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November 2007 |
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This newsletter is intended to inform, encourage and inspire you on your journey towards chartering as a Sweet Adelines chorus. We hope you enjoy this issue. Please send your stories, letters, articles and photographs for the next issue to ann-marie@sweetadelineintl.org. Best wishes and happy reading! Communications
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The Prospective Belles of Berkeley Chorus has been busy this year working hard to increase membership. Our year began on a sad note when we lost Ginger Toucher, our team leader and one of our most beloved members. The chorus bid her farewell on April 14 by attending a memorial service held in her honor. With much sadness we sang In The Garden and How We Sang Today. Prospective Emerald City Chorus The Prospective Emerald City Chorus has only a few details to complete prior to becoming a fully chartered chapter of Region 7. By the end of 2007 we sh Rachel Klein, communications coordinator Prospective Heart of Columbia Chorus
Then Peggy James, Region 14 marketing director and director of Greenville in Harmony, gave a brief history on Sweet Adelines. Tina Kneisler, director (former director of Baton Rouge and New Orleans Region 10), led the group in voice placements, singing, and ringing of their very first chords together. FINDERS KEEPERS Quartet came from Charlotte, N.C., to entertain, and entertain they did. They received a standing ovation and the ladies present could not get enough of that barbershop sound. Everyone had a wonderful fun filled musical evening. Frances took on the task of starting this new chorus in May 2007 at the encouragement of a coworker, Mark “The Spark” Cary, who is a member of The Barbershop Harmony Society. Quickly she learned that Region 14 was behind her and that with the help and support of a wonderful mentor, Peggy James, a new chorus could certainly be formed in Columbia. Phyllis Quast, membership chair of Region 14, was always available to lend an ear and share encouragement. One thing led to another and the talent needed to support this effort surfaced. A true team effort was made in preparing all the details of organizing, passing out flyers, sending news releases, baking cookies, ordering music, sending e-mails, radio announcements, television appearances, and generally spreading the word that there is a new chorus in town. We'd like to send a big thank you to Yasemine Kor, Beverlee King, Pennie Burke, Mark Cary, Rick Sirmons, Valerie Morris, Tina Kneisler, Virginia King and all others who assisted in getting our chorus where we are today. Frances Kuhlbars, team coordinator Prospective Panther City Chorus
Just like any other chorus, we need to raise money. We have already had a successful garage sale, and on Nov. 17, 2007, we are participating in the Arlington Heights Methodist Church Craft Show and Sale. We spent Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007, at chorus member Kathleen Frederick’s house, creating cards and stocking stuffers to sell and we will also be raffling five gift baskets. Prospective Panther City now has an official logo, designed by chorus member Ruth Gerik’s son-in-law, Chad Evans. We love the logo and look forward to the day when we can remove “Prospective” from both the logo and our name. Ruth Gerik, chorus member Prospective Voices Northwest Chorus Prospective Voices Northwest Chorus is having a great time here in Snohomish, Wash. There is truly something special about being involved with a brand new chorus. The excitement, the energy, and introducing women who are new to Sweet Adelines to this marvelous art form - what could be better? This summer we got our feet wet giving our first performances at two local festivals. Although I may not be a veteran Sweet Adeline, I join with others in the chorus who are very pleased and proud of our new members for singing their hearts out and knocking our socks off! We are constantly amazed by the new talent with which we have been blessed. We were delighted to discover at our second performance a Sweet Adeline who had just moved from Ohio and was looking for a new chorus. She has been attending ever since. We are also delighted to have 12-year-old Emily visiting this summer with her mother Kim. Another one of our new visitors found out about us through Curves. This brings us to 25 official members so far, with three in the pipeline. To top it all off this past month we took the prize for highest percentage of attendees at our regional Summer Enrichment Training (SET). We were shocked considering we are only a prospective chorus. SET was also an incredible experience. Even those of us who have been around for awhile learned intriguing lessons to bring home to the rest of our chorus. It was a wonderful opportunity to develop the bonds of friendship which continue to grow in Prospective Voices Northwest Chorus. Linda Meyer, chorus member Prospective Spirit of the Coast Harmony Chorus Things are moving fairly quickly for the Spirit right now, and due to the efforts of our management team and cooperation from our members we are working towards completing step two in the chartering process. We are hoping to get our final musical evaluation and administration visit completed by our holiday break and quickly charter thereafter. Who would have thought we could get so excited about incorporating and having our own ABN number? We had a very successful new members program that lasted six weeks through August and part of September. We ran a small advertisement in the local paper and distributed flyers and handbills throughout the community. Our first night after the campaign started resulted in 22 people attending. Twelve ladies regularly attended the six week program and six women actually joined. What was notable and maybe something other choruses should keep in mind is that, of the ladies who dropped out, four stated they currently had too many other commitments, but they would like to return to sing with us one day. Our ranks now stand at 37.
