Region 31 Quartet of Nations, Sweet Adelines International
Winter 2012/2013 | Issue 8
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY AND WELCOME
Side by Side Directors’/Judges’ Seminar July 18 – 21, 2013, Orange, CA www.sweetadelineintl.org/index.cfm?id=43
Echo – 2012 Region 31 Champion
Visual Leadership Conference 2013: “Another Step Ahead” June 21 – 23, 2013, Toronto, Canada http://www.erinhowden.com
Quartet
Regional Convention Dates May 10 – 12 2013, The Sage, Gateshead May 9 – 11 2014, TBC
Region 31 Quartet of Nati
ons, Sweet Adelines Internati
onal
Summer 2012 | Issue 6
Region 31 Quartet of Nations,
Sweet Adelines Internatio
nal
Autumn 2012 | Issue 7
Region 31 Quartet of Nations
, Sweet Adelines Interna tional
Winter 2012 | Issue 8
Summer Rollercoaster July 26 – 28, 2013 (Edinburgh Corn Exchange) International Convention November 5 – 9, 2013, Honolulu, HI
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European Convention Dates March 14 – 17, 2013, Eindhoven, Amsterdam
@SAIRegion31
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LABBS and BABS Dates http://www.labbs.org.uk/calendar/index.shtml http://www.singbarbershop.com/diary.htm LABBS Convention October 25 – 27, 2013, Llandudno BABS Convention May 3 – 6, 2013, Bournemouth
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Hello everyone and Happy 2013! I hope you are all well and enjoying the first month of 2013 and gearing up for another exciting year of barbershop! I would like to introduce to you the new look Harmony Rag – it will be launched at the end of February! *DRUMROLL* The Harmony Rag Lite! The Lite version of the Harmony Rag will be issued every other month, and will be a very short (probably 2-3 page) pdf newsletter that will be circulated electronically. The Lite, due to the fact it will be issued more regularly, will be more up to date, will have shorter, snappier news and education items as well as any adverts and announcements! Not forgetting too, the regular calendar insert and RMT/Coaching Directory contacts. It means that it will be easier and less expensive to print for those choruses who do that for members. We will however still issue a full Harmony Rag in June and that will be a ‘Convention Special’ that will be printed and posted to all members. Any questions, queries and comments – please do contact me on harmonyrag@sweetadelines.org.uk See below the deadlines for submissions and please try and keep articles to 150-200 words! Beginning of February for end Feb HR Lite Beginning of April for end April HR Lite Beginning of June for end June FULL printed HR Beginning of August for end August HR Lite Beginning of October for end October HR Lite Beginning of December for end December HR Lite Look forward to hearing from you and to introducing the new Harmony Rag Lite to you at the end of February! In harmony, Emma Duguid Region 31 Marketing Coordinator Vocal Dimension Chorus
NEWS AND VIEWS FROM REGION 31, WINTER 2012
Message For 2013 From Your Rmt!
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chorus at the Director’s workshop; and witnessed for ourselves what amazing talent there is in the Region. We have been to Amsterdam and some of us went to Ireland in December. Our last engagement
the highlights been? Our invitation to sing at the National Ice Arena as Torvill and Dean skated in with the Olympic torch. Maureen, our Team Coordinator, even got a photo with them!! Our show in April was the best yet - we learned so many songs for it! 50 years of the Beatles and 20 of Lace City! The chorus retreat in March at the Hollowford Centre in Castleton, don’t think they’ve experienced anything like it!! Not much sleep, lots of singing, an X-Factor competition, with Glenn as Simon Cowell, and even walking the hills. We were fortunate to be asked to act as Lori Lyford’s demonstration
for our 20th anniversary was our Christmas Harmonies Show, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. This had added poignancy to it as was dedicated to our friend and inspiration, Gwen Cresswell, who lost her fight against cancer in November. I could go on and on about the amazing year we have had, including 20 new members and a wedding! Suffice to say that our 20th birthday year has been a year none of us will forget! Here’s to the next 20 years of Lace City Chorus….. and we’ll see you all in Gateshead!!
