The crunch is on guys. The big show is only days away. It is time for you to TAKE THE EXTRA TIME out of your daily schedule to make sure you have the words and notes memorized, to make sure you know the choreography moves, and to check your ticket lists and make sure you’ve sold every ticket you possibly can. By the time you read this, all ad sales should have been made and turned in to Carroll. I certainly hope you did your part there as well. This show is a team effort and every team member must carry his share of the load to ensure its success. GO TEAM!!!
Once in awhile I’ll get a phone call at home from some of you in the chorus so, for your information, we no longer have a land line phone. We’ve gone cellular and the old phone number, 348-2683, is now Jane’s cell number. If you want to call me, my cell is 209-3701 and my office is 341-3701. Your warm fuzzies, adoration, positive input, and good jokes are always welcome. Anything else, call Jane.
Did ya ever wonder:
If electricity comes from electrons does morality come from morons?? hmmmmm...
The March Board of Directors meeting focused primarily on the upcoming Spring show, “Barbershop Goes Broadway,” and on August’s Harmony Happening in the Hills.
The Spring show preparations are going well, with many men off the spots. We anticipate going to two rehearsals per week before the month ends, and the Music committee will be developing choreography routines for the chorus to learn.
The Board approved the idea of making the program as a book of full-year sponsorships, which we will offer to our audiences at all performances. This will give our show sponsors a twelve month exposure, as opposed to the current one-time sponsorship at the Spring Show. The ad prices remain the same as they have been for several years.
An increase in ticket prices was also approved. The price for adults will be $12.50 in advance and $15.00 at the door. Students tickets will be $5.00 each, through college age. For groups of 10 or more, the price will be $10.00 each. We will encourage the senior citizen groups to take advantage of the group rates at our performances before the show. The show committee is also checking out the lights at Dakota Middle School, and will explore adding lights at the sides on stands. Black Hills Community Theatre and Central Drama Department are possible sources of light units to rent. Del Beck has asked the school to ensure the balcony spots are in good working order.
For Harmony Happening, John Elving is contacting the Rocky Mountain District (RMD) and the Barbershop Harmony Society for ideas and possible funding support to add a Youth in Harmony Day to the weekend. The Camp will be held on Friday, August 16, and our clinician, Rick Spencer, will lead the day. Possible locations for the Camp are being explored. Placerville Camp, Camp Judson and Hill City High School are the venues mentioned so far. Much more information to come on this very exciting event.
Although we had a successful Singing Valentines Day, the committee will explore ways to increase our outings. Several Society chapters of similar market and chorus size do as many as two times the sixty deliveries which we had, and we’d like to discover their marketing secrets.
The next Board meeting will be Tuesday, April 3, at 5:45 pm, before the Tuesday rehearsal at Central High School. As always, all chorus members are invited to attend and participate in the discussions.
ATTENTION all singers:
Until the show on April 21st, we will be holding our customary two-fers. That’s right – we will be meeting twice a week. Thursday evening will be our regular chapter meeting and chorus rehearsal. As always, section rehearsals are at 6:30 pm. Also, front row choreography will be meeting at 6:30. (Remember the tambourine line?) That 6:30 time will also be used for anyone needing extra work on choreography.
Then each Tuesday we will have our regularly scheduled special show rehearsals starting at 7 pm. There will be no chapter meeting on Tuesdays. That way we can get out a little earlier. (Ya, sure, you betcha!)
We have been getting a lot of work done in our rehearsal times. BUT, we have a lot more to do before show time to make this a really great show. Let’s all do what we can to prove to our audiences that we are the best entertainers in Rapid City!
Notes, words, choreography, interpretation, story telling – whew! See you all on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Show Time!
Do you have your uniform put together (and clean) for the show? Do you know all the words, notes and moves to all the songs? Have you sold tickets to everyone you know? Have you passed out flyers to everyone you meet, or have business with? Are you proud of this year’s show and let everyone know it? If you answer no to any of these questions, time’s a wastin’.
