ISLAND CITY CHORUS

GREATER MONTREAL CHAPTER

Northeastern District

SPEBSQSA Inc.

The Little Chorus that could!

MINI PITCH

Date: October 20, 2003 Volume 2003 - 42

Best wishes to The Cavaliers, with Steve Wheaton singing bass. They will be competing in the Northeastern District Contest that will take place in Saratoga Springs, NY this coming weekend.

While our chorus is not competing, the event will be lots of fun, and if you can attend, you will enjoy yourself.

The events will be at the Saratoga Springs City Center in downtown Saratoga Springs, New York.

The quartet contest starts at 7:00 p.m. Friday night. The school will open at 5:00 p.m. that same night. For the contest on Saturday, the school will open at 8:00 a.m. and be available all day. The chorus contest begins at the City Center at 11:00 a.m. Saturday night the quartet contest finals will begin at 8:00 p.m. The NEDAC Show and presentations will follow the quartet finals.

To get there, from Montreal, take the I-87-S to Exit 15. Turn right off the exit. Follow the arterial to the fourth light. Turn left on Rock St. Turn right at the stop sign. Turn right into parking lot. You are there!

Greetings! Just want you to know I had to rush out a week ago before being able to talk with you all. But I had this urge to hear something beautiful that evening and you did not disappoint me.

Many thanks--nothing like a "barbershop high"--even a quickie. Your art is a joy for this old soul...Will try to return another Monday to say "hello" to one and all.

"Why do we spend the first part of the evening warming up? Maybe I will just show up later and miss all that boring stuff." If you have ever felt that way, you probably haven't analysed the reasons we have warm-ups.

Rob Mance has received the respect of the entire Society as the youngest music judge, a marvellous ear for harmony and his knowledge. And we are lucky enough to have him work with us each week. His warm-ups are designed to get us ready to sing well, without hurting our voices, and so that we produce the full, well supported, freely produced sounds of good singing that should characterise our chorus (and coincidentally, good a cappella singing.)

If we don't leave each rehearsal having learned to be a better singer, we are not getting full value for our time and energy. It is also not the director's fault if we don't, since he is providing us with all the tools to learn to be good singers.

So give yourself the best chance possible to make each Monday evening the best opportunity to improve your singing by being there at 7:30 SHARP, ready to warm-up and sing your best.

We don't remember everything from week to week, but if we can add a little bit every week, soon we will remember most of what Rob is trying to get through to us. Our individual improvements will make the chorus into a very enjoyable listening experience for our audience, but even more important, an enjoyable singing experience for us!

As noted a couple of weeks ago, the Montreal Chapter of Harmony Inc. has invited us to join them on November 1, 2003 for their Pre-International Convention Dress Rehearsal at Riverdale High School. It is at 8:00 PM.

The school is located on Sources Blvd., north of Gouin Blvd. in Pierrefonds. Tickets (to pay for the hall rental) will cost $5.00, and will be available very soon.

Rudi Flaig, continues his brave battle against cancer. He and Shirley appreciate phone calls, cards and letters.

Rudi's address is:

48 Maple Circle

Dollard des Ormeaux, QC H9B 1E5

His telephone number is 514-684-6009.

Please, remember Rudi and Shirley in your prayers.

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

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