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irst of all, many congratulations to all the competitors who represented the Region in Denver – we have such a wealth of talent in the UK! Special congratulations go to Finesse for achieving a place in the top 10 of the quartet competition for the second year running and improving on the previous year’s placement – the sky’s the limit for this talented foursome! Plans for Convention are well under way and we’re looking forward to a great competition in Gateshead. The next RMT meeting is in March – if you have any questions or queries you’d like to raise please let us know. It just remains to wish everyone a very Happy, Healthy 2013 – as Brucie would say ‘keeeeep on singing’!!
at that, thanks to the snow, which thwarted our efforts to get to Milton Keynes! I could list so many things we have done this year but there wouldn’t be room in Harmony Rag for anything else! So, what have
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012 marks the 20th Anniversary year of Lace City Chorus. How little did those of us founding members realise what a journey we were starting! Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine that we would win four consecutive gold medals and visit places like Detroit, Calgary, Nashville and Houston. No regional convention for us in 2012; we wanted to recharge our batteries and enjoy our birthday year. Did we relax, take things easy? You must be joking! We started the year with the chorus dinner in January with 80 + of us having a riotous night of fun, singing and awards. Then came Choir of the Year...two attempts
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20 Years Of Harmony
Submitted by Penny Hay - one of the originals! 3
NEWS AND VIEWS FROM REGION 31, WINTER 2012
Tribute To Bernadette Did You Know Money Pearson Is Available?!!!!
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hoenix Chorus would like to pay tribute to Bernie Pearson who passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on 13th December 2012. As well as being a personal friend and travelling companion, Bernie was an integral part of Phoenix. She had been a member for 20 years, first singing tenor and then moving into the lead section. Bernie led the costume team for many years and dedicated countless hours to helping us look fabulous on stage! She had endless patience, especially with those of us who couldn’t sew a button on straight, and was always helpful and tactful with everyone no matter what their shape or size! Her family are devastated at their loss, Bernie was a much loved wife, mum and grandma, and we were privileged to be asked to sing at her funeral. Everyone will miss that big smile and lovely curly hair but Bernie will always be remembered by Phoenix with much love and affection.
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Submitted by Trina Bache on behalf of Phoenix Chorus
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he Young Singers Foundation was created by Sweet Adelines International in 1992. Early on, the Foundation’s Management Committee determined the purpose was to enrich the lives of young people through educational programs in vocal music: scholarships; grants to schoolbased music programs; and funding to afterschool and community vocal music activities for young people. You may already be aware of the Foundation, but are you aware that scholarships and grants can be made available in the UK too? If, like me, you thought all the scholarship
and grants were awarded in the USA, think again! You CAN apply for these if you are in the UK. For information on how to do that go to the YSF website - http://www. youngsingersfoundation.org/ index.cfm As you would expect, certain criteria have to be met and this is explained on the website. Headquarters staff are also very keen to make the process as simple as they can and, as such, are willing and able to assist with applications. The Young Singers Foundation is committed to enriching the lives of young people by supporting the educational and performance opportunities in vocal music. If you are interested in this too, please go to the website and see how you can apply for funding. Submitted by Elaine Hamilton, Education Coordinator YSF Management Committee
Stockport based
LIBERTY BELLES CHORUS
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affiliated to Sweet Adelines International, seeks
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As part of our ‘New Start’ initiative, applications are invited for an enthusiastic, talented Musical Director, preferably with barbershop experience, with the musical ability and skills to develop and motivate a well-established singing group with a wide repertoire of barbershop and popular songs. This is a great opportunity to get in at ground level with this growing Chorus.
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Applications would also be considered from Assistant Directors or Section Leaders looking for a new challenge. To apply, or for further information, please contact Ruth at info@libertybelles-uk.com or on 07751 370482 4
NEWS AND VIEWS FROM REGION 31, WINTER 2012
22nd In The World!
