HARMONY RAG Winter 2016
WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS
IN THIS ISSUE HARMONY RAG
FEATURES
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• • • • •
Songs from Silver City Magical Memories What Happens in Vegas Vegas II - What a Ride! VDC in Vegas
USUALS 4 • Regional Buzz IGNITE UK CHORUS LOOKS FORWARD TO AN EXCITING 2017!
QUARTET OF NATIONS REGION 31 Sweet Adelines International 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
IT’S BEEN A VERY DIFFERENT YEAR FOR PHOENIX CHORUS
SPINNAKER DECTETS AND OCTETS STEAL THE SHOW AT GOSPORT MUSIC FESTIVAL
THE IRISH EXPERIENCE
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Column: Warmed Up
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RMT Updates
23 • Fanfare 24 • Calendar & Coaching Directory
Harmony Rag is published quarterly in spring, summer, autumn and winter by the Regional Management Team of the Quartet of Nations in digital format. The summer 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. Send all queries, copy and images to the Harmony Rag Editor, harmonyrag@sweetadelines.org.uk Deadlines are one (1) month prior to publication
REGIONAL BUZZ We hosted our first open rehearsal in September for friends, family and potential new recruits to come along and see how we work and what we’re all about. We had a fantastic response and since then have hosted a further recruitment evening Submitted by Liz Tomes, Ignite UK and continue to carry out regular auditions at Although we only started up in February we’ve rehearsals every week. We’re still open to new had a fantastic few months and are already members so if you live in the Belper/Derby area looking forward to an exciting 2017. We’re based and are looking for a chorus to join, or know in Belper, Derbyshire where we currently have someone who may be interested in having a 45 members working under the guidance of our go at barbershop singing, please email our musical director Doug Harrington, creative team membership secretary Ellie, at ereynolds_55@ Kirsty Williams and Debbie Varley and head of hotmail.com. our music team Harriet Adamson. Finally, it was fantastic to be invited to give our We’ve had our first visit from the Regional first public performance at a new music and arts Management Team and are preparing to complete festival near Derby a few weeks ago. We got an our chartering process very soon so we can play amazing response from our audience and look our full part in the Region 31 barbershop family. forward to building a following in our local area On that note, we can’t wait for convention at The and beyond. Doug said, “What a year it’s been. Sage in May where we look forward to sharing We’ve been establishing a fast pace of learning that amazing stage with you all. We’ve started to and very quickly built a repertoire which got a prepare our package and are continuing to work great reaction in our first performance. I continue hard on our vocals and performance. to be impressed by everyone’s commitment to learning and have been delighted by the positive response we’ve received after such a short time together. On behalf of Ignite UK, I’d like to wish all our Region 31 friends the very best for the festive season and New Year and we look forward to seeing you all in Gateshead next May.”
IGNITE UK CHORUS LOOKS FORWARD TO AN EXCITING 2017!
You can find out what we’re up to and drop us a line on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ igniteukchorus Ignite UK, photo courtesy of Ashley Franklin
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We look forward to hearing from you!
REGIONAL BUZZ
IT’S BEEN A VERY DIFFERENT YEAR FOR PHOENIX CHORUS Submitted by Louise Ward, President, Phoenix Chorus
It’s been a very different year for Phoenix Chorus. After returning from Las Vegas in October 2015 where we had the most brilliant time, the chorus decided to draw breath and take a year out from competition. The reasons for these were varied but in a nutshell what we have had time to do is learn some new repertoire, try different types Phoenix Chorus on stage in Vegas 2015, photo credit Read Photography of performance and expression to get a new perspective and work with some non-barbershop our news and advance notice of dates of events singing and performance coaches. etc. We honestly won’t pester you with loads of emails. If you’d like to be added to the list The committee and music team spent a weekend please fill out the form on our website www. in Cambridge doing strategic planning and phoenixladies.co.uk and we’ll be in touch. looking at the future priorities and direction of the chorus for the short and longer term. As On behalf of Phoenix, I’d like to thank Sweet a chorus we spent a fantastic weekend at the Adelines International for the fantastic webcast University of Bedfordshire on a ‘retreat’ where which enabled us to cheer on all the wonderful we worked and played very hard. We felt like choruses and quartets. Special mentions to students again! By the time you read this we will Finesse, Fortuity, The MIX, Viva Acappella, also have held our “Thank You For The Music” Heartbeat and Vocal Dimension who so show which we have been rehearsing hard for brilliantly represented Region 31 at international. and are all really excited about. This will be taking place at a theatre locally and as well as Phoenix, features a couple of our own home SPINNAKER DECTETS AND grown ensembles, Triple Shot and Firebirds, as OCTETS STEAL THE SHOW AT well as Footlights, a children’s choir, and a youth GOSPORT MUSIC FESTIVAL dance troupe. Submitted by Tracy Daniel, Spinnaker Chorus With Christmas round the corner, we’re dusting off our Christmas repertoire too. With all of this going on naturally we are also getting ready for Region 31’s convention next year as one year off was quite enough. We look forward to seeing our friends In Newcastle next May for a long overdue catch up! If you’d like to keep in touch with us please check out our Facebook page. We are also trying to pull together a list of people who would like to receive an occasional email from us with all
On Saturday 5th November two sparkling dectet groups and a quartet from the awardwinning Spinnaker Chorus brought fireworks to competition at Gosport Music Festival. Dectets Decadence and A Box of Frogs competed in the barbershop 8-18 voices category. Decadence performed two songs Carolina in the Morning and Candle on the Water and came first place with 86 points. Box of Frogs sang a medley of I’m Into Something Good with Happy Together (arranged
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REGIONAL BUZZ by Aaron Dale) followed by When I Fall in Love. This wonderful performance earned them third place with a score of 84 points. These two dectets were formed especially for this festival and were made up of Spinnaker Chorus members, some of whom have never previously performed outside of chorus, so a fabulous achievement on this their debut.
