) and, if GHC, the night and section for the subject(s) and submitter of the item (if different).

Beth Collins, HNC Member

A very good friend of mine would like the choir community to know of the death of her very close friend, and former HNC member, Beth Collins. She writes:

"The choir was an activity Beth chose after a rough patch.  She fondly reminisced that singing brought music back to her, and from there she went on to explore learning to play the recorder, and dabbled with piano and drums. She loved being involved in the singing community that choir gave her.

She was 77 young years and died June 18 ."

Submitted by: Doug Woodall, Former HNC Bass.

Editor’s NoteBeth joined the HNC in the Fall of 2005 but my records don’t show how long she participated.

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A July 26th Message from Denis

Hello Friends –

just got in from an amazing day. I took this photo from a footpath as we were walking to a high point above Montserrat. An amazing place!

This was followed in the evening by a choral concert with 500 voices in the truly awesome Sagrada Familia cathedral, designed by Antoni Gaudi. What a day! Now on to four more days of concerts and events. Have heard some wonderful choirs and some inspiring performances. Quite magical.

Submitted by Denis DonnellyGHC & Soundings Director

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Opportunities to SingThe Victoria Conservatory of Music’s

3rd Summer Choral Academy

Kathryn Whitney, Kathleen Allan, and Brian Wismath, will be the faculty members this year and we're thrilled to be offering a full-time and part-time stream for potential students.

August 5th-12th

This academy is an excellent opportunity for singers to keep singing during the summer, to build new choral singing skills (including sight-reading) and to experience fun in meeting new people and exploring new repertoire.

Details

Submitted by Siobhan RobinsongGHC & HNC Director

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Singvitation

We’d like to pass on the following message from Karen Porkka, CCLT13-2016 to our choir community…

The universe is calling me forward as I was lucky enough to win a course at Hollyhock this year so I am getting my "Song of the Drum" on with Zoe and Gordy. But I thought I would try to make it a working holiday and offer a series of vocal improvisation workshops in several places along the way.  Powell River (July 28), Cortes Island (Aug 5), Courtenay (Aug 8), Victoria Aug (11 and 12) and Vancouver (Aug 13- pending), Nelson (pending)

I wanted to send a special invitation to you all to come and sing with me if you are interested and able.  In Victoria I am offering a concert and workshop.  Here is the information if you feel so inclined to come or to help spread the word to people who may enjoy.  

Singvitation Full Details Poster Tour Schedule

Submitted by Jackie & Brian MacDonaldGHC Monday Soprano & Tenor

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Serving Each OtherMy Summer Services

For a brief overview please visit the home page of my new company web site. All these services can also be accessed from there.

WebEasy ServicesWeb site building and maintenance

YESS! (Your Enterprise Support Services) Bookkeeping and other admin/organizational services for individuals, sole proprietors and small businesses.

Digital Dance Computer Tutoring & SupportIntroductory training on Windows, Word, Excel and a wide variety of other programsBasic computer & internet skillsHow to learn what you need to know

Very Sound ServicesConverting your old records and tapes to digital files for burning onto CD(s) or loading into mobile devices. Instructional recordings? Audio Archives? Recordings of family, friends associates? Favourite music?

Check out my Skills List to see how I might help you.

To discuss the art of the possible please contact me at: 250-920-4160 (9 to 9, daily) ~ or ~ admin@intentionalcommunityprojects.com

Submitted by Bill Hanson GHC Bass etc.

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Community NetworkingMy CCLT Campaign!

I've been accepted into the Community Choir Leadership training course taking place in the fall, facilitated by Siobhan and Denis.

Unfortunately, I'm between jobs right now and lacking the financial means to pay completely on my own, but I would really like to take this course in order to spread Siobhan and Denis' message of music and community, and hoping eventually to start a small offshoot choir.

Denis and Siobhan are my inspirations and I hope that I won't have to drop out. If you could help me I'd be forever grateful.

Here is a link to my Go Fund Me page.

Thank you for both your time and support.

Submitted by Rhianna BarrGHC Thursday Soprano & GHC FB Page Co-Admin

*********************** QUOTABLES ***********************

Only put off to tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.

