The time flies by and it's newsletter time again. To all of you who didn't get to Denver, what a show you missed. You can still catch some of the performances on youtube.com and I strongly urge you to see them.
There were several performances that gave the judges a hard time about their judging, by asking "what do you really want"? But it didn't seem to hurt them any as Max Q won the gold after placing 2nd their last three outings, and Stormfront placed third. Other quartets had great comedy routines in addition to singing very well and there were many songs I had never heard before.
The choruses ranged in size from 23 men (New Zealand, who came in 11th) to 158 (St. Charles, MO). The winners, Westminster, CA had 63 and only the director was over the age of 30. We could sure use some of those young guys. What a thrill it would be to sing with a group like that.
The chorus performances, in many cases, were spectacular and really entertained the 9000+ fans in the audience. Some people thought that they weren't necessary and took way too much time for set up and tear down between choruses, and they did. But they were still entertaining and scored very well in the presentation category.
It was fun wandering through the crowd at the Pepsi Center and seeing guys from around the country that I had met in years past, and singing tags in the headquarters hotel with others that I'd never met before. You can have so much fun at the International, or even the district contests, if you just let yourself do it. I don't know when I'll get to another one, but I hope it's soon.
Time to look ahead. How many of you can still do all the songs on our spring show? Remember, we have a show to do in Custer for the state Rotary Club convention. We'll be working on those songs along with Harmony Happening songs at each practice and soon we'll be adding new songs for our next spring show. And of course, we'll be dusting off the Christmas music for our Newcastle show and other Christmas appearances.
PLEASE, rededicate yourselves to our rehearsals to be ready for upcoming performances. Buffalo Chip is next, Monday, August 6th.
A lesson we could all learn from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism. Or the weatherman, for that matter.
At the Board of Directors meeting, held July 11, because most of us were at International in Denver on our regularly scheduled date, the first portion of the meeting was spent sharing thoughts and observations of Denver.
After we got down to business and approved the minutes and accepted the Treasurer's report, President Pete Anderson reported on several old business items. Rick Spencer is excited about coming for Harmony Happening. Our Newcastle Concert is locked to December 9. There is no luck so far in finding a clinician for our chorus retreat on July 28 in conjunction with the picnic. Both Darrin Drown of Sound of the Rockies, and Chris Vaughn, Lead from GOTCHA!, and the Director of the Longmont Chorus, have prior commitments. Only paid members of the Chorus will be allowed to purchase the new shirts.
Considerable discussion was then held on whether to compete in the Fall RMD Convention in Albuquerque. Thus far, the lack of adequate commitment from chorus members, particularly in the Lead and Baritone sections, does not bode well for us to be able to make an acceptable showing. The possibility of forming an auditioned small chorus or VLQ for both Spring Contest and Albuquerque is a real player.
The plaque is ready for presentation to the Millstone Restaurant. Finding an appropriate time is next on the agenda. We'd like to have as many of the chorus participate in the ceremony as possible. The owner of this business has been an incredible supporter of our group for many years.
The next board meeting will be at 7:30 pm, August 7, at Agents of Insurance Offices, unless changed to accommodate performances at the Rally in Sturgis. All chapter members are always welcome to participate in the operation of this great group.
Lee Ytreeide is very familiar to most of us. He has been singing with us for quite a while, but has now become "one of us". He is now a full-fledged member of the Society and the Mt. Rushmore Chapter.
He brings with him a wealth of musical knowledge, having taught music in the public schools, as well as being a member of several vocal ensembles through the years. This is his first experience, however, in being a member of the Society and a barbershop chapter and chorus.
Lee originally hailed from Bismarck, ND. He has lived his entire life (so far) in the five-state region, namely North Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska and, of course, South Dakota.
When not working, Lee can be seen driving around in his Nissan "Z". You'll recognize the license plate when you see it - "LAYZ".
What would he most like to do with his time? In true barbershop style, Lee "would rather sing than most anything else". Take time to get to know this wonderful addition to the chapter and lead section.
What does it take to remain one of the best choruses, and most fun activities in our week? Many of us have different answers of what it takes for each of us. For some it is singing the familiar songs that we think we remember. For others it is the challenge of learning new music in a short period of time. Still others are challenged by preparing for competition or annual show.
We have been learning three new songs for Harmony Happening, which takes place this month. Also, we have been learning a new (to us) arrangement of Battle Hymn for use at the Buffalo Chip Campground.
We are trying to keep up on our performance package for upcoming performances also. All of this takes time and effort from everyone.
To be the very best we can be for each performance, the music team and chorus director are requesting that each member take "personal responsibility" for learning your part. That means learning the music at home and coming prepared to fine tune it at the chorus rehearsals.