Life’s A Pitch Quartet, first place, photo credit Liz Waddon
blending are a treat to listen to, mixed with their confident performances they are a pleasure to watch and rightly deserved their firt place win with 87 points. All the groups received huge applause from their groupies providing support in the audience. The adjudicator for the day was Jane Wilkinson who provided very welcome informative and helpful critique on their performances. Spinnaker Chorus Dectets A Box of Frogs (top) and Decadence (bottom), photo credit Liz Waddon is an amazing group of talented ladies and it is exciting and encouraging to see our members Later in the day came the barbershop 8 voices or wanting to develop their singing experience, less class. Our wonderful quartet, Life’s a Pitch skills and confidence, forming dectets, octets pictured, left to right, June Samson (bass), Karen and quartets. Riley (tenor), Beckie Puncher (lead) and Jenny Savory (Baritone) sang a medley of Bill Bailey In addition to many Christmas bookings, and Angry followed by Once Upon A Time. These Spinnaker Chorus enjoyed an exciting ladies are experienced quartet singers having Christmas Show on Saturday 3rd December at previously competed in different quartets the beautiful St. Mary’s Church in Portsea. The at Sweet Adeline International Region 31 show “A Christmas Story” was produced by Kay conventions. Their gorgeous voices and superb Sumpner, a Spinnakerette with much experience
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REGIONAL BUZZ of stage production. A number of special guests performed and our narrator for the evening was Charles Collingwood from BBC’s “The Archers” fame.
Overall we were placed 4th so didn’t fair too badly Pointers to take on board—we’ll do it gladly That evening the winners featured in a show Once again we made the audience glow
THE IRISH EXPERIENCE
Sunday for some was a day of leisure But for a few others an early bird flight was to be their pleasure A rail trip to Cobh a heritage town was the plan Midst other places we sang in a tiny pub owned by Dan
Submitted by Gladys Harris, Hillfoot Harmony
Robin Hood and his Merry Men took a trip to the Emerald Isle In an Open Competition they would entertain in style Principal characters, costumes, props—our snapshot panto was on the move Just hoped the judges and audience of our efforts would approve
It has to be recorded that the craic was moighty The locals were friendly not at all hoity toity In the glorious sunshine we took in the sights Stopping occasionally for some sustaining bites
IABS Convention was a first experience for many Anticipation filled the air—rewards-- would there be any We were ready to do our best and go that extra mile Hoping our Directors’ faces would beam a happy smile
Before long our time in Eire came to an end A huge thank you to all who made it happen we send The combination of competition and relaxation was a good mix Now it’s back to the drawing board to prepare for our next fix
The advance Thursday party got a taste of City Hall A beautiful venue standing proud and tall By Friday night we were all there fully geared up to perform Robin Hood Prince of Dollar was about to be reborn
A poem to reflect on the Hillfoot Harmony’s visit to Cork to participate in the IABS (Irish Association of Barbershop Singers) Convention held in the City Hall, October 2016.
Entrants were vying to win the Joan Kelly Memorial Cup On seeing the first input many of us thought we’d have nae luck Imagine the excitement when the MC came to announce The winner—it was us—and boy did we bounce Saturday saw the first outing of our new dazzling top Compliments were plentiful—many people did us stop Today’s part of the competition comprised both male and female chorus To succeed here would be a real bonus
Hillfoot Harmony at the Irish Convention
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COLUMN:
WARMED UP For this issue, I’m handing the ‘Warmed Up’ baton to four talented directors from our region who have willingly provided some excellent warm up tips, tried and tested with their own choruses.
singing the key note or two sections singing the octave whilst the others descend/ascend. It’s a great one for the ears and a good one for singing words on repeated notes and keeping them lifted. You could also get one segment singing the words on just ‘sol’ whilst the others descend. First, we have Lorraine (aka Lolly) Turner Loads you can do with it. We use the pitch pipe from Surrey Harmony, this year’s Division AA to check tuning at beginning and end and to winners and overall fourth place medallists. check where the tricky intervals are. And try different keys too. Lolly suggests: Here is one I really love – it’s called Autumn Thanks Lolly! We now travel to London for a Leaves and is a great one for tuning. fantastic warmup from Simon Arnott, Director of London City Singers. Start at the top note of a scale (8) and then the sequence is: Simon suggests: This is a number exercise that warms up the brain 8 autumn leaves are as well as the voice! It’s great for working on 7 falling accuracy when moving quickly through pitches. 6 orange, red and You can hold a pedal note on 1 or 8 throughout 5 brown too to help work with tuning. 4 see them swirling 3 in the air and Thanks Simon! Number exercises are great to 2 floating to the warm up mentally and vocally so I hope you all 1 ground enjoy that one. And back up the scale: 1 autumn leaves are 2 falling 3 orange red and 4 brown 5 see them swirling 6 in the air and 7 floating to the 8 ground
Now to Tim Briggs, Director of Sheffield Harmony – this year’s 7th place chorus. He suggest: A current favourite of mine is Singing in Harmony. This involves a unison start followed by some four part chords:
Sing the words SING-ING IN in unison on 1-3 5 (do-mi so) followed by HAR-MO-NY on the following notes Next, split the chorus and get them to sing one Basses 1-4-1 (do-fa-do) ascending and one descending. You can then split Baritones 5-b6-5 (so-flat la-so) them in fours or you can have a row or section Leads 8-8-8 (high do-do-do) Harmony Rag | June 2016 | 8 Alyson Chaney, a certified International Faculty member and current Region 31 Education Coordinator, presents a regular column about how to devise a great vocal warm up routine. She would love to hear from you, too. If you have any great warm-up routines to share, please send to alysonchaney@yahoo.com
COLUMN: WARMED UP Tenors ^3-2-3 (mi-re-mi up the octave) this makes produced sound and avoiding tension in the a big jump for tenors going from the fifth to the warmup. higher third Kirstie suggests: The rhythms for this are a triplet to start on I have one warm up which I like to use which SING-ING IN and then straight notes on HAR- protects strain whilst warming up. MO-NY. This is good for all choruses as it is easy to teach and learn. The unison start gives Relax the head, face and neck, hang the tongue harmony parts a chance to return to the key note gently out of the mouth and start by just sighing, and have energised singing in the lower range. then sliding from high to low. Working in pairs, check for relaxed breathing, with no straining or Thanks Tim, I’ll be trying that later at chorus! constriction. Finally, I’m grateful to Kirstie Spencer, brand Thank you to you all for your contributions! I’m new director of Somerset Hills Chorus, for this very grateful as are all our region’s choruses, for last warmup which focusses on achieving freely these new warm up exercises.
