5-5-2023 Soundings Weekly

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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 8, 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

From the First Hello

Nevertheless.

Softly, As I Leave You Hallelujah

Cop on the Beat

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."

Thank you to those in attendance for another great evening. Always fun to share songs together!

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Let's get right into it... In the performing chorus, we discussed the need to take pulses out of the music. Every time we sang more smoothly, incorporating our vocal techniques borrowed from bubbling, it was a better performance. We also discussed the need to sing "with" the people alongside you on the risers, rather than singing "next to" them. You cannot wait for others to sing for you and then "join in" - YOU have to take an active role in each performance!

On that topic... please help me stop wasting time in rehearsal. This can be done in two ways: First, bring your sheet music to rehearsal EVERY WEEK! When we make notes about certain words/phrases/etc, you need to write them down so they can be remembered, and this is only possible when you bring your music (and a pencil) with you every rehearsal. Second, work on the things we talk about each week. Those few rhythm issues in Mary Lou should NEVER be discussed again, yet they are, because we have not gone home and taken the time to fix them. No one wants to sing with the person that doesn't know what they're doing, so don't be that person: Be the person we all want to sing with, and make the choice to be prepared every week and to be better than the prior week!

In the competition chorus, we worked on some very similar ideas, and despite only having 8 singers to begin the rehearsal, we made some great progress. We re-emphasized the idea of smooth, no-pulse singing, as well as staying within the rhythm of the uptune. We focused on the idea that each note needs its proper duration, and the easiest way to accomplish this is to both move with the rhythm and to breathe properly and give those musical breaths their proper duration and intent. This smoothed out the sound greatly, and I look forward to moving forward next week on those ideas!

For next week... We will continue with First Hello and Nevertheless. We will also spend some time with Softly, Hallelujah, and Cop on the Beat. More to come on new music as we have it! See you Monday!

-Chris

Atlantic Harmony Brigade - August 11-13, 2023

The 2023 Rally is a go for August 11-13, 2023 at the Brandywine Plaza Hotel

630 Naamans Rd, Wilmington, DE 19703

MUSIC & TRACKS ARE NOW AVAILABLE!!

(You'll get a password once you've made your deposit!)

Details for the 2023 Saturday Nite Show will be released in the summertime.

The cost for the weekend is all-inclusive. For 2023, the cost of $329 covers registration fees, double occupancy hotel accommodations at the Brandywine Plaza Hotel, meals, and all the learning materials.

At least three Downeasters will be attending AHB 2023 in Wilmington, DE, August 11-13; this is a mixed-harmony rally. There's still time to sign up! See: https://www.atlanticharmonybrigade.com/

Aug. 11-13 (Fri-Sun)

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What: Atlantic Harmony Brigade 2023

Where: Brandywine Plaza Hotel

630 Naamans Rd, Wilmington, DE 19703

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

New England Harmony Brigade - September 22nd-24th, 2023

The New England Harmony Brigade is coming up September 22nd-24th, 2023. Music and learning tracks are coming out now. Slots are still available so please sign up now.

What is a Harmony Brigade? Attendees learn twelve songs on their own as sung by gold medal quartets, word and note perfect, and then you go to a hotel for a weekend of fun events for really well prepared singers. You learn the songs on your own from charts and learning tracks that are sent to you four to five months in advance of the Rally weekend.

Sep. 22-24 (Fri-Sun)

What: New England Harmony Brigade 2023

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

75 Felton Street

Marlborough, MA 01752

Link: www.nehb.net

St. Cecilia Chamber Choir presents Musical Potpourri

St. Cecilia Chamber Choir presents Musical Potpourri

Saturday, May 6, 3pm

Sunday, May 7, 3pm

Both concerts held at the Damariscotta Baptist Church

$15 at the door or in advance at https://ceciliachoir.org/ (free for students)

The first half of the program traces choral music from the Medieval through Baroque eras, beginning with a soaring, ethereal chant by Medieval mystic Hildegard of Bingen sung by Marybeth McCaffrey, Mary Benner, and Cally Aldrich. John Dowland’s charming and humorously maudlin “Come Again, Sweet Love” features soloists Maya Bailey, Marybeth McCaffrey, Betsey de Groff, and Mary Benner. Josquin des Prez’s tongue-in-cheek “El Grillo” sings the praises of a cricket. The half culminates with J.S. Bach’s joyful virtuosic motet, “Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden.”

The program’s second half explores the variety of 20th century choral music, opening with the soaring cathedral classic “Evening Hymn” by Harry Balfour Gardiner, which highlights Sean Fleming at the organ. Other second half selections will include Gabriel Fauré's "Tantum Ergo," Morten Lauridsen's "Sure on This Shining Night," Frank Tichelli's "Earth Song," several folk songs of the British Isles, and Sam Pottle's humorous setting of "Jabberwocky."

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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

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

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Upcoming Birthdays and/or Now Showing -> Member Anniversaries!:

8 May Gran Barrows's birthday

9 May Brian Carroll and Cindy's anniversary

10 May Larry Dodge's birthday

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

From LiveWire: Music City Chorus - Star Wars set May the Fourth Be With You!

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kg8jSoQKWzg

Star Wars Medley, arr. Patrick McAlexander

Little Pal (Parody), arr. Clay Hine

Performed live at Orange County Convention Center; Orlando, FL 2018 Barbershop Harmony Society International Convention

From YouTube: Tim Waurick - Their Hearts Were Full of Spring

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcXtZ38Y0Rg

Beautiful tag arranged by Aaron Dale and originally sung by the Westminster Chorus!! This collab is with awesome singer and barbershop tagger, Ben Catt!

From YouTube:

Tim Waurick - The most Barbershop tag you’ve NEVER heard!

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wviJ-kQrSu8

Classic Tag - The most barbershoppy tag ever?? I believe this was originally sung by the 1948 International Barbershop Quartet Champions, The Pittsburghers! This one is FUN to sing on any part!

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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

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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Downeasters Barbershop Chorus

www.downeasters.org

email: soundings.ed@gmail.com
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