| Region 3 Sweet Adelines Newsletter Fall, 2009 |
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| Our Mission |
Lake Michigan Region 3 of Sweet Adelines International is dedicated to the advancement of four-part harmony, barbershop-style, for women of all ages, through education and performance. |
| Regional Management Team |
Communications Coordinator
Director's Coordinator
Education Coordinator
Events Coordinator
Finance Coordinator
Marketing Coordinator
Membership Coordinator
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| Quick Links |
Region 3 Website
Sweet Adelines International
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| Newsletter Deadlines |
Nov.15 - Winter Issue (12/1/09)
Feb. 15 - Spring Issue (3/1/10) |
| Future International Convention Dates |
2009, October 20-24, Nashville, TN
2010, October 19-23, Seattle WA
2011, October 18-22, Houston TX
2012, Oct. 30 - Nov. 3, Denver, CO
2013, Nov. 5-9, Honolulu, HI
2014, Nov. 4-8, Baltimore, MD
2015, Oct. 6-10, Las Vegas, NV
2016, Oct. 11-15, Las Vegas, NV
2017, Oct. 10-14, Las Vegas, NV |
| Future IES Dates |
2010, July 8-10, IES East, Pittsburgh, PA
2010, July 15-17, IES Central, St. Louis, MO 2010, July 21-24, IES, West, Rancho Mirage, CA
2010, Nov. 11-13, IES Pacific Rim, Auckland, New Zealand
2011, September, IES Europe, TBD | |
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| Dear Sherry, |
| Remember to check Region 3's website for Chorus, Quartet, Regional, YWIH and other announcements. If your group is having a fundraiser, or you are having a special party or celebration, be sure to send it in to the webmaster along with any flyers.
-- Mary Ann |
| AIM 2009
by Ann Jarchow, Education Coordinator |
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Hey dudes and dudettes! As summer is welcomed, the RMT is busy preparing for our fall workshop with Dale Syverson and Peggy Gram. These two ladies will make you laugh so hard, you'll cry, make you cry so hard, you'll laugh and offer you education beyond measure and all at the same time!! Having experienced several classes at IES with both of them, I can guarantee you a great weekend! And in order to be completely prepared, please read this most EXCELLENT article to learn to speak like Bill and Ted.
Our weekend together will include education for members of small, medium and large choruses, quartets or Sweet Adelines who just are hungry to learn. Dale and Peggy will touch on areas which our judges suggested we needed to spend time upon and much, much more! You will also have an opportunity to have a voice lesson with one of the Winner Circle members! Not to mention our Region #3 Saturday night bash and an opportunity to Sing With The Champs!!!
All of this education, entertainment, and camaraderie is just $20 (early bird registration)! You won't want to miss this one, so get it on your calendar NOW!
October 1-2 at the Radisson Star Plaza in Merrilville.
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| REGION 3 CONVENTION 2009
by Shelly Hughes, Event Coordinator |
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Another great convention and competition is in the record books. I hope you had as great a time as I did. It is always so much fun to see and sing with all the members of Region 3.
The judging panel enjoyed being in our region. In fact, they loved it so much that they joined the party on Saturday night. And what a party it was!! Thank you to all of you who came out to celebrate.
The convention would not happen if it were not for many members contributing their time and efforts. They are an impressive group and I appreciate everything they have contributed.
- Steering Committee: Pattee Bender, Cindy Slowik, Nancy Smith & Jane Toftey
- Committee: Joyce Campbell, Alice Deller, Debbie Fletcher, Joanne Frediani, Connie Harr, Bev Hoffmeister, Cindy Judy, Sue Menees, Sandy Recker, Linda Rozema, Bobbie Slack, Vicki Totel & Glenna Webster
- Boutique: Jane Wogoman
- Emcee: Chris Noteware
- Pages: Lynda Keever, Bon Pressley, Carol Thompson & Sara Zawila
- Convention Assistants: Choral-Aires Chorus
- Directors: Jim Arns (Quartet Champion Tribute), Joan Boutilier (Sound Check) and Julie Zehnder (Member Tribute)
- Mass Sing: Debi Batchelor & Chris Noteware
Finally, if you would like to be a part of future events, we are always looking for help. Whether it is an educational event or convention, day of help or a seat on a committee, we need you. Email is the only requirement. If you are interested, please e-mail me at skhsnoopy@comcast.net.