WE’RE LOOKING FOR A MUSICAL DIRECTOR A small group of 18 committed and enthusiastic barbershop singers invites you to be our Musical Director. Rehearsing on Wednesday evenings in Hampton (London TW12), 2016 is our 30th anniversary year. We offer you the opportunity to bring us your insights and inspiration and join us as we further develop our musical potential together. For an informal chat, contact our Chairperson, Christine Cannon Email: cm04cannon@yahoo.co.uk • Landline: 0208 979 6233
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FEATURES SONGS FROM SILVER CITY
Submitted by Samantha Allen de Marquez, Heartbeat Chorus
The clip-clop of red patent shoes and the rustle of gold and red sequins echoed down the corridor. I inhaled and exhaled deeply. Trying to remain focused, I noticed the interminable line of autographed photos that we must pass in order to reach our destination. Beyonce. Van Morrison. J-Lo. The bar was set high, it was a full house and we were following the first competitors, the Harborlites, a well-known California-based chorus who repeatedly score in the top ten of International Competition. They were a hard act to follow but as the realisation of the mighty task ahead of us began to dawn, my reveries were broken by the loud chanting of “Heartbeat! Heartbeat! Heartbeat!” Along with whooping and cheering, I took a deep breath, smile and think to myself, “This is going to be awesome.” It’s been a tough and tiring seventeen months for Heartbeat Chorus. Since winning the Region 31 Championships (which includes the UK and the Netherlands) in May last year for the very first time, a new sense of focus and selfbelief seemed to have overtaken us and with it came an abundance of coaching sessions, extra rehearsals and fundraising events. From sing outs to producing our own CD to baking cakes for various events, we have each played our part in raising the substantial amount of around £20,000, turning our dream of competing on the international stage into a reality. This year that international stage is the legendary MGM Grand in Las Vegas and this is where we headed to very early one Sunday morning in October 2016.
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It’s 6am on an autumnal Manchester morning and clusters of red and gold hoodies can be seen scattered around the airport. To our horror, many assumed we were a hen party and we induced enquiries, not only from the public but also from the police who seemed to think we may cause trouble on the flight! We did our best to explain that we were a ladies’ barbershop chorus going to Las Vegas to compete internationally and were met with a mixture of blank stares and incredulous responses of “wow!” and “good luck!” Few of us slept on the 11-hour plane journey as excited chatter and ruminations of what was to come bubbled over. A few hours into the flight, the pilot announced that Heartbeat Chorus will now stand up and perform Come What May from the musical Moulin Rouge, and so at hundreds of feet high, we stood, squashed between aisles and seats, and together became members of a very different type of Mile High Club. A wonderful, yet slightly surreal, experience, not to be forgotten by passengers or chorus members alike.
Heartbeat Chorus
FEATURES For many of us it was our first time in Las Vegas, an extraordinary place where it seems all traces of nature have been concreted over and the rules and routines of normal daily life don’t apply. Thanks to an unusually warm October in Nevada, the combination of ‘R&R’ by the pool and rehearsals, watching choruses/quartets, and educational sessions were perfect (although the ratio between these activities varied somewhat for those self-confessed ‘barber-geeks’ and those who feel cocktails by the pool is substantially more rewarding!) So when the big day finally arrived, after nearly a year and a half’s intense work on a six-minute package of two songs, What’ll I Do and Cabaret, we felt prepared. We had squeezed as much personal development into those months as we possibly could and it showed. There was no stage time for the whole chorus at the international convention so none of us really knew what to expect when we opened our mouths on that stage, but I was not disappointed. Described by another chorus member as ‘like being given a warm hug,’ from the soft carpet underfoot to the curtains surrounding you, it wasn’t an intimidating place to sing and was indeed the ‘awesome’ experience that I had predicted.
crazy-in-a-way-that-only-Heartbeat-can-do-it moments – singing in the sky, the disco limo, the travellator video series, our amusing and ridiculous WhatsApp chat – that will stay irrevocably etched into all our memories.
MAGICAL MEMORIES
Submitted by Nancy Kelsall, Musical Director, Heartbeat Chorus
Heartbeat has never competed internationally before so I wasn’t sure what to expect on our performance on that big stage. Would we be nervous? Would I be nervous? Would we give our best performance? Would we come away disappointed? Would Sandra and I have a meltdown competing in both quartet and chorus?! In July we had a retreat weekend. We worked hard on our vocal and visual skills – we videoed the chorus in small wedges and fed back to each other. We talked about the personal commitment we would all make for the upcoming three months.
As a final session, we talked about what singing in the chorus gives to us. Here are some of the It was evening after our performance and things the chorus mentioned: cheers could be heard from one of the rooms in the MGM Grand Conference Centre where • the chance to perform and show off (whatever Heartbeat was gathered. The scores were out age you are!) and our assistant MD announced that we came • confidence building 19th giving us the highest debut UK score ever, • a chance to have your own identity away beating all debut choruses this year and putting from home us in the top twenty out of 600 competing • finding new skills (not necessarily singing!) choruses worldwide. We were over the moon • a chance to be part of something with a whole and unbelievably proud at such an achievement. team of people especially if you’re shy • lifelong friendships with people you might For me personally it was an experience of a not normally meet lifetime that totally surpassed my expectations. • camaraderie and teamwork And I’m not talking just about performing • laughter on the MGM Grand, or coming top twenty, • magic moments that you wouldn’t get or experiencing the neon nirvana that is the anywhere else in life…. Vegas strip, but those cherished, unforgettable,
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FEATURES We worked hard for Vegas – alongside me I have the fantastic support of Sandra and Emma. We also had fabulous coaching from Sandy Marron who came over in September and worked with both us and Viva Acapella. We bubbled through straws for three months and I sent weekly (and more frequent) emails to encourage everyone (and me!) to do our homework and inspire all of us to reach new levels. The section leaders – Emma, Sandra, Amy and Claire had separate section rehearsals and worked their teams and built their confidence.
