December 2013
Finesse 4th place 2013 International Quartet
Contents FEATURES
10
Waves of success
Stories from the Region 31 contingent at the International Convention in Honolulu USUALS 4
RMT Updates
7
Regional Buzz
13
Calendar of Events
14
Coaching Directory
QUARTET OF NATIONS Sweet Adelines International REGION 31 Sweet Adelines International is a worldwide organisation of women singers committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education, competition and performance
4, 13, 22 and 31 The numbers above are not the jackpot numbers for this week’s lotto. These numbers, in fact, represent the result of the Quartet of Nations contingent at the International Convention in Honolulu, Hawaii. It was a glorious week of indulging in our art form and celebrating the best in the world. It was also a week of super late nights and early wake up calls for those of us not fortunate enough to be there who had to settle for just watching the webcast. But it was well worth staying up and rising early, wasn’t it? Finesse, Fortuity, Viva Acappella and Echo indeed made our region proud with their performances! The holiday season has come and gone and I hope that you all had a wonderful time with your family and loved ones. I bet you’re all busy with rehearsals again and gearing up for convention. Hope to meet more of you this new year!
Harmony Rag is published quarterly in March, June, September and December by the Regional Management Team (RMT) of the Quartet of Nations in digital format. The June issue is also published in print format. Materials sent for publication are at the author’s/contributor’s risk and while every care is taken, neither the Quartet of Nations RMT nor Sweet Adelines International accept any liability for loss or damage.
Charl CHARL ASUIT COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR charlasuit@gmail.com charlie74
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Send all queries, copy and images to the Harmony Rag Editor, harmonyrag@sweetadelines.org.uk Deadlines are one (1) month prior to publication
registrations are made at a later date, the subsidy
REGIONAL CONVENTION 2014 SUBSIDY The Regional Management Team has agreed to
will not be re-assessed. Non-members and members of prospective choruses are not entitled to the subsidy.
award a subsidy to choruses who consistently have
CAL members are also eligible for a subsidy if
to travel long distances to help with the cost of travel
travelling in excess of 150 miles to the convention
to the regional convention in 2014.
venue. The distance is calculated from their home
All registered Sweet Adelines International choruses and Chapter-At-Large (CAL) members travelling in excess of 150 miles to attend the convention will be eligible for the subsidy, regardless of whether they
address and calculated as a percentage of the registration fee. The subsidy applies to CAL members registering with a chorus or individually. The subsidy is as follows:
are competing or not. The amount of the subsidy per chorus is determined by the number of members who register to attend and the overall distance travelled from their respective rehearsal venue as illustrated below. For example: A chorus of 40 members travelling 230 miles would be entitled to a subsidy of £350
If you have any questions about the subsidy, please do not hesitate to contact the RMT. * Distance is taken from the AA Route Planner (http://www.theaa.com/route-planner)
A chorus of 85 members whose journey exceeds 250 miles would get the full subsidy of £750
NEW REGIONAL APPOINTEES The RMT is proud to announce new appointees, as recommended by the Nominating Committee, to the following regional posts for the Quartet of Nations: Quartet Liaison - Helen Glavina, Rhapsody UK YWIH Co-ordinator - Melanie Rice, London
The registration form, which was sent out with the first competition mailing, has been updated to automatically deduct the subsidy from the total amount payable. How the subsidy is used is at the discretion of the chorus management team. For example, it could be shared equally among members
City Singers Registration Co-ordinator - Kate Middleton, Spinnaker Team Co-ordinator - Maggi McEwan, Spinnaker
or used towards coach hire.
We are also pleased to announce that Charl Asuit
It is important to note that the subsidy is calculated
continuing in their RMT positions as
on the initial registration only. If additional members’
Harmony Rag | December 2013 | 4
(London City Singers) and Elaine Hamilton (CAL) are
Communications Co-ordinator and Education Coordinator, respectively, for Region 31.
