eZine Contents
Greetings
Your Letters
Features
International Sales
Events
Notes of Interest
Queens' College
Song of Welcome


 Events

International Convention and Competition
Nov. 4-8, 2008
Register now - there are a limited number of prime seats left 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.

Competition Location:
Stan Sheriff Center
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, Hawaii

Harmony Bazaar and international riser rehearsals will be located in the Hawaii Convention Center.

Showcase 2008 - FINAL Show!
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008
8:00 - 10:30 p.m.
Stan Sheriff Center
University of Hawaii at Manoa

Featuring: 2008 International Champion Chorus Harborlites and 2007 International Champion Quartet SALT.

Combined Japanese Chorus
Sweet Adelines International singers in choruses throughout Japan are combining for a special Showcase performance.

Polynesian Entertainment
This production features a spectacular blend of the finest song and dance from each Polynesian island group. The dramatic war dances of Fiji, the mesmerizing Otea of Tahiti and the graceful hula dancers of Hawaii are but a few of the exceptional highlights.

Don't miss this elaborate production showcasing the grand power as well as the delicate grace found only in the islands of the South Pacific.

For more information on Showcase and how to purchase tickets visit http://www.sweetadelineintl.org/hawaii.cfm

Coronet Club Show
Friday, Nov. 7, 2008
8:00 - 10:30 p.m.
Stan Sheriff Center at University of Hawaii at Manoa

To order tickets visit www.coronetclub.org



International Education Symposium
July 16-19, 2008
Trinity University
San Antonio, Texas

It's the Final IES!
Register Now!
Visit the 2008 IES Web page at http://www.
sweetadelineintl.org/ies-2008.cfm to register online, download the 2008 IES syllabus and download the registration, housing and class-selection forms. More details on IES 2008 and how to register are available on this Web page as well.

Kick it up a notch with more than 200 educational classes taught by an awe-inspiring faculty.

New This Year
Each class description will include the name of the faculty member teaching the class! Sign up early to get your first choice of classes. More than 100 new classes are being offered at IES 2008.

Specialized learning tracks will be available for:

  • Aspiring Judges
  • Assistant Directors: including new second-year classes for those who have previously attended the Assistant Director Workshop at IES.
  • Choreographers/Visual Leaders
  • Coaches
  • Directors: including an extra day of training funded by the international organization for all front-line, contracted directors who register
  • Director Certification Program members
  • Music Educators
  • Novice Directors: including an extra day of training funded by the international organization for all front-line, contracted directors who register and who have directed fewer than three years
  • Regional Education Coordinators
  • Registered Quartets
  • Section Leaders/Musical Leaders
  • Vocal Production
  • Young Women in Harmony
  • All Elective: write your own education plan by choosing each of your classes from an extensive list of offerings.

Excitement abounds when it's kicked up to a level never seen before!

Save The Date
2009 Directors' Seminar & Judge Training, Side By Side
July 22-26, 2009
Marriott Renaissance Center
Detroit, Mich.
This newly developed seminar for 2009 will bring directors and judges together Side by Side to learn, share, laugh and sing. Details on the seminar's events and curriculum will be announced at a later date.


Notes of Interest

Correction
The January 2008 issue of The Pitch Pipe (Page 24) incorrectly published a close-up photo of Toast of Tampa Show Chorus in two locations. Due to the error we regretfully omitted a close-up photo of Greater Nassau Chorus. A correction will be published in the April 2008 issue of the magazine. Click here for a corrected PDF version of that page.

Sorry We're Late
Due to a damaging ice storm which hit Oklahoma in December, the January 2008 issue of The Pitch Pipe was mailed to our members at the end of January. Beginning in July 2008 the magazine will be published digitally (in addition to the regularly published print version mailed to all members), thus delivery will be as timely as the issue date. Thank you for your patience.

Quartet Registration Fee Increase
Please note that effective May 1, 2008, the quartet registration fee for new and renewing quartets will increase to $80 USD.

Newsletters Available Online
Sweet Adelines International issues a variety of newsletters throughout the year that are targeted toward distinct audiences. These newsletters are specifically geared toward chapter leaders, regional leaders, directors, prospective choruses, music educators and Young Women in Harmony choruses, but they are all available for everyone to review on the Sweet Adelines International Web site. To find the listing of and links to the many newsletters published by Sweet Adelines International go to http://www.sweetadelineintl.org/
newsletter.cfm or find them below:

Standard Form Chapter Bylaws Revised
Revised Standard Form Chapter Bylaws, dated March 2007, are posted on the Sweet Adelines International Web site. The International Board of Directors agreed to combine the positions of Corresponding Secretary and Recording Secretary into a single position entitled Secretary. According to the International Bylaws and Rules Specialist, Rita Hull, this addresses concerns expressed by some chapters about recruiting members interested in filling the five positions required in earlier versions. The revisions appear in Article VI Officers, Section 1. Membership A. and Section 3. Duties C., D., and E.