Pablo Picasso

Editor's Collection

****************************************************************

Employment Available or WantedWanted:Skilled Roofing Apprentice …

...for progressive Roofing Company, in business in Victoria for over 35 years. A++ BBB standing. 

We’re looking for positive members for our team, who want to grow as our company expands. 

Asphalt, metal, cedar, flat, and expanding into green and solar roofs - lots of room for growth as you help keep our company strong!

We are looking for someone interested in a “long-term” relationship with the company, with potential to be sponsored for additional training, and the possibility to

work your way to profit sharing and leading your own crew as you show reliability, loyalty and commitment.

Must have a positive attitude, an eye for detail, safety awareness, good communication, basic math skills, and be willing to work hard. We are willing to train. Work your way up in our company.

Wages start at $15 for the assessment period; Hourly rate to be determined based on performance.

If this sounds like something for you or someone you know, please contact Rae at (250) 380-8733 for an interview.

Submitted by Rae BilashFormer Tuesday soprano

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Community Events

(Aug 1, 3. 4, 8, 9, 10, etc.)

Experience Victoria's Jewish Roots

Tour Congregation Emanu-El, Canada's oldest synagogue in continuous use. Explore this beautiful site's unique history, architecture and restoration with knowledgeable guides. Take the Jewish Victoria Walking Tour to learn more. Summer Schedule: June through August, 2017 Synagogue Tours: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday @ 12 p.m. and 2

p.m. Tues & Thurs only @ 10:30 a.m.

 Jewish Victoria Walking Tours Wednesdays @ 10:30 a.m.  Rain or shine. Gentle 90 minute walk starts at 26 Bastion Square

(beside the former Maritime Museum).  Visit www.congregationemanuel.ca/tours for more information

Submitted by Shoshana Litman GHC Tuesday Alto

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(Aug 1, 8, 15, 22, etc.)

Singer-Songwriter Open Mic Night

At Crows restaurant (upstairs at the Ramada on Gorge Rd East) Tuesdays, 7-10 pm. Hosted by Robbie Hancock

Bring original songs please (3 song max). Bring guitar, sing accapella or maybe a keyboard...free of charge

Great food and free coffee

Submitted by Rhianna Barr GHC Thursday Soprano

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Shari Ulrichwith BTU @ Butchart Gardens

Barney Bentall, Tom Taylor & Shari Ulrich celebrate a decade of collaboration with the full meal deal of the addition of long time band mates Rob Becker on bass and Geoff Hicks on percussion. 

This trio of veteran songwriters is always a special treat. 

Tues. Aug. 2nd - 8:00 pm 

http://www.bentalltaylorulrich.comAll summer evening events free with admissionPh 250.652.5256 or 866.652.4422 (Toll Free) butchartgardens.com/ent 

Submitted by Bill HansonGHC Multi-night Bass etc.

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(Aug 2, 9, 16, 23, etc.)

James Bay Coffee & Books       Bluegrass Jam Circle

Come to play in a relaxed, funky bookshop atmosphere; or come to listen while you browse the books, have dinner, sip coffee, play Scrabble.....

Every Wednesday from 7 to 9 pm

James Bay Coffee and Books 143 Menzies St. Victoria BC.is a family friendly, zero alcohol, community event where you can feel comfortable to come on your own or with friends.

For more information:

Submitted by Kim E. Willoughby GHC & Soundings Alto and When I Sing Soloist

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Community Events (cont.)

(Aug 3, 10, 13, 20 & 27)

Discover The Past’sMusical Victoria Walking Tour

Join former myself and my partner Gary Cohen on Musical Victoria; a new walking tour presented by Discover the Past. Learn about Victoria’s history through songs; Gold Rush, Rum Running, Scandals as well as tunes written by local Victorians about the political issues of the day.  Song Sheets provided. Summer Tours (until Sept 1) are every Sunday 10:30 am Meet outside 26 Bastion Square (Burns House), beside the former Maritime Museum Very gentle 90 minute walk, rain or shineNo reservations requiredBuy tickets from Amber with CASH at the start of the tour or on line     

Adults $15       Seniors $13 For more information: www.DiscoverThePast.com

Submitted by Amber Woods, former HNC Bassette

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(Aug 5 to 12)

The Victoria Conservatory of Music’s3rd Summer Choral Academy

Kathryn Whitney, Kathleen Allan, and Brian Wismath, will be the faculty members this year and we're thrilled to be offering a full-time and part-time stream for potential students.