All it would take is as little as ten to fifteen minutes a day, working on one song per day, making sure that you know all the words, notes, interpretation and visual package. Use a tape recorder or MP3 recorder, the bathroom mirror, etc. to help check yourself. Bring the recording device to rehearsal, tape yourself, listen to it on your own, and work on weak parts to make the corrections you need.
All of this is what the top chorus performers do. We are looking forward to awesome performances every time we are before an audience. However, it does take some work on our own to make it happen. We have many tools to help. You can add to that tool box.
Remember - "Singing is Good Fun: When We Get Good, We Have Fun!" Let's make it fun for all of us.
At the 2007 International Convention of the Barbershop Harmony Society, held in Denver, CO, a high honor was bestowed on this newsletter (the pdf version, not this stripped down web version). In the meeting of PROBE (Public Relations Officers and Bulletin Editors), this humble editor was honored to be given the plaque signifying this newsletter as second place in the International On-Line Bulletin Contest.
It is indeed an honor to receive such recognition, even though this newsletter isn't produced to gain honors or win contests. It is for the sole purpose of informing you, the members of the Mt. Rushmore Chapter of all the things that help you become a better member and singer in this great hobby of ours.
We'll continue to put out all the news that's fit to print. Hopefully it will also continue to inform in an entertaining way. Thanks for letting me do this for you.
Following is another installment of highlights from times past.
April '73 - Shrine of Democracy Chorus, directed by Al Pitts, competed in Denver. This was the first contest for this barbershopper. Hopes of coming in first were expressed by many chorus members. We finished 5th. Some members voiced strong disagreement with the judging procedures. We were new to all this. Mt. Rushmore competed in Central States District back then. Spring Contest was staged to allow choruses not in the top ten from the previous year to qualify for the fall contest. The top ten from last year were already qualified.
May '73 - A Western show. Songs such as Colorado Trail, Lone Prairie and that great old favorite Daddy Sang Bass were performed.
Nov. '74 - Auditions for Admissions, better known as Guest Night, brought in 29 guests, the majority of whom joined the chapter. Transfers into Ellsworth made up a significant portion of our membership. Some of the men who contributed to this chapter were: Duane Congleton, Neil Bys and Phil Middleton. Phil, who is now a member of the (Albuquerque) New Mexichords still manages to field a quartet for spring prelims, fall contest or both. Ken Jump from Sioux Falls who became a star with "Dakota Territory" joined at this time. Ken along with Al Pitts, Dick Wade and Norm Stahl became an outstanding quartet.
Fall Contest '74 - War stories about this incredible event still pop up from time-to-time. Our all-time super hospitality room at this convention has never been equaled. The entire St. Louis trip was beyond "great" with the flight to St. Louis, the visit to the Arch and definitely the spirit of the entire group. This trip had camaraderie written all over it. The 11th place finish was disappointing because the first ten choruses automatically qualified for next year's contest. We were two points out of tenth place which meant go back to spring prelims and re-qualify. We decided to sit out the next year. The St. Joe Pony Expressmen were the chorus to beat in those days. Denver finished 9th, only six points ahead of us.
The Mt. Rushmore Chapter and the Shrine of Democracy Chorus shall promote, encourage and perpetuate barbershop-style singing in both chorus and quartets. We will recruit and welcome interested and motivated men who like to sing four-part a cappella harmony. We shall continually strive to improve our singing and performance skills, through the use of proper resources and opportunities. An attitude of fun, fellowship and teamwork will always guide our activities.
Do you hear yourself breathing in? Worse yet, do others hear that "whoosh" of air being taken in?
If that's the case, then you have forgotten to let the bottom drop out and bring in the air naturally. Instead, you have tried to force air in. When you do that, you don't get enough air, and are using the wrong muscles.
Try breathing all the air out, then relax. You will naturally bring in a full tank of air. Let your body work for you!
Many times we hear the same questions and concerns about stage presence/choreography. Many of these were heard at the International Convention in Denver. Often the same concerns are heard in any local chapter and chorus. And, I will admit that many times the stage presence/choreography leaves me wondering what it's all about.
I am including some thoughts and ideas from two of the best stage presence gurus in the barbershop world. Both have taught at Directors College, and have worked with the top performing groups in the world, not just barbershop.
Cindy Hansen
If we are a singing organization, why do we have to do choreography?
At one time or another, we've ALL heard that question, and the answer can be as varied as those who hear it asked. However, if we were to pose this question to each of the top 10 choruses from (any convention), their answers would be amazingly similar, hovering around one concept: posture and movement can and will enhance the members' singing.
Stage presence begins with the warm-ups in rehearsal, and increases through the actual performance.
Erin Howden
We need to let children be our mentors. They do everything with passion and soul, and no matter how good our "plan" is, it is nothing if there is no soul behind it.
