The Downeasters Soundings Weekly is a weekly email newsletter of the Downeasters Barbershop Harmony Chorus www.downeasters.org
-Please send any Barbershopping news, Chorus news and show dates, Quartet news and appearances, Notes of Interest- including Chorus Shows and other Public Entertainment dates from around New England, requests to be removed from, or added to, the distribution list, etc. to soundings.ed@gmail.com.
-Deadline for submission of articles of interest to the chorus is 5:00pm Thursdays.
-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, March 27, 2023
6:00pm – 6:45pm Competition Chorus Rehearsal
6:45pm – 9:00pm Chorus Rehearsal
Downeasters Competition Chorus Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7LSpeZEZy4lUObZDtgBa9kqxFpV5ykrM
All singers should be individually warmed up upon arrival to each chorus session.
DEBRA LYNN WARMUP EXERCISES:
https://www.downeasters.org/dbpage.php?pg=view&dbase=rep&id=41
In general Zoom will not be started. But, if it is, members will be notified. ~George Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/92996428874?pwd=dFNFbFVMNlJSVmdCWE0rZmxDckJTZz09
Meeting ID: 929 9642 8874
Passcode: 9b275y
Music
Good Luck Charm
I Have Dreamed
How High the Moon
What a Wonderful World
God Bless America
Softly, As I Leave You
Hello Mary Lou
Covid Policy Reminder
"The Downeasters Chorus takes the health of our members very seriously. Members and guests are welcome to come to our meetings, as long as you are feeling well. We generally follow CDC guidelines. We require that you can produce evidence of at least the first two Covid vaccines if asked. Plus, do not visit us for at least 10 days after a flu-like illness or if you tested positive for Covid, and wait 5 days if you believe you have been in contact with someone who is ill or tested positive for Covid. If in doubt, please take a Covid test the day you plan to come."
One of the best rehearsals we've had in a long time! Thanks to everyone for making it possible!
In the performing chorus, we continued the rhythm work on Caroline while retaining most of what we discussed the prior week. We also discussed some of the subtleties in Wonderful World - which we WILL revisit next week. We also found some new ground in God Bless America. Finally, we began work on How High the Moon - clearly, this one isn't as prepared as the other songs in our repertoire, so the homework for this week is to clean it up and be ready for more work next week!
In the competition chorus, we worked on the final sections of I Have Dreamed. We explored how to use the lyrics to create the flow of the emotion in the song throughout these final measures. We also got on the same page regarding timing. And finally, we emphasized using the devices given in the arrangement, such as the swipes, to create better flow. All of this will be available to recap in the Youtube playlist as listed in the Soundings!
For the competition chorus next week, please bring/wear your outfit for Division contest. As a reminder, here are the requirements:
- Must be appropriate for a stage performance (ie. no jeans, no t-shirts)
- Primary color allowed is Blue - multiple shades are allowed, does NOT have to match each other for this contest.
- Black also allowed
- Red accent encouraged
I will be sending along pictures in the next day or so to demonstrate both the color pallette idea as well as what the blue w/ red accent looks like.
Next week, we'll work more with How High the Moon. We'll also bring back Wonderful World and God Bless America. We'll also continue to build Softly and Hello Mary Lou, and if there's time, we'll do some work with Softly.
Have a great week, see you Monday!
-Chris
Spring Show Poster & Event Links
Below are the important links to share to spread the word about our upcoming Spring Show on Saturday April 22nd! I've also attached the poster for those of you who wish to print at home. I will continue to bring printed copies to Monday rehearsals if you'd rather save your ink.
Official website page (for ticket purchasing) --> https://www.downeasters.org/ annualshow2023
Facebook event --> https://www.facebook.com/events/538823818380717/ Best,
What: Downeasters Annual Show
Where: First Parish in Portland, Unitarian Universalist Church
425 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101
Times: 4:00 pm
Call Time: 2:30pm
Tickets to be sold at the door. Cash, Venmo, Stripe, PayPal accepted!
General Admission (Adult) - $20
Students - $10
Groups (four or more) - $15
Children (age 5 and under) - FREE
Upcoming Dates…
NEDistrict Calendar Listings: https://www.nedistrict.org/calendar-lists
-Listing NED events and Chapter Shows!
* 2023 * * 2023 * * 2023 *
Mar. 31 (Fri)
What: Yarmouth's Got Talent - Student Performance Event - Volunteers
Where: Yarmouth Performing Arts Center at Yarmouth HS, 286 West Elm Street
Times: 7:00 pm
Apr. 6 (Thu) ** Downeasters Performance **
What: Sea Dogs Opening Day
Where: Hadlock Field, Portland website: www.milb.com/portland
Time: 6:00pm
Call Time: 5:00pm
Apr. 10 (Mon) ** Downeasters Coaching **
What: Cay Outerbridge Coaching
Where: Lunt Auditorium Rehearsal Hall
Times: 6:00 pm
Apr 15 (Sat)
What: Fundraiser for the Bath-Brunswick Respite Care Program
Nor'easters, FairWinds Mixed Chorus, and quartets Windjammers, Ebb Tide and Heart 'n Soul
Where: United Methodist Church, 320 Church Rd, Brunswick
Times: 2:00 pm
Tickets are $15 at the door
Apr 14-16 (Fri-Sun) ** Downeasters Performance **
What: Eastern Regional Convention & Contests
Where: Resort & Conference Center at Hyannis
35 Scudder Avenue Hyannis, MA, 02601
Link: https://www.nedistrict.org/calendar/2023/4/21/ned-eastern-convention
Apr 22 (Sat)
** Downeasters Performance **
What: Downeasters Annual Show
Where: First Parish in Portland, Unitarian Universalist Church
425 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101 Times: 4:00 pm
Call Time: 2:30pm
Tickets to be sold at the door. Cash, Venmo, Stripe, PayPal accepted!