Our time on stage was over in a flash but we were thrilled with our performance – we felt we put a great performance on that big stage – wedged between two top ten choruses – Harborlites and Song of Atlanta. As well as all the hard work vocally our other key aim for our trip was to make some gold medal memories – our hashtag was #choosetoenjoy. We set up a WhatsApp group to ensure we could join each other in restaurants or by the pool – so you found Heartbeat in Denny’s at 4am for most days having a jetlag breakfast, meeting for a meal in the MGM Grand after we had sung, groups by the pool having (very) large cocktails, 20 ladies hiring a limo and going to Fremont Street, we also did crazy videos on the travellator.
Sandy worked with us in America – and was amazing in preparing us for our first time on international stage – giving us tools and confidence to give our very best. On Wednesday before we sang on Thursday, we sang with cotton wool in our ears until we were confident singing Our committee worked hard on our fundraising and hearing our own voice – “learn to love your (we raised approximately £20k) and on our own voice,” Sandy told us! travel and ‘in Vegas’ plans (we had a ‘bible’ of performance, US and Vegas information to The chorus also supported the fantastic UK ensure things ran smoothly) and were key to us quartets in the quartet semi-final on Wednesday making this a joyful experience. – Finesse, Fortuity and The MIX – including me and Sandra in The MIX. The chorus said they It’s sometimes hard to keep sight of what this were so proud of The MIX and their ‘magical’ hobby gives us when we may be disappointed with results or how we performed under pressure uptune! – we in Heartbeat know that. This time – we were thrilled with our performance and placing – it’s the highest a Region 31 chorus has achieved on their first outing to International – but we also set out to try and remember (whatever the results might be…) what being part of this organisation gives us in terms of education, confidence, opportunities, friendship and we chose to enjoy ourselves! The MIX in Vegas
We are very thankful to the region, Sweet Adelines, our coaches (especially Sandy Marron Our performance time on Thursday was who is amazing) and our fantastic leadership 10.30am. Yep, 10.30am in sequins and lashes, we team – for this opportunity. were second on! So we rehearsed every day from Monday at 7am to replicate our stage time! We made magical memories. We wish you all magical memories in the coming months, too.
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FEATURES
WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS Submitted by Viva Acappella
‘I am Sweet Adelines’ - what does that mean? Does it mean singing to follow your dream? To find friendships that will last you your life? Or forget the troubles of being a mother, boss or wife? But this October we lived the Sweet Ads dream Took to the skies, part of the UK scream team So we flew over the Atlantic (not one of us on the gin!) Could hopes of Top Ten come true in the City of Sin? The buzz, the lights, the chimes of the slots Would 18 months of planning get us an elusive top spot Will the establishment change and look past our size We’ve worked so hard, we’ve our eyes on the prize Rehearsals took place and spirits were high Visiting quartets brought a tear to the eye Hard work was interspersed with trips and fun Grand Canyon, Elton John, Rollercoasters to turn your tum But the day soon came when it was time to get on stage To give it our best, do the plan, page by page And one by one we met in our diamante suits Feeling rather fabulous, from our hairpieces to our boots Final touches now, don’t forget that extra blush If in doubt, slap it on with a paint brush In silence we stood as we waited on the ramp Each one of us feeling we had the makings of a champ On the stage now, dimmed under the lights We’d visualised this a million times on those cold Bexley nights The MC comes on, deep breath in and blow Lights up, this is it, 3, 2, 1 and go The first note, wow, this sound is amazing What a stage, these harmonies they’ll definitely be praising We’re feeling good, and Gaynor’s not frowning Thank goodness for that, or our sorrows we’d be drowning The ballad over, and the emotions have us all drained But soon the pitch sounds, so time to stop looking pained
Viva Acappella in Vegas, photo credit Sandy Marron (top); Viva Acappella round the bar, photo credit Jackie Humphries (bottom)
Deep breaths now, especially the front row As we strut our stuff, dancing to and fro Not one of us falls, no tumbles in sight And the jacket flash move was seamless and tight And before we know it our 7 minutes are gone But wow the memories, how they’ll always live on As we watched other choruses go through their paces We waited hoping we’d still make those top places But alas this year it wasn’t to be But 20th in the world, that’s two spots higher than Hawaii! And what a brilliant time in Vegas we’ve had With 42 friends, there’s no way you can be sad The following days there followed parties and more As we focused on the experience, rather than the score Thank you to everyone, your support it melts our hearts From family and friends, but also between the parts
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FEATURES What the future holds for us, who knows, but what is clear We’re going to have a blast finding out ‘cos 2016’s been a cracking year!
VEGAS II - WHAT A RIDE!
Submitted by Sarah Netherton, Fortuity
We got into competition mood with the Harmony Classic contest first – watching our dear friend, Valerie Taylor, lead Vocal Dimension in another fabulous and entertaining international performance and earning them an awesome score and second place to boot – a sensational start!
