5-19-2023 Soundings Weekly by Portland Downeasters

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, May 22, 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

Hallelujah

Softly, As I Leave You

Caroline

Cop on the Beat

Irish Blessing

O Canada

Star-Spangled Banner after Memorial Day:

How High the Moon

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."

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So great to see so many of you, especially those we haven't seen in a long while! What a fun evening! I'll try to be as brief as possible, but please read the entire message!!!

In the competition chorus, we ran the back half of the uptune and ran into a few rhythm issues - tone was great throughout, but consistency in the rhythm was not - and is required for that song. Homework is listening to the full mix learning track for the rhythms only and locking in the groove - preferably while snapping and/or moving to the beat. Optional extra credit: record yourself against the full mix in a way that you can playback both so you can hear your voice vs the rhythms in the learning track - great exercise for finding areas of improvement!

In the performing chorus, we spent a good amount of time with Hallelujah and began to explore the story at a deeper level - I also want to recognize the basses for the work they did in their sectional - that was exactly what we needed! We also spent time with Bare Necessities, Softly, Blue Skies, and Caroline - similar to competition chorus, rhythm was a sticking point. We also explored ways to begin each song with our best vocal quality. Finally, we had a reminder: the longer it takes to knock out individual note/word issues (Basses third verse in Hallelujah, "worry" in Bare Necessities, etc.) the longer it takes before we can have more fun and move on to new things - and that only happens when EVERYONE chooses to make that change for the better!

Next week, we will bring back Hallelujah, Softly, and Caroline, and will also work on Cop on the Beat, Irish Blessing, O Canada, and Star-Spangled Banner. See you Monday!!!

-Chris

Upcoming Dates…

NEDistrict Calendar Listings: https://www.nedistrict.org/calendar-lists

-Listing NED events and Chapter Shows!

Jun. 20 (Tue) ** Music Medics **

What: Music Medics Outing

Where: Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at Maine Medical Center

Times: 1:30pm

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

Rehearsal Recap 05-15-2023

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Aug. 11-13 (Fri-Sun)

What: Atlantic Harmony Brigade 2023

Where: Brandywine Plaza Hotel

630 Naamans Rd, Wilmington, DE 19703

Link: https://www.atlanticharmonybrigade.com/

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: New England Harmony Brigade Rally 2023

Where: The planned rally location in 2023 is: Courtyard Boston Marlborough

75 Felton Street

Marlborough, MA 01752

Link: 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

* 2024 * * 2024 * * 2024 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Upcoming Birthdays and/or Now Showing -> Member Anniversaries!: * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * From LiveWire: The Vocal Majority - That Wonderful Mother Of Mine 22 May Carl Cappello's birthday 6 Jun Cy Kendrick and Gail's anniversary 7 Jun Roger Buck and Katie Sasser's anniversary 9 Jun John Gross and Susan Gross's anniversary 9 Jun Wayne Keith's birthday 13 Jun Tom Telford - member of Downeasters Chapter of BHS 2 years 15 Jun Roger Buck's birthday 21 Jun Kevin Schwery - member of Downeasters Chapter of BHS 2 years 22 Jun Sam Elliot - member of Downeasters Chapter of BHS 6 years

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZuS1UbqLVg

The men of The Vocal Majority Chorus honor Moms everywhere as we perform "That Wonderful Mother of Mine." We hope you enjoy this special music video of this moving song. Happy Mother's Day!

From YouTube:

Max Q - Here’s to the Losers -

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fkQRJs-OzQ

Here’s to the (Losers) Winners!!! Max Q (2007) absolutely crushes this classic Clay Hine arrangement, and it's one of our favorites from the 2022 AIC show in Charlotte.

From YouTube:

The Management sings And So It Goes In A Stairway

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FobrEmbO4gQ

The Management sings Rigoletto

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QW07twUzjjM&t=2s

Just Like their videos and Subscribe to their channel already!

Damn I miss these guys! Once a Downeaster, Always a Downeaster!

Their Albums: The Management & Menu For Harmony are available on the iTunes Store!

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Mission Statement Enriching Lives Through Excellence In A Cappella Harmony Active Repertoire -> You can always Sing!

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

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:

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

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