General Admission (Adult) - $20
Students - $10
Groups (four or more) - $15
Children (age 5 and under) - FREE
Jul. 2-9 (Sun – Sun)
What: 2023 INTERNATIONAL: Louisville, Kentucky
Where: Louisville, Kentucky
Links: https://www.barbershop.org/events/2023-international-convention
Aug 3-6 (Fri-Sun)
What: Harmony Explosion Camp
Where: Worcester State University Worcester, MA
Times: TBA
Link: https://www.nedistrict.org/calendar/2023/8/3/harmony-explosion-camp
Aug 18-20 (Fri-Sun)
What: 2023 Meredith Bay Barbershop Jamboree
Where: Meredith, New Hampshire
Times: TBA
Link: https://www.nedistrict.org/jamboree
Sep 22-24 (Fri-Sun)
What: THE 2023 NEW ENGLAND HARMONY BRIGADE RALLY
Where: TBA
Times: TBA
Link: https://www.nehb.net
Oct 27-29 (Fri-Sun) ** Downeasters Performance **
What: NED '23 Fall District Convention & Contests
Where: Windham, NH
Times: TBA
Link: https://www.nedistrict.org/calendar/2023/10/27/ned-23-fall-district-convention
Dec. 9 (Sat) ** Downeasters Performance **
What: CHRISTMAS PRELUDE - CHURCH AT THE CAPE
Where: 3 Langsford Road
Cape Porpoise, Maine 04014
Link: https://www.churchonthecape.org
31 Mar Jim Curtis - member of Downeasters Chapter of BHS 47 years
31 Mar Walt Dowling - member of Downeasters Chapter of BHS 24 years
31 Mar Rich Parsons - member of Downeasters Chapter of BHS 30 years
31 Mar Dwight Pensiero's birthday
31 Mar Bill Ringwall - member of Downeasters Chapter of BHS 46 years
31 Mar Chris Tupper - member of Downeasters Chapter of BHS 41 years
From LiveWire: Cleveland Heights Women's Barbershoppers - Over the Rainbow
YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzQRmk-_3A8
Performed live at the Peabody Auditorium in Daytona Beach, Florida during the Barbershop Harmony Society's 2023 Midwinter Convention
From YouTube: Ringmasters - Jazz Me Blues
YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lc42_KL670
Performed live at a BHS workshop in Minneapolis, Minnesota during the American Choral Directors Association's 2017 National Conference
From YouTube:
Tim Waurick - Irish Blessing
YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEAkZNBwPCI
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!! For this day, I wanted to share the beautiful Irish Blessing, arranged by Don Gray.
Tim Waurick - This melody still haunts me...
YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHfDjRMJBpc
This was arranged by the legendary Ed Waesche and originally sung by 1990 International Champions, Acoustix!
Tim Waurick - Danny Boy
YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIRgHsaZt8E
Happy St. Patrick's Day! I hope you enjoy my rendition of Danny Boy, arranged by the incomparable, Gene Cokeroft.
Bare Necessities
Blue Skies
Can You Feel The Love Tonight
Caroline
Cop On The Beat
From the First Hello
God Bless America
Good Luck Charm*competition
Hallelujah
Hello Mary Lou
How High The Moon
I Have Dreamed*competition
Irish Blessing
Nevertheless
O Canada
Softly, As I Leave You
Star Spangled Banner
Sweet Caroline
What A Wonderful World
Christmas Music:
Angels We Have heard on High
Do You Hear What I Hear Go Tell It on the Mountain
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Have Yourself a Merry Little
Christmas
Jingle Bell Rock
O Come, All Ye Faithful
O Holy Night
Silent Night
We Wish You a Merry Christmas Winter Wonderland
Downeasters Competition Chorus Videos:
YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7LSpeZEZy4lUObZDtgBa9kqxFpV5ykrM
Downeasters Practice Videos:
Chris’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/@christopherhoward488/playlists
Downeasters & Quartets Videos on YouTube:
YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB2KEyK89e1G6-F0Un6EJr3NyHsMro3Lz
Downeasters Leadership for 2023
President
Mike Soper <gmichaelsoper@gmail.com>
Primary: (207) 400-9184 Secondary: (207) 730-5624
Secretary
Scott Kolda < mainiacsinsweden@yahoo.com >
Primary: (207) 522-1020
VP - Membership
Chris Cutler-Wood < christopherjcutler@gmail.com>
Primary: (860) 808-9887
VP - PR-Marketing
Kevin Schwery < schwery@gmail.com >
Primary:
Director
Chris Howard < crhlehigh@gmail.com >
Primary: (201) 893-1173
Librarian
Dwight Pensiero <DJPensiero@gmail.com>
Primary: (207) 353-3244
"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
Immediate Past President
Bill Bedford < wbedford11@gmail.com >
Primary: (518) 275-5627
Treasurer
Roger Buck < rcbuck9@gmail.com >
Primary: (207) 879-0643 Cell: (207) 749-9059
VP - Music
George Feinberg < gmfeinberg@gmail.com >
Primary: (207) 615-3748
Board Member at Large
Marshall Wagner <emwagner31@aol.com>
Primary: (207) 232-1543
Board Member at Large
Jim Johnston < jimjohnston@maine.rr.com >
Primary: (207) 619-7613 Cell: (207) 400-9760
Board Member at Large
Rich Parsons < repdhp@msn.com >
Primary: (207) 985-9196 Cell: (207) 232-7770
Board Member at Large
Sam Wainright < samwainright1@gmail.com >
Primary: 207-518-8577 Cell: 860-759-4973