1. art and entertainment
2. music
3. singing

September 2010
Visit our website at www.thechordbusters.com
Chordbusters make
adjustment to new
director
Volume 50 No 7
has a great ear for sound and mixing voices and thinks
everyone can already see that now, even if we at times don’t
feel comfortable with the change. Go with the flow…OK?
Let’s have fun in Mason City but let’s work hard right now
to have the fun then.
By Dr. Greg Garvin,
Executive VP/Music VP
Before we know it we will be in
Mason City competing in the Central States District chorus
contest. These next few weeks we will need to work hard, but
have fun. I know each Thursday night I look at my watch and
wonder where the time went at chapter night!
There is always an “adjustment period” when a new
director takes over, but we need to give thanks for the fact that
we have a director who wants to work with us each week. We
also need to give thanks to our assistant directors who helped
us through this transition period. It never feels comfortable at
first with change.
Any organization when it is subjected to change has a
series of developmental changes that occur. This happened to
me personally with the formation of my physician’s group and
we had this occur several times during my past 32 years of
working. When a new group forms the group “forms, storms,
norms and then and only then performs.” The Chordbusters,
under our new director, formed and there was a period of
storming and now I feel we are beginning to “norm.” I predict
that by October at the CSD chorus contest we will perform. I
know we want to repeat as “Plateau AA Most Improved
Chorus” this October, but I am just content that we are going
to contest and that we are all excited about doing our best.
I have had the good fortune to sing under a number of
talented directors over my past 26 years of singing in the
Chordbusters and I feel we have been very fortunate to hire
Deb Ragan as our current director. She brings a lot of
experience to this position and so far I’ve been impressed with
her willingness to work with us singing in the Barbershop
style. She has gone to Directors College and this only
increased her desire to get this chorus back on our feet.
She is trying different things each week to see just what we
can do and I like the challenges. At times it could be
frustrating to try new things like singing on the risers in the
way she wants us to stand, but it is being done for a reason so
hang loose and don’t give up, she will start to pull the sound
out of this chorus. I already see improvement each week. She
Calendar of Events
Chapter meetings Every Thursday evening 7:00-9:30
p.m. at the Davenport Family Y located at 2nd and
Western Streets, unless otherwise notified.
Youth in Harmony “Acapalooza” with The Choir Boys,
guest clinicians. Time, date and location: TBD
September 16, 2010: Board meeting 5:00 - 6:45 p.m. at
Huckleberry’s in Rock Island.
October 8-10, 2010: Central States District Fall
Convention in Mason City, Iowa.
November 27, 2010: Festival of Trees performance in
Davenport, Iowa. Time and Location: TBA
December 4, 2010: Eastern Iowa Combined Choruses
Annual Christmas Show. Time and Location: TBD
December 11, 2010: An Old Fashioned Christmas show.
Time and Location: TBD
December 11, 2010: Quad City Ballet performance.
Time and Location: TBD
April 30, 2011: Holiday in Harmony annual show, “It’s
a Great Day for the Irish!” at the Vickie Ann Palmer
Auditorium featuring the international bronze medalist
quartet, The Allies.
Page 1
Chapter
Board
Coach’s Corner
By “Coach” Dennis Johns, Chapter President
President
Dennis Johns
Dennisjohns63 @ gmail . com
Executive VP
Dr. Greg Garvin
ggarvin6 @ mchsi . com
Treasurer
John McNamara
jrmcb4 @ gmail . com
Secretary
Amos Glanz
chordsrus @ msn. com
Music and Performance VP
Dr. Greg Garvin
ggarvin6 @ mchsi . com
Program VP
Vern Soeken
ves39 @ mchsi . com
Membership VP
Vaughn Meehan
vmmm4846 @ q . com
PR and Marketing VP
Don Payton
umpref10 @ mediacombb . com
Member at Large
Russ Hartwig
Member at Large
Brian Williams
dbriw @ yahoo . com
The entire topic of member retention and
recruitment has come to the surface recently when
new figures show that Barbershop is alive and well.
Ed Watson, in the August Serenade, tells us that
“Society Membership is definitely heading in the
right direction – Positive Growth.” After receiving a
note from Mike Scott, our CSD membership guru,
reminding all chapter presidents that all new CSD
members will receive free registration to the 2010
Fall Convention. This up-front seating includes the
man of note and spouses. The Fremont chapter has
just picked up 17 new members and overall
membership in CSD is going up. Chordbuster
membership has stabilized and is showing signs of new health.
