Date: July 24, 2000

Everyone is #1! The chorus did a great job of concentrating on the job at hand -- learning to improve our presentation skills, while not losing our singing skills. It can be done. We proved it. The whole chorus is #1!

Erin Howden literally flew in to improve our visual impact. She did, too! The whole evening was a blast for me, and I hope for you too. Erin is in great demand, having coached all over North America. It is easy to forget how good she is, when she seems so down to earth. The exercise she had us do at the end was an excellent way for us to continue to improve personally. I hope we do it again and often. We are also very fortunate to have Stacy Hugman-Frenette and Elisabeth Mance who keep reminding us of what Erin has got us doing. The little differences that come from actually putting ourselves in the song, not just "doing the moves" should make it hard for us not to perform our best, every time.

Are you just about ready for some new songs? We continue to ratchet the level of performance up another notch each week. As we do that we are make it easier to learn new music. If we transpose things we have already mastered in one song to a new song, we will get it up to our "new" level that much quicker. And we will be learning something new very soon (tonight?). Have patience and have FUN! Don't forget, the Granite Statesmen scored all A level marks in Kansas City. We have a ways to go to catch them!

Pay-as-you-go-Joe. Get a jump on next years Annual Dues. Don't forget the easiest way to pay is in small instalments. The $14 Monthly payment hardly hurts. (Nor does the $42.00 quarterly payment.) This is encouraged for all members of the Chapter. If you pay $14.00 at the first rehearsal every month, you save a couple of dollars, but you also make the payment process painless. Start NOW. Post-dated cheques can be given to Ray Watkins, Chapter Treasurer. All cheques should be payable to Island City Chorus. All members who have just paid dues for June 30, 2000 should start to pay $14 per month NOW. This helps us with our current cash flow problems, and makes the bite less painful.

Have you sold your chocolate bars? John Clendinneng is the man in charge of Chocolate Bar sales, and he wants you to bring in your money. There are still a few bags left, and he will be glad to get you out earning money. Part of the profit goes to your account to pay for retreats and other expenses. They are good, too!

Is anybody out there? I haven't heard from anyone with an idea yet. I cannot believe that in the whole chapter, there is not more than one fundraising idea. Jerry Silverberg suggested selling chocolate bars and we are doing that. They go quickly, too. Since the show didn't quite bring in as much as we budgeted, we need to have some successful fundraisers. Obviously singing is an ideal way to raise money. If you know of a group that is looking for some excellent entertainment at a reasonable price, refer them to Alan Kenley at 514-341-7171. In addition to the sing-outs we will have between now and December 31, 2000, we need to have some other fund raisers. If you have a suggestion, call me (514-993-4673) or send me an email (imphillips@sprint.ca). All suggestions will be considered.

Do you know singers from other groups? You know that summer is an ideal time to invite someone that you know loves to sing and is able to carry a tune. We are one of the few singing organizations that do not quit for the summer. Invite people from your church choir, or other choirs that are on summer hiatus. They may like what they hear and want to stay. Remember that membership starts with ME.

Have you registered for Harmony Pilgrimage? It will be taking place at Westfield College, Westfield, MA on August 11-13, 2000. This is a great opportunity to learn more about our hobby. Some excellent coaches will be there and will share their expertise with the attendees, who come from around the Northeast. Quartets can receive coaching as well. This year, the guest quartet is Revival, 1998 International Champions. On Friday evening, the members of Revival will be telling how to be a great tenor, lead, baritone or bass. Rob Mance will be teaching Tag Singing, and you can learn Vocal Techniques.

Saturday there is quartet coaching and classes on How to Balance Chords, Beginning Directing, Sight Singing, Basic Choreography, Emceeing (with Mike Maino), Vocal Techniques and more. Ask Steve Wheaton or Murray Phillips for more information, or go to http://www.nedistrict.org/schools/hp/.

The Trouble Tree Author unknown.

The carpenter I hired to help me restore an old farmhouse had just finished a rough first day on the job. A flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric saw quit, and now his ancient pickup truck refused to start.

While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence. On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands.

After opening the door, he underwent an amazing transformation. His tanned face was wreathed in smiles, and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss.

Afterward, he walked me to my car. We passed the tree, and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.

"Oh, that's my trouble tree," he replied. "I know I can't help having troubles on the job, but one thing for sure, troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and the children. So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home. Then in the morning, I pick them up again."

"Funny thing is," he smiled, "when I come out in the morning to pick them up, there aren't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before."

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

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