Just a few more rehearsals and we will be presenting our show to the best audiences in South Dakota. Pay close attention to the man out front when we stop. The “ten second rule” is very important at this time. Refrain from comments to your neighbor. There is a chance that the comments from the man in front may apply to you. In case you don’t know, the “ten second rule” states that after being stopped, whether during the song, or after, don’t say anything to anyone (including the director) and only listen for ten seconds. In simpler words – keep silent for (at least) ten seconds when not singing.
Please be ready to say yes if you are asked to help with a job for the show. There are lots of small jobs that need to be done and they are all very important to a successful show. Veterans, you are responsible to guide the rookies through the process. Rookies don’t be afraid to ask questions – the only dumb question is the one that is not asked.
Let’s fill the house for two shows and give our friends and neighbors the best show ever! (That includes our guest quartet IGNITION!)
We should try this 3 times weekly until show time. First thing is to look at your face to see what your smile looks like and experiment on how to improve it by raising your cheeks and eyebrows. I found a bathroom half mirror works best; this room also gives you more of an echo sound and you should hear your notes better. (You might be surprised!) Now sing a song trying to hold as much smile (above the mouth) as possible. Keep watching through the entire song. Next watch your movement left to right (not too much though) & up & down in time with music. I think you might find you could get thrown off either the notes or words. This is why you should practice this with each song. By seeing ourselves, we can get better and be as good as any group. Now that we are on the risers, let’s show our audiences how good we can be!
It’s time to kick our public relations and marketing efforts into high gear. But first, some definitions:
Public Relations – Relationship with the public
Projecting an image – needs to be POSITIVE
Marketing – Packaging for sale or use
Advertising – Paid public notices through the news media, etc.
The members of the Mt. Rushmore Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society work very hard each year to produce a quality show for this community. Our challenge is to put people into all the seats available at Dakota Middle School. Let’s see an increase in our efforts toward ticket sales for this year’s Show. After the 2006 Show many of the folks who had attended expressed highly favorable responses to what they saw and heard. However, how great it would have been to have reached more audience. Yes, we advertise extensively, but that isn’t enough. Our audience numbers will grow only if YOU will make the public relations effort. That means telling people, many people, about our Show and offering them the opportunity to attend by purchasing tickets. Project that positive image. Many folks have told us they did not know that this type of entertainment was available. Many folks do not pay attention to advertising so you need to make the contacts.
Identify your target. For many members the primary target is their workplace. For others it is the members of their family, church, clubs, etc. Be generous with those flyers, hand out a bunch. How many tickets will you sell? Tell potential customers that they can purchase tickets in advance for $12.50 rather than $15.00 at the door. The cost of a ticket purchased in a group of ten is only $10.00. Adults in your family also pay the $10.00 rate while students of all ages can buy a ticket for $5.00.
After selling your tenth ticket you will receive a one dollar credit for ticket sales eleven on up toward your out-of-pocket expenses to District Contest, Estes Park HEP and possibly other events to be determined. Society dues may not be paid through this promotion.
Gentlemen, we need a big effort out of every one of you. Offer the Show opportunity to everyone. Another reward of performing is the thrill of feasting your eyes on a full house when that curtain goes up.
These four men sing in our chorus. They all sing different parts. See if you can identify them. Send your answers to the editor at: leaderman at earthlink dot net
The first to correctly identify all four men and the part they sing will receive one free entry in the weekly Harmonizer drawing, compliments of the editor. Put on your thinking caps and submit those entries.
You may be interested in how the BHS Contest & Judging Handbook treats choruses. The following is taken from the Singing category description:
Differences Between Quartet and Chorus
Can each member actually sing his part individually? With quality? I found that several singers in my former chorus spent lots of time with their learning tapes and professed they “knew” their notes and words. They could even tape themselves for evaluation within the section on the risers and were adequately passing tapes -- however, they were really just great FOLLOWERS! When asked to sing in a quartet, they were hardly able to hold their part -- didn’t know pick-ups, had trouble with words and notes, didn’t breathe in the right spots, had trouble with range, got nervous, etc. They were amazed! Even though I had stressed rehearsing in performance mode at home, it wasn’t happening. They started taping themselves singing alone at home and began fixing the spots they didn’t really “know” so well. What a huge improvement.