We also had time before the contest to explore a bit of Vegas. Where to start we thought... it’s such a MASSIVE place!! We made it to the Zoomline in Fremont Street, which was definitely a highlight, also to the Bellagio Fountains and, of course, the Jacuzzi and pool, but the BEST thing ever has to be walking out on that International Stage, With Ellie taking the summer off to spend with proud representatives of Region 31 and walking the very handsome baby Rupert, our good friend off it feeling elated that we’d done it. So many Sophie Hasson agreed to stand in so we could more memories created and experiences stored, still get our “International fix”! On our journey, in our minds and in our hearts. we shall never take for granted how lucky we have been to enjoy the opportunity of returning Of course, being on super early in the competition to international and so hope to always grab those meant we had the absolute delight of watching so much of the contest and in particular, being opportunities with both hands! in the audience to support The MIX and Finesse. A different line up meant no expectations and Even before each of them took to the stage, the what made the ride to Vegas II such a thrill was auditorium filled with hollering whooping the knowledge that we would get to take our and whistling (oh the deafening whistling!) as dear friend Sophie, a newbie to International, on stage with us and share that experience. It was Ellie who had been the one to share all her knowledge with the three of us at our very first International Quartet Competition in Hawaii. So the three of us could now pay that forward, knowing only too well how special that first experience is, and we wanted to make sure that Sophie’s first experience of it would be awesome. We made the most of the window of time, cramming in all the rehearsals and fun we possibly could, with Sophie often coming from chorus rehearsal to Fortuity rehearsal and then on to a DeciBelles rehearsal. She truly is a hard core barbershopper!! Seven months flew by in a flash and Vegas II was here! The build up to International is always thrilling. A complete mix of excitement, joy, hard work, exhilaration, intensity, passion… the synonyms are endless. This year, the build-up was no different, and yet it was different, all at the same time…. let us explain.
Region 31 quartets in Las Vegas
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FEATURES we, with all our fellow Region 31 supporters, the world and queens of our hearts! The food at applauded and made a really BIG noise – what Bubba Gump’s shrimp restaurant was delicious a rush! and after, back to their room (ours was way too messy) to relax, share a few drinks and a few Then came the wait for the results, it is always stories. the longest part of the day, especially when your day starts at the very beginning of the contest! We Whatever the score, placement, route, anxiously opened our packet, obviously with no destination, or even how long the journey lasts, idea of how the judges thought we did. We knew, we’ve discovered that making these memories no matter what, we’d experienced the highs and is the most important thing to us all. Finally, exhilaration of our performance, enjoyed the we cannot thank the region enough for all lovely comments from our supporters and also the support given to Fortuity on our exciting complete strangers who took the time to speak journey, with all its twists and turns – what a to us and tell us how much they enjoyed it too. rollercoaster this hobby is! And the judges… they decided 22nd! 22nd in the world!!! Whilst Fortuity had placed higher VDC IN VEGAS in previous contests, there was no room for Submitted by Viv Cooper, Vocal Dimension disappointment in this result. What we had achieved in those seven months and how we had At last, the eagerly-awaited time had come! Vocal felt on stage earlier that day, still left us with that Dimension had marvelled at the opulence of the warm, proud, and happy feeling in our hearts. MGM Grand Hotel, struggled with finding our It was also great to read (once we’d deciphered way through the maze of casinos, restaurants and them of course) the judges’ comments which shops and posed for selfies by the golden lion in were so encouraging. Then at last, semi-finals the foyer. Now we were embarking on our first day was over and we could remove the false rehearsals in Vegas! We were fortunate to have lashes and snuggle into our PJs to rest and on-site coaching from Sandy Marron and Judy rejuvenate ready to join in the Region 31 support Poszgay which really gave us a boost. We were train for the rest of the contest. also privileged that both Finesse and Fortuity visited us to preview their quartet packages. With so many friends in both choruses, it was How lucky is Region 31 to have so much talent a joy to watch them deliver their plans on that on board? stage. Watching Heartbeat’s International debut is a memory to cherish. And then Viva Early on competition day, VDC baritone Fran Acappella – looking sharp and sounding mighty Carter and our travelling makeup artist, Jennifer – delivered a mesmerising performance… that Lo, set up a hairdressing and beauty salon in choreo... wow! The whole auditorium just went their hotel room for those needing hair pieces wild for it! affixed or character make-up applied. By the afternoon, we were all adorned in our glitzy, It always feels like this is said each year, but glamorous costumes. Our set this year was based truly, the standard of the competition was on a musical awards ceremony in London’s West incredible. The Quartet Finals blew our minds End – rather like the Oscars – and our costumes and witnessing it all up close was phenomenal. had a red, black and gold theme with sparkle Then it was time to let our hair down and who a-plenty! better to celebrate the week’s events with than Finesse, fourth place International Quartet in Our story, presented so professionally by BBC Harmony Rag | Winter 2016 | 15
FEATURES “The experience has changed me in more ways than I could imagine. The benefits will no doubt continue to filter into all areas of my life... everything from planning prior to the trip, the days leading up to it and the actual performance, all fantastic for the mind and soul. My favourite quote of the trip comes from another chorus, “I am a Sweet Adeline. What is your super power”?” – Jules Crow aka Belle Aggio, Bass
Vocal Dimension on the Harmony Classic stage in Las Vegas
Entertainment correspondent Barbara Shoppe, featured Melodie Lingerson, a musical star who just never seems to win that elusive award. As each award winner is announced by the feisty Dame Audrey Torium, Melodie gets more and more despondent. Eventually she is trounced by Piper Pitch, a malevolent rival who celebrates her win by delivering a heartrending solo to begin the beautiful ballad Somewhere from West Side Story. Then, right at the end of the ceremony, Melodie is the surprise winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award and dissolves into floods of joyful tears. Cue our celebration medley, comprising Big Girls Don’t Cry, Don’t Rain on My Parade and I’m A Believer! So how to describe singing on the stage of the MGM Grand Arena? “I wouldn’t allow myself to consider the enormity of it until the job was done. Then, during the final applause, I let myself think about the approach backstage: walking past walls hung with signed pictures of superstars who’d appeared in the same arena – Elton John; The Eagles; Sting; Madonna; Michael Bublé; the Rolling Stones; Tom Jones; Frank Sinatra and many, many more – and now us! Utterly mindboggling and thrilling.” – Viv Cooper, Baritone
