ISLAND CITY CHORUS

GREATER MONTREAL CHAPTER

SPEBSQSA Inc.

The Little Chorus that could!

MINI PITCH

Date: July 15, 2002

The weather was great, the city beautiful, the rapid transit system FREE, the contests fun and the organization excellent. What more could we ask?

We were blessed to have a pretty and amiable representative from Tourism Montréal, Lisa Cormier, who charmed the visitors to our booth. We also had a fantastic ambassador by the name of Bert Brossoit. He was a huge asset to the team and kept all of us in good spirits.

The entire team did yeoman service, registering almost 2,800 people for Montreal 2003. Peter Evans, Al Mahoney, Ron Dawson, Ernie Chappell, Mary Phillips, Addie, Andrew, Jennifer Wheaton, Stan & Sandra Blicker, Alan Kenley, and Steve Wheaton and Murray Phillips, were kept hopping for the full week, but we still got a chance to see nearly all of the contests. We also were able to take part in some of the special events, such as the Gospel Sing, World Harmony Jamboree, Sing With The Champs and the Association of International Champions (AIC) Show.

The opportunity to meet and quiz the Portland Committee was very valuable, and gave us an insider's view of the convention. We will be receiving an analysis by the Portland Committee, and will use it in our planning process.

Tom Arneberg, one of the H@rmonet folks, took over a thousand of pictures and they are available online at http://arneberg.com/bbshop/int2002

The opportunity to get the 1980 International Champions was too much to pass up, and the bidding was such that we will be putting on a Christmas Show, starring this fabulous quartet. They are the last champs from the Northeastern District and are beginning to do shows again after a hiatus. They have recently issued a CD compilation of their music.

The show will be held in Early November or early December depending on Boston Common's availability.

The best seats go to those who register before the Early Bird Deadline of July 15. All volunteers who wish to see any part of the contests MUST purchase a registration package.

Early-bird registrants will pay $100.00 US. That will also put you in the early registrants' draw for seats and housing. Use the web link to register TONIGHT!

http://www.spebsqsa.org/montreal/registration.htm

It is time to decide how you want to pay for your share of the Summer Costume. As previously announced we are looking great in a forest green polo shirt, tan pants, brown belt, brown socks and brown shoes. The collars are being replaced, so the flag is the right way up.

The members will be asked to pay $50.00 toward the cost of our outfit. The Chapter will pay for the remaining cost.

If you wish to use your accumulated credits to defray part of the $50.00 cost, you need to inform Jerry Silverberg as soon as possible, but PAY NOW!

Please lend a hand where you can.

A blonde was playing Trivial Pursuit one night.It was her turn, so she rolled the dice andlanded on "Science & Nature."

Her question was, "If you are in a vacuum and someone calls your name, can you hear it?"

She thought for a time and then asked, "Is it turned on or off?"

1. What is the one song that will for sure be zeroed out by the judges in contest?
2. Five of the 12 songs were arranged by one guy. Who was he?
3. There is only one song in the key of F. What is it?
4. What song has a verse about children playing on the dining room floor?
5. Two of the songs have lyrics written by women. Which songs?
6. Which is the most non-homophonic (means everyone not singing together, for baritones) song?
7. Who was Tell Taylor?
8. Which song has a bass hanger for the tag?
9. In "Down By The Old Mill Stream" is it "eyes of blue" or "eyes so true?" (Don't peek.)
10. (Tie breaker.) In the Barberpole Cat Program and Song Book, name one of the two tags included as a bonus.

Answers below.

Here is our current and future repertoire list:

Songs in italic are going to be dropped. Songs in bold are to be learned or re-learned.

Answers:

1. "Shine On Me" is occasionally chosen for novice quartet contests. Although you might not expect it from the chorus, the verses clearly establish this as a hymn, thus not allowed. All the judges know that.
2. Floyd Connett was the first field representative of SPEBSQSA. All his arrangements are in B flat. Thank you, Floyd!
3. "Sweet And Lovely," as the leads can attest when they try to hit the final note of the tag. Probably only leads and pitch pipe blowers will get that one.
4. You Tell Me Your Dream." If you've never read the verses to this one, you probably have a misconception of the story.
5. If you've ever delivered a singing valentine, you should know Beth Slater Whitson wrote the lyric of "Let Me Call You Sweetheart." The other, of course, was the mysterious "Alice" who wrote the lyric of "Story Of The Rose."
6. "Sweet Adeline," which is mostly lead melody with echo. Would this, the queen of barbershop arrangements, be acceptable in contest today? Probably no more than "Bill Grogan's Goat."
7. Tell Taylor wrote the lyric and music for "Down By The Old Mill Stream." Taylor was a stage performer, prolific song writer and partner in a successful music publishing business, but he is remembered best for "Old Mill Stream."
8. "Wait Till The Sun Shines, Nellie" has the bass hanger in the arrangement by "Buzz" Haeger, but it wasn't always so. Older SPEBSQSA guys remember when there was a tenor hanger. And many older tenors contend with basses when the tag comes.
9. The eyes are blue, but in a gang sing many believe the eyes are true.
10. "Give Me Your Hand" and "Ring, Ring The Banjo."

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

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