| Vol. 65, No. 15 |
"All the News that's Phit to Print" |
April 8, 2008 |
Editor's Note: This week's addition takes on a different look as I am on the road and do not have access to all my "fancy" publishing tools. -- David Melville
This Friday marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Barbershop Harmony Society in Tulsa, Okla., by Owen Cash and Rupert Hall.
It all stated on April 11, 1938 after Cash invited two dozen friends to a barbershop sing on the roof of hotel on that Sunday afternoon. The music stopped traffic and the wire services picked up the story. Cash was flooded with requests on how to start a barbershop quartet chapter and the society, which was known as the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, Inc., for most of its life, was on its way.
It may be noted that it was necessary to form an organization to preserve and encourage the a capella, four-part harmony because in the late 1930s Vaudeville and barbershop singing were fading away as the result of popular radio and stage shows that played more-modern styles of music.
The organization has grown from that start to become the world’s largest all-male singing organization, with 30,000 singers in more than 800 chapters in the United States and Canada, including the Greater Phoenix Chapter. Another 4,000 barbershoppers are members of affiliated organizations in Australia, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, Finland and Sweden. Cash and Hall would be astounded to see how much their organization has grown and how far the music has gone.
Chapter President Bob Sampson
Wow! It’s already April. The first quarter of 2008 is history. And for us it has been Golden History. Installation dinner, Valentines, Annual Show are all in the books. Now on to Division and then NASHVILLE (It really is Nashville, not Rio).
The Orpheum show was a super success thanks to the efforts of many among us. Each of you can be proud of jobs extremely well done. We entertained our fan base, showed Rex Allen Jr. that we can stage a First Class show and again we proved that we are the PREMIER SHOW CHORUS IN ARIZONA. We put together a first class afterglow -- attended by too few -- and Ron and Evelyn’s glimmer capped the weekend. If you did not sample Matt Garner’s handiwork, your loss.
There are just so many active groups that make the SPIRIT run. Our expanded music team has given us the best tools I have ever seen. Their tireless efforts are making a difference in our sound and our performance levels. Our new Board is creating an environment for growth. Kindred Spirits is always ready to provide support. Bill Kane is organizing the TAG GROUP for our emeritus and inactive riser members. So many sub- committees are actively pursuing our future.
I had the privilege to play audience last week as we worked on "NO ARMS" and "YESSIR." That was a thrill! The sound and the look were truly exciting, especially for two new songs. I was especially struck by the number of new faces all off-the-paper. The sheer number on the risers was impressive. Don’t let ‘em kid you -- SIZE DOES MATTER.
And did you see the reaction from Russ? When we make him excited, we are all excited.
And don’t forget Larry Wilson’s parting remarks: We need to start next week’s rehearsal at the level where we end this rehearsal. No Backtracking! That takes the commitment needed to make us the champions we can be. That spawns the motivation to be performance-ready every time we step on the risers.
I am honored to be part of THE SPIRIT.
Steve Keating has now completed Part 4 of the audition process. Other guests last week were Rod Brandt and Cameron Larson, both deeply involved in the audition process; Ken West, Don McGunagle, Dennis Robbins and Steve Winkleman, all returnees from our Guest Night; Jorge and Cathy Acevedo from El Paso. Jorge sings with the Border Chorders, past International Chorus Champs (1964), and previously sang with our own Terry Traylor in the Alexandria Harmonizers. It also was great to see Kris Kaehn back on the risers!
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Last week we ran an article titled "16 ways to build our chorus." It contained a lot of good tips on inviting guests and how to treat them once they show up. It was a lot of information delivered at one time, so we’re breaking it down to remind you of each individual tip. The chance is very good that if you practice them you’ll end up with at last one guest before the year is over. If he happens to join, he’ll probably be grateful to you for the rest of his life.
1. Nobody in the history of the world ever walked up to a stranger and said "Do you know any good groups I can sing with?"
(Subsequent tips explain why this is the case and will give you ideas on how to get around it. Or you can check last week’s "Upbeat" and review the whole list for yourself.)
We just received word that Ben Gregg’s wife, Margery, passed away yesterday. They had 60 great years together. Her services are next Sunday, with details to follow.
