The Board of Directors of the Barbershop Harmony Society (SPEBSQSA, Inc.) has accepted the resignation of CEO Don Harris, effective April 20.

"We are grateful for the new perspectives that Don brought to us, and for his many efforts to move the Society forward during a period of significant transition," said President Rob Hopkins. "We wish him well in future endeavours," he said.

President Hopkins named Past President Roger Lewis as the interim CEO, pending the completion of a search for a new CEO and the appointment of same by the Society Board of Directors.

The members of the Montreal Chapter of Harmony Inc. were in Warwick, RI this weekend where the chorus and one of their quartets were competing ar Area 2, AC&C.

On Friday evening "4 the Fun of It" placed third in the Quartet contest. Not only that, but they won Most Improved Quartet, with an increase of 93 points.

"4 the Fun of It" is: Heather Lewis (Mark's daughter), Jennifer Wheaton (Steve's daughter), Francina Bastian, Linda Hayes (Morgan's Mother).

The chorus contest was an exciting one, and there were upsets with great performances. Congratulations to the Montreal Chapter, under the direction of Lindsay Chartier, on qualifying in 5^th place for HI International next November, after only a few weeks working together.

[Editor's note: This speaks to commitment, and made me glad that we seem to have the commitment required to improve on a consistent basis.]

I have been a member since 1961 and I strongly disagree with those that refer to Barbershopping as a "hobby". Stamp-collecting is a hobby - if you do it well or badly doesn't matter to the outside world.

But as barbershoppers we perform before the public - you do it badly and it reflects upon all of us. I have been inactive for 5+ yearsnow because all of the chapters within driving distance think this is a hobby. Unfortunately, in the area I live, there is no commitment.

Soon, I will be relocating to the Sunshine state and I'm praying that I will be able to find a chapter whose membership strives for improvement. We can't all be champions, and that's not what it's about anyway.

It's about singing to the best of your ability with the tools God gave you. Every audience deserves to hear everyone singing the same words, and the correct music. A smile once in awhile won't hurt, either.

Showing up at rehearsal when you feel like it won't feed the bulldog. It also won't make anyone in the audience want to join a group that's an embarrasment to watch.

Singing better is the key to both recruiting and retention, in my opinion.

The Cornwall Chapter will be holding their show on Friday, May 6^th at the Aultsville Theatre in Cornwall.

Their guests that evening will be the Ottawa Capital City Chorus and quartets.

Tickets are $15 and are available from Ron Dawson or by calling Ron Symington (613) 932-8125 or John Hamilton at (613) 347-2856.

We are back to singing the Barberpole Cat Songs in quartet on Monday evening. Last week, Sebastien Malo sang Wild Irish Rose in quartet, and is on his way working through to the end.

Here is a trivia question for you: "Who recorded the Barberpole Cat learning tracks?"

Phyllis Vienne, Widow of former Mid Atlantic District President Don Vienne provides the answer. "The barberpolecat learning tapes were recorded at Howard Community College in Columbia, Maryland, by the Friends of Yesterday. My husband, Don Vienne, was District President at the time and had this done as a learning device to be offered to the membership of M-AD.

"When Kenosha got wind of it, they asked Don if they could take it over to be offered to the complete membership.

Don relinquished the rights to the recording to International, and the rest is history. The members of the quartet were Dick Bentz, Paul Klein, Gene Jackson and Gene O'Dell, all of whom are still alive and kicking.

Here is our current repertoire list: [mp3] means that the mp3 file is on the Members' Only web site

Practice is something we do at home, every day, between rehearsals!

Rehearsal is where we reinforce what we have been practising every day!