August 5th-12th

This academy is an excellent opportunity for singers to keep singing during the summer, to build new choral singing skills (including sight-reading) and to experience fun in meeting new people and exploring new repertoire.

Details

Submitted by Siobhan Robinsong

GHC & HNC Director

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(Aug 6)

Shari Ulrich Trio @ Beacon Park Sidney

Shari's 40 year career from Pied Pumkin through The Hometown Band, UHF, BTU (Bentall Taylor Ulrich), The High Bar Gang and as a solo artist and multi-instrumentalist has lead to 23 albums, a membership in the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame, 2 Juno awards, and a 2014 CFMA for English Songwriter of the Year. Shari will be joined by daughter Julia Graff on violin, mandolin & guitar, and the High Bar Gang’s Kirby Barber on bass. 

Aug. 6 - the Shari Ulrich Trio Outdoor concert in downtown Sidney2pm - 4 pm in Beacon Park - by donation

Submitted by Bill HansonGHC Multi-night Bass etc.

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(Aug 9)

SWAT Event Aug. 9: Remember Hiroshima and Nagasaki. 

All singers welcome

If you would like to sing at this SWAT event at Esquimalt Gorge Park on Aug. 9 , which will be led by Cathy & Dick, please send a note to dick@gettinhigherchoir.ca, or just show up and find them at the event.

We don't have an exact starting time yet, so an email to Dick would help. We have been asked to do "Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream" by Ed McCurdy, so if you're not familiar, here's a link to an old recording with Pete Seeger. Other songs for this event will be introduced at the Three-Toonies drop-in sessions August 1st, 3rd and 8th, but everything will be easy enough to join in on. Welcome, everyone!

The annual lantern ceremony, marking the 72nd anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Japan, will be held on Wednesday, 9th August 2017 from 6:30 PM (Lantern making) 9 PM at

Esquimalt Gorge Park, 1070 Tillicum Rd. (off Tillicum Road, just south of the Gorge Waterway Bridge)

~ Cathy & Dick

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Community Events (cont.)

(Aug 11 to 13)

GatherSing With Laurence Cole CCLT3 - 2006/7

Mark your calendars!

I am excited to announce the Second Annual GatherSing Weekend with West Coast composer and song leader Laurence Cole, from Port Townsend, Washington. 

HALLUJAH!...I hope you can join us for this unique opportunity to sing with this wonderful Song Weaver.

Dates:   August 11 – 13, 2017Where:  Outdoors on my property on beautiful Quadra Island. Alternate arrangements if there is inclement weather. Full details

Also: please check out his web page - Singing Together To Nourish and Re-enchant The World.

At this point we just want to get an idea of who is interested in attending. We will keep a list and hold your place until registration in early July.

Submitted by Mary Denison CCLT5 - 2008/09

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(Sep 10)

SWAT Event Grandmothers for Africa Cycle Tour Welcome Home

All singers welcome

We have accepted a kind offer to sing as the Grandmothers for Africa Cycle Tour wraps up, as they ride to the BC Parliament Buildings (did you know that's the official name!). Find Cathy or Dick off to the east of the main steps (toward Government Street) at 2:00pm on September 10 for a refresher on the songs we'll do, then we'll gather at the stage at 2:30pm, and we'll sing a 15-minute set at 2:40pm. The cyclists will arrive at 3:00pm! If you'd like to sing at this event and want to receive updates, please write to dick@gettinhigherchoir.ca to let him know. We'll work up some songs for this event at our drop-in sessions in late August.

~ Dick & Cathy

========== THAT'S ALL FOLKS ==========

Making    Universal       Sounds          In            Community

      A Community Choir Crescendo, check it out!       http://www.gettinhigherchoir.ca       http://www.communitychoirleadership.com       http://www.ubuntuchoirs.net

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