Date: July 31, 2000

Whee, we have a new song! I don't know about you, but I really like "Que reste-t-il de nos amours?" It is a beautiful song with a great arrangement by John Hohl. The learning tape by Chris Arnold is excellent and we seemed to do pretty well for one evening. A few spots need fixing up, as far as pronunciation goes, but the song was generally acceptable for one evening. We have two more weeks to get off the paper, but that doesn't seem to present much of an obstacle. Next?

Continuous Improvement required. 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. We learn something new every week. Don't forget, Racing City are going to Harmony Pilgrimage for coaching and the Granite Statesmen scored all "A" level marks in Kansas City. There is competition out there and we are trying to catch up. We can do it, but only if we are committed to improve from week to week.

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!

Where are all the bright ideas? 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).

Invite a friend to chorus this week. 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.

Last Chance to register for Harmony Pilgrimage. Westfield College, Westfield, MA on August 11-13, 2000 is the location for this great educational opportunity. 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/.

• Better save that. We'll need it for the autopsy.
• Someone call the janitor - we're going to need a mop.
• Wait a minute, if this is his spleen, then what's that?
• Hand me that...uh...that uh...thingie.
• Oops! Hey, has anyone ever survived 500ml of this stuff before?
• Ya know, there's big money in kidneys. Heck, the guy's got two of 'em.
• Could you stop that thing from beating? It's throwing my concentration off!
• What's this doing here?
• Well, folks, this will be an experiment for all of us.
• Sterile, shcmeril. The floor's clean, right?
• Anyone see where I left that scalpel?
• Nurse, did this patient sign the organ donation card?
• Don't worry. I think it is sharp enough.
• She's gonna blow! Everyone take cover!
• Rats! Page 47 of the manual is missing!
• FIRE! FIRE! Everyone get out!

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

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