There has never been a “good time” to recruit new potential members and
retain those that are not involved in scheduled activities. We are always
working on a project that potential members may not be ready to participate in.
Meetings can be hectic; the routine predictable or stale. However, we do have
activities every week for those that don’t want to be locked into the drilling for
some activity. This was one of the considerations in creating “Vern’s Time,”
and we need to make sure we are doing things that those not project driven can
get locked into.
This subject was discussed in the recent Serenade. Gary Drown of
Kearney, Neb., addressed short business meetings, tag singing, etc. He said that
“it takes one, two, three, four, five and perhaps six times” before a prospect
might take you up on the invitation. “The key is NOT giving up on the first
attempt.” Mike Scott stressed having a house in order, name tags ready, signing
in, picking up visitors information, assignment to a buddy and a chorus section,
introductions to members and the Director. Let’s show enough interest in the
recruit to invite them to return and following up with some type of
communication that welcomes them back.
Take a look at the Society web site in the area of “Membership Resources”
and look at all the good articles there. Spread the word, spread the good news Barbershop is alive and well.”
Member at Large
Jim Schneider
JSchnei474 @ aol . com
Member at Large
Roger Akers
akers03 @ mchsi . com
Member at Large
Mike Sellers
italiansinger986 @ yahoo . com
Chorus Manager
Gary Schocker
glschock @ hotmail . com
Page 2
Notes from the
Chorus Manager
By Gary Schocker
Greetings once again! The month
of August is fast closing to its end as
I sit here trying to put down my
thoughts for this month’s Note
Dispenser. Looking at the calendar, it
appears as if we have very little
going on for the next two months.
Don’t let that fool you!
As you all know by now, we are in serious mode getting
ready for the CSD Fall Contest in Mason City, Iowa on
October 8-10. Riser positions are being determined, which
will affect the choreographic moves you need to know. It is
very important that you attend as many rehearsals as you can
so that we can work out as many kinks as possible.
Speaking of that, I have a couple of gentlemen that are still
not sure what their plans will be. This needs to be addressed as
soon as possible for several reasons. Those reasons are riser
positioning, choreography for affected individuals, housing
arrangements in Mason City, registration information needs to
be submitted by or before September to get discounted rates,
participation count needs to be turned in, “Victory Dinner”
head count needs to be verified and sent in, photo requests
need to be completed, and money turned in prior to deadline
dates.
We also have a few men whose membership needs to be
updated to be eligible to participate. Please get this taken care
of before October 1st. A good idea for you is to make a copy
of the payment statement and have it in your possession at
contest, just in case their records were not updated to reflect
your payment. I have been advised that they are planning to
check all participants’ records this year to assure that all are
up-to-date members. I would hate to have to tell a member
that made the trip and put in the rehearsal time, only to find
out that he is not eligible to participate. If fact I would be very
frustrated after all the reminders that someone would allow
this to happen, so please, if you are one of these, take the time
to insure that this will not happen.
To update everyone, we are being assigned to the
America’s Best Value Inn (24 5th Street Southwest) for the
hotel that weekend. As soon as I receive more information, I
will pass it on. The weekend events start at 3:00 p.m. on
Friday, October 8, with the first round of the quartet contest.
The evening portion resumes at 7:00 p.m. Saturday morning
schedule will be unclear until after we find out our “slot” in
the “pattern”. The know facts are that the actual Chorus
competition begins at 10:00 a.m. and scheduled to be finished
by 1:00 p.m. Once the pattern is established, the warm-up
room and time will also be determined. This is when our day
will truly start. Just for clarification, we will more than likely
be sharing an hour slot with the 21st Century Vocals.
Normally we would have only one half-hour slot. We will use
this time for makeup and warm-ups. Depending on the time
slot will also determine how soon we need to be dressed for
the stage.
After we are done performing, we will have our
evaluation, which should occur between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m..
From there we will head out to “Prime ‘N Wine” for our
“Victory Dinner” at 5:15 p.m. The Quartet Finals start at 7:00
p.m. with the final wrap-up scheduled for about 10:00 p.m.