Sweet! Adds Membership Incentive Campaign The Sweet! Adds Membership Incentive Campaign is
JANUARY 2014 GLOBAL OPEN HOUSE With membership always at the forefront, International headquarters is continuing to support a global membership drive every January and September. We hope you can participate in another motivating Global Open House event this January to support our efforts in raising awareness for our extraordinary organisation. We are excited to bring Sweet Adelines together again in January 2014 in a combined effort to spread harmony and share the
being extended indefinitely! All current members are eligible so please spread the news to your chorus members. When a member refers five or more new members she will receive free international membership for a year or more! Make sure to note each referral on the new member application. For more information go to http://www.sweetadelineintl.org > Member Resources > Sweet! Adds Membership Incentive Campaign.
joy of singing by opening your doors to women
UPDATE ON THE REGIONAL SONGS
across the globe.
Thank you to everyone who put forward suggestions
Scan the Global Resources page of the Marketing Center for samples, templates, materials, handbooks and more. For a thorough review of the Global Membership Drive visit the Webinars page to find recorded presentations. Login at www.sweetadelineintl.org > Member Login. The Sweet Adelines family is well known for inspiring and motivating each other, so use your gift and give us a lift on the Global Open House Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/61803106490270 7/?previousaction=join&source=1. Share your promotional plans, cheer on other members around
for our new regional songs. Listed below are those that were the most popular and will therefore be included in our list. Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves arranged by Ase Hagerman Friends - arranged by David Wright Anthem - arranged by Olle Nyman and the Growing Girls Lazy Day - arranged by David Wright We also had a LOT of requests not to remove San Francisco Bay Blues, so that will remain on the list!
the world, post your promotional materials and
Of course we don't expect choruses to learn these
news coverage, and share your success stories and
songs right away, but perhaps you will consider
more!
learning them over time, so we can start to use them
For more information on the Global Open House event click here: http://www.sweetadelineintl.org/index.cfm?id=304
at regional events and conventions. Please ensure you follow all the usual procedures with regard to copyright etc., when purchasing any of these songs. Also, it's not compulsory to learn any of them, it's just nice to have songs we all know and can sing together.
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Thanks again to everyone who took part in this and
budget period and will be used for
we look forward to singing with you soon!
organizational strategic planning and budget development for the future.
INTERNATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION RESULTS The election of the International Board of Directors of Sweet Adelines International is complete and the following candidates will be serving along with the current members of the Board:
A recommendation that choruses, quartets, areas and regions shall pay Sweet Adelines International the sum of $50 per year, per product sold to help defray the costs of trademark logo licensing fee, effective January 1, 2014, was approved. Procedures for granting Naming Rights in consideration for financial contributions to
Thérèse Antonini, Chapter-at-Large, Region 1
Sweet Adelines International, the duration of
Anne Cargill, Aberdeen Chapter, Region 31
said rights, and the installation and physical
Paula Davis, Velvet Hills Chapter, Region 8
display of naming rights recognition were
Cammi MacKinlay, Lions Gate Chapter,
approved.
Region 26 Marcia Pinvidic, City of Gardens Chapter, Region 26 Renée Porzel, Melodeers Chapter, Region 3
Procedures for the acceptance of gifts of real property, personal property, securities, restricted gifts and unusual gifts in the course of regular fundraising activities were approved.
MORE UPDATES FROM SWEET ADELINES INTERNATIONAL HQ The International Board of Directors met on November 3, 2013, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Following is a summary of actions taken. The charter and chapter membership for the following chapter was authorized: Harmony Gateway Chorus, Region 2, Burton, Michigan The name change request for the following region was authorized: North Pacific Region 13 changed to North by Northwest Region 13 The Policy Book was revised to reflect the
The 2013 Bowling for Barbershop fundraising campaign raised $91,588. The 2014 Bowling for Barbershop fundraising campaign will be held again next year from May 1 to August 31, 2014. An International Young Women in Harmony Festival was scheduled to occur in conjunction with the 2014 International Convention in Baltimore, Maryland. The 2014 International Convention in Baltimore, Maryland will feature a Tag Singing Station. A recommendation that members of the International Judging Program be used to
previously approved time limits placed on
adjudicate the Rising Star Competition was
prospective chapters in Step One (three
approved.
years) and Step Two (two years). The Board participated in a comprehensive Financial Forecasting meeting presented by Headquarters Staff. The Forecast highlighted the fiscal portrait through the 2020-2021
Harmony Rag | December 2013 | 6
The development and distribution of electronic membership cards was approved.