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passed by in a blur but here, in no particular order, are some of our highlights – watching Forth Valley rocking the stage in their pink sparkles and helping them Thriller the night away at their party, shouting for one’s Finesse in one’s quartet final, seeing the official launch of the iThink thanks to Frenzy, watching Bling’s reaction as they came in at second place, seeing Touché entering the realms of Queendom, getting a spectator’s sweat on watching THAT Gaga choreo from the Rich Tones, biting
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fter a small (read “rather large”) hiccup on the Sunday of Convention, we eventually got to Denver two days later than scheduled. It was really great to see everyone’s messages of support coming in over text and Facebook – they really kept us going through a tough couple of days. But we stuck together and we marched out onto the International stage more determined than ever to have a ball at our first Sweet Adelines International Convention (may we add with 24 hours to prepare and no stage time – yikes!). After our room service brekky (of course… we deserved it), our first encounter with the huge Pepsi Center Arena was when we went along in the morning to cheer on Echo. What great seats we managed to shotgun, right at the front, to see them walking out onto the stage – it felt so good to see them up there and to be able to whistle (no cheering…) as loud as we possibly could. We also got time to catch a couple more quartets before we headed back to the hotel to start our military-style preparations. We rehearsed, we were Moached, we primped, we were coiffured, we ate… a bit… and then we were ready..! Waiting behind those famous white curtains was electrifying, hearing everyone shouting, not really having a clue as to what the stage was going to be like – it was BRILLIANT. Never mind being drawn after soon-to-be Queens Touché… someone had to warm the crowd up for us I suppose… The stage was amazing – singing out to the massive arena when you know even though it looks empty most of the time, there are still a few thousand people in there waiting eagerly for you to open your mouths. We knew that we had done the best that we could do and
we felt amazing afterwards – even getting a personal “well done girls, you were fantastic” from… wait for it… Nancy Bergman, as we came back into the arena … wow! The first two arrangements we ever sang were hers so we admit that we felt slightly star-struck! And just three quartets after us, it was time to see Finesse. They were just out of this world and we were so proud to see them get their welldeserved place in the final for the second year running. The rest of the week pretty much
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our nails to their beds hearing the announcement of both quartet and chorus finals… oh and finding out that we are now 22nd in the world… *spits out a mouthful of tea*…!! It’s fair to say that despite the setback at the beginning of the trip, Miss-D’s first international was an absolute blast. Being able to spend 5 days immersed in the best barbershop in the world was truly a privilege. It’s definitely given us something to think about as we head back into regionals this coming May. It was great to be able to represent all of our Region 31 buddies and we felt incredibly proud of everything we achieved between us. Of course, no article would be complete without a few thank yous… A huge thanks to Finesse for getting all of our info when we weren’t able to attend the briefing and for getting us snacks and water on our
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arrival when we were feeling very jaded – you’re gorgeous and you deserve every bit of your success. Thanks to Mummy Mansfield (aka Brenda) for making sure all our hair was perfectly primped.. she’s a professional don’t you know?! Massive thanks to our Moach (aka Mo Field) for mentally taking us through everything that we missed and for helping us to sing our way to 22nd place – bearstronauts! And lastly, thanks to YOU… yes you… for all your support this year with essential fundraising and keeping our spirits up when we were grounded in Manchester, you really kept us going and we’ll never forget it. You can’t put things in a nutshell following such an amazing International, so thanks for reading and let the preparations for May commence..!! Region 31 rising! Kim, Suzanne, Amelia and Coley, Miss-Demeanour
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Bitten By The Bug!
joined Phoenix Chorus in September 2011, having been bitten by the barbershop bug when I attended a one-day singing workshop I’d seen advertised in our local press. I tentatively emailed my interest, hoping that my singing would be up to the mark. I received teach tapes and sheet music ahead of the day so that I could sing along to each of the four parts at home and find my range. I felt most comfortable singing bass or lead. On the day of the workshop I woke up with a sore throat and my voice was really husky and deep so when I arrived I was snaffled by the basses! I’ve sung bass ever since. We learnt ‘Get Happy’, which was the perfect song to cram learn in a day as the harmonies are not
NEWS AND VIEWS FROM REGION 31, WINTER 2012 buddies!) have become a valued support network and added another facet to my life beyond being an employee, wife and parent. From my fledgling workshop effort just over a year ago I have been coaxed and supported to learn how to sing and perform in front of thousands of people by a talented, committed bunch of ladies, whom I am proud and privileged to be able to call my friends. Submitted by Louise Ward, Phoenix Chorus
Roundup From Phoenix Chorus
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fter a summer of singing at festivals, Phoenix has had a very busy Autumn, just the kind we like! It started with a joint show in September… “Now, we all like to put on a show don’t we? Well, in December last year Phoenix decided to hit Christmas running and terrify the chorus at the same time (great fun)!! We put on a marathon three shows in one day!! Yes three!! We had something like 15 costume changes – by the third show we were on a total high but didn’t have a clue which outfit we should be wearing!