We should have plenty of time to eat and return to the NIACC
Theater.
Now you may be asking, “What are we wearing on stage?”
Glad you asked. We will be wearing our black tux pants with
black shirt and tux suit jacket. Black shoes and socks are a
must. We will also have a yellow tie and pocket patch. (to
be soon provided) I am also suggesting/recommending that
you bring you summer casual outfit too. We may decide to
wear it at the finals! Friday night attire is your choice.
Crazy thing, after this is all over, we will be preparing for
our Christmas program! That is why we are already looking at
the music. Add to this, we will also start introducing the
Spring Show music in the near future. It never ends, but that’s
the fun part of being in an organization such as ours! This is
also why I ask that you make as many rehearsals as possible.
Bring a guest too! No time is wrong! Even those of you who
have may thought, “I have been away for a while, I don’t
know the music”, no time is the wrong time! Please join us!
Dates to put on the calendar:
•
September 16 – Board meeting 5:00-6:45 p.m. at
Huckleberry’s in Rock Island
•
2011
September 16 – First reading of slate of officers for
•
September 23 – Second reading of slate of officers
for 2011
•
Peoria
September 24-26 - Illinois District Convention in
•
September 30 - Election of officers
•
October 8-10 - CSD Fall Convention in Mason City.
•
October 15 - Review contest results
•
October 22 - Board Meeting
•
November 18 - Board Meeting
•
November 25 – Thanksgiving Day, no rehearsal
•
November 27 - Festival of Trees performance
•
December 4 - Eastern Iowa Holiday Chorus Concert
•
December 11 - Chordbusters Holiday Concert
•
Notes from the Chorus Manager continued on
page 4
Page 3
Notes from the Chorus Manager continued from
page 3
•
December 11- Chordbusters performance for Ballet
Quad Cities
•
December 18th - Chordbusters Christmas Party and
installation of Officers
•
December 23rd - no rehearsal
•
December 30 - Pizza Party, no rehearsal
My 2010 Harmony
University experience
By Gary Schocker
This year’s Harmony University, my fourth, proved to be
exciting and sad, good and bad, all rolled into one. Let me try
to explain each one and in the process describe my week.
The easiest one to explain is the “sad” part of the week.
For those of you who have been to Harmony U in the past,
there was a sad bit of news awaiting us when we arrived, Paul
Tamblyn passed away early this year. This man has touched
countless number of men in the Barbershop world and made a
huge difference in both their Barbershop lives and their
personal lives. He led the leadership course for many years,
which helped many to reshape their lives, mine included!
The “bad” includes the heat and humidity at the beginning
of the week. Ugh! We also shared the campus with the Kansas
City Chiefs for their training camp. An alternative cafeteria
had to be set up for us.
The “good” part of the week was the many experiences I
had in the classes I participated in. All of my instructors were
of top notch caliber. The classes I was assigned to were:
Directing Techniques II, The Physics of Sound (instructor was
former Chordbuster Jason Warschauer), How to Analyze
Voices (instructor was Dave Calland, lead for Allies), How to
Become a Great Bass, and Directors Chorus (directed by Joe
Cerrutti of the Alexander Harmonizers, Top 5 at
International).
In Directing Techniques II I received very valuable
suggestions from two very capable men including one-on-one
sessions with both. I am excited to work on what they both
suggested.
spectroscope! To actually see in a digitized form what our
voices produce opened my eyes up and re-enforced in my
mind the need of proper vowel sounds, locking pitches, and
voice placement. If there is a way that this could be
demonstrated to the chorus I would gladly do it.
How to Analyze Voices is a course that needs a lot of time
to know what you want and need, but it also is a tool that will
help a chorus to provide a better and unit sound. We did
several experiments to prove that point (very unscientific) It
was not quite what I had anticipated it to be, but it did help me
to understand the need to learn how to determine proper
physical placement of the members of a choral group to get
the maximum efficiency of each individual for what you
available to you at the time. I actually went through two
separate assessments during the week with that very thought in
mind. It was very interesting to observe how both were
done. When you think about it, you could say that each one
was an indirect voice lesson.