No rest for the dedicated. We are just about to embark on our five week holiday program where we will ask women to sing four-part harmony Christmas carols. As most people know the words to a variety of Christmas carols it allows them to try out the various sections of the chorus in a fun-filled environment. We are also very excited about our up-coming weekend of coaching with Virginia Humphrey-Taylor from New Zealand. Nothing is so contagious. Virginia and her successful chorus set a high benchmark for us to aspire to. We trust our other prospective sisters are traveling well; we are thinking of you all and send our best wishes on your journey to being chartered. We hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season. May 2008 be kind to you all. Mavis Whitehead, publicity officer International Convention and Competition Harmonize on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu, home to Honolulu, Pearl Harbor, Waikiki, the North Shore and Diamond Head. Oahu is a breathtaking blend of stunning natural beauty combined with the comforts, amenities, and activities of contemporary life. Whether relaxing on legendary Waikiki, watching a traditional hula, visiting an ancient Hawaiian temple, hiking through the rich rainforests of Waimea Valley, or watching the brilliant pastels of dusk fade off Sunset Beach, spectacular sights are found at every turn. Paradise awaits, Sweet Adelines International. Competition Location: Prices: Member Registration: Register now - there are a limited number of good seats and they are selling fast! To register online for the 2008 convention in Honolulu go to www.sweetadelineintl.org/hawaii.cfm and Download the Registration form here. Showcase 2008 - FINAL Show! VIP Showcase tickets are $75 each. Preferred Showcase tickets are $35 each. Reserved Showcase tickets are $25 each. Featuring: SALT, 2007 International Champion Quartet Combined Japanese Chorus Polynesian Entertainment Don't miss this elaborate production that showcases the grand power as well as the delicate grace found only in the islands of the South Pacific. International Education Symposium It's the Final IES! Experience top educator Dr. Jim Henry, the bass of 1993 Barbershop Harmony Society International Champion Gas House Gang. Dr. Henry is also the acclaimed director of the 160-member Ambassadors of Harmony Chorus and holds degrees in vocal music education, music theory and music composition, including a Ph.D. from Washington University. He travels the world as a guest conductor, coach, and lecturer. Excitement abounds when it's kicked up a level never seen before! *From Start to Finish features performances by 1999 International Champion Quartet, RUMORS. Publicity/Membership Resources Web Page Promoting what you love is easy, but we've made it almost effortless for you by providing the marketing materials and resources you can utilize for your publicity efforts. You will find the following downloadable tools and much more to help promote your chapter: Sweet Adelines on MySpace Check out the Sweet Adelines MySpace page at: www.myspace.com/sweetadelines. This page is a resource tool and intended to be informational for women interested in singing. We hope to make many new friends and inspire many new people to try barbershop. Be sure to spread the word and let your friends know to check us out. For
contact details for all prospective choruses, go to: http://www.sweetadelineintl.org/ProspChorusContacts.pdf. |
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ould complete this process.
Since our regional audition in August, we have had several public performances and are preparing for the holiday season with three big shows called Holiday Harmony.
Sept. 20 was an awesome night for the Prospective Heart of Columbia Chorus. Forty-four ladies from around the area came out in force to learn about Sweet Adelines. The night began with Founder Frances Kuhlbars, welcoming the group. Nine years ago Frances and her daughter, Emily left Potomac Harmony Chorus to follow army husband and dad to Germany but they never forgot the joy of being a Sweet Adeline. “This is what dreams are made of,” said Frances.
Oct. 28, 2007, the chorus sang at a local event beside the waterfront, known as the Putt Putt Regatta. It draws an annual crowd of approximately 1,000 to 2,000 people. Not only did we perform that day, we also ran a successful cake stall and raised almost $500 for the chorus coffers. Our grants officer was also successful in gaining a community grant for our chorus. She dared to ask the mayor presenting the check if he crooned in his car, to which he replied “not very well” – but did admit to singing in the shower!