Date: June 19, 2000

The Show was a success! At the Board meeting, Bert Brossoit presented the report of the Show Committee. He and Alan Kenley were the Co-Chairmen and they can be justifiably proud of the success they created with help from a bunch of people.

This year's show was a different type than the previous several years. The hall was spectacular and the chorus and quartets performed at new levels. Our guest quartets Blue Champagne and PLATINUM were wonderful, and our guests went away satisfied with the evening of music and solid entertainment.

Some areas where improvement will be made before next years show (in 51 weeks) include the lighting and sound. We need to sell more tickets and more advertisements, but with the quality of this year's show behind us, this should not be difficult. Communication with our neighbouring Chapters and choruses can be improved. Some French songs will be added to our repertoire, since we had a sizeable group of French speaking guests, and will again.

We also need to be a whole lot better at cleaning up after the show. This is everyone's responsibility. That means that no one should leave the theatre until the risers and all equipment is loaded and all the "stuff" is picked up back stage. We want to make sure that we are welcome to come back to this wonderful hall for future shows.

Addie Wheaton provided an amazing meal for an economical price. It wasn't too heavy, but it sure tasted good. For future activities where we are eating and performing, this type of meal is ideal. By the way, if you didn't pay your $5.00 for the meal, you can give it to our Treasurer, Ray Watkins.

Pierre Dufault was an excellent MC, and he has offered to help us with publicity for next year! Special thanks to John Clendinneng for the fantastic job with the control of the ticket sales, to Walter Mueller for his great money management, and to the others who made this a great show.

Jerry Silverberg wants to create a database with the names and addresses of ticket buyers and advertisers. If you sold tickets and/or advertising, we would appreciate receiving the information.

Oh, yes! We also made some money. The 777 tickets we sold and the advertising provided a much-needed balance of $7,200 to the coffers. While this is less than the budget, it is a good start. Just wait till next year!

Sincerest sympathies to Mark Lewis, whose Dad, William, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home in Toronto on June 14. The funeral was held on Saturday, June 17, with all members of the family singing. Mr. Lewis had been a member of the Pierrefonds Chapter.

Take advantage of the summer! Invite someone that you know loves to sing and is able to carry a tune. We are one of the few singing organizations that does 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, or perhaps they may want to join us for our Christmas sing outs.

So, you have a good fund raising idea? Let's have it! Since the show didn't quite bring in as much as we budgeted, we need to have some successful fundraisers. In addition to the sing-outs we will have between now and December 31, 2000. Your ideas are needed. Chocolate bar anyone?

Harmony Pilgrimage 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. Quartets can receive coaching as well.

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/.

Time for your Annual dues? Please pay NOW! Annual dues went up by $6.00 US effective with December 31, 1999 renewals. That makes our annual total $170.00 Canadian. NOTE: DISREGARD THE AMOUNT ON YOUR RENEWAL NOTICE! PLEASE if June is your renewal month, give Ray Watkins your cheque ON MONDAY! If you are late, there will be an additional $7.50 late payment charge.

Pay-as-you-go-Joe. 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.) All cheques are payable to "Island City Chorus." 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.

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

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