How to Become a Great Bass was very interesting. The
instructor, Farris Collins, was genuinely informative and
helpful. We actually wrapped up the week by joining the other
“How to” groups (tenors, leads, baritones) and “formed” onthe-spot quartets. We sang part of a song, receive
instructions/suggestions from you respective instructor, and
tried the song again. The immediate changes were very
noticeable! I need to add that I also received a private 15
minute voice lesson from Farris on Saturday night, three times
that week I was able to get help from him to improve my
singing. Now it is up to me how I use those tips. I also got a
voice lesson from the legend Jim DeBusman! Wow, that, in
itself, is VERY humbling!
Now, Directors Chorus was the “fun” class. True, but not
true. Let me explain. It was fun to sing with 100 other
directors/assistant directors and hearing the sound we
produced, but at the same time, it was very serious work. It
proves to be very interesting each year to observe how a high
caliber director like Joe Cerrutti can take a group of very
knowledgeable singers, who are probably “out of control”
when we start, to become a very capable ensemble of balance
and blend. It also proved to be very challenging and very
pleasing to see a group such as this to also put a choreography
package together as quickly as what we did! Three days, and
not very easy. The songs we sang for the performance on
Saturday night were “The Old Piano Roll Blues” and “I
Believe”. You’re probably saying, “I know those songs.” The
interpretation of BOTH songs are totally different, and in “I
Believe”, a very different but beautiful tag. I have to add, at
this point, we dedicated this song in memory of Paul Tamblyn.
Harmony U continued on page 5
Physics of Sound proved to be a challenge in several
forms. Some of the class was almost too much for me to
comprehend, but the last three days was very informative. The
most exciting and informative was when we were able to
view/analyze our voices (spoken and musically) on a
Page 4
Singing In Tune
Harmony U continued from page 4
Now, as I mentioned above, there is always a closing show
each year featuring the three choruses that have been
working/rehearsing all week long (New Generation Chorus,
Honors Chorus, and Directors Chorus) and finishing up with a
guest group/quartet. This year it was Crossroads! They, of
course, brought the house down!
There are many details that I have left out, but I think
Dave Haase, our Note Dispenser editor, would run out of
room or drastically edit my article if I tried to include
everything. I will say this, I highly recommend everyone to at
least think about going to Harmony U. Just the experience of
the camaraderie will be worth the week at the very least. To
meet people from around the world is a thrill in itself and to
also “rub elbows” with legends of our hobby is another, and to
actually learn something makes it even better. So, please join
me next year in St. Joseph, Missouri next year, July 31
through August 7, and experience the same thrill!
Thanks again for allowing me to go and experience this
again.
Three new
members this
month
By Vaughn Meehan,
Membership VP
We have three new members that have become
Chordbusters during the month of August. Art Mowat and
Mark Herrin are both reinstated members. Art was a
member of several other chapters before coming to the
Chordbusters, he sings lead, and has been around barbershop
for ages. Mark sings bass has one year already as a
barbershopper. We are glad to have them back in the chapter.
The third brand new Chordbuster is Dan Harre, son of
Dr. Ray Harre. Dan sings tenor and I know his father is very
proud. We are also glad to see a couple of inactive members
come back to sing with us. Please give Jim Kling and Leo
Schubert a warm welcome back.
by Fred King, international coach
(from Dundalk Md Charivari,
Tom Wheatley, editor)
Editor’s note: This is part three of a nine part series by
Fred King on “Singing in Tune”. Chapters 1 and 2 can be
found in the August issue of the Note Dispenser
Chapter 3
The resonating cavities can be fully utilized only when the
throat is relaxed, open and the upper throat arched in a high
palate position. The mouth is best used as a resonance
chamber when all the muscles, including the tongue, are
relaxed and the cavity of the mouth is enlarged. The nasopharynx and the nasal cavity are most effectively used when a
slight opening between the oropharynx and the nasopharynx is
maintained, thus allowing an extension of the vibrating
column of air emanating from the larynx. The feeling involved
in this is similar to yawning.
If the resonance is closed, muffled, nasal, or pinched, as the
result of partially closed resonators, the singer will tend to flat.
Let's take the first three areas covered and make up an
expression which holds true to a great degree.
High Arched
Alert
Accurate
No
+
+ Tone Utilizing =
Posture Hearing
Flatting
the Resonators
Next month, we'll get into more of the discussion of control
aspects needed for good singing.