16 | Harmony Rag | Autumn 2016
“…. afterwards, a lady in the audience several rows in front of us turned around to say she’d remember it for the rest of her life. You just can’t buy that.” – Nicky Shipp aka Kerry Oakey, Bass “The fact that my husband and children were sitting just a few feet from the stage gave a really special element to an already incredible and eagerly-awaited experience. I’m not sure I’ll ever forget the moment when our audience spontaneously erupted in applause mid-song. Wow! The most goose-bump-inducing, tingletastic moment EVER!” – Claire Miskin aka Piper Pitch, Lead And how to describe all the hard work that went into getting the chorus ready for our joyful Vegas experience? “Everyone put in such a lot of hard work to prepare for our experience on stage. Fundraising, learning new music, sewing sequins – it all contributed to us feeling prepared and ready to share our music (and sense of humour!) with the audience. We had a great time on that stage and achieved our highest scores ever. The MGM Grand is a wonderful venue and it was a real thrill and honour to share that stage with the other competitors from our region and around the world. Vegas was another reminder of what VDC does best – making music and having fun doing it! I am so proud of our silver medals and can’t wait to see all our Region 31 friends at The Sage in May.” – Valerie Taylor, Master Director
t a e b t r a He d l o G l l A PRESENTS
February 26th 2017 7:30PM
Pavilion Arts Centre, St John's Road, Buxton Special Guests
Finest Hour BABS gold medalist quartet 2016
Burbage Brass Band
TICKETS: ÂŁ15 / ÂŁ13:50 concessions book online buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/heartbeat-chorus or call 01298 72190 heartbeatchorus.com facebook.com/heartbeatukchorus
Registered charity number 1164575
RMT UPDATES MONEY MATTERS
Submitted by Dorothy Main, Region 31 Finance Coordinator
Calling all chorus treasurers: I was lucky enough to be in Las Vegas for the recent International Convention and yes, I do have many stories to tell – but I’ll leave that for the wonderful participants from our region who I watched take the stage and represent our region so very well! All of us who were there in the audience were bursting with pride! Congratulations once again to our three fabulous quartets and three amazing choruses. However, before the convention started, I took part in an RMT Training Day on Monday 17th October during which we had an RMT Coordinator breakout session. The finance group was very interesting and we discussed many things including some problems common to most regions and also shared some new ideas. One important round table discussion which we had – and the reason I am aiming this article at all chorus finance handlers – was regarding the fact that we, and you, are dealing with large amounts of money, members’ personal and banking details etc., and all of this is generally on our own computers and records are kept in our own homes.
Finally, may I ask you to note that I have had to change my email address. It’s a nuisance I know, but I’ve had to stop the talktalk one, so please note to contact me on – dorothymain12@gmail. com
WHO ME? A MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL BOARD?
Submitted by Anne Cargill, Aberdeen Chorus, Member of the International Board of Directors
That’s what I thought four years ago when I was appointed by the Board Members to serve for one year on the International Board of Directors. A year later I was elected by the membership to serve for three years which I will complete in March 2017. It has been a great experience being able to participate in the running of this wonderful organisation and working with so many talented women on the International Board. I have learned so much and got to know so many interesting people from all over the world. It’s exciting, challenging, hard work at times but most of all it’s fun!
As I come to the end of my term and as choruses are voting for incoming members to the Board, I would like to encourage others to think about standing for the Board. We have so many successful choruses in this region – so we must have many very competent women running It is vital therefore that we all make sure we keep them! You may be an experienced member our records backed up and copies are accessible of your chorus, you may have served on your in the event of loss due to fire, flood or any chorus management or music team, you may other happening which could affect our record have served on the Regional Management Team keeping. No doubt you all have taken steps to and you may have skills from your working life ensure safe storage and back up already, but which would be very useful to the organisation. after hearing some of the stories I felt a gentle reminder wouldn’t go amiss! 18 | Harmony Rag | Winter 2016
RMT UPDATES or International officer, committee chair or committee member – plus many more! What does the job involve? Meetings are held three times a year – two meetings lasting two days are held at the International Headquarters office in Tulsa, Oklahoma (in March and June) and the third meeting is held for two days before the International Convention. All travel and accommodation expenses are paid. In March every year, Board Members are allocated their responsibilities for the year – this could be leading a task force or as chair or a member of one of the many committees. Work goes on during the year often by email and conference call.
Anne Cargill, Member of the International Board of Directors of Sweet Adelines International
The International Board is the governing and decision-making body of Sweet Adelines International and has the authority to spearhead all actions necessary to fulfil its purpose. The board is about governance – not management. Governance is about making decisions and executing those decisions. Getting the right people properly educated is fundamental to good governance – so we need to identify the right people, cultivate and prepare them for seats at the Board table – perhaps taking on roles on committees – could this be YOU? Amongst the qualities required are a positive, objective attitude; good listening skills; critical and analytical thinking as well as imaginative and creative thinking; effective verbal and written communications skills; vision and longrange planning experience; the ability to relate to a variety of personality types; training and experience in a field which could be of value to the International Board; experience in Sweet Adelines International as a chapter, regional
There are 12 women on the board – ten are elected by the members and two are appointed by the current Board Members. How do you apply? See website http://sweetadelines.com/index. cfm?id=340. Elections take place every year when all choruses are asked to put forward names. Applicants then fill in a form submitted to International in May every year. The Nominating Committee then reviews the applications and decides who goes on the slate to be submitted to the membership. Board members need more than enthusiasm and passion – they need to understand all of the stewardship responsibilities and perform all of their duties. As well as pride, passion, and enthusiasm, they need to have love for the organisation and must care deeply about the members. If you think this could be you, I’d be very happy to help you along your way! I have found being a Board member one of the most interesting, stimulating and rewarding chapters in my life and would love to see someone else from this region to take up this opportunity.