XM Satellite Radio Discount
Since 2003, XM Satellite Radio (http:///www.xmradio.com) has featured great barbershop sounds on "Harmony Square," a one-hour show that airs at 8:00 p.m. (EST) each Sunday evening, and repeats at midnight (9:00 p.m. PST). Tune in to XM Channel 4, Savoy Express: the 1940s Channel to hear barbershop harmony.

XM Satellite Radio is offering Sweet Adelines International members discounts at http://friends.xmradio.com. At this log in screen enter the following email address, MarySue.Twohy@xmradio.com, and then click Log In.  You will enter a deeply discounted XM Satellite Radio shop page!

AOL users can listen to XM Satellite Radio for free. Under AOL Radio, look for the XM Channels and choose XM 1940s. XM Satellite Radio broadcasts across the United States and Canada to 8.2 million subscribers.

If your quartet or chorus would like a world-wide audience on XM, send your compact disc to:
Mary Sue Twohy
Producer and Host of Harmony Square
XM Radio
1500 Eckington Place, N. E.
Washington, D. C. 20002 USA


Queens' College 2008

Registration is Now Open
Queens’ College is a weekend packed with classes, performances, quartet coaching, laughter, examining crowns and meeting new friends – all wrapped up with a song selected especially for participants of the schools. Attendees learn skills from International Champions in classes designed and taught by members of the Coronet Club. Faculty members share tips on music selection and part-smart singing using the song selected for the schools. Click here for more information and to register online.


Song of Welcome

We wish to welcome three new choruses:

Pride of the Pacific
Region 12
Pleasanton, Calif.
Charter Date: January 8, 2008

Voices Northwest
Region 13
Snohomish, Wash.
Charter Date: January 8, 2008

Delaware Valley Show!
Region 19
Philadelphia, Pa.
Charter Date: January 22, 2008

Greetings

Dear Singer,

Welcome to the February Sing eZine, your monthly newsletter by e-mail. We hope you are off to a great start in the New Year. This month you'll enjoy reading updates for this year's IES and International Convention, new member stories, achievements made by the Young Singers Foundation and more. Thank you for your contributions to the Sing eZine and please continue to write to us at: commdept@sweetadelineintl.org.

Have a great month!

The Communications Department
Kelly, Joey, Ann-Marie and Christine


Your Letters

Channelaire Chorus Harmonizes the World
It was a trip of a lifetime that soared beyond our expectations. The tours. The food. The architecture. The toilets! All fantastic memories that live on in the 5,000 plus photos taken by the 117 people traveling to Japan with Channelaire Chorus.

The absolute highlight of our nine-day adventure, spearheaded by Channelaire Co-Director Judy Ashmore, was sharing the stage with four Japanese choruses. These lovely ladies welcomed us with signs and banners. They prepared beautiful origami gifts for us. And when we walked into the auditorium for the very first time to rehearse, the applause and cheers made us feel like newly crowned Queens of Harmony being welcomed into the auditorium at International Convention just before the start of the Coronet Club Show. Our goose bumps had goose bumps.

Here is a video of the Tokyo Chorus singing their final song, "New York, New York." Watch for the gal who appears at the end, dressed as the Statue of Liberty. It's priceless! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HajT8vOQpI

After the show in Tokyo, Channelaire traveled by Bullet Train to the Heian Shinto Shrine in Kyoto where we were purified by the priests before we performed in the square of the shrine for visitors from all over the world. We made the local TV news and papers!

Since our trip, we have remained in contact with several Japanese Sweet Adelines and look forward to spending time with them when they arrive in Hawaii to sing on this year’s Showcase!

Debbie Curtis, Communications Coordinator
Channelaire Chorus
Region 11



A New Excitement For Life
All I can say is, wow, my life has changed in such a wonderful new direction. When I first heard the Channelaire Chorus singing at a farmers market one morning, I thought it was a recording. I chased the sound and was very surprised when I found a group of the loveliest sounding, enthusiastic, and beautiful women I’ve ever had the pleasure of hearing. 

I asked one of the women in the chorus where I could hear them again, and was I surprised when she asked if I would like to join them Tuesday evening at rehearsal! That was three months ago, and I am now proud to say that I am a full-fledged member of the Channelaire Chorus! The day I was accepted into the chorus was my 50th birthday. The whole chorus came down off the risers, surrounded me with clasped hands and sang the most beautiful birthday song I’ve ever heard. Truly the most special birthday I’ve ever had! I’ve found a group of instant friends with a certain sparkle and zest for life that’s very hard to find today.

Each day as I go about my same routine, I now have a sweet secret musical rumble that plays through my ears and with it the excitement of knowing that every Tuesday night is mine to shine. One voice is nice but a hundred Channelaires is magnificent!

Thank you for the opportunity to express my new excitement for life.