Verns Time
By Vern Soeken, Program VP
Isn't it great to have a slice of time each week that you can
call "My Time"? Of course, there are thousands of ways you
can spend that time it. Considering the choices, the Chorus
and I are pleased that you have chosen to gather with us each
week. It's good for you and it's great for the chorus. Each one
of the guys has made the same choice and that choice is
enriched by your presence. Now you might think that you are
not adding much of anything. Not true! Your friendship is
very important and that you can sing is a very big bonus. I'm
not a very strong singer, but I do know that if I add my voice
to others in my section it will help. Deb is making a lot of
good changes so I know that it is important be at each practice.
We are working on contest songs, Christmas songs, and other
songs that we know so I know there will most often be a
variety at each practice. It's you time! Come and make it our
time each week!
Page 5
Historian’s Quill
By Jim Schneider
Rumor has it that we will be traveling to Mason City for
the CSD Fall Convention. I believe a bit of history regarding
Mason City and the surrounding area might be in order. We
barbershoppers will recognize this place as “River City” in
Meredith Willson’s “The Music Man.” Most of us are also
aware of the roles played by the Buffalo Bills, the 1951
International Quartet Champions and a highly regarded
barbershop quartet of that era.
Thanks to Wikipedia and Google I was able to get some
history on Mason City. Yes, Mason City is located on a river,
the Winnebago (well, I didn’t know whether it really was or
not!) which appears to run through the eastern side of the
town. Mason City is the county seat of Cerro Gordo County,
Iowa and had a population of 29,172 as of the 2000 census.
That population has been estimated to have dropped to 27,276,
a trend that has been seen in many small Midwest
communities. That has not prevented Mason City from
remaining a vital and interesting small city, about the size of
Bettendorf, with no distracting larger cities around it.
Lloyd Wright, this hotel and bank is a single structure at the
corner of State and Federal Avenues.
Mason City is known for its great musical heritage. In late
May or early June Mason City holds an annual celebration of
its musical heritage called The North Iowa Band Festival
where bands from across the Midwest compete en route of the
parade to be named the best band. The home band does not
compete, but does perform in the parade.
Of course the city’s favorite son is Meredith Willson. He
grew up in Mason City and was a student at Mason City High
School, where he played in the Mason City Symphonic Band.
His crowning achievement was the 1957 Broadway hit “The
Music Man” with 1375 performances at the Broadway
Theatre. The Music Man has gone on to win numerous
awards, including 9 Tony Awards in 1957.
In addition to Mason City High, there are 12 other
Elementary, Middle and High Schools located within the city.
Mason City is also home to several institutions of higher
learning, including North Iowa Area Community Collage
(NIACC), a branch of Buena Vista University, Kaplan
University, and Hamilton College.
Transportation wise the city is served by Iowa Highway
122, and U.S. Highway 65. U.S. Highway 18 now bypasses
the city to the south. Interstate 35 is eight miles to the west but
is considered to serve the Mason City area. Also transportation
wise Mason City is home to Iowa Traction Railroad, one of
the last remaining electric interurban railroads in the U.S. and
the only one that still uses electric locomotives to haul freight
in regular service.
This Northern Iowa community is widely known for its
collection of prairie school architecture, the largest
Mason City’s airport is from where the tragic flight (and
concentration of any city in Iowa. Seventeen of these homes
crash at Clear Lake) that took the lives of Buddy Holly,
and buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic
Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper. This event was later
Places. Of these structures, the Dr. G.C. Stockman House and
referred to as “The Day the Music Died.”
the Park Inn and City National Bank were designed by Frank
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Tag of the month
Page 6
NEW POLICY FOR CHAPTEROWNED SHEET MUSIC
Quartet News
By Amos Glanz
Basic Principles:
1. Guest binders and members’ sheet music
binders will always be kept current and contain all
current repertoire songs.
2. All binders will contain nothing but legal
music.
3. Purchased music costs should be kept to a
minimum.
Pick-up quartet sings
Star-Spangled Banner at
Moonlight Chase in Eldridge
In the future, new chorus sheet music passed out to you
should be placed in your 3-ring black binder. If there is
individual sheet music that you want to take home to work on,
you need to check it out by annotating the front sheet of your
3-ring black binder.
