Society Board announces change to convention schedule

In December the Society Board took action that it genuinely believed would contribute to increasing—for those people who traditionally do not attend the convention—interest in attending the 2005 international convention in Salt Lake City, where we have the use of a magnificent 21,000-seat auditorium see www.spebsqsa.org/saltlake. The Board was responding to proposals from Society staff and the Society Events Committee, whose members thought creatively about new possibilities that would yield positive results in Salt Lake City. The Board approved several of the proposals and revised a few others. One proposal approved was to suspend the contest rules in order to have two rounds of quartet contests and to allow for a Saturday night show with broad appeal. The Board was convinced by our history that having two rounds rather than three would not affect who earned the championship.

The reaction of many members was not what the Board anticipated. Board members have carefully considered the arguments that have been presented, and appreciate the communications both of support and of constructive criticism accompanied by other ideas of how to increase interest and participation in our international conventions. Those ideas will be considered further by staff and the Events Committee, who will consult broadly and invite additional suggestions. You should not be surprised to see some of those changes implemented at the 2006 international convention.

The Society Board remains committed to making the kinds of changes that will help the Society flourish. When such change involves a particularly honoured tradition like the international quartet contest, we understand that the process should be transparent and broadly consultative, which it wasn't this time. Accordingly, on January 13, 2005 the Society Board voted to reinstate the international contest rules for 2005 and to have three rounds of quartet contests in Salt Lake City, with the traditional top-ten contest on Saturday night. We encourage you to attend—and to urge your friends to attend—what promises to be a very exciting convention indeed. We promise more value for your convention experience than ever before. Innovations include a special Olympics-style opening ceremony, a "taste of barbershop" street party, "Xtreme" events throughout the week, a new "wild-card" chorus preliminary contest, and a Sunday sacred gold concert featuring a 600-voice gold-medal chorus and the 360-voice Mormon Tabernacle Choir—all free with your registration!

The January/February issue of The Harmonizer has already gone to press, so when it arrives you will find the announcement of the previously approved convention schedule of two quartet contest rounds and a Saturday show. Rest assured that the March/April issue will have the final plan for the convention. In the meantime, why not take advantage of the current reduction in airfares to make your plans to join us in Salt Lake City!

Hope to see you in Salt Lake City for a great convention!

We had a very interesting presentation by Kathy Whitelaw last Monday. She explained that we could raise an interesting amount of money for the Chapter by simply buying things we are already going to buy. The only thing we would have to do is register with her company, FundScript, and purchase "cash cards" for the stores where we wish to make our purchases. She will be back this Monday evening to register us.

Please bring a void cheque with you.

All members of the Chapter should be registered for the Saturday, February 5, 2005 Great Northern Harmony Workshop at Champlain College, Longueuil, QC. We are going to be coached by Kevin Keller, former baritone of Cheers, a Music Judge, sings with the Ambassadors of Harmony (current International Chorus Champs), and all around good guy. It will be a fun event, and ALL MEMBERS MUST ATTEND.

You will also have a chance to choose another half-day course to further your musical education. The course material was sent by email, and copies have been available at Chapter meetings. The cost is now $65.00.

Please ensure that your registration is in to Steve Wheaton TONIGHT at the latest!

I will be gone for the two Mondays following this one. We are going to Florida to visit with family, and then attend the Midwinter Convention in Jacksonville, FL.

If you have every harboured thoughts of putting out a newsletter for the Chapter, here is your big chance. I am sure that the members would appreciate your efforts, and I know that I would. I bet the President will give you an editorial, or other article, and the Vice President of Membership Development should be good for at least one.

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!