Singing with no body movement, or when the body is stiff, translates to your voice. This discomfort by the performer, then, transfers to the audience. DON'T EXPECT THE AUDIENCE TO BE MOVED IF YOU ARE NOT!
Choreography is NOT dancing, it's drama! GO BIG OR GO HOME!!! Don't wait for the audience to respond before you start selling. Make them respond. (You have to do this in rehearsal, too.)
Energy is what elevates us. We have to love what we're doing or the energy is not going to happen.
Bringing it home
Would you like to know more about the thought processes that go into our visual packages? Are you interested in helping develop and teach stage presence? Contact John Elving if you would like to have a chance at being on the Visual Design Team and learning all that goes into, and being a part of, what we do to thrill our audiences.
Life is:
When John asked me to write of my impressions and experiences of International, my first thought was, "How can I get everything in I'd like to share?" For that reason alone, and with the editor's blessings, I'm going to pen at least two articles which will appear in subsequent issues.
There was SO much to do and see and hear, that the selection process for almost everything except the quartet and chorus competitions immediately became, "How can I squeeze in the most in the time available?" The overlapping of some activities also made for some difficult choices.
The hotel I stayed in, the Grand Hyatt of Denver, was very nice. We were blessed with the Ambassadors of Harmony, Heart of America, West Towns Chorus of the Chicagoarea and Westminster all staying at the hotel. All except Westminster were also rehearsing in the hotel, and rehearsals, except for contest day, were open for observers. To watch Dr. Jim Henry and our old friend Jim Bagby work with their choruses in preparation for the big stage was a huge treat. Jim Henry was so gracious with his time, and since I'd not been able to hear the Gas House Gang in person, I wanted to thank him for their gifts of song to us. By the way, the techniques both Jims present to their choruses are just what Clayton and John and Jim Price try to get into our heads at each of our meetings!!
Over at the Headquarters Hotel, the Adam's Mark, the Harmony Marketplace, seminar sessions and open mike stage all provided many opportunities. A pick-up quartet, including RMD President Mike Deputy and me, was recruited to be the first "mike testers", singing a couple of tags!!! It was also at the Mark that I finally was able to meet the fantastic BHS support staff with whom I've dealt as your secretary, and met one of my true heroes, Mr. Joe Liles.
Roaming the halls and lobbies of the Mark were the three "Tag-In" quartets, armed with their three songs which, if you sang them to the quartets' satisfaction (you didn't have to be perfect), qualified you for prize drawings. What a pure delight to discover the Blue quartet was our friends, and show headliners, The Summit!!! To sing "Mary Lou," "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" and "Sincere" with Tim, Shawn, Matt and Marco was GREAT fun!! The White quartet was a group of guys from Boise, and to sing "Coney Island Baby" with their bass would make any lead tingle!
One of the same-time conflicts occurred on Tuesday evening. Both the Harmony Foundation Show and the Larry Ajer Benefit Show were scheduled, at different venues. The Ajer show received little publicity, unlike the Foundation event. It's my own fault for not looking more closely, because I would have loved to have attended the Ajer show.
The Thursday evening Association of International Champions Show, with a theme of The Music Man, was an incredible show which would almost have been worth the drive to Denver on its own. Jim Henry was Harold Hill, and the whole show was awesome. Vocal Spectrum was inducted into the AIC, and the bill featured GOTCHA!, FRED, Happiness Emporium, Realtime, Power Play - and Classic Collection was a special honoree on the 25th anniversary of their gold medal. During the Classic's set, a lot of old pictures flashed on the giant screens, and they brought back some fond memories of the early 70s, when they were the headliners for at least one of our Chapter shows! One of the members of that quartet is George Davidson, who now sings tenor in NEXUS!!
On Saturday morning, there was an opportunity which would be my other "do over" at the convention! Several of the Gold Medal Quartets allowed anyone who wished, for a small fee, to sing a song with the Champs, and get your picture taken with a gold medal around your neck! I watched several of the songs with Power Play and with Realtime, and how I wish I had signed up! The Champs were so gracious to each singer, and went out of their way to chase away the butterflies and be sure each person had a good time. One gentlemen I spoke with has done this for the last 6 conventions!!!
And for the entire week, there was singing everywhere!! On street corners, in restaurants, hotel lobbies and libation stations, shuttle busses, in the concourses of the Pepsi Center. Some of those pick-up choruses were awesome to be part of, and what started as a VLQ quickly would swell to almost 100 men and women.
I think this is enough for now!! In the next installment, I'll share my thoughts on the quartet and chorus competitions, as well as Jim DeBusman, Joe Liles, Power Play, Storm Front, Westminster, the Ambassadors of Harmony, and other stuff. Hope I HAVEN'T BORED YOU TO TEARS!!!
In Perfect Harmony,
What a great convention! Denver was probably one of the best conventions, competition wise, in many years.