A patron membership category with an annual membership fee of $200 was approved.
was bubbling, the bar was stocked, the barbecue
RAISING MONEY IN PARADISE By Finesse Isn’t it a nightmare trying to think up different idea for fundraising? Finesse has done lots of different things to try and raise much needed funds over the years but we wanted to do something different for Hawaii.
was fired up, the cream teas were ready, the marquee looked stunning and the gorgeous grounds were looking amazing and were scattered with giant chess, table tennis, giant jenga and other games ready to be played. People came from far and wide to support us and enjoy the amazing facilities. It was a glorious day, where children played, adults relaxed and we sang.
What we really wanted was something fun, relaxing, open to everyone and maybe a little bit “Hawaiian” but what....? Then, as if by magic, Marilyn, a friend of the quartet who has always been really supportive of us, offered us the use of her house. This is no ordinary house either; Marilyn lives in Shortmead House in Biggleswade – a beautiful 16th century mansion in the most fabulous grounds! So we set about arranging “A Day In Paradise” and on a lovely sunny day at the beginning of September our dream came true. The pool was warm and
We were in heaven!
inviting, the outdoor Jacuzzi complete with waterfall
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It was such a fantastic day that we have already
promote our unique form of singing. Look up
booked to do it all again next year. Make sure
Barbershop in Harmony website for further details
Saturday 5th July is in your diary - you won’t want to
www.barbershopinharmony.com
miss it. — Helen, Nicky, Beth and Tan
There is also an agreement to publicise events provided by other European barbershop organisations, such as SABS (Spanish Association of
BARBERSHOP IN HARMONY By Sheila Doherty, Region 31 Team Co-ordinator There was a time, some years ago, when the three
Barbershop Singers) and BING (German association of barbershop singers). Barbershop is very definitely alive and thriving in Europe - who can forget Ronninge's amazing performance in Hawaii!
barbershop organisations in the UK, LABBS, BABS
On October 2017, the European Barbershop
and Sweet Adelines did not readily communicate
Convention will be held in Bournemouth and will be
with each other! I'm delighted to say that those days
organised by BinH and representatives from the
are gone and with the setting up of Barbershop in
three organisations. This event will take place in
Harmony (BinH), I can tell you that the three
conjunction with LABBS Convention.
organisations are united in promoting our enjoyment and skills of barbershop singing. Of course we each have a slightly different approach to our art form but there is a healthy respect for each
Barbershop in Harmony is still relatively young but its achievements are quite considerable in achieving barbershop harmony In the United Kingdom.
organisation from the others. Under the aegis of Barbershop in Harmony, whose
OPEN DIVISION FAQ
members comprise representatives from LABBS,
In continuation of bringing you details of the
BABS and Sweet Adelines, day seminars on
competition changes in 2014, here’s an FAQ sheet on
marketing, directing and a variety of subjects have
the Open Division posted by Sweet Adelines
been offered to members of all three organisations
International.
at a very reasonable cost. Another objective of BinH was to ensure that we didn't clash with each other’s' important events, like
Open Division is open to choruses and quartets. There is not a different registration fee for
conventions and education events so that members
the Open Division. All competition
could attend these without compromising
registration fees are the same (chorus: $150;
attendance at their own organisation's events.
quartet: $100).