Thank you again!
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| RMT Positions Open |
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WOW! NOW'S THE TIME!
Don't miss this once a year opportunity! Apply to become a part of the wild, wacky, inventive, forward-thinking, adventurous, REALLY FUN Regional Management Team! We're accepting applications for Membership Coordinator & Education Coordinator. Don't miss this chance to be a part of the ongoing changes that keep our Region exciting. Help keep the fire lit! APPLY
TODAY! Applications are on the Region #3 website. Completed applications should be sent to Lynda Keever. |
REGION 3 PRESENCE IN NASHVILLE
by Shelly Hughes, Event Coordinator |
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PRAIRIE ECHOES TO COMPETE IN HARMONY CLASSIC
The Prairie Echoes Chorus, under the direction of Master Director Donna Bates, will compete in the 2010 Harmony Classic in Seattle. With one of the top 5 Division A scores from the 2009 regional competitions, Prairie Echoes has earned a spot on the competition stage. Congratulations and Good Luck!! Region 3 will be rooting for you!
CHI-TOWN SOUND SCORES A WILDCARD SPOT!
With a score of 600, Chi-Town Sound has qualified to compete in the Quartet Semi-Finals in Nashville this October. How can this be you ask? Chi-Town Sound is a wildcard quartet. Every year the top 14 places from the previous International competition (2nd through 15th) and the regional champions automatically qualify. The next 10 highest scoring quartets from all the regions are also invited to compete as wildcards. Congratulations to Shelley, Vanessa, Chris and Cathie. We can't wait to hear you in Nashville!
HOW MANY REGION 3 MEMBERS WILL APPEAR ON THE CONTEST STAGE IN NASHVILLE?
Tons! Nashville will see two choruses and six quartets representing Region 3. Here's the whole list:
- Four Bettys (Mic Tester & Coronet Club Show), Choral-Aires & Melodeers Choruses
- Limelight (#10), Region 5 Champions, Sybil Perkins, Melodeers Chorus
- Chi-Town Sound (#42), Region 3 Wildcard, Melodeers & Midwest Crossroad Choruses
- Jukebox (#43), Region 3 Champions, CAL & Melodeers Chorus
- Martini (#44), 8th Place 2008 International, DeAnne Haugen, Melodeers Chorus
- Premiere (#52), Region 22 Champions, Renee Rieboldt, Melodeers Chorus
- Choral-Aires (#17), Region Champions, Joan Boutilier, Master Director
- Melodeers (Swan Song), International Champions, Jim Arns, Master 700 Director
Cheers to Region 3!!!
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| RMT MEETING HIGHLIGHTS - JUNE 2009
by Sherry Berkley |
- Congratulations to Prairie Echoes Chorus! They have been invited to compete in the 2010 Harmony Classic Contest in Seattle, WA.
- Ann Jarchow, Education Coordinator, announced that Grand Rapids Chorus will be coached by Dale and Peggy for one of the classes at AIM weekend. She also announced that Choral-Aires chorus will sing on the Saturday night show for Sing with the Champs.
- Lynda Keever, Directors Coordinator, agreed to head up the nominating committee for the upcoming RMT elections for 2010-2012 terms. Two positions are to be filled: Membership Coordinator (elected by the regional membership) and Education Coordinator (appointed by International). The application has been updated and is available on the regional website at www.region3sweetadelines.org/forms_and_resources.htm. The deadline for accepting applications is October 3, 2009.
- The RMT job descriptions have been updated and are also available on the website.
- RMT training weekend with Sharon Babb, Master International Faculty, will be August 14-16 in Schaumburg, IL.