So, you can imagine the horror on the faces of our brother chorus Shannon Express when the show committee asked them if they’d like to join us in a joint show this autumn– worth every penny we raised! The organising started back in January, we formed a joint committee and decided on the theme – following the wonderful spirit of this year, high on the back of the Queen’s Jubilee and the Olympics, we decided to call the show The Best of British. Both Shannon and Phoenix put on a great display of Barbershop and we only made the guys do 2 shows!! (they got off lightly!) We saved all our bunting, flags and anything Olympic and decorated the entire school. It was a brilliant event and together, we raised over £3000. More than this though, the whole thing really made our bond even stronger. We’re busy raising funds together to buy new risers and a storage shed on the site of the school that we both rehearse in. (Now there’s a thing, let me know if you want to buy our risers – oh, and van!) I’ve learned to never be concerned about putting on a show (or two or three). They’re a tremendous way to bring people together, chorus and audience alike. We’re busy planning December 2013 right now!!”
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too difficult, the key change is manageable for beginners and most of us knew the song somewhat anyway. We also put together a small choreography package to go with it. I had the most fantastic day and managed to forget all about my cold and sore throat. We performed for friends and family at the end of the day, by which time I had agreed to return on the following week and join in with rehearsals. I’d been bitten and bitten good! Soon after, I auditioned and joined Phoenix as a full member. Since then I’ve performed with them at Birmingham Symphony Hall (I never imagined I would write that sentence), been elected onto the committee and joined the Membership Team. During the last year the chorus has provided vocal and choreography coaching, we’ve sung together at Festivals, performed in churches, sung outdoors at retirement parties, joined in with Flying High Chorus’ 25 year celebrations in Holland, and sung at a Queen’s Silver Jubilee concert. We dusted off our Christmas repertoire for December’s singing events, while also refining our Convention package. Being part of and singing with Phoenix has provided me with much more than what I know will be a lifelong hobby. The women in the chorus (especially my Bass Babe
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MARBELLA, SPAIN and DORDOGNE, FRANCE
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Spain: Luxury apartment at Mijas Costa with tremendous views overlooking 3 golf courses. Sleeps 4. Large shared pool. France: House with pool and garden to let in Dordogne area. Sleeps 8. Attractions locally include Rocamadour, Gouffre de Padirac, Sarlat. Details / availability at www.gitevisit.com or email: rgmb55@yahoo.com 7
NEWS AND VIEWS FROM REGION 31, WINTER 2012 The programme started on Friday evening with a wonderfully entertaining and informal gathering where all the choruses performed. Highlights were Cottontown’s front row moonwalking in Michael Jackson mode and Zero 8’s serenading of the Flying High
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Then we went Dutch for a weekend… “In September, Phoenix, along with Lace City, Zero 8, Cottontown, and Alba Show Chorus, were invited to join the Flying High Singers in Holland to celebrate their 25th year of
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singing. After a warm welcome from the chorus committee we were all looking forward to a fun weekend and we weren’t disappointed.
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Jubilee committee – on their knees! Phoenix were also very pleased to present our hosts with a glass plaque to commemorate their
Jubilee. Saturday morning dawned and the Flying High Singers had laid on a wonderful canal boat trip in Amsterdam. Passing tree-lined canals full of pretty houses, our hosts pointed out areas of interest, famous buildings and interesting architecture as well as the best places to buy Dutch biscuits and
pancakes! There was a photograph of each person boarding the boat to take home as a memento, and the sun shone– what more could you ask for? Saturday afternoon was the time for open rehearsals, and before we knew it the Saturday evening show was upon us. As we slipped into our glad rags, news reached us that nearly 1000 people were in the audience that night. We were also told that close up screens would capture every facial gesture
NEWS AND VIEWS FROM REGION 31, WINTER 2012 “Like all of you no doubt, as a chorus we love sharing our hobby with people new to barbershop and in October we invited ladies to join us for a 4 week programme of basic singing lessons. It is always so exciting to see the reaction of those who haven’t heard barbershop before, and then there is the challenge of making them believe that they can do it too! We had a great group of ladies who tried a cappella singing, many for the first time, and now seven of them are going through the audition process because, after 4 weeks, they’re hooked! Remember that feeling? For me that is one of the best things about running programmes like this – it reminds me how I felt when I first discovered barbershop, and that then reminds me of just how much I’ve gained since then, in knowledge, skill, experience and friendship. It’s true, barbershop is life-changing and we should share that with as many people as we possibly can!”
