The Downeasters Soundings Weekly is an email newsletter of the Downeasters Barbershop Harmony Chorus www.downeasters.org -Please send any Notes of Interest, Barbershop Stories or requests to be removed from, or added to, the distribution list, etc. to soundings.ed@gmail.com. -This, and all Soundings are available online at: http://www.issuu.com/downeasters
And away we go…
Downeasters Chorus Rehearsals Downeaster Chapter Meetings Lunt Auditorium, 74 Lunt Rd, Falmouth, ME 04105
Monday, October 25, 2021
6:30pm – 8:30pm Chorus Rehearsal Music Your best version of the contest songs Angels We Have Heard On High Go Tell It On The Mountain Jingle Bell Rock Silent Night Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas O Holy Night We Wish You A Merry Christmas And the following rehearsal, we will add the remaining songs in: Do You Hear What I Hear Hark! The Herald Angels Sing O Come All Ye Faithful Winter Wonderland
Rehearsal Covid Policy Until further notice - anyone wishing to participate must be fully vaccinated. *************************************************************
Music Notes…
Rehearsal Recap 10-18-2021 Wow... just, wow... That sums up exactly how I feel after last night's rehearsal! Your dedication to singing well while having fun was on full display. And those contest songs have never sounded better! Honestly, there is nothing negative to say after last night. That said, I offer a challenge to all of you: what will you do between now and Monday to make sure that our next rehearsal is even better? Is it better personal breath plans? Is it working on keeping your singing space throughout a song? Is it learning to get loud and soft while still singing well? Is it practicing telling the story with your face and body while bringing your best singing? Whatever it is, make the choice, make the commitment, and do it - I think you can see the impact after last night! For next week, be ready to bring the best version of the contest songs. We will also add more of our holiday repertoire back in. So far, we have sung:
Angels We Have Heard On High Go Tell It On The Mountain Jingle Bell Rock Silent Night We may or may not sing all of the above songs in review. However, be ready to perform these as well: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas O Holy Night We Wish You A Merry Christmas And the following rehearsal, we will add the remaining songs in: Do You Hear What I Hear Hark! The Herald Angels Sing O Come All Ye Faithful Winter Wonderland Thank you all for your efforts - see you Monday! -Chris ~
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Contest Prep Info I know... two emails in one week? Well, this isn't a normal rehearsal recap email - this is to address a few of the musical and performance considerations around the contest that is happening next weekend in Worcester. Before I begin, as always, please email me if you have any questions regarding any of this or if you feel I've left something out. First of all, the contest is on Saturday, October 30. The order of events is as follows: -First we will be in our primary warm-up room in the Sullivan Academic Center, Room 103. -Then, at around 11:40, we will leave that room to go to our final rehearsal room - that room has risers, and it is our last stop before the stage. -We will leave that room shortly after and arrive on stage about 5 minutes before noon. I will be doing warmups in two phases. The first portion is optional and will begin in at 9:30 this will be focused on individual warmup exercises and is designed for those who would like a bit more time warming up their own voice before singing in a chorus environment. The second part is mandatory for the entire chorus and will begin at 10AM. We will provide a short window in which to change and/or finalize your outfit between then and when we leave the room. I must note that some have mentioned they might be a bit late to warmups - I will allow it this time under two conditions. First, you MUST come fully warmed up and ready to sing when you arrive, no excuses. Second, for future contests, you must make appropriate arrangements to arrive on time to begin the chorus warmup. Our outfit is as follows: solid-colored dress shirt, necktie to go with the shirt (not the exact same color), black shoes, black socks, black tux pants, black suspenders (if