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| Slider (SLDR) Program Announced |
| Section Leaders can now be recognized for their growing achievements in Region 3. We know our Section Leaders work hard and are knowledgeable about the barbershop way. This is your chance to document that knowledge and be recognized by the region in front of your chorus and your section. This is also an excellent way to confirm that you really know what you know you know. In other words, you very likely already know this stuff.
Using the categories of the Director Certification Program, Section Leaders will be honored at Region 3 events and with an award each time they pass three of the 11 tests. Categories include topics like Directing Skills, Analytical Listening, Organization Knowledge, Teaching Skills, Management Skills and the Judging Categories for Competition. There are usually only 10 questions per test and the requirement for passing the tests is just 60%. How cool is that. If you have been a section leader for a while, this is an easy next step for you. Yes, this is something you can do and is also something Region 3 would like to give you recognition for.
Contact Stacey Haskins, Region 3 Coordinator for the Section Leader Distinction and Rewards program and for the Director Certification Program.
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THE LATEST CONVENTION NEWS
by Peggy Gram, President, Sweet Adelines International |
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On behalf of the International Board of Directors, I am pleased to announce that our annual convention will be held at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas in 2015, 2016, and 2017. Competition, lodging, dining and gaming in one location. That's a four-of-kind hand that we bet is unbeatable!
This is an unprecedented decision. For the first time since chorus competition was introduced in 1973, and for three years in succession, all convention attendees will be lodged in a single hotel. The competition venue and the site of Harmony Bazaar are located just outside your door.
Additional Information:
Download MGM Grand Brochure
Visit MGM Grand Web site
Visit MGM Grand on Facebook
View MGM Grand Videos
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SETTING OUR SIGHTS ON A NEW GUINNESS WORLD RECORD!
by Sweet Adelines International |
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 Sweet Adelines International will soon attempt to set the Guinness World Record for Largest Singing Lesson. An official representative from Guinness World Records will be in attendance in Nashville on Saturday, October 24, 2009. International President Peggy Gram will lead the entire audience in a record-setting singing lesson just before the International Champion Chorus is announced. This is a new record category opened up by Guinness especially for Sweet Adelines International. We aren't just breaking a world record, we are setting a new one! Be a part of this exciting event - register today for the convention and competition in Nashville. You won't want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
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FOR THE GEEK IN ALL OF US
by Mary Ann Neuman |
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TWITTER
Sweet Adelines International has joined Twitter! Check out the video at www.twitter.com for information on this new and exciting social networking site. If you're on Twitter come find them and add them to your Friends List. International Headquarters personnel look forward to learning more about our Sweet Adelines through this great new site.
FACEBOOK
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IBOD JUNE 2009 HIGHLIGHTS
by Sherry Berkley, Communications Coordinator |
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Here are the highlights from the International Board of Directors June 2009 meeting:
- Applauded Marilyn Rose for her many contributions to the International Judging Program and approved Emerita status for her. Note: Marilyn has since passed away on July 31.
- International President Peggy Gram announced her choice for the President's Lifetime Achievement Award as Britt-Heléne Bonnedahl, Rönninge Show Chorus, Region #32.
- Chose Karen Wysocky, Crosstown Harmony Chapter, Region #22, as the 2009 MENC Award recipient.
- Chose Lea Baker, Endeavour Harmony Chorus, Region #34, as the 2009 Ann Gooch Award recipient.
- Chose Baltimore, MD, as the site of the 2014 International Convention and Competitions.
- Agreed to amend Standard Form Regional Bylaws to revise the election/appointment cycle of the coordinator positions on all Regional Management Teams (RMT).
Note: This was done in order that the terms Education Coordinator and Events Coordinator will be on opposite cycles.
The full International BOD update can be found on the Newsletters page of the Regional website at http://www.region3sweetadelines.org/newsletters.htm.
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MOMENTUM
by Carol Thompson, Region 3 Team Coordinator |
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Hello Region 3 Members and Leaders!