Kerry Mellin
Channelaire Chorus
Region 11



There’s No Place Like Home
My grandmother passed down her talents for music to me, but I didn’t realize it until I was six years old when I went to see Disney's The Little Mermaid. After seeing it in the movie theater, I went home that afternoon and sang to my reflection in my bathroom mirror. Since then I haven’t stopped singing.

I am 24 and I love to sing now even more than I did back then. I was in chorus all through school, from elementary all the way into high school. After I graduated high school in 2001, I found that I no longer had that congregation of kindred spirits that I had every day in rehearsal, that gathering of people who all loved what I loved. I missed it. So when I finally decided earlier this year that I'd had enough of settling for karaoke in dark, smoky bars, I searched the Internet and found a familiar name, Sweet Adelines. When I found out it was a women's barbershop group, I jumped at the chance, and within two weeks of my first visit, I had passed my audition.

Singing with my local chapter, the South Florida Jubilee, is like coming home. I love the music we sing, the sounds we make when we really hit a great chord, the events, everything. Most of all, I love being part of a musical family again. No matter how far life takes me, I'm never going to be without a great chorus again.

Jessica Acevedo
South Florida Jubilee Chorus
Region 9


Features

Sing Your Heart Out!
February is American Heart month and although we are celebrating Cupid’s holiday by sending sweet Valentines to those we love, it is also a time to examine our heart health. Singing is a tender way to express our emotions during this month of love but not so many of us know that singing can also strengthen the heart. Heart disease is still a leading cause of death throughout the world and if we would like our hearts to keep beating, then let them beat to the sound of our own voices.

Studies have shown that there are many health benefits associated with singing, including a lower heart rate, decreased blood pressure, and improved circulation, which all have beneficial effects on the heart. Most people wouldn’t consider singing to reap physical benefits because it is not recognized as an aerobic activity. As we are singing, even while sitting down, we are increasing oxygenation in the blood stream and exercising major muscle groups in the upper body (including the heart), which is exactly what we expect from a physical aerobic workout.

Angie Mack, from Lawton Harmony Chorus in Region 25, had open heart surgery at age 51 and every year for the past ten years when she returns for her annual check-up, her cardiologist tells her, "keep on singing." Angie feels that singing has helped improve her breathing and overall health. "At first, I didn't think I would be able to sing at all," she said. "My throat hurt from the tubes, my chest hurt from being opened up like a tuna can, and I was scared to death! Here it is ten years later and I am still singing and directing a great little chorus!" For those that are skeptical about how singing can keep the heart pumping, you will find all the proof needed just by talking to Sweet Adelines.

Clearly, singing barbershop is a great way to get the heart in shape and have tons of fun while doing it. Remember during the Valentine’s season that when you are singing to touch the hearts of others, you are strengthening your own. So sing your heart out this month and urge others to join you as we harmonize to heal hearts around the world!  

Young Singers Foundation
The Colorado Springs Children's Chorale was most grateful to receive a $3,500 (USD) grant from the Young Singers Foundation. The grant was used to support the Adopt-A-School program, the Tuition Assistance program, and the Eastern Plains Youth Choir in the Colorado Springs community in 2006 and 2007. The chorale is an excellent example of young people contributing to the quality of life in their community. With every performance, these children make a positive impact on the world around them. At the same time, the chorale experience offers children a safe place in which to learn and grow. 

The benefits of these programs, as well as the overall chorale experience go far deeper than exposure to choral music and financial assistance. It is evident that the most valuable long-term impact comes from each individual participant in the Children's Chorale. Music brings people together, music reaches out to people in need and performing music at a high level requires discipline and commitment. By observing the young singers in training and apprentice choirs as they are mentored by older children in the chorale we can see these values being acheived. The young singers are encouraged and inspired by the Children's Chorale's continuum of musical excellence and expectation of personal discipline. The older children are given opportunities for leadership and responsibility, as well as the unexpected joys of realizing that they are role models.

The members and organizers of the Colorado Springs Children's Chorale are deeply appreciative of the Young Singers Foundation's continued support.   

Marcia Hendricks
Executive Director
Colorado Springs Children's Chorale 

Share Your Experience
If you, or someone you know, have experience in the field of music therapy, the Young Singers Foundation would like to enlist your assistance in making decisions about scholarship and grant awards to students and professionals in that field. Please contact Julie Kendrick, chair of the Young Singers Foundation Management Committee at
juliekendrick@comcast.net. 

You can help talented young people obtain a quality music education! Please visit http://www.youngsingersfoundation.org


International Sales

International Competition Performances Now Available
Don't miss your chance to view the top ten chorus and quartet performances from the 2007 Calgary convention. Order your copies now from International Sales.
DVDs: $35 USD
CDs: $15 USD
(plus shipping and handling)


Mass Sing Songbook CD Revised
The revision of the Mass Sing Songbook CD is now available for purchase. This CD is available by voice part for $10 USD each. Songbooks and CDs are sold separately.


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Telephone: 918.622.1444 - 800.992.SING (7464)
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Visit the Young Singers Foundation Web site
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