required to keep your pants up). Please take the time over the next couple of days to ensure you have all the pieces ready and in good shape (pressed and clean). Please note: no optional accessories should be worn onto the stage. You can leave in your wedding rings, glasses, earrings, etc, but leave your watches and stuff like that behind for the performance. On the subject of masks... Our hosts have been very specific about this, so I want to be clear on this point: masks are required in ALL spaces except the final warmup room and on-stage. This means that, YES, masks are required in our Room 103 practice room. I am well aware of the issue that creates in preparing to sing, but please understand that this is not our rule. As such, I expect everyone in our chorus to lead by example and be prepared to follow all the rules set forth without argument. So please wear your mask, and when we are in a mask-free zone, just put it in your pocket. Other miscellaneous notes: Bring a water bottle, disposable or otherwise. Due to COVID, it is unknown what water sources will be available while in our warmup room. Please make sure to grab your convention badge at some point before arriving at the warmup room, whether the night before or the morning of the contest. In the event we should win the contest, we may be asked to perform on the Saturday night showcase, though this is unknown. I will take a poll during warmups to see our likely turnout for this possibility. HAVE FUN! This is our first performance for our barbershop friends in two years - we've waited a long time to see them, and they've waited a long time to see us! We owe it to ourselves, as well as all of them, to put our best performance out there! So let's sing well and have fun! I'll see you all Monday, and if not, at the convention! -Chris
Oct 29 - Oct 31, (Fri-Sun):
** Downeasters Performance **
What: 2021 NED Fall District Convention - 75th Celebration! Where: • WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS Worcester State University NED Link: https://www.nedistrict.org/2021-fall-district Competitor Information Link: https://www.nedistrict.org/2021-fall-competitor With Order of Appearance… *************************************************************
Upcoming Dates… * 2021 *
* 2021 *
Oct 29 - Oct 31, (Fri-Sun):
* 2021 * ** Downeasters Performance **
What: 2021 NED Fall District Convention - 75th Celebration! Where: • WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS Worcester State University
• The dates of October 29 & 30, 2021 remain the same! NED Link: https://www.nedistrict.org/2021-fall-district Dec. 13 (Mon) ** Downeasters Performance ** What: Oceanview Holiday Concert Where: Lunt Auditorium 74 Lunt Rd. Falmouth, ME 04105 Time: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Downeasters holiday concert at Lunt auditorium (where we rehearse). tentatively scheduled for Monday December 13 contingent on Covid pandemic restrictions.
* 2022 *
* 2022 *
* 2022 *
Jan. 13-16 (The – Sun) What: 2022 MIDWINTER: PASADENA, CA Where: Pasadena, CA Links: https://www.barbershop.org/events/midwinter-convention https://www.barbershop.org/events/midwinter-convention/schedule-2022-midwinter Jul. 3-10 (Sun – Sun) What: 2022 INTERNATIONAL: CHARLOTTE, NC Where: Charlotte, NC Links: https://www.barbershop.org/events/future-conventions Sep 16-18 (Fri-Sun) What: THE 2022 NEW ENGLAND HARMONY BRIGADE RALLY Where: TBA Times: TBA Link: https://www.nehb.net
* 2023 *
* 2023 *
* 2023 *
Sep 22-24 (Fri-Sun) What: THE 2023 NEW ENGLAND HARMONY BRIGADE RALLY Where: TBA Times: TBA Link: https://www.nehb.net **************************************************************
Upcoming Birthdays!: Jim Johnston
Oct 20
William Bedford
Oct 27
Andre Blanchard
Oct 30
George Feinberg
Nov 03
Mert Danna
Nov 13