Most of you are probably in the midst of a very busy summer. I know I am! What with balancing chorus life and personal life - getting ready for fall shows - fall and spring competition - AND family vacations - business and careers, etc. Whew! I got tired just writing that.
So let's talk about how we can continue to keep our chorus moving forward in a positive way! I recently read the follow article (borrowed from John Maxwell) regarding Momentum. I found many ways to apply it to my personal and chorus life and hope you will find the same value and insights.
A train travelling 55 mph on a railroad track can crash through a 5-foot thick steel-reinforced concrete wall without stopping. That same train, starting from a stationary position, won't be able to go through an inch-thick block in front of the driving wheel.
It is never the size of your problem that is the problem. It's a lack of momentum. Without momentum, even a tiny obstacle can prevent you from moving forward. With momentum, you'll navigate through problems and barely even notice them.
As a leader, your responsibility is to understand momentum, to get it moving for your organization, and to sustain it over time. Momentum can be tricky to comprehend, though, often appearing elusive and intangible. In this article, my goal is to give you handles so that you can better recognize how to generate momentum in your chorus. To help you grasp the concept of momentum, I'll outline ten momentum breakers alongside ten momentum makers.
Momentum Breakers and Makers
Momentum breaker - double-mindedness
Momentum maker - focus
By creating and following a clear and focused vision statement, a leader develops momentum. A leader drains away momentum by shooting at nothing or attempting everything. Movement causes friction. When you paint a target for your team, you'll likely encounter resistance. As a leader, you can't restrict yourself by living inside of someone else's comfort zone. Great accomplishments require leaders to fix their gaze beyond what's easily attainable.
Momentum breaker - the past
Momentum maker - the future
An organization picks up steam when its leaders point to a better tomorrow. Momentum breaks down when leaders preoccupy themselves with the past. Or, as I've heard quoted, "Losers yearn for the past and get stuck in it. Winners learn from the past and let go of it."
Many people have powerful dreams. However, most don't realize that the viability of their ideal tomorrow is based on what they do today. The difference between a dream and wishful thinking is what you're doing now. Practice today what you want to be tomorrow. If you do it well enough, someday you may arrive at your dream.
Momentum breaker - individualism
Momentum maker - teamwork
If you want to kill momentum, then insist on doing things by yourself. Momentum grows through team victories in which numerous people can claim to have played a role. The level of celebration on a team depends upon the level of participation.
Momentum breaker - critical attitude
Momentum maker - constructive attitude
Tennis great Chris Evert said it best, "The thing that separates good players from great ones is mental attitude. It might only make a difference of two or three points over an entire match, but how you play those key points often makes the difference between winning and losing."
Momentum breaker - tradition
Momentum maker - creativity
Don't tear down the fence until you understand why it was built. At the same time, relentlessly question the logic, "that's how we have always done it." What worked in the past may be outdated and could hold you back in the future.
Momentum breaker - apathy
Momentum maker - passion
Passion energizes your talent and rubs off on those around you. If you have courage, then you will influence people based on your passionate convictions. If you lack courage, then you will only influence people to the extent of your comfort zone.
Momentum breaker - dishonesty
Momentum maker - character
Character is the sum total of our everyday choices. It cannot be built overnight. A trustworthy leader has a much easier time generating momentum than a leader with a reputation of being manipulative and deceitful.
Momentum breaker - conformity
Momentum maker - change
As John F. Kennedy said, "Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth." Sticking with the status quo won't create an ounce of momentum. Although it's difficult and may demand sacrifice, change is required to build momentum.
Momentum breaker - ingratitude
Momentum maker - gratitude
As a Chinese proverb states, "Those who drink the water must remember those who dug the well." No one can claim to be self-made. Whatever accomplishments we attain in life have connections to the goodwill and support of those around us. When we express thankfulness for the benefits bestowed upon us by friends and colleagues, then those people are more apt to aid us again in the future.