We do share coaches from all three organisations and we sing arrangements of songs from without our own organisations. We all benefit from this "cross pollination". Barbershop in Harmony also has a radio station and they are willing to broadcast CDs submitted by members. It’s another opportunity to
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Competitors have 10 minutes to complete their Open Division packages. Competing in the Open Division meets the 3year competition requirement for choruses. Riser configurations will not change due to Open Division. There will still be either standard or alternate.
It is the region’s choice to allow both riser
Competitors cannot enter both the
configurations; it is also their choice to
International Division and the Open Division
decide which configuration is offered first.
of the same contest.
The drawing for regional competitions will be as follows: o o
The same song choice limitations apply to the contest songs as there have always been:
Quartets: Evaluation Only,
no patriotic, religious or Sweet Adelines
International Division, Open Division
International songs may be sung as contest
Choruses:
songs.
One riser configuration:
Open Division provides competitors with the
Evaluation Only, International
opportunity to present a “show
Division, Open Division
performance” that is enhanced by the
Two riser configurations:
educational experience gained through
Evaluation Only, International
official score sheets. It is for evaluation only
Division, Open Division, riser
and thus receives a letter score.
change, Open Division,
If a competitor is disqualified from the Open
Evaluation Only, International
Division, they are not eligible for the
Division
Audience Choice Award.
Directors with dual memberships who sing and direct two different choruses in the same contest will be taken into consideration
Only competitors entering the Open Division qualify for the Audience Choice Award. Competitors competing at International in
for the order of appearance draws.
the current year and performing in Open
Timing starts at the first word spoken or
Division are not eligible for the Audience
sung. Excessive time spent entering the stage can result in a delay of contest penalty. Competitors will use the same lighting and staging options that are available to the International Division competitors, i.e. no
Choice Award. To learn more about the scoring criteria for the Open Division, click here. Also, here’s the link to the Competition Handbook for 2014.
pyro techniques or electricity will be allowed on stage. Competitors may not change from International Division to Open Division (or vice versa) after the first draw for order of appearance has been conducted at HQ. Competitors wishing to qualify for Harmony Classic or International Competition must compete in the International Division. Competitors cannot qualify for Harmony Classic or International if they compete in Open Division.
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WAVES OF SUCCESS What fantastic results for the Quartet of Nations Region 31 representatives in Honolulu!
Hawaii baby!
unfortunately, the hotel made a mistake with our booking and when we arrived at midnight, a full 30
You won’t be surprised to learn that we were
hours since leaving home, we were told we were
tremendously excited to be heading to Hawaii for
checked into 1 room (our usual booking) only this
International this year, but who knew it would be
room only had 1 bed. What started off as necessity
quite as exciting as it was!
to save money has fast become our preference in
The journey was arduous to say the least, especially with a phobic flyer amongst us, but boy was it worth it once we got there? When we discovered we were just a few hours from New Zealand, it really sank in just how far we had travelled. The island was stunning and the weather was perfect, although sadly we didn’t have time to explore. Also
Harmony Rag | December 2013 | 10
order to be together and we have become very adept at sharing with bathroom, hairdryer and straightener rotas to ensure everyone gets ready in time. However only 1 bed was just not going to work! We coped for 2 nights with roll out beds and were rewarded by being moved to an enormous suite on day 3! We had 2 balconies overlooking the Pacific
Ocean, an extensive dining room and lounge, a
Finesse is thrilled to be invited to perform at the
dressing room as well as the bedroom with,
Region 31 convention in May and also lead some
thankfully, 2 huge beds! Luxury in paradise….well, if
education events. We have a wealth of coaching
you insist!
experience within the quartet and are in the process
There was a wonderful UK contingent in Hawaii and we felt a real sense of camaraderie amongst the Brit Pack! Despite being so far from home we felt like we
of putting together a portfolio to help you decide if you would like Finesse to coach your chorus for an evening.