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Mixed Barbershop Chorus Called FairWinds Under the umbrella of the Nor’easters Chorus in Bath, is a Mixed Barbershop Chorus of adult men and women called FairWinds, which has been in existence since July 2019. Currently there are 16 members, the men are all from the Nor’easters, some of the women from Mainely Harmony Chorus and two are wives of Noreasters. We are looking to grow our mixed chorus and to that end, looking for more male singers and/ or a couple who would like to sing together in a barbershop chorus. We meet in Bath two Saturday afternoons a month from 1:30 - 3:30 pm, of which dates change to meet scheduling needs. We have a lot of fun together singing and would love to have more members. Current repertoire is Satin Doll, S sentimental Journey, Blue Moon, Lida Rose (with ladies QT in it) and just starting on Chances Are. Other pieces are in the wind, but these are the current ones. If this appeals to you, please contact Kathy Robitaille, Nor’easters Director 207-542-7699 or kattsy2@yahoo.com
************************************************************ From AIC Facebook:
Video of the Month CLASSIC PERFORMANCE: Second Edition I Mistakes (Live from 1989) YouTube Link: Second Edition I Mistakes The 1989 International Champions, Second Edition, perform this classic Roy Keys arrangement, highlighting their smooth and unparalleled lock and ring. ************************************************************ From LiveWire:
Featured Performance
Instant Classic - This Could Be the Start of Something Big (International 2015) YouTube Link: Instant Classic - This Could Be the Start of Something Big (International 2015) Instant Classic - http://www.harmonize.com/instantclassic/ https://www.facebook.com/instantclass... ***************************************************************
Mission Statement
Enriching Lives Through Excellence In A Cappella Harmony Active Repertoire -> You can always Sing! Anytime at All Blue Skies Caroline Consider Yourself God Bless America Hello Mary Lou How Deep is the Ocean I Will Go Sailing No More I'm Gonna Live Till I Die If I Loved You
Irish Blessing with the new tag It's a Most Unusual Day Keep The Whole World Singing Longest Time Love Me O Canada Star Spangled Banner The Cop On The Beat Tin Roof Blues Wonderful Day Medley
New Music: Nevertheless From the First Hello Can You Feel The Love Tonight Softly, As I Leave You Sweet Caroline Hallelujah What A Wonderful World When You Wish Upon A Star How High The Moon Bare Necessities
Christmas Music: Angels We Have Heard on High Go Tell It on the Mountain Have Yourself a Merry Little Xmas Jingle Bell Rock Winter Wonderland
Click here to go to the music library Debra Lynn Follow-Up @ downeasters.org -> https://downeasters.org/node/3617 You can navigate to it via the members only menu: Documents->Music Team->Debra Lynn Downeasters Practice Videos: Chris’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCGAv8zxVYf7KY9Lc-boIsQ Downeasters & Quartets Videos on YouTube: YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB2KEyK89e1G6-F0Un6EJr3NyHsMro3Lz ************************************************************** Downeasters Leadership for 2021 President Fred Moore < fmoore@maine.rr.com > Primary: (207) 409-2738 Secondary: (207) 885-5822
Immediate Past President Mike Soper <gmichaelsoper@gmail.com> Primary: (207) 400-9184 Secondary: (207) 730-5624
Secretary Arne Gronningsater <arne.gronningsater@gmail.com> Primary: (207) 232-3159
Treasurer Roger Buck < rcbuck9@gmail.com > Primary: (207) 879-0643 Cell: (207) 749-9059
VP - Membership Rich Parsons < repdhp@msn.com > Primary: (207) 985-9196 Cell: (207) 232-7770
VP - Music George Feinberg < gmfeinberg@gmail.com > Primary: (207) 615-3748
VP - PR-Marketing Chris Cutler < christopherjcutler@gmail.com> Primary: (860) 808-9887 Board Member at Large Bill Bedford < wbedf0rd@nycap.rr.com > Primary: (207) 934-5320 Secondary (518) 275-5627 Director Chris Howard < crhlehigh@gmail.com > Primary: (201) 893-1173 "Soundings" Newsletter Editor Bruce Sturgis <BStur1@gmail.com> Primary: (207) 520-8354
Board Member at Large Scott Kolda < mainiacsinsweden@yahoo.com > Primary: (207) 522-1020 Board Member at Large Jim Johnston < jimjohnston@maine.rr.com > Primary: (207) 619-7613 Cell: (207) 400-9760 Board Member at Large Marshall Wagner <emwagner31@aol.com> Primary: (207) 232-1543 Librarian Dwight Pensiero <DJPensiero@gmail.com> Primary: (207) 353-3244
Bruce Sturgis Soundings Weekly Editor email: soundings.ed@gmail.com Downeasters Barbershop Chorus
www.downeasters.org