Suppose we could learn from this?
Barbershop Harmony at 30,000 Feet!
In-flight entertainment features story on the Society.
Sky radio, a company providing in-flight audio programming for seven major airlines in North America will be airing an interview with the Barbershop Harmony Society’s Director of Marketing, Todd Wilson, on Northwest Airlines flights in April of this year. Northwest Airlines is the world’s fifth largest airline.
The four-minute interview covers a variety of topics, including the upcoming International Convention in Denver, the Society’s upcoming relocation to Nashville, barbershop music available from www.iTunes.com, and a few samples of barbershop singing from International Champion quartets Platinum and ACOUSTIX.
The estimated reach of this audio programming is 700,000 passengers per month. NWA World Traveler, the official magazine of Northwest Airlines has an average audience per issue of 1,914,000 and monthly circulation of almost 348,596. Contact information about the Barbershop Harmony Society is in the in-flight programming section of their April issue.
If you’re not planning on flying Northwest Airlines in April, you can still listen to the interview online by visiting www.barbershop.org/ID_097119 and clicking the link to LISTEN / DOWNLOAD NOW.
Question: When does 2 + 2 = 5? Answer: When barbershop harmony is sung correctly, creating harmonic overtones and “expanded sound.”
One of the most important factors in the achievement of choral blend and expanded sound is unity of vowel sounds. Vowels are what we sing and sustain, separated by consonants to make words. When we match vowel sounds, we create like harmonics and the sound expands in intensity through reinforcement. In singing, vowels are created through the natural resonance of the human vocal tract. The tongue, lips and jaw are used to fashion the resonators into their vowel shapes. Some basic rules to follow when forming vowel sounds are:
Every vowel can be sung with one of three mouth shapes: round (example — ”oh”), square (example— “ih” as in sit) and oblong (example—”ah” as in pop). Refinements to form each specific vowel sound are made by the degree to which the tongue is arched in the mouth, and the degree to which the jaw is dropped. For instance, both the “oh” sound and the “oo” (as in moon) sound are made with the round mouth shape, but the “oh” sound is made with the mouth as open as possible while the “oo” sound is made with the smallest, most rounded shape.
As we sing the songs in our repertoire, keep in mind the basic mechanics of producing vowel sounds and think about the target vowel sound for each word in the song. Properly matched vowels can enable our chorus of 20-something men to “fill the hall” and create the expanded sound that makes barbershop harmony so much fun to sing and hear.
Here’s a little friendly blurb about the new Welcome to Nashville CD that’s now available:
To recognize the Barbershop Harmony Society’s move to the Music City, some of the best known quartets in the world have teamed up to record a new one-of-a-kind compilation CD that will raise money for the move. “Welcome to Nashville” is a collection of Nashville “themed” songs, performed by:
This is the first barbershop compilation album ever made entirely from all new studio recordings, and featuring guest appearances from some famous Nashville celebrities:
Not only is this CD a great buy for Barbershop fans of all ages, but a portion of the proceeds from all sales goes directly to the Society. You can’t lose: You get a one of a kind CD and help the society!
To purchase one of these one-of-akind CDs, contact one of the quartets mentioned above.
CDs can also be ordered via credit/debit card at: www.nashvillebarbershop.com
What is Barbershop Harmony?
The Barbershop Harmony Society is devoted to promoting, preserving, and enjoying a special form of harmony known as barbershop. But what makes a particular song or arrangement “barbershop-able”? What’s the difference between barbershop and doo-wop, jazz, madrigal, and other a cappella music?
