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, June 13, 2022
6:30pm – 8:30pm Chorus Rehearsal Monday Rehearsal Live Zoom Reminder, for those playing the home game, the zoom info is below, it’s the same every week. Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/92996428874?pwd=dFNFbFVMNlJSVmdCWE0rZmxDckJTZz09 Meeting ID: 929 9642 8874 Passcode: 9b275y Music Bare Necessities How High the Moon Sweet Caroline Cop on the Beat Blue Skies First Hello Downeasters Updated Rehearsal Covid Rules - Wearing Masks are OPTIONAL until further notice. - Social distancing and spacing. - Fully vaccinated, initial round. Booster is not required. - Not sick. - No positive Covid test or exposure to Covid in the last 5 days. *************************************************************
Music Notes…
Rehearsal Recap 06-06-2022 AND Important Announcements Thank you to everyone who was able to join us either live or on Zoom! As a reminder, we are continuing to follow the guidelines as presented based on the current COVID risk ratings - as of now, the current Cumberland risk level is Low, so until/unless it raises back up, we will be "masks optional" going forward. The board will keep us informed if/when that changes. As for our work Monday, I think all in attendance would agree that our best improvement was during First Hello. While we spent about 10 mins tuning only 3 chords, it set us up for success throughout the rest of the song. Between the detailed work and the reinforcement of telling a story rather than just doing an exercise, it made a huge difference in the sound. We also spent a bunch of time with Bare Necessities to great success - I feel confident that the
song will be ready in time for our Clam Festival performance. How High the Moon needs a bunch more time and work before it will be ready, but we'll get back at it next week! For next week, please be ready for more work on Bare Necessities and How High the Moon. We will also see some of Sweet Caroline, Cop on the Beat, and Blue Skies. Finally, we will do one run of First Hello with personal recording. If you have not recorded yourself recently / at all, please take the time this week to work out any technical issues you may have with making this happen. We will be including a song every week going forward to record for self-evaluation, though section leaders are always happy to lend an ear and provide coaching when requested. Also, as said above, there are two big announcements to make as well. First, we've made an adjustment to our current roster of section leaders. Going forward, your section leaders will be: Bass: Chris Cutler-Wood Bari: George Feinberg Lead: Chris Howard (with assists from others) Tenor: Kevin Schwery This is for multiple reasons - it will enable us to have a full teaching/demo quartet, as well as make it easier to run weekly sectionals. I want to be clear that this does not mean that we won't be relying on our other musical leaders within the chorus - we have so many with such a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be necessary in bringing this chorus forward. And to that end, the second announcement: starting in 2023, the Downeasters will be returning to the Competition Chorus model as previously enacted around 10-15 yrs ago. With a constant goal of improvement every time we sing, the chorus is always looking for new ways to push the envelope and raise the bar at which the chorus sings, and this is the first of many efforts to do just that. Here are the most important points to note from the beginning: - The competition chorus will learn at most 2 additional songs per year. - Starting shortly and going forward, members may audition for the competition chorus by singing the two songs that chorus performs in a quartet with the section leaders and/or other members that have also qualified. This audition will be a little more strict and have tighter guidelines than does the general chorus audition. We WILL allow multiple auditions in the event a first one is unsuccessful. - Starting in 2023, only the competition chorus will compete on behalf of the chapter, and only those that have auditioned, passed, and rehearsed with the competition chorus will be onstage. Despite that, I will be recommending to the board that we continue to pay the registration fees of all chorus members attending division/district conventions when the chorus competes (whether or not they compete with the chorus). Conventions are about so much more than just the competition aspect, and we want to encourage anyone who wants to attend, regardless of their reason. - This DOES NOT affect the current year - all those interested in visiting and competing in Canada at Districts in October may do so, no questions asked. - Additionally, there are no changes being made at this time to the general chorus. No further auditions are being requested of existing general chorus members, and no one is being asked not to attend any of our non-contest performances. The only change is that, if the competition songs are going to be sung at one of our performances, only the competition chorus singers will be permitted to sing them.
Think of the competition chorus as an add-on to your Downeasters experience. Those that wish to commit to the process of auditioning for and working with the competition chorus may do so, while those that do not are not required to do anything additional. As always, please let me know if you have any questions, concerns, comments, etc regarding these changes or anything else under the chorus umbrella. Thank you all for your dedication and teamwork, and I'll see you all next week! -Chris
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Reminder: Clam Festival Signup Link Here - July 15-17 For those that are keen to participate in Clam Festival, the signup link appears below. We need help especially Saturday and Sunday. You don't need to commit a full day, just a 4-hour block. If anyone has questions about this event, what it means to our organization etc. please contact me. gmichaelsoper@gmail.com Please sign up to help out using this link: https://signup.com/go/kboEnpv -- Mike
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all members: -> members@downeasters.choirgenius.com The board is:-> board@downeasters.choirgenius.com The music team is: -> musicteam@downeasters.choirgenius.com The voice parts: - > lead, bari, bass, tenor @downeasters.choirgenius.com George *************************************************************
Attendance for Show on August 27 You should have received an email notice about a potential show on August 27. It can't be fully committed until we know that we have enough members to field a chorus! So please respond as soon as you can so we can make a go/no go decision. You can respond in the original email or go to "my events" on the web site and choose your response there: https://downeasters.choirgenius.com/g/my_events Thanks! George Aug. 27 (Sat) ** Downeasters Performance ** What: Church On The Cape Where: 3 Langsford Rd, Cape Porpoise, Maine 04014 Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm Call Time: TBA Link: https://www.churchonthecape.org *************************************************************
Upcoming Dates… NEDistrict Calendar Listings: https://www.nedistrict.org/calendar-lists -Listing NED events and Chapter Shows!