Momentum breaker - indecision
Momentum maker - action
I am never overly impressed with idea people. Anyone who takes a long shower can come up with a good idea. I'm impressed with a person who has the tenacity and discipline to make ideas happen.
I've seen many leaders break the momentum on their team by succumbing to the paralysis of analysis. Leaders have to act with incomplete information. You can never know all of the variables. Momentum and risk go hand in hand. As a leader, if you always play it safe, then you'll never inspire excitement in those you lead.
Closing Assignment
I'll leave you with a simple assignment. Assess your personal momentum. Are you speeding through the obstacles in your life or struggling to surmount even the smallest problems? What is responsible for your momentum or lack thereof? Do you recognize any of the momentum makers or breakers in your personal leadership?
I am looking forward to seeing you all in a few weeks at our Aim Educational Weekend!
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| FUN WITH STANDING RULES
by Julie Kendrick, Past International President, Melodeers Chorus |
| Fun with standing rules? Now there's an oxymoron! The late Bev Sellers said, "I didn't join Sweet Adelines to say, 'I so move!'" And you and I didn't join our choruses to draft standing rules. Nevertheless, here we are.
First, let's clear up the difference between chapter bylaws and chapter standing rules. The Chapter Bylaws are the same for every chapter (with exceptions for overseas chapters and certain states) and can only be changed by the International Board of Directors. You can download a copy from the Sweet Adelines website.
Standing Rules are what make your chapter unique and address your chapter's way of doing business (as long as the standing rules are not in conflict with the Bylaws). The chapter may adopt, waive, rescind, or amend its own standing rules. So keep the Bylaws and Standing Rules as completely separate documents, so you know which ones you can change, and which ones you can't.
Take a look at your Standing Rules. Although each new member should receive a copy when she joins, probably not every member has a copy prominently displayed on her coffee table. (Yikes! I hope not.) The chapter leadership should be able to find a copy without much difficulty.
Two scenarios exist in our chapters: We make rules based on reasons that make sense. We follow those rules. Time passes, and things change. The original reasons for the generation of these rules may no longer exist, but because the rules are still in place, we continue to follow them. This is true outside our organization, too. An example is QWERTYUIOP. The placement of the typewriter keys was based on manual typewriters used predominantly by right-handed people. Care was taken to line up the keys so that the typing would appear evenly on the page. We no longer need to have the keyboard arranged this way on our computers since computers enter each letter without uneven print and without the keys jamming up. But keyboards still look pretty much the same as they did over 100 years ago.
The second scenario, which unfortunately is more common in our choruses: We make rules based on one or two episodes or the behavior of a "difficult" member. We only enforce those rules from time to time depending on the circumstances. The rules are not only annoying and unfair, but are virtually invalid due to the irregularity of their application.
Yeah, but I don't know nuthin' about writin' no standing rules!
Not to fret. Sweet Adelines International has a manual for everything, and chapter standing rules are no exception! You can download the Guidelines for Chapter Standing Rules at http://www.sweetadelinesintl.org/forms.cfm#bylaws. Go to Bylaws>Sample Standing Rules to download the Guidelines for Standing Rules.
Creativity begins with knowing the rules. This would seem yet another contradiction in terms until you consider that artists would have a difficult time if they didn't first learn that red and blue make purple, musicians would sound quite a few discordant notes if they didn't know how a sharp or flat changes a note, and choruses would have trouble scoring well in contest if they were unaware of the judging criteria. Your chorus will be far more creative with rules that serve them well and allow flexibility for your singers. I'd say, "Have fun with your Standing Rules," but I don't want to push it.
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50 YEARS OF WOMEN'S BARBERSHOP HARMONY IN BATTLE CREEK
by Debbie Phelps |
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You want excitement? We can give it to you! Currently celebrating 50 years as a chartered chorus of Sweet Adelines International, the Battle Creek Chorus has much to stretch their vocal cords about. Not only were they celebrated by Mayor Mark Behnke giving them a proclamation, making May 27 "Battle Creek Sweet Adelines Day", but they also had kudos to bestow on their much admired director, Julie Zehnder, celebrating her 30 years as Certified Director of Battle Creek Sweet Adelines.