Technically speaking, barbershop harmony is a style of unaccompanied singing with three voices harmonizing to the melody. The lead usually sings the melody, with the tenor harmonizing above the lead. The bass sings the lowest harmonizing notes and the baritone provides in-between notes, either above or below the lead to make chords (specifically, dominant-type or “barbershop” sevenths) that give barbershop its distinctive, “full” sound.
Probably the most distinctive facet of barbershop harmony is the phenomenon known as expanded sound. It is created when the harmonics in the individually sung tones reinforce each other to produce audible overtones or undertones. Barbershoppers call this “ringing a chord.” Singing in a quartet or chorus and creating that “fifth voice” is one of the most thrilling musical sensations you’ll ever experience, leading to goose bumps the size of golf balls.
(The second part of the tutorials will be found in the next issue of the Voice of Rushmore. Ed.)
In a few short months, thousands of barbershoppers will be in Denver, Colorado for the International Convention July 1-8. We are still looking for MANY VOLUNTEERS; they will be needed in many areas of operation. We have the MOST EFFICIENT system of volunteering...it only takes MINUTES to register on-line, and by indicating your preferred areas of service, preferred days and times, and even friends you want to work with, those who register first are most likely to get their requests fulfilled. Grab your mouse, go to the RMD website — www.RMDsing.org and click on “On-line Volunteer Form” at the bottom of the home page. Type in your personal data, click your preferences, your shirt size, and submit. It’s THAT EASY. One additional incentive to register early...we’ll be SURE to have one of our snazzy Volunteer shirts IN YOUR SIZE ready for you to wear (and keep). Otherwise, we’ll be guessing what sizes to order, and not only will you get the “leftover jobs” but you’ll also get to choose a shirt “from whatever sizes are left.” We want our Convention attendees to have the time of their lives, and we want the same for our highly-valued volunteers. Please, register now. Thanks. If you can’t volunteer on-line, call Tony at 303-233-6234 to volunteer by postal mail.
Tony Pranaitis & Rod Sgrignoli, Co-chairmen, Volunteer Services
Ever had “one of those days”? I mean one of those days where nothing seems to go right?
Well, I had one of those days just last week. It was the end of the month, and things had not been going well all week long. As a matter of fact, they hadn’t gone well for most of the month. Now, I’m not talking about our chapter meetings or extra rehearsals, or anything to do with barbershop singing. As a matter of fact, I was looking forward to having more time to devote to this hobby I love so much
Then it happened. Call it old-timer’s disease, or CRS. Whatever, I completely forgot a very important performance for our chorus. As a matter of fact, I didn’t realize I had forgotten it until late in the evening two days later.
They say the first thing to go is the memory, and the second thing to go is the memory. Unfortunately, I don’t remember what the second thing is, but hopefully it will come to me.
I sincerely apologize for forgetting such an important performance as “Is There A Dr. In The House”. Even though there were other things working in my life at the time, they were no excuse for leaving the chorus up in the air.
I promise, however, not to forget the show coming up this month. I will be there for sure!
Sing-cerely & Humm-bly,
The following letter comes from Wyman Schmidt and contains some ideas that all of us need to continually remind ourselves about while recruiting. Wyman is another of our BHS members who has recruited more than twenty new members during his career. He writes:
“I appreciate getting your note about recruitment. I am sure you are going to get a variety of answers to your questions, and I am sure that each person tailors his methods to fit his own personality and that of the person he is recruiting. Some of my thoughts are:
Our chapter is planning a four-week membership drive, mid-September to mid-October, with special emphasis on the fun of learning new music, culminating in an Oktoberfest for all the new recruits, wives, kids and, of course, our regular members. The Oktoberfest includes the new songs in a mini-show so that his spouse can see what “Joe” has been doing on barbershop nights. This intense effort gained a number of new members last year. We’ve found that membership drives should be done first-class or not at all because sometimes we’ve “wasted” a potential member because the first night he came was a “bummer” of a practice night.
Yep, I’ll continue to recruit, and have a couple of potentials come September. Glad to see this effort on your part.”
PS: We are so pleased to see the SingAmerica/SingCanada program and are using it in the schools of our area.”