Date: February 19, 2001

Contest News! We will be participating in the Granite and Pine Division Contest. We will be singing for points in order to qualify for District Convention. This is necessary because the Mountain Division contest falls at the start of one of the most important Jewish Holy days, Passover, and we wanted to permit all members to participate. Transportation and other arrangements will be made available as soon as possible.

The songs we will be performing are My Romance/Its You medley ( New )and Steppin' Out. Music and tapes/CDs will be available very soon!

Show News. We now have tickets for the June 9, 2001 show, Steppin' Out. This will be at the same great hall we used last year, and where the Great Northern Harmony School was held recently. John Clendinneng has agreed to coordinate ticket sales again this year, so get your tickets from hi. As we did last year, tickets are given when a cheque is received. A post-dated cheque works, and you can trade cash and cheques before the show in exchange.

New Show songs. The Music Team was busy and has completed the selection of songs for the show. In addition to the other songs in our current repertoire, the new contest medley and Orange Colored Sky and Words ( It's only) [made popular by the Bee Gees] will be added. Music and learning tapes/CDs will be available very soon for these as well.

Joker's Wild Retiring on our show. We have learned with sadness, that 1994 International Champions, Joker's Wild will be retiring. The good news is they will be appearing on our show, and that this will be their final performance. We will be advertising this fact to barbershoppers everywhere. Many people will want to come and get one last chance to hear this fabulous foursome one more time.

Songs for ARCIM. We will be singing at ARCIM on Saturday, March 31 and April 1, 2001. The songs we will sing are: Go Tell It on the Mountain, You'll never walk alone, I only have eyes For You, Love me (and the World is Mine), I'm Beginning to see the light. Details as to time and location will follow.

Wanted - Music Librarian. We are looking for someone to take on the position of Music Librarian. Bud Robar has decided to devote his time to the South Shore Chapter, where he is VP, Music and Performance. Ron Dawson assisted Bud, but he has been away ill, as you know. If you are interested, speak to Alan Kenley, our VP, Music and Performance.

Quartet Co-ordinator needed. Here is a request from VP, Music & Performance, Alan Kenley: "We are going to get serious about quartetting and I have asked the section leaders to work with anyone who would like to be in a quartet. Our goal is to have at least four competing quartets at Division 2002. This could mean guys who are in a quartet now could possibly be singing in 2 quartets for contest. I would like to find a co-ordinator for this project. Someone who has the time, knows a little about quartetting and could put in a major effort to make this

work. Let's see if we get any volunteers."

Christmas CD We are ready to start serious work on the Christmas CD which will feature the Barbershop Choruses and quartets of the Montreal Area. We are looking for a CD co-ordinator to work with the Music Team to contact the other choruses and quartets and arrange music selection, recording dates and location. Rob Mance will produce the CD.

Pay-as-you-go Joe - The total dues for a regular member of the Greater Montreal Chapter are $180.00 per year. We pay our dues either once a year for the coming year on our renewal date, or we can use the Pay-as-you-go-Joe system. The $15 Monthly payment hardly hurts. (Nor does the $45.00 quarterly payment, if you prefer that.) This is encouraged for all members of the Chapter. Even if your renewal is at the end of March, June or September, you can still take advantage of the system. You can catch up by paying $15.00 for each of the months you have missed. If you pay $15.00 at the first rehearsal every month, you make the payment process painless. Start NOW.

Post-dated cheques payable to Island City Chorus can be given to Ray Watkins, Chapter Treasurer.

"Have I got a great idea!" Please talk to Jerry Silverberg about any other fund raising ideas you may have. He is willing to consider just about anything that you would like to do (that isn't illegal!)

It would be a wonderful idea for us to have enough fundraisers that we have something that everyone likes to do. That way there would be no nagging from the front each week. That isn't fun for anybody.

Will sing for money. The Chapter is always 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.

You want a CD or tape? When Andrew Wheaton asks you that question, you can tell him either or both, but tell him something, since Andrew is our Learning Assistance Device person. Andrew will give you what you need to learn our new songs. Let him know if you have any special requirements, such as a mono tape player.

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