If you want to check out your entire book, there is a
separate sign-out sheet for that. NOTE: If you plan take your
binder home for an extended period, you will only need to
sign it out ONCE. When checked out, always bring your
binder to practice.
You are encouraged to check out your music/binder while
learning new chorus music. Once you have thoroughly
learned all repertoire songs, your binder should be returned to
the Y.
You have been assigned a number that identifies your
sheet music and binder.
Dr. Greg Garvin, Dave Knapp, Leigh Sherman, and
Bill Tubbs sings the national anthem at the start of
the Moonlight Chase in Eldridge, Iowa on July 10th.
There were 2,050 registered in the races and many
more spectators in the vicinity.
Twice a year, we will schedule a 100% audit of the black
binders to assure that all music is present in the binders. You
will be asked to return your binder to the Y prior to these
audits. Members will be notified in advance when the audit
dates.
You will be assessed the cost for any missing sheet music.
We greatly appreciate your efforts to help Cindy and I
build a more effective music library!
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
By Dr. Greg Garvin
It has been great to see Ray Harre our baritone singing in
the chorus on Thursday night and then making a number of
afterglows. It I think helps our quartet sing even better with
more regular singing each week. We are preparing for
Christmas and hopefully will have a couple of new numbers
and we’ve started working on an Irish tune for the Spring
Show. It is always fun to learn new arrangements so when we
have them off paper you all will get to hear us. We continue to
sing and enjoy our hobby.
Are your dues paid up??
As Gary Schocker has been emphasizing, if your
dues are due by September 30 and you plan to
compete at contest, please get your payment in as
soon as possible. Dues for all contest competitors
must be up to date to prevent disqualification of our
chorus. We still have four members who fall in this
category. Don't forget, you can pay your dues
online. Questions? Contact Amos Glanz.
Page 7
Irish theme for 55th Annual
Holiday in Harmony
By David Knapp, 2011 Show Producer
If you haven’t heard by now, our annual show for 2011
will be featuring Irish songs. The show’s title is: “It’s a Great
Day for the Irish!” and will be held on Saturday, April 30,
2011 in the Vicki Anne Palmer Auditorium. This year’s show
will be a little different from those I have written and
produced in the past. For one, there is no script, which also
means: no acting, no plot to follow, just grand, glorious
singing, which is what our patrons come to hear.
Quite frankly, I’m glad we’re doing a concert show this
time. But because of this, we as performers will need to put
on an all-out effort to be entertaining. That means all of us
must finely hone our stage presence skills along with our
singing. We don’t want to be standing on the risers, stiff and
expressionless as we sing; so work extra hard on that as we
rehearse our songs – and do it every time so it will become a
habit.
I am sure you are curious what songs we will be singing
for the show. The Music Committee and I have picked 8
songs for us to sing, 3 for quartets and 1 solo. Here are the
show songs in the order of presentation:
Song #1: It’s a Great Day for the Irish – Chorus
Song #2: McNamara’s Band – Quartet and Chorus
•
I want to give some of you aspiring “quarteter” wannabes a chance to audition for a singing part in a
pickup quartet. Perhaps we can do this during Vern’s
Time as quartets are mixed and matched with the best
combination selected to be our McNamara Quartet. You
won’t be singing alone, as the Chorus will be “loo-ing”
and singing the chorus along with you in the background.
If this song and staging sounds familiar to some of you
old-timers who sang on my first show “Now That’s
Barbershop!”, you are correct. The Senior Dimension,
consisting of Bob Bloxham, Amos Glanz, Bob
Oberhaus and Larry Hinzman, was our featured
McNamara quartet on that show. This time, however, we
have special choreography planned and the chorus will do
a “tear-away” revealing our green vests under our black
tux uniforms.
Song #3: HARRIGAN – Chords R Us Quartet
Song #4: I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover – Chorus
Song #5: Danny Boy – Guest soloist with accompaniment
•
Breaking from tradition, we will be
featuring Ray Wierson, a soloist from the Quad
Cities community, to sing Danny Boy – a favorite of
mine and of most audiences.
Song #6: Galway Bay – A Touch of Fun Quartet
Guest Chorus – The ___________ High School Chorus
Song #7: Clancy Lowered the Boom – Chorus, soloists
and actors.