Celebrating 50 years as a chorus in Battle Creek truly is a feat many organizations only dream of achieving. Battle Creek Sweet Adelines was started by Betty Wolfe and friends (mostly wives of male barbershopper singers) in 1957. They received their charter on May 27, 1959. Through the years the chorus size has grown larger and at times smaller, but the inner core has remained and under the direction of Julie Zehnder, the chorus has set goals and is using professional coaching to grow in their abilities.
 Barbershop music, four-part harmony sung acappella, is one of four true and original American forms of music. The three others are the American cowboy song, Jazz and Gospel. Singing barbershop is not an easy art form to keep alive in today's fast-paced society, which is more in line with electronic voices and loud booms jarring windows of vehicles sitting at stop lights. First of all, you need four voices (singing four distinct parts) that blend well and are trained to combine as if singing with one voice. But, men and women who sing barbershop have held their own and continue to do so with fresh and upbeat songs and routines of unique entertainment to enhance their vocal abilities that continue to grow year after year.
One positive aspect of being a Sweet Adeline is that with education, vocal ability can grow year after year. There are no boundaries within a person's own maximum level of achievement. One can advance to surprising levels of performance--it's their choice!
The chorus met May 18th at the Lux Cafe in Battle Creek, installing a new board of directors and officers and recognizing chorus members who have contributed significantly beyond chorus goals. This year's Liz Lapekas Sweet Adeline of the Year award was given to Marilyn Kidd. Marilyn's contributions to the chorus this year were proof that she is ready to assume the position of assistant director, someone who can also direct the chorus if needed. Marilyn loves teaching and she volunteered to help by consistently coming in for early rehearsal, first for her baritone section (she's section leader) and later, she's encouraged anyone in the chorus to come for extra help with competition music, and currently this year's show music. She teaches each section the key elements in achieving better quality of voice, music memorization and performance enhancement.
 Marilyn was also thrust into the job of being temporary director during coaching retreat this past March with professional coach Linda Liddicoatt. Director Julie Zehnder became ill with pneumonia and was ordered to bed rest for a significant amount of time this past winter and early spring. She was not able to attend the retreat. Marilyn's dedication was key in keeping the chorus focused and driven during this critical time close to competition and during this time of distress for its members. The Battle Creek Chorus is fortunate in that its members are like family and when one hurts the others hurt as well. The chorus steps up its game and brings home the goods. It is a finely tuned chorus that is tuned vocally and also mentally. Marilyn was also honored with the coveted Director's Award given by Director of the Chorus, Julie Zehnder.
Two others were given booster awards for work they have done throughout the year and those awards went to Kristi Oversmith and Sunday Hammer. Both women have done numerous jobs at a moment's notice and without fail. The chorus is lucky to have such dedicated members in their presence.
Lastly, the evening couldn't have gotten any better when Director Julie Zehnder recognized the entire chorus with special trophies for achieving 480 points in their Region 3 Competition held in Grand Rapids May 1st. The chorus went with a goal to achieve 20 points beyond last year's score. The goal was met; Director Zehnder wanted the chorus to know how proud she was of this achievement. Year after year, the chorus works hard to grow in many, many ways. Although contest is certainly not the most important thing this chorus does, it is the benchmark we follow to improve our musical, vocal, visual and performance abilities.
Performances for the evening were given by a newly formed quartet with members: Val Burton, Julie Zehnder, Nikki Barnett and Sunday Hammer; "Grin 'N Tonic" quartet with: Marybeth Humeston, Debbie Phelps, Marilyn Kidd and Minota Fox; and "Checkers" quartet with Val Burton, Peggy York, Betsy McInnis and Fran Britten.
