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
Wishing Everyone a Harmonious, Healthy and Happy New Year! Monday, January 3, 2022 6:30pm – 8:30pm Chorus Rehearsal Music Blue Skies Can You Feel the Love Tonight Irish Blessing Nevertheless What a Wonderful World Bare Necessities
Rehearsal Covid Policy Until further notice - anyone wishing to participate must be fully vaccinated. *************************************************************
Music Notes…
Rehearsal for 01-03-22 I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season! And I hope you all enjoy your end to 2021! On Monday, we'll be getting back together for the first time in 2022 - be prepared to work on Blue Skies, Can You Feel the Love Tonight, Irish Blessing, and Nevertheless. Most of the rest of the rep we'll be working in the following two weeks. Additionally, please begin preparing What a Wonderful World and Bare Necessities, which are both now fully available on the website. We will begin working What a Wonderful World on 01-17 (third rehearsal in Jan). Looking forward to seeing you all next week! -Chris
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
Thank You for 2021, and Holiday Wishes
Just a quick note today about two things. First, thank you to everyone that was able to engage with us this year in one way or another. I know COVID dealt us another difficult hand this year, but we were also able to participate in a few of our usual activities: we gained some new members, did quite a few singouts, and even went to a convention, all the while learning some valuable chorus fundamentals. I wanted to thank everyone for their hard work this year, and I look forward to an incredible 2022! And yes, you'll be hearing from me soon regarding new music and what to prepare for first rehearsal of 2022, but now is not the time for that... And second, from myself and Sarah and little Nate to you and yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas, a wonderful holiday season, and a happy and healthy New Year. I look forward to seeing you all very soon I hope! -Chris
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
*************************************************************
Upcoming Dates…
* 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!: Joe Baggs
Dec 30
Marshall Wagner
Jan 25
Arne Gronningsater
Jan 27
Brian Violette
Feb 14
David Cole
Mar 04
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Curt & Joan Roberts Info News of the passing of Curt & Joan. Those that knew them remember Curt as a fervent supporter of all things barbershop. He was also at one time a HQ Board Member. After singing in Portsmouth NH each Monday night Joan would pickup Curt and come to Pats. Then drive late back to Wiscasset. May they Rest In Peace in Harmony Heaven. — Mike ---------- Forwarded message --------From: <janlam314@cox.net> Date: Sat, Dec 18, 2021 at 3:04 PM Hi all, I am writing to you all to confirm, in some cases, and to inform in others that our dear brother Curt Roberts passed away this past July. His wife of many years, Joan, predeceased him in February of this year. We only just realized this within the last week because there was no obituary, no calling hours, and no funeral for either of them per the family’s wishes. Curt was living here in Manchester where his son lives and Joan was in a memory care facility near Augusta, Maine. Curt was, at one time, a member of all four of our chapters – Brunswick, Hartford, Manchester and Portland. He was, as you know, a past president of the Northeastern District and a member of NEWCANEWENG, the NED honor society. Curt was also the chairman of the International Convention of BHS when it was held in Hartford in 1987. And for some of our chapters he ably served in various officer positions including chapter president. Earlier this week I spoke with his son, Jay, and we talked at length about our relationships with Curt and Joan. It was my distinct pleasure to have sung in a seniors quartet, Senior Momentum, with Curt for many years winning 3 division seniors quartet championships. He was a great baritone who converted to bass at the middle of his barbershop career. I asked Jay, since there was no obituary, what organization the family want with any donations in his honor to be given to. Jay quickly said the Barbershop Harmony Society because ‘barbershopping was so much of his life for so many years’. I do know that it is the intent of the Society to reactivate the “Keep A Melody Ringing” program which would permanently engrave Curt’s name on the plaque which is on the wall of Society headquarters in Nashville. To achieve that, all donations in his name would have to reach $1,000 – a task that with so many friends of Curt should be easily attainable. And Joan was very active in Harmony Incorporated in her years living in Maine. I am sure the family would be pleased if donations in Joan’s name also went to HI. Your choice!!
Please distribute this note far and wide to your chapter members and past members (in both BHS and HI) who might have known Curt and/or Joan and to any other chapters or barbershoppers who you think would like to know. For contributions to BHS: checkout
https://give.barbershop.org/give/340039/#!/donation/
Be sure to check the box that says “Dedicate my donation in honor or in memory of someone” If it asks you to fill in a name use “J. Curtis Roberts” or “J. Curtis and Joan Roberts”. For contributions to HI:
https://www.harmonyinc.org/donate/
Again, if given the opportunity be sure to indicate that the donation is in memory of Joan Roberts. Alan Lamson Manchester, CT Chapter ************************************************************** From NED’s NEWS:
Video of the Month Thoroughbreds - That’s an Irish Lullabye Performed live at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, California during the Barbershop Harmony Society’s 1990 International Convention YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OIVwBysirU I thought I’d feature a chorus performance this month. I first became aware of SPEBSQSA back in 1967. My father became a member of the soon- to-be International Chorus Champs, the Dapper Dans of Harmony, and soon I was hooked. A good friend of his loaned us some International Contest albums that were produced at that time and the first chorus I fell in love with was the Louisville Thoroughbreds, the 1966 International Champs. While I couldn’t find a video of the Thoroughbreds from that time, listening to this 1990 recording brought back lots of memories. ************************************************************ From LiveWire:
Featured Performances Main Street - Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (NAfME 2016 National In-Service Conference) YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VlRG_7XBaM
A brilliant showcase concert featuring audience favorite Main Street quartet closed the 2016 National In-Service Conference of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME.) Many thanks to the NAfME leadership and staff for their collaboration and partnership. Main Street http://mainstreetqt.com/ https://www.facebook.com/MainStreetqt/ ***************************************************************
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 Jingle Bell Rock Silent Night Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas O Holy Night We Wish You A Merry Christmas Do You Hear What I Hear Hark! The Herald Angels Sing O Come All Ye Faithful 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 2022 President Bill Bedford < wbedf0rd@nycap.rr.com > Primary: (518) 275-5627
Immediate Past President Fred Moore < fmoore@maine.rr.com > Primary: (207) 409-2738 Secondary: (207) 885-5822
Secretary Scott Kolda < mainiacsinsweden@yahoo.com > Primary: (207) 522-1020
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 Marshall Wagner <emwagner31@aol.com> Primary: (207) 232-1543
Director Chris Howard < crhlehigh@gmail.com > Primary: (201) 893-1173
Board Member at Large Jim Johnston < jimjohnston@maine.rr.com > Primary: (207) 619-7613 Cell: (207) 400-9760
Librarian Dwight Pensiero <DJPensiero@gmail.com> Primary: (207) 353-3244
Board Member at Large Mike Soper <gmichaelsoper@gmail.com> Primary: (207) 400-9184 Secondary: (207) 730-5624
"Soundings" Newsletter Editor Bruce Sturgis <BStur1@gmail.com> Primary: (207) 520-8354
Bruce Sturgis Soundings Weekly Editor email: soundings.ed@gmail.com Downeasters Barbershop Chorus
www.downeasters.org