Bill Kane, who has been a member of a number of quartets in his career and is keenly interested in quartet development, has agreed to take over the Quartet Corner column. Thanks, Bill. -- The Editors
By Bill Kane
My request for quartet contacts to supply news for this column drew an amazing response. I heard from eight of our members. I bet you didn’t even know we had that many chapter quartets. I’ll fill you in on some that may be new to you as the weeks go by.
The hottest news is from Equinox, who is headlining a show this coming weekend.
Equinox will be the featured quartet at the 28th annual show of the Sun Lakes Chordaires Chorus (a women’s a capella group) on Saturday, April 12 at 4 and 7 p.m. The show is in the Cottonwood Country Club, San Tan Ballroom, which is south of Riggs Road on E.J. Robson Boulevard in Sun Lakes. Admission is $8 per ticket.
Among the numbers the chorus will perform are: "I Feel A Song Comin' On," "Another Op'nin’ Another Show," "On the Road Again," "Rock Around the Clock," "Swing Down Chariot," "Take Me to the Land of Jazz," "Ball' n the Jack" and "America the Beautiful."
Tickets can be purchased from any Chordaires Chorus member or at the door. For more information, call Lyn Munn at 480-895-3008.
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Sound Agreement’s activity report reminds us that they sang the National Anthem at the Jan. 9 Suns game with the Pacers, did eight Singing Valentines and had a much taller lead for our show (thanks Randy Harrison) while Corbin Beu was off leading the Phoenix Coyote sled hockey team to a second- place finish, while scoring the most goals).
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With Division Contest coming up in 10 more days, I’ll bet we’ll get a chance to hear some of the SIX quartets we have in the competition trying their stuff out on a Tuesday night. I’ll also bet they’d like to have you there and cheer for them at the contest Saturday afternoon, starting at noon, at Moon Valley High School Auditorium, 3625 West Cactus Road (We’ll be there that evening for the chorus contest, so why not come early?) Can do?
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Here’s news if you are thinking of forming a new quartet. At this year’s Summer Bash (Aug. 22/23) there will be the first-ever Division Novice Quartet Contest. You’ve got four months to get it together, so find three other guys and get a couple of songs worked up.
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Speaking of new quartets, our Director and Associate Directors are all now in quartets. Tune in next time to find out more details.
Sheryl McKinney, President
April 19th is Division Contest at Moon Valley School -- We again have been asked to do the Concession Stand. Please e-mail at csmckinney1@cox.net or call me at 602-620-1296, 480-947-7573 and let me know when you can work a 2 hr shift! We will need at least 4 people working at all times. Thank you in advance for volunteering so that I don’t have to call you!
I am looking for anyone that would be interested in joining our Make-Up team. Please contact me and let me know if you would be interested. Contact me at the above e-mail or phones.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR -- SAT. JUNE 7TH 11:00 TO? 2ND ANNUAL CHORUS PICNIC -- MCCORMICK RANCH RAILROAD PARK!
For a complete listing of events, visit the on-line calendar at www.spiritofphoenix.org
• Sunday, April 13, 1 – 5 p.m. — Extra Rehearsal
• Monday,
April 14, 6pm – Board Meeting
• Weekend, April 18-19 – Division Contest
(Phoenix)
• Monday, May 12, 6pm – Board Meeting
• Weekend, May 30-31
& June 1, 2008 — Chorus Retreat
• Saturday, June 7, 11 a.m. — Second
annual Chorus Picnic, McCormick Ranch Railroad Park in Scottsdale
• Monday,
June 9, 6pm – Board Meeting
• Saturday June 21, 10 a,m, – 5 p.m. — Extra
Rehearsal
• Sunday, June 22, 1 – 5 p.m. — Extra Rehearsal
• June 29-July
6 — International Convention in Nashville
• Monday, July 14, 6pm – Board
Meeting
• Monday, August 11, 6pm – Board Meeting
• Monday, September 8,
6pm – Board Meeting
• Oct, 9-12 — FWD Fall Convention, Bakersfield, CA
•
Monday, October 13, 6pm – Board Meeting
• Monday, November 10, 6pm – Board
Meeting
• Monday, December 8, 6pm – Board Meeting
Extra rehearsals at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran (Burns
Hall) unless otherwise noted.
Board Meetings at State Farm Office, 19th and
Northern avenues, unless otherwise noted.
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