Song #8: If There’d Never Been an Ireland – TBD
Song #9:
Audience
When Irish Eyes are Smiling – Chorus &
Song #10: That Tumble Down Shack in Athlone –
Possible Side Effects Quartet
Song #11: Fields of Athenry – Chorus, Rugby Team and
Irish band
•
This song is one I know you will love
singing. I have contacted an arranger from BABS
(British Association of Barbershop Singers) to
arrange a special version of Fields of Athenry for us
based on his arrangement commissioned for the
opening of the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland
recently. This song, written in 1977, is so popular in
Ireland, that the Irish Rugby Association has adopted
it as their anthem. Quite frankly, the song has such
wide spread popularity among all the Irish; I
wouldn’t be surprised if they adopted it for their
national anthem someday. You will absolutely fall in
love with the lyrics and melody – it’s addictive to
listen to.
Guest Quartet – The Allies – The fifth-place bronze
medalist from the 2010 International Quartet Competition in
Philadelphia is our invited feature quartet for the evening.
Song # 12:
An Irish Blessing – Chorus
Song # 13:
Keep the Whole World Singing – Chorus
Well, that’s enough for now. I have purposely limited the
number of new songs the Chorus will be singing, so we’ll
have plenty of time to perfect and bring artistry to them. It has
been said that “sometimes less is more” and I think this will be
true for us and our audience will reward us for our effort.
Inactive and former members: Do
you have a green and red vest hiding
in your closet??
If so, please bring it down to the next chapter meeting or call
our uniform chairman Rick Liljequist. We will need these
vests for our annual spring show and we are in short supply.
Your cooperation is appreciated.
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HIGHLIGHTS OF BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
September
By Amos Glanz, Chapter Secretary
2-Vaughn Meehan
20 – Archie McKelvie
July 22, 2010 – Huckleberry’s, Rock Island, Ill., at 5:00 p.m.
Leo Schubert and Amos Glanz have been added to the
Music Committee. Leo has also agreed to chair the Marketing
Committee, replacing Cliff Newman.
Gary Schocker explained contest plans, to include plans
for a Saturday night chorus dinner. Deb Ragan agreed to
scout out restaurants in Mason City. Housing reservations
must be turned in by August 1. The chorus may be adding
a yellow tie to our contest apparel. Contest tunes will be:
"Up a Lazy River" and "If You Were the Only Girl in the
World". The Eastern Iowa Christmas Chorus will be singing
on December 4-5. Consideration is being giving to outside
coaching.
Don Payton reported that our December 10 Christmas
dinner and Installation of Officers will be held at the Holiday
Inn in Rock Island. Cost per person would be $18.95, tax and
tip included.
Vaughn Meehan reported on plans to establish
a committee of three to four men to assist him with
recruitment and retention. Vaughn is going to target local
colleges to recruit new members. In the future, every night
is to be considered a “membership night”.
Amos Glanz reported that there are two possible venues
being considered for the 2011 Christmas Show: Alleman and
the Second Baptist Church, Rock Island.
YIH Clinic: Greg Garvin will chair this event. Muscatine
Sweet Adelines will handle the girls and Choir Boys will teach
the boys. We still need to assign an overall coordinator.
2011 Singing for Life Blood Drive: It was agreed to
continue this event.
NOTE: A complete set of the July minutes are available in
the Members Only section of the chapter website.
Making it “cool” to sing again
By David Haase, Note Dispenser Editor
Since the hire of our new director, Deb Ragan, we have seen
inactive and former members come back to sing with the
Chordbusters. The hire of Deb Ragan has generated new excitement
back into the chorus and the future looks bright.
Deb brings her years of experience directing concert and show
choirs at Bettendorf High School. I remember my day at Assumption
High School when the jocks didn’t think it was “cool” to sing. There
were a couple athletes who did sing in the chorus, but most of them
wouldn’t be caught dead singing. At Bettendorf Deb made it “cool”
to sing in the show choir. Jocks were knocking on her door to sing in
the chorus.
Now Deb is going to make it “cool” to sing barbershop again. I
invite all our former and inactive members to come down and see
what the excitement is all about
We got mail!!