were surrounded by family and could not have felt
If not perhaps we could come and sing for you at a
more supported and encouraged. All Region 31
chorus rehearsal or show? If you fancy a day in
representatives put in top class performances and
paradise but couldn’t make it to Hawaii, why not join
we were thrilled to spend time with Echo and
us at Shortmead House in Biggleswade on Saturday
Fortuity and to watch Fortuity receive the Novice
5th July for a day of fun and singing in idyllic
Quartet trophy and Top 15 status - richly deserved.
surroundings? Put the date in your diary now! We’d love to meet up with as many of you as possible over the next year to thank you for your support and encouragement and let you know how much it means to us. Yours in harmony, Helen, Nicky, Beth and Tan
Whirlwind for Echo It's been a whirlwind few weeks in the land of Echo, jet setting from North Wales to Waikiki, and now we are finally starting to come back down to earth we For Finesse, this is the first year we can honestly say we really enjoyed the semi-finals although the draw
have a few stories to share and a few public thank yous to make.
was as terrifying as ever - wonder if that will ever feel
First stop for us was the LABBS Quartet Contest in
like a given - we doubt it! The finals were so much
Llandudno at the end of October. Now the only
less stressful than in previous years because we took
possible way to start an Echo contest day is in a
a package that was all about us being ourselves and
caravan, in the pouring rain, with no heating and no
was so much fun to perform. To be rewarded with
hot water! Yup, that’s right. Having arrived from
our 4th ribbons and medals was beyond exciting.
Derbyshire, Cheshire and Hampshire looking
Our dream this year was to make Top 5, so fourth
forward to a warm welcome and a hot shower we
was a wonderful bonus! Onwards and upwards? We
were instead cold and smelly. Add into the mix
hope so but there’s a lot of hard work and
Emma’s distinct lack of voice, brought on by a
fundraising to be done in the meantime.
business trip to France the previous week, and things weren’t quite panning out how we’d
11 | December 2013 | Harmony Rag
envisaged! But that’s when all the coaching and
from Remix taking us through the traffic pattern and
rehearsing kicks in. We managed to get through our
she sprinkled some of her Swedish sparkle over us
semi-finals package pretty much unscathed, but by
as we headed to the stage. Standing side stage
the time we had to compete with our Finals Package
listening to the awesome Martini gave us goose
later that same evening, one of the songs never even
bumps. To be singing in the same venue as such
sung before in public, Emma's voice had all but
talented ladies was a huge buzz. We took to the
disappeared and our nerves were at an all-time high.
stage, gave it our all and were happy with our
Thankfully she managed to croak out a performance,
performance. We also got the honour to cheer and
and we were immensely proud and excited to be
support (and possibly share the odd cocktail or two
awarded Gold Medals with an average score of
with!) the other 2 fabulous quartets from Region 31,
76.8%.
Fortuity & Finesse, and cried tears of joy when Finesse were rightly awarded their 4th place medals and cheered long and loud for Viva Acappella. Were we happy with our placing? If we are brutally honest, at first we were disappointed. But when you sit back and see the huge wealth of talent that crossed that stage and the number of quartets who would have love to have traded places with us to get that chance, then we would be very inconsiderate not to appreciate the amazing opportunity we had and be thankful to even make it to the International Stage. 31st in the world? We'll take that!
The following Friday saw us take to the skies and set off on a 30 hour jaunt to the beautiful Honolulu - it's a hard life being a quartettist sometimes!! We arrived to high humidity, high temperatures and very high levels of excitement! We felt like the luckiest people in the world to get such an opportunity and were determined to do our best and enjoy the experience to the maximum. We rehearsed, we met up with some lovely friends from Denver last year, we rehearsed, we hopped from the sea to the infinity pool and back again, we rehearsed, we sunbathed, we rehearsed, we explored the island, we reh...... you get the picture! It was soon Wednesday and contest time. We were up at 4am, fully made up and hair done by 5.30am and singing by 6am in a far flung, darkened conference suite so as not to disturb the Japanese families staying either side of our rooms. We had the absolute pleasure of the lovely Marie
Harmony Rag | December 2013 | 12
We’ve been very fortunate with some super support and advice. Our thanks go to the LABBS judges for some sterling coaching after prelims, Sweet Adelines Judge, Joan Boutillier, and of course our choruses, Heartbeat and Spinnaker, who have been just
wonderful, with ladies from both joining us for the
have a couple of private gigs already in the diary too.
whole LABBS weekend and fundraising amounts
If you’d like us to be a part of your event, sharing our
beyond our wildest dreams which made it possible
experiences or songs, then do get in touch with
for us to compete in Hawaii.