Along with all the celebrations within the chorus at Installation, the Battle Creek Sweet Adelines honored the Melodeers for achieving their 5th win at International Competition at Region 3's Competition. These accolades to Melodeers were given in the best form possible, "flattery". Julie Zehnder, Director, made up a "parody" which the chorus sang to them for all their achievement. Battle Creek thus became "Melodoes" and dressed as "geeks" to bestow their praises to honor Melodeers.
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| CHORAL-AIRES
by Tiffany Self |
Preparation for Nashville
The Choral-Aires is honored and excited to represent the region at International competition. In preparation of the 2009 Sweet Adelines International competition in Nashville, the Choral-Aires Chorus invite you to attend our Preview Show at 3 p.m., Saturday, September 26. More information is coming, so keep an eye on our website for details.
Also preparing for Nashville, the Choral-Aires has scheduled several coaching sessions with Jim Arns and Sharon Babb, in June and July respectively. We will also fine-tune our International package on a retreat with Jim Arns and Renee Porzel September 18 and 19.
New Members and an Open Invitation
Choral-Aires is growing! Fifteen new members have joined us in the last several months, and we are thrilled to have them.
New members have come to us through our successful Guest Series. This fall's Guest Series, which culminates with our Christmas performances in December, begins Monday, November 16. For more information for this, and other items of interest, visit our website regularly.
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| GRAND RAPIDS presents "Harmony Gold" and CROSSROADS!
by Jeanne Martin |
The Grand Rapids Chorus will present "Harmony Gold', Sat. September 12, 2009. Our headliner will be the 2009 International Men's Gold Medalist CROSSROADS. How lucky are we to have this fabulous quartet on our stage! We will also have a local morning radio duo--Tommy & Brook from Star 105.7--to be our exclusive DJ's for the evening. It will, of course, feature the Grand Rapids Chorus with several chapter quartets. Also on our stage will be The Fountain Street Four, a very talented local group. And, 4 little girls, The Grand Rapids Angels, ranging in age from 7 to 11 singing 4-part harmony you simply won't want to miss!!! We have a show at 2:00pm and 7:30pm. And a fabulous Afterglow featuring lots of singing. Why not take a jaunt to Grand Rapids and enjoy a day of harmony featuring hits that became golden records. Please visit us at www.grsa.net for more information. We hope to see you all there!
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| GLS SHOW CHORUS (GREAT LAKE SOUND)
by Johanna Williams |
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GLS Show Chorus has been buzzing like a bee hive. Our Sing for the Summer program was quite successful. Eleven women graduated; of course, we had a graduation celebration for them. They joined us on stage at the Porter County Fair for our performance. The audition process is now underway.
We are refining the Sing program; the buzz is that we'll probably do a Sing for the Fall program. Our show/auction is scheduled for November 8 at the Old Town Banquet Center is Valparaiso. Once again, women who participate in the sing program will have the opportunity to perform with us on our show.
We're looking forward to AIM in October. It's in our backyard; our prospective members are being encouraged to join us in this excellent adventure in music.
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WOW! It's GREAT to be a MELODEER!
by Allison DeStefano |
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What an incredibly exciting year we've had as the 2009 Sweet Adelines International Champions! It's truly been our pleasure not only to represent the whole organization, but also our beloved Region 3. We are so excited for Nashville and here's just a taste of what we've been up to.
 NEW CD
Our new CD is currently available aptly titled, "Circle of Fifths." It's available via our web site (www.melodeers.org) and of course, it will be available at our booth #411 in Nashville. We hope you have as much fun listening to it as we did recording it.
NASHVILLE here we come!