* 2022 *
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Jun. 16 (Thu) What: Celebration of Life for Max Brandt Where: Duffy’s Restaurant from 11-2 p.m. in Old Orchard Beach Time: 11:00am - 2:00pm Jul. 3-10 (Sun – Sun) What: 2022 INTERNATIONAL: CHARLOTTE, NC Where: Charlotte, NC Link: https://www.barbershop.org/events/future-conventions Jul. 13 (Wed) What: 2022 Yarmouth Clam Festival Booth Setup Where: Yarmouth, ME Time: 10:00am Jul. 15-17 (Fri – Sun) What: 2022 Yarmouth Clam Festival Where: Yarmouth, ME Link: https://www.clamfestival.com Jul. 16 (Sat) ** Downeasters Performance ** What: 2022 Yarmouth Clam Festival Performance Where: Yarmouth, ME Time: 2:00pm - 3:00pm Aug. 3 (Wed) ** Downeasters Performance ** What: Sea Dogs National Anthem Where: Hadlock Field, 271 Park Ave, Portland, ME Time: 6:00pm - 7:00pm Call Time: TBA Aug 4-7 (Thu-Sun) What: HARMONY Explosion Camp Northeast An immersive, 4-day, a cappella Music Camp for High School Guys and Gals! Where: Worcester State University 486 Chandler Street • Worcester, MA 01609 Times: TBA Link: https://www.nedistrict.org/hxne Aug. 19-21 (Fri – Sun) What: 2022 Meredith Bay Barbershop Jamboree Where: Meredith, New Hampshire Link: https://www.nedistrict.org/jamboree Aug. 27 (Sat) ** Downeasters Performance ** What: Church On The Cape Where: 3 Langsford Rd, Cape Porpoise, Maine 04014 Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Call Time: TBA Link: https://www.churchonthecape.org Sep 16-18 (Fri-Sun) What: THE 2022 NEW ENGLAND HARMONY BRIGADE RALLY Where: TBA Times: TBA Link: https://www.nehb.net Sep 17 (Sat) What: Nor’easter’s Show with Maine-ly Harmony Barbershop Chorus, FairWinds Mixed Barbershop Chorus and quartets Where: South Parish Congregational Church, 9 Church St ,Augusta Times: 2:00 pm For information, contact Kathy Robitaille at kattsy2@yahoo.com or 207-542-7699. Oct 15 (Sat) What: Nor’easter’s Show, with FairWinds, the Windjammer Quartet Where: United Methodist Church, 320 Church Rd, Brunswick Times: 2:00 pm Afterglow: Pat’s Pizza, Pleasant St, Brunswick For information, contact Kathy Robitaille at kattsy2@yahoo.com or 207-542-7699. Oct. 21-24 (Fri – Mon) What: 2022 NED FALL DISTRICT Convention & Contests Where: Venue: Saint John Trade and Convention Centre 1 Market Square, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada E2L 4Z6 ** Passports Required to travel across the border** Link: https://www.nedistrict.org/2022-fall-district-info
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Sep 22-24 (Fri-Sun) What: THE 2023 NEW ENGLAND HARMONY BRIGADE RALLY Where: TBA Times: TBA Link: https://www.nehb.net **************************************************************
Upcoming Birthdays!: Wayne Keith
Jun 09
Roger Buck
Jun 15
David Marstaller
Jun 23
Christopher Howard
Jun 26
Brian Carroll
Jul 06
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Videos of the Month
Ringmasters At 2010 International Competition in Philly! YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmkPD2okvm8 First time seeing Ringmasters perform at Philadelphia 2010 ************************************************************ From LiveWire:
Featured Performance Toronto Northern Lights - Robot Medley (live in Philadelphia, 2010)
YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_R6Y6MfFqU Performed live in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the Barbershop Harmony Society's 2010 International Convention I remember watching this performance from the audience as this was the first International Competition that the Downeasters performed in! Bruce ************************************************************ ************************************************************
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.choirgenius.com -> https:// downeasters.choirgenius.com/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 < wbedford11@gmail.com > Primary: (518) 275-5627 Secretary Scott Kolda < mainiacsinsweden@yahoo.com > Primary: (207) 522-1020
Immediate Past President Fred Moore < fmoore@maine.rr.com > Primary: (207) 409-2736 Secondary: (207) 885-5822 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
Board Member at Large Sam Wainright < samwainright1@gmail.com > Primary: 207-518-8577 Cell: 860-759-4973
Bruce Sturgis Soundings Weekly Editor email: soundings.ed@gmail.com Downeasters Barbershop Chorus
www.downeasters.org