In the last issue I commented on the PROBE judges’ hard scoring
in the content category. I received a letter from our Society CEO, Ed
Watson, about the column:
David,
I get a chance (sometimes) to read bulletins from far and wide in
the Society. I came across your announcement of it in the Harmonet,
and clicked on the link to read the Note Dispenser. I was really
enjoying it until I got to the part where you describe the PROBE
critique of your bulletin/newsletter. It confused me somewhat to hear
that they were so hard on you, because I thoroughly enjoyed your
professional and informative presentation. Of course, the one I was
reading was AFTER the PROBE judges gave you their critique, so
that may have had something to do with it. At any rate, I just wanted
to let you know that I enjoyed the Note Dispenser and please don’t
get discouraged, you’re doing a fine job. Keep it up!
Ed Watson
BHS CEO
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history. I served the Chordbusters as Bulletin Editor,
Treasurer, President and Chorus Manager. The latter for too
many years than one should.
The Note
Dispenser
David Haase - Editor
563-391-6426 (home)
563-320-3501 (cell)
[email protected]
The Note Dispenser is the official publication of the Davenport, Iowa
chapter. Articles written by the editor do not necessarily reflect the
opinions of the members and officers. Space will be made available in
The Note Dispenser for opposing points of view.
NEXT Submission Deadline:
September 20
Getting to
know….Jim
"Mr. Mom"
Kling
Greetings
Fellow
Chordbusters... My life began 68
years ago or was it 67 in Newton,
Iowa... Do we need to count as long as Social Security and
pension checks arrive as promised? In 1962 I was liberated
from the small minded town and arrived in Davenport to
attend St Ambrose University. It was a college then and
somehow they bent a few rules and allowed me to attend as
long as the bills were paid. So with that I have been living in
the “Quads” for something like 58 years.
My family... I have been partnered with David Fletcher
for 41 years. David has a son, Chris, and grandson, Nathan,
who live in Thornton, Colorado. Yes, there is a daughter inlaw, Judy, sometimes Judi.
My mother, Eleanor celebrated her 90th birthday last
March. My sister Janna lives in Pleasant Hill (Des Moines)
and my brother Jeff resides in Sully, Iowa. We include
David's family and large number of friends as our extended
family.
I attribute Glenn White for introducing me to Barbershop
Harmony. I worked with Glenn and needed a way to express
myself musically. My musical background was instrumental,
baritone horn. Since I didn't have a horn or a band to play in,
the Chordbusters afforded me the experience. The rest is
The highlights of my Chordbuster experience was the
misspelling of "excited" and the loss of everyone's ticket
package for a contest. I was also able to escape the expense
of a broken toilet in one of our hospitality rooms and also
collected enough donations from chapter members to offset a
speeding ticket I received on a contest trip... Somehow I was
picked as the "Barbershopper of the Year" and later was
honored as "Chordbuster Mr. Mom". With that, we all
survived and good times were had by all.
Other things to know.. David and I were the principal
originators of the annual Red Ribbon Dinner which grew
from a couple dozen attendees to over 650, in 12 years.
Donations mounted to well over $100,000 benefiting AIDS
Project Quad Cities and clients living with HIV and AIDS.
Retirement came in 2001. I helped feed the world by my
many positions at International Harvester, Case-IH and Case
New Holland all at the East Moline IH Plant. I started in
1966 as a piece worker and ended my career in material
management, purchased parts.
Post retirement, David and I have traveled the globe.
We currently reside in Rock Island during the spring and
summer. As snow birds we migrate to our cottage in Palm
Springs, California where I enjoy making music with the
Desert Winds Freedom Band playing a baritone horn. Other
interests include the joys of cooking, gardening and
excursions antiquing.
I charge all of you to "Keep the Whole World Singing".
Footnote: Donations to my speeding ticket fund were
turned back to the chapter’s charitable endeavors.
On the Mend
By Amos Glanz, Sunshine Chairman
Leigh Sherman had abdominal surgery on August 22.
He remains in Trinity East. Leigh is doing fairly well and
expects a four to five week recuperation period. Leigh regrets
he will be unable to sing with the chorus this year in Mason
City.
John McNamara recently had surgery for a defibulator
implant. John was back on his feet right away and is again
"lead"-ing the way at practice.
Morris Merle recently had a cancerous tumor removed.
He has been undergoing chemotherapy treatments and has
two more to go. Doctors are optimistic about his current
state. Morris regrets he will have to miss contest in October.
Please keep these 'Busters in your thoughts and prayers.
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