We are also busy preparing our swan song performance and finishing up all the details for the class we'll teach in Nashville:
THE COMMON THREAD - IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC
The Melodeers have created a chorus culture that some might see as minimal - and it is! Jim and the Melodeers make every decision - including financial and administrative - based on how it will affect their musical product. They have as few rules and regulations as possible and always keep their focus on the music they create together. This approach allows them to maintain a simple and easily manageable chorus structure AND helps them to keep their attention on their music! The chorus will demonstrate how they maintain their accurate, clean unit sound, and share their methods for getting each member to have individual ownership of the character in every song. They will also demonstrate how to create a strong link between vocal production and emotional performing. Join them at the Education Class on Friday, October 23, 2009, from 9:00 - 10:30 am in the Grand Ballroom of the Renaissance Hotel to see how they do it! We can't wait to see you in Nashville! If you can't make it to Nashville, we certainly hope you'll tune into the webcast to see all the fabulous performances...including our swan song! The holiday season is just around the cornerYes, it's true! The holidays are already in the air at the Melodeer's rehearsals. Our holiday show will be on Saturday, December 12th at 2 p.m. at Stevenson High School. More details will be available on our web site. |
RIVER BEND
by Kristin Farwig |
| Here it is, August already. Summer vacation is nearly over for all the kids and it is time for them to head back to school. But for River Bend Chorus, the learning didn't take a break.
River Bend has spent the summer in learning mode. Getting ready for our annual show has meant learning a bunch of new "old" songs. That's right, we had to learn some oldies but goodies as we get ready to be "Feelin' Groovy: Trippin' Through the '60's". We hope many of you will be able to join us for this trip through time back to the 60's on Sunday, October 11th at 6pm. For more information, see our chorus website, www.riverbendchorus.org.
Besides getting ready for our show, we have had a blast performing. We sang the National Anthem at the South Bend Silver Hawks game and we sang for a 100th Birthday celebration for a local resident. Those were two of our interesting performances for the summer.
We also have been focusing on membership growth. We just wrapped up a guest night rehearsal and have 2 more planned for the very near future. Last year we added 6 new members and we would really like to match that again this year.
All in all, River Bend is busy, busy, busy and singing, singing, singing. We can't wait to see everyone at Dale and Peggy's Most Excellent Adventure in October and then again at our show, "Feelin' Groovy: Trippin' through the '60's". See you then.
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SPRING VALLEY
by Terri Calvert |
| It's a new beginning for the Spring Valley Chorus with Penny Hock as our new director. Penny is teaching us new songs and new skills as we look forward to growing our chorus and taking on new challenges. We also moved our rehearsal night to Wednesdays and moved to a fabulous new facility. The chorus is now rehearsing at Friendship Village, Bridgewater Place in Schaumburg, IL. Friendship Village is a Continuing Care Retirement Community dedicated to providing adults 62 and older with living options aimed at promoting good health and interesting, fulfilling lifestyles. The facility has many amenities including several meeting rooms and Assembly Hall available for rental by community groups like the Spring Valley Chorus. Overlooking a beautiful lake with swans, it's an inspiring environment in which to make beautiful music. The Brotherhood of Harmony (BHS) meets on Tuesday evenings at the same place and we were fortunate to work out a rental arrangement for use of the Brotherhood's risers. So we now have a firm foundation under our singing.
We are looking forward to our Christmas Show at Friendship Village on December 5 and hope that many of our regional Sweet Adelines friends will be able to join us either at 2:30 or 7:00 PM.
On June 12 the Spring Valley Chorus performed for the Palatine/Rolling Meadows/Inverness Relay for Life fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. It was an inspiring event and with two cancer survivors in our group it was especially meaningful. We were scheduled to sing the National Anthem for the Bandits woman's professional fast pitch softball team in Elgin on August 14th. Details were confirmed; we practiced, and arrived on time to sing only to be surprised to find that the Bandits had double-booked singers to kick off the game. Everyone, including the Bandit's staff, was surprised by this unusual situation. After a few minutes of negotiating, we agreed to let the young soloist sing the Star Spangled Banner while we chose to perform God Bless America in the middle of the third inning. Our novice assistant director ran us through several practices of God Bless America which we had not practiced or sung since the June12 performance. As true performers we rose to the challenge and gave an inspiring performance that brought the crowd to their feet. What a summer we are having! We can't wait to see what adventures lay ahead and invite any of our singing sisters from Region 3 to drop in any time to see what a small group of dedicated singers can accomplish. |
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