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Submitted by Sue Wilson, Davina Calbraith and Caroline Donovan, Phoenix Chorus
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Sunday morning found some of us a little bleary-eyed as we made our way to the lovely, stained glass decorated atrium to watch The Flying High singers being coached by the visiting directors. Next were our own, very brave, Footlights quartet (in disguise!) who woke us all up and made us laugh. They were followed by a wonderful performance by Alba Show Chorus, and then we all joined in for an emotional group sing. A perfect way to send us off on our journey home and, amidst many hugs and heartfelt wishes, the Flying High Singers came out and waved us off like royalty as our coaches left for the airport. This was a truly fantastic and exceptionally well-organised weekend. We count ourselves fortunate to have been able to take part and enjoy the hospitality of such a wonderful chorus. Phoenix felt both honoured and proud to be part of such a great Barbershop family. Long may it continue!” And then we ran a Singing Programme …
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we made so that no-one, not even those sitting at the back, would miss a thing! Exciting but scary!! So, we strutted our stuff on stage and were overwhelmed by the fabulous reception from the audience, including a standing ovation as we came off stage and walked up the centre aisle to take our seats at the back of the auditorium. What an experience! It is one that Phoenix will ever forget. We had unfortunately missed Lace City and Zero 8’s sets, by all accounts fantastic performances, but we had the privilege of watching great sets from Alba Show Chorus and Cottontown. the audience certainly got their money’s worth that night with such a lot of talent on the bill and we were proud to be part of that. The show was over but the night was young and the afterglow was soon underway where a lot of singing and bonding was done until the early hours! There was an indisputable air of comradeship and, not wanting to leave such a great party, the fun continued until breakfast the next morning.
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DRESSES AND SHOES FOR SALE
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27 Dresses with 22 matching shawls for sale in a range of sizes £180 + postage (ono) 40 pairs of almost new black shoes in various sizes £5 per pair + postage Contact heartbeatchorus@hotmail.co.uk 9
NEWS AND VIEWS FROM REGION Coaching Directory AND RMT 31, WINTER 2012 COACHES
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Anne Cargill Aberdeen Chorus annecargill2012@btinternet.com Alyson Chaney – Regional Coaches’ Coordinator Lace City Chorus alysonchaney@yahoo.co.uk Glenn Chaney Lace City Chorus glennsings@yahoo.co.uk Emma Duguid Vocal Dimension Chorus duguidemma@gmail.com Elaine Hamilton CAL elainemrssh@aol.com Tanya Jenkins CAL tunefultan@virginmedia.com Nancy Kelsall Heartbeat UK Chorus nancykelsall@hotmail.com Sandra Lea-Riley Heartbeat UK Chorus sandraleariley@virginmedia.com Dorothy Main Aberdeen Chorus themains@talktalk.net Ellie Mills Lace City Chorus mills_ellie@hotmail.com Nicky Salt CAL nicky.salt@hotmail.co.uk David Sangster Forth Valley Chorus carsonsangster@aol.com Valerie Taylor Vocal Dimension Chorus valerie.taylor@privacysolutions.co.uk Gwen Topp Aberdeen Chorus gmtopp@yahoo.co.uk
Michelle Walker Lace City Chorus shelbywalks@yahoo.co.uk Lynda Wood Phoenix Chorus lynda@pottonwoods.co.uk
RMT Sheila Doherty – Team Coordinator Surrey Harmony Chorus 020 8395 2765 shortscot@aol.com Directors’ Coordinator Directors - please contact Elaine Hamilton (elainemrssh@aol.com) if you have any questions/queries Nuala Hobden – Finance Coordinator Spinnaker Chorus 02392 231569 nualahelen@aol.com Elaine Hamilton – Education Coordinator CAL 0131 334 2372 elainemrssh@aol.com Petrina Bache – Events Coordinator Phoenix Chorus 07772 932432 trinabache@btinternet.com Fiona McGlashan – Interim Membership Coordinator Cambridge Harmony Chorus/Phoenix Chorus 07860 704443 impact@appleshack.com Emma Duguid – Marketing Coordinator Vocal Dimension Chorus 07815 114476 duguidemma@gmail.com Dulcie Williams – Communications Coordinator Heartbeat UK Chorus 01758 730 858 dulciewilliams@hotmail.com
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COPY DEADLINE Harmony Rag Lite, beginning of Feb deadline for end of Feb issue. Please send all articles to harmonyrag@sweetadelines.org.uk 10