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RMT UPDATES will provide education classes on the Sunday morning. You won’t want to miss The BUZZ! Submitted by Alyson Chaney, Region 31 Education It’s their farewell tour before they hang up their Coordinator pitch pipes and they are thrilled to be attending Our fabulous region certainly made a huge impact our Region 31 Convention in 2017! in Las Vegas with wonderful performances from In the autumn of 2017, we will hold a series of all of our quartet and chorus representatives. satellite day workshops bringing top quality Vocal Dimension Chorus was first to compete education to all parts of the region: Scotland, the in the Harmony Classic and many alarm North West, Central, the South West, the South clocks were set on this side of the Atlantic in East and the Netherlands. These will be led by order to witness their fantastically creative and director and choreographer “pairs” from Region entertaining performance which earned them a 31 choruses with recent International experience. deserved silver medal. Congratulations to you Like the 2015 Ignite workshops, they will offer great education for minimal cost and will be all! held in locations accessible to all members. More Then it was quartet semi finals day – and this details will be sent to choruses when we have time we were grateful that all three of our finalised the details.
MAKING AN IMPACT
representative contestants – Fortuity, Finesse and The MIX – were performing at a reasonable time here in the UK and the Netherlands. We even stopped our rehearsal to be able to cheer them on en masse. And how well they represented us!
Tune In Directors Weekend Seminar in the autumn of 2017 will feature the wonderful Dale Syverson and Joan Boutilier. This will be open to front-line and assistant directors and will prove to be very popular indeed so please register Our other chorus representatives, Heartbeat and early for this event as places will be limited. The Viva Acappella, did a great job and performed date for your diary will be the weekend of 17-19 with great panache. And as for Finesse’s superb November at a venue in Birmingham. Watch this finals package which richly rewarded them with space for details of cost and registration. a fourth place medal – it was such a memorable performance which had everything – great There are plans to invite another amazing quartet singing, huge fun and wonderful entertainment. to be our headline act at convention in 2018 and How proud we were of all of our international as soon as we have confirmed the details we will competitors! Thank you to you all for your let you know! amazing commitment and hard work which enabled you to travel to Las Vegas to do us all In the autumn of 2018, we will run our one day satellite workshops once again, this time proud. featuring internationally renowned faculty Looking ahead to 2017 and 2018 we have some including Peggy Gram, Darlene Rogers, great educational events for you all to anticipate Lynda Keever, Britt-Helene Bonnedahl, Anna Rosenberg and Tori Postma. eagerly! The BUZZ will be our very special guests at our There are exciting things planned for our region convention at The Sage in May, and as well as over the next two years and I hope you will take headlining our Saturday evening show, they full advantage of the opportunities on offer.
20 | Harmony Rag | Autumn 2016
RMT UPDATES
MEET YOUR MARKETING COORDINATOR
Submitted by Sara Wilcox, Region 31 Marketing Coordinator
I’m Sara Wilcox (or Sazzle as I’m known to friends), the current Marketing Coordinator for Region 31 Quartet of Nations. My role on the team is quite varied and interesting and a lot of what my role includes is social media, adverts, liaising with advertisers, creating marketing materials and schemes, updating the Region 31 website and being a point of contact for other organisations’ marketing teams. The regional management team do help each other out, too, so we are not always doing one particular role. I also sing in Milltown Sound Chorus based in the North West where I have had the roles of Secretary, PRO and current Team Coordinator. I began singing in Milltown Sound as a founder member in 2009 and within another small chorus for about 3 years before then. I was introduced to Sara Wilcox, Region 31 Marketing Coordinator barbershop singing through a good friend who I actually met through my sister and never looked back since the first day I stepped through the are 9 and 11. I have an older brother and sister doors! It is an addictive hobby and one I am so and I’m so excited and honoured to be chief bridesmaid for my sister when she gets married grateful to have. next year in Portugal. I’m also very grateful to In my day job, I work for a coach travel company her for choosing the end of April 2017 and not as an Operations Assistant and also for a local the second weekend in May! leisure centre part time. However, my passion is makeup and I hope to have a career doing this MEET YOUR DIRECTORS in the near future especially wedding hair and COORDINATOR makeup. I live in a house on my own with my Submitted by Sophie Radcliffe, Region 31 Directors two baby boys (my cats, Frankie and Lenny) Coordinator who I love dearly but they drive me crazy! In my spare time apart from singing, of course, I also My Sweet Adeline journey began at the age love music, films, books, theatre trips, camping of 14 when my neighbour, Rita Kermack (a (a new hobby I’ve just discovered that I enjoy fellow Sweet Adeline), asked me if I would and I attended the excellent summer Harmony like to come and see her chorus sing at one of Camp), holidays abroad, historic places, boxing their weekly rehearsals. She knew I sang in the and spending time with friends and family school barbershop group and thought I would especially my two nieces, Ruby and Lola, who
Harmony Rag | Autumn 2016 | 21
RMT UPDATES chorus… probably because you’re the only one singing your part! In October of 2015, I joined Forth Valley Chorus in Edinburgh. Mainly because two of my quartet girls were already members but I also I wanted to do more singing, now that I am directing Aberdeen. It has been an incredible experience so far. I couldn’t believe it when we won at convention in May 2016 with our record breaking score of 694, it was honestly a dream come true!! Now we have the opportunity to represent our fantastic Region in Vegas 2017, I can’t wait!!
Sophie Radcliffe, Region 31 Directors Coordinator
be interested in coming to watch the chorus. She couldn’t have been more right. That very first visit to the Aberdeen Chorus of Sweet Adelines kickstarted what can only be described as my 11 year love affair with barbershop music. I knew in an instant that I had found my passion in life! I had to be a part of this amazing group and the process of becoming a member of the Aberdeen Chorus began. They actually lowered their admission age from 16 to 14 to allow me to join! The chorus really helped me realise my passion for singing and I went on to study a degree in music at the University of Aberdeen specialising in Vocal Performance. The rest, as they say, is history! I have been a member of the fabulous Aberdeen Chorus for the past 11 years and became their Co-Director in January 2015. I LOVE directing and can’t wait to see what the future holds for the chorus and me!