Emma: trumptoncat@hotmail.com or visit our
So, what's next for Echo? Well, on 02 February 2014
Facebook page.
we’re performing on the Rockapella show with Heartbeat & Cottontown at the Plaza Theatre in Stockport. In May we’ve been invited to appear at the BABS Anniversary Convention in Harrogate, and we
2014 09 - 11 May
Target the Top: Quartet of Nations Region 31 Annual Convention
23 - 26 May
BABS 40 Annual Convention
Harrogate
25 - 26 July
A Cappella Harmony Academy
Tulsa
22 - 24 August
BABS Harmony College
Nottingham
30 October - 02 November
LABBS Convention
Harrogate
03 - 08 November
Sweet Adelines International Convention
Baltimore
th
Nottingham
Email harmonyrag@sweetadelines.org.uk if you want to include your event in the calendar for free. Event flyers and posters are subject to advertising guidelines.
13 | December 2013 | Harmony Rag
ELLIE BLACKEBY, Lace City
SANDRA LEA-RILEY, Heartbeat UK
mills_ellie@hotmail.com
sandraleariley@virginmedia.com
ANNE CARGILL, Aberdeen
DOROTHY MAIN, Aberdeen
annecargill2012@btinternet.com
themains@talktalk.net
ALYSON CHANEY, RMT Workshop Coordinator, Lace
NICKY SALT, CAL
City
nicky.salt@hotmail.co.uk
alysonchaney@yahoo.co.uk
DAVID SANGSTER, Forth Valley
GLENN CHANEY, Lace City
carsonsangster@aol.com
glennsings@yahoo.co.uk
VALERIE TAYLOR, Vocal Dimension
EMMA DUGUID, Vocal Dimension
valerie.taylor@privacysolutions.co.uk
duguidemma@gmail.com
GWEN TOPP, Aberdeen
ELAINE HAMILTON, RMT Education Coordinator, CAL
gmtopp@yahoo.co.uk MICHELLE WALKER, Lace City
elainemrssh@aol.com
shelbywalks@yahoo.co.uk
TANYA JENKINS, CAL
LYNDA WOOD, Phoenix
tunefultan@virginmedia.com
lynda@pottonwoods.co.uk
NANCY KELSALL, Heartbeat UK nancykelsall@hotmail.com
COPY DEADLINE The next Harmony Rag will be issued in the end of March. Please send all contributions to harmonyrag@sweetadelines.org.uk by
28 February 2014
Harmony Rag | December 2013 | 14
Coaching for 2014 As part of the 3-year education plan set out for Region 31, choruses are entitled to claim the cost of coaching fees (up to a maximum of £250) in 2014. To apply for this funding: 1. Choose the coach, who you think would best help your chorus, and make the necessary arrangements 2. Pay the coach directly 3. Download the coaching fee reimbursement form to claim up to £250 of the coach’s fees – DOC, DOCX, PDF 4. Submit completed form along with a copy of the receipt to Nuala Hobden (nualahobden@yahoo.com), Finance Co-ordinator of the Quartet of Nations, Region 31 Note that the funding can only be used for coaching and not any other purpose. The coaching should be carried out in 2014 only. Deadline for submitting claims is 31 December 2014.
Quartet of Nations Region 31 Convention 2014
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN Key dates 28 Feb – Early bird registration closing date 24 Mar – Registration closing date Click here for details