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 6, 2023
6:00pm – 6:45pm Competition Chorus Rehearsal
6:45pm – 9:00pm Chorus Rehearsal
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
Softly
Bare Necessities
First Hello, Mary Lou
Irish Blessing.
How High the Moon (March 20 rehearsal)
Downeasters Updated Rehearsal Covid Rules
- Wearing Masks are OPTIONAL until further notice.
- Fully vaccinated, initial round. Booster is not required. - Not sick.
- No positive Covid test or exposure to Covid in the last 5 days.
Rehearsal Recap 02-27-2023
What a great rehearsal Monday! Huge thank you to the 14 people that joined us on the risers for the first competition session - looking forward to seeing more and more faces there soon!
In that session, we sang through both songs and discussed that we will be focusing a lot on the story elements of both songs in the early weeks. As for craft, expect some sectional work over the next few weeks as well!
Those sectionals WILL carry over to the performing chorus as well - we will be using that time to build section unity while also identifying opportunities for singers of all skill levels to improve. Beyond that, yesterday the performing chorus spent a good amount of the rehearsal learning to shorten consonants while singing them in pitch, all while keeping each word interesting and important. We also began the journey to understand our own volume ranges as well as how that relates to following the director to tell the same story as every other performer. This work is experimental in nature, but it will pay off for us as we begin to unleash the full volume range of this group!
For next week, we will revisit Softly and Bare Necessities, and will add First Hello, Mary Lou, and Irish Blessing. Reminder: we are beginning work on How High the Moon in three weeks (March 20 rehearsal). Please be ready not just to sing through it, but to also add some of the emotional details we've discussed these past many weeks!
Thanks to all for a wonderful evening, see you all Monday!
-Chris
Spring Convention Hotel Discount
A discount for the rooms at The Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis - Cape Cod for the convention on 4/14-4/16. The code is EDC23
Upcoming Performances for the Nor’easters Chorus!
Mar. 11 (Sat)
What: Nor'easters, FairWinds Mixed Chorus, Windjammer Quartet and Ebb Tide Quartet
Where: Topsham Library, 25 Foreside Rd. Topsham
Times: 1:00 pm
Free admission, public invited.
Upcoming Dates…
NEDistrict Calendar Listings: https://www.nedistrict.org/calendar-lists
-Listing NED events and Chapter Shows! * 2023 * * 2023 * * 2023 *
Mar. 11 (Sat)
What: Nor'easters, FairWinds Mixed Chorus, Windjammer Quartet and Ebb Tide Quartet
Where: Topsham Library, 25 Foreside Rd. Topsham
Times: 1:00 pm
Free admission, public invited.
Mar. 17-19 (Fri – Sun)
What: The Mixed Harmony Brigade of New England
Where: Boxborough Regency Hotel and Conference Center
242 Adams Place
Boxborough, Massachusetts Links: https://www.mhbne.org
What: Sea Dogs Opening Day
Where: Hadlock Field, Portland
website: www.milb.com/portland
Time: 6:00pm
Call Time: 5:00pm
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
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: TBA
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
Upcoming Birthdays and/or Now Showing -> Member Anniversaries!:
4 Mar Dave Cole's birthday
11 Mar Chris Cutler-Wood and Tessa Cutler-Wood's anniversary
15 Mar Bill Ringwall's birthday
15 Mar Clarence Rand - member of Downeasters Chapter of BHS 1 years
19 Mar Sam Elliot's birthday
21 Mar Jim Kew - member of Downeasters Chapter of BHS 8 years
22 Mar Tere Porter's birthday
24 Mar Dan Clark - member of Downeasters Chapter of BHS 8 years
25 Mar Jim Johnston - member of Downeasters Chapter of BHS 11 years
25 Mar Cy Kendrick's birthday
28 Mar Jack Baggs and Priscilla (Cilla)'s anniversary
30 Mar Mike Soper's birthday
BEST OF Midwinter 2023 Playlist
YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcwXdNVvSNbhMdHCwed9PswgIXeOwGlg
YTBN - Dream a Little Dream of Me (Ozzie Nelson cover)
Performed live in the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort in Daytona Beach, Florida during the Barbershop Harmony Society's 2023 Midwinter Convention
Let's Sing! - At Last
Performed live at the Peabody Auditorium in Daytona Beach, Florida during the Barbershop Harmony Society's 2023 Midwinter Convention
Blue Valley High School Chorale - Creep (Radiohead cover)
Performed live at the Peabody Auditorium in Daytona Beach
Dixie District Seniors Chorus - Blue Skies [from Betsy]
Performed live at the Peabody Auditorium in Daytona Beach
You may want to finish here… Part of the playlist but no singing: Playing the Long Game with Erin Cook (Midwinter 2023 keynote)
YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-zGNJrNhwc
"No Place But Texas" was recorded in the mid-80's by the Vocal Majority in conjunction with the Texas Sesquicentennial celebration, where they performed it on Jan.1, 1986 in the Cotton Bowl Parade in downtown Dallas. The style of singing you hear on this video (which is from a vinyl recording) is indicative of the choral sound and style of Barbershop singing in the 80's.
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
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
Good Luck Charm
I Have Dreamed
Downeasters Practice Videos:
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
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
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
Secretary
Secondary: (207) 730-5624
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:
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
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
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