Date: September 25, 2000 Vocal Efficiency - It’s easier

What a great weekend! Wow, I'm pooped. It was an absolute blast sharing the weekend with you guys. We worked hard, but the results were amazing. Roger Payne is one excellent coach. To quote Alan MacKenzie, "He made it easier." The things he showed us will be useful for years, but they will pay dividends immediately. Vocal efficiency is the cry. Let us all make sure to follow the great advice and example Roger gave us.

The sound was awesome. The best section was … I don't think I will go there. Everyone made a giant step toward our goals. Each person that spent the time and energy came away a winner, because we all got something to help us produce a better sound with less effort. Thank you, Roger. What a gift!

As usual, we ate like kings. A huge thanks to Martha Mance, Marge Schurman, Sonia Kenley, Gail Chartier, Shirley Flaig, Christine Starke, Morgan Lacroix and Linda Hayes for helping to make this one of the best ever. And a big "atta boy" to Alan Kenley who made sure that everything would happen. Last, and certainly not least Rob Mance for his quiet leadership, and for getting his friend Roger to come to see us.

On behalf of Key of Eh?, thanks to Roger, Rob and the many members of the chorus who offered encouragement to us over the weekend. We really enjoyed ourselves.

If you had a good time, let some of the folks mentioned above know it. I don't have to ask if you learned something. We all did that.

Get out your Christmas Music. If you are a new member since last year, ask Bud Robar if he would please give you a set of Christmas Music. You should make sure that you have Scarlet Ribbons, Carol of the Bells and Eight Candles, along with our other seasonal music.

Membership starts with ME! It's as easy as 1-2-3. This is the time of year when people are focused on doing new things, and getting ready to pick up on the things they haven't been doing all summer. Take the time to ask a friend to come and share our hobby. They will need to be motivated and able to sing, obviously, but the rewards are many and fun. Sharing is a good thing, so let's do it. It's as Easy as 1-2-3.

Entertainment Books. Ron Schurman has obtained 100 Entertainment Books 2001 for us to sell. These offer excellent savings at restaurants, movies, dry cleaners, and many other locations in the Montreal area. We are among the first to be out selling, so see Ron TONIGHT, and pick up a couple of Entertainment Books to sell.

Do your part! Sell chocolate. John Clendinneng is the man in charge of Chocolate Bar sales, and he wants you to bring in your money. Jerry Silverberg has a few more bags more since the first batch went so quickly. If you haven't already picked up a bag of these delicious milk chocolate and almond bars, do it tonight. There is only a few left. They sell for only $2.00 and John will be glad to get you out earning money. Part of the profit goes to your account to pay for retreats and other expenses.

Start a monthly payment plan now. 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, if you prefer that.) 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, and make the payment process painless. Start NOW. Post-dated cheques payable to Island City Chorus can be given to Ray Watkins, Chapter Treasurer. All members who have just paid dues for September 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.

Where can we Sing?. The Chapter is in need of funds, and good fund raising ideas. 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.

Please talk to Jerry Silverberg about other fund raising ideas you may have. Since the show didn't quite bring in as much as we budgeted, we need to have some successful fundraisers.

"Machiavelli's The Little Prince" - Antoine de Saint-Exupery's classic children's tale as presented by Machiavelli. The whimsy of human nature is embodied in many delightful and intriguing characters, all of whom are executed. (Erik Anderson, Tempe, Ariz.)

"Green Eggs and Hamlet" -

Would you kill him in his bed? Thrust a dagger through his head?

I would not, could not, kill the King. I could not do that evil thing.

I would not wed this girl, you see. Now get her to a nunnery. (Robin Parry, Arlington)

"Where's Walden?" - Alas, the challenge of locating Henry David Thoreau in each richly-detailed drawing loses its appeal when it quickly becomes clear that he is always in the woods. (Sandra Hull, Arlington)

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

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