Both Westminster and the Ambassadors of Harmony scored higher than the Vocal Majority did last year in narrowly defeating Westminster. This year, however, Westminster prevailed even though they tied with the Ambassadors, due to higher singing scores. And all that with only 63 singers on stage.
If you missed this year, you really missed a great one. The next time it will be remotely this close is in 2014 when it will be held in Minneapolis, MN. Next year will be in Nashville, celebrating our new home for the Society Headquarters. I plan on going, how about you? (Looking for a roommate!)
While in Denver, it was my privilege to receive the trophy as editor of the second place on-line bulletin of the year. It was also an honor to be voted in as the new Vice President for Bulletin Editors for PROBE. In that capacity I will be trying to get more participation from bulletin editors throughout the Society. I will also be in charge of finding qualified judges for the hard copy versions of bulletins for the districts, and for international.
It is my hope that none of this takes away from what I am able to do for our local chapter. This is a great hobby, and I want as many men as possible to have the chance to enjoy it as much as all of us do. Thanks for allowing me to serve.
Sing-cerely & Humm-bly,
What a day it was! The learning curve was higher than the temperature, and much was accomplished in our time together.
This was the first of, hopefully, more chorus retreats as we continue to improve our singing and performing skills. Coming in for a morning session was advantageous in that we were fresh. There were no worries or concerns of the day weighing us down, and it was evident in what we were able to accomplish.
We are starting to take to heart all the components of good vocal production - vowel formation, breathing, posture, dynamic phrasing - all the things that make for great performances. In addition, we started learning that our bodies and faces have to convey the right emotions to be able to sell the message of the song.
There are many things that go into making up a great performance for our audiences. We are just starting to scratch the surface of our capabilities.
All of this, of course, takes time and effort on our part. In that light, I would like to thank each of you for giving your Saturday to the chorus to improve what we can do for our audiences. I know that it is a sacrifice of your time, and I really do appreciate it.
One last thing needs to be discussed. Retaining all that we accomplished on Saturday is up to you, the individual singer. If we need to re-teach what you learned at this, or any other rehearsal, then our time, and your's, is wasted. And it needs to be your responsibility to mentor those who weren't there, along with the new people, in all of these performance skills.
Spend time continually reviewing these new skills. Ten or fifteen minutes a day on one song, with all the new skills, would reap huge benefits in our chorus. New audiences will want to see and hear us perform. That in turn brings in new members.
All of this may take you out of your comfort zone, but the rewards are well worth it. Remember, the difference between a singer and a wanna be is the two inches it takes to hold your chest up high and proud!
Harmoniously,
Clayton
and the Music Team
There are many things we learn at each and every chorus rehearsal. However, when the chorus has a full day of rehearsals, there is much more to remember. Those things are things we do in chorus rehearsal, but in a much more expanded way. What are those things?
We were able to spend much more concentrated time on proper breathing techniques. That starts with proper stance and posture, proper inhalation, control of the exhalation process. Until it becomes habit, it is hard to do what should be second nature to us all.
Choreography is NOT dancing, although many may think it is. It is drama! It is part of the total package that makes up an emotional experience for the audience. When doing our stage presence plan, we must GO BIG OR GO HOME!!! Everything we do on stage is what we must do in rehearsal.
Every performance begins, as far as the audience is concerned, from the time they can first see us. For we performers, it means that our performance begins before that. By the time we are ready to go on, we should be performing.
We learned that we are performers every time we sing, whether it is for two people, or 2,000. Every performance is important to someone, and should be important to us. Our attention is on the audience, quartet, or narrator, not our neighbor. We should never do things that draw attention to ourselves, but only to the performance of each and every song.
Each performance, whether during weekly rehearsals or on the stage, is sold using several techniques. First, we need to make sure the dynamics fit the song. Not only that, but each phrase has dynamics within the general dynamics. Music lives and breathes.
Second, we need to add emotion to sell with the face. Singers need to show emotions like happy, sad, lost, genuine, spectacular, alluring, electrifying and bold. It doesn't stop there. We then add body energy. Words that come to mind for this are warm, gentle, majestic, military, strong or vibrant.
Finally, we add movements to this. Things like the Rosey Rock, which we learned, RCP (regular chorus position) Power Spread, and many others. (Each attending member got a sheet with ten basic moves to learn.)
Every performance is a compilation of all of these, plus all the vocal skills we must master - skills like tall, open vowels, matching our vowels, minimizing the consonants, smooth, horizontal singing lines. So many skills - so little time!
Each rehearsal builds on the last one. Retention is the key to improving as a chorus. We have come so far, yet there is further to go. We have the opportunity to be the most exciting entertainment in the area. It takes commitment and work on everyone's part.
Remember: If you can't sing with passion, don't sing!