I am now into my second year as Directors Coordinator for Region 31. I have enjoyed being a part of the team very much and am so grateful for the opportunity to work with so many vibrant and talented women from a mixture of choruses from all over the UK! This year I was very honoured to be invited to serve on an International Committee within Sweet Adelines, the Published Music Sales and Marketability Committee for the 2016-2017 term. I am so thankful to be a part of this as it gives me the opportunity to learn even more about the inner workings of Sweet Adelins International and work alongside some of the most talented women in our organisation. I have also been given an incredible and super exciting opportunity to co-anchor the webcast at the International Convention in Vegas in October this year! In real life (i.e. outside of Sweet Adelines International!) I work as an administrator for an oil & gas recruitment agency and give private voice and piano lessons.
Fun fact: I competed on all four voice parts (not all at once!) at the 2016 convention in Newcastle. I sang tenor with SPARK, lead/bari in Aberdeen I have sung in two quartets during my Sweet and bass in Forth Valley. I just thought, why not? Adeline life, most recently, SPARK (Region We joined this organisation to sing, right!? So 31 2016 fourth place quartet). You get a thrill that’s what I’m going to do! from singing in a quartet that you don’t get in a 22 | Harmony Rag | Autumn 2016
FANFARE FANFARE is a new regular column in the Harmony Rag and will contain short items of news. If there’s anything you’d like to contribute next time round, please email RMT@sweetadelines. org.uk. The item should be short, maybe two or three sentences only. Geeky facts welcome, too! DUAL CHORUS MEMBERSHIP – If you are competing in two different choruses at convention, you only pay for one All Events Ticket (AET) and your primary chorus should submit this for you. Your secondary chorus just needs to mention it on their list of competitors when submitting their chorus registration form. Do not pay twice! UPCOMING RMT ROLES – If you are interested in joining your region’s management team and contributing to the running of the region, details can be found here http://sweetadelines.org. uk/about-region-31/regional-leadership. The following coordinator roles are coming up for renewal in May 2017: Directors, Marketing, Finance and Events. We’re also looking for a Workshop Coordinator. WOMEN OF NOTE – Are you thinking about your nominations for the 2017 Women of Note award? Submission details for your nominations will follow early next year. EUROPEAN CONVENTION – The Region 31 representatives for the quartet and chorus competitions in the 2017 European Convention next autumn will be based on final placings at regional convention at The Sage in May. FUTURE CONVENTIONS – It really isn’t as easy as you may think to find suitable venues for our region’s convention. Whilst there are many fabulous venues up and down the country, too many are prohibitively expensive which leaves a reduced list of choices. Rest assured, the search continues. CONVENTION VOLUNTEERS – We’re looking for help at The Sage next May so if you’ve got a spare couple of hours, please let us know. We need help in the Social Media Hub, backstage and lots more. Contact the RMT if you’re interested.
QUARTET LIAISON – Please offer a hearty welcome to our region’s new Quartet Liaison, Sheri Warbrick. Sheri says, “I am delighted to be the Region 31 Quartet Liaison and look forward to working closely with all of our wonderful quartets and supporting Alyson in looking at future quartet education opportunities for our region. For those who don’t know me, I have been a member of Sweet Adelines for 12 years and sing bass with Milltown Sound Chorus and Tone-Acity Quartet (2016 LABBS Quartet Champions). I look forward to meeting you all at convention in May!” Please email RMT@sweetadelines.org.uk if you need to get in touch with Sheri. CONVENTION 2017 BULLETINS – These will start appearing early next year and will contain important contest information for you if you are intending to compete at The Sage next May. DCP HARMONY 500 – The IBOD agreed to institute a new DCP Harmony 500 Director Level effective with the 2017 regional contest season, and to award a commemorative pin to those DCP directors who achieve the level from the effective date forward. LABBS 40TH ANNIVERSARY CONVENTION – RMT members Sara Wilcox and Hil Pinnock attended the LABBS Convention this year. Regional Communications Coordinator, Hil Pinnock, presented the award for the Most Entertaining Chorus to Second City Sound.
JUDGING CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS – Did you know this can now be viewed online at www. sweetadelines.com/educationcenter/music/ judgingcategorydescriptionbookjcdb? LAST BUT NOT LEAST – Please keep your membership and chorus officers’ information up to date online and also let us know of changes needed on the regional website directory.
CALENDAR & COACHING DIRECTORY 6-9 April 2017 12-14 May 2017 26-29 May 2017
SABS Convention
Benalmadena
Quartet of Nations Region 31 Newcastle 2017 Convention - featuring The BUZZ Farewell Tour BABS Convention - with Mixed Voice Chorus Contest
Sage Gateshead BIC Bournemouth
9-11 June 2017
Sweet Adelines in Germany Workshop
Heidelberg
26-29 October 2017
LABBS Convention
BIC Bournemouth
26-29 October 2017
European Barbershop Convention
BIC Bournemouth
17-19 November 2017
Tune In Directors Seminar
Birmingham
Autumn 2017
Region 31 Satellite Workshops
Various venues
ELLIE BLACKEBY • Lace City mills_ellie@hotmail.com
SANDRA LEA-RILEY • Heartbeat UK sandraleariley@virginmedia.com
ANNE CARGILL • Aberdeen annecargill2012@btinternet.com
DOROTHY MAIN • Aberdeen dorothymain12@gmail.com
ALYSON CHANEY • Lace City alysonchaney@yahoo.co.uk
NICKY SALT • CAL nicky.salt@hotmail.co.uk
GLENN CHANEY • Lace City glenn.chaney@yahoo.co.uk
DAVID SANGSTER • Forth Valley carsonsangster@aol.com
EMMA DUGUID • Viva Acappella duguidemma@gmail.com
VALERIE TAYLOR • Vocal Dimension valerie.taylor@privacysolutions.co.uk
NORMA FERRIER • Forth Valley norma.ferrier@whec.edin.sch.uk
GWEN TOPP • Aberdeen gmtopp@yahoo.co.uk
ELAINE HAMILTON • CAL elainemrssh@aol.com
MICHELLE WALKER • Lace City shelbywalks@yahoo.co.uk
TANYA JENKINS • CAL tunefultan@virginmedia.com
LYNDA WOOD • Phoenix lynda@pottonwoods.co.uk
NANCY KELSALL • Heartbeat UK nancykelsall@hotmail.com