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WINTER AIM WEEKEND – REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Sign up by January 11th to get the best rate (still just $25.00 registration for a whole weekend!) and secure your spot at our Winter AIM Weekend at the Doubletree Hotel in Sacramento! If you wait to register at the door the fee is $35.00. Register now and save yourself $10.00.
Read more.....
See you in Sacramento on January 25-27!
Julie Starr - Region 12 Education Coordinator
Mary Mamer - Region 12 Events Coordinator
Alison Miller - AIM Coordinator for Education
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Greetings to Region 12 Sweet Adelines! We are very busy preparing for our 2019 Regional convention in May. Bulletin #1 is ready and up on the regional website. Here is a link for your convenience.
http://sairegion12.org/events/regional-convention-2019.html
Please take the time to read it and all of those following, for some very valuable information. Our goal is to provide what you need to make this your best convention yet, so please read it and also let us know if there is something that you feel you may be missing.
Geri Miller-Riedel, Chairman of the Regional Convention
Margy Kiser, Assistant CRC
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Sierra Gold Chorus
e-Blast, December
By Val Fritzsche
November has been a busy month for Sierra Gold Chorus. We began with a performance at the Mandarin Festival at the Gold Country Fairgrounds on Sunday, November 18th, where we got to sing both our regular repertoire and holiday songs. The weather was perfect and the turnout was great! Also, we are finalizing our plans for our annual Christmas concert, “Jingle and Mingle, A Holiday Soirée” to be held at Parkside Church in Auburn on December 3rd at 7:30 PM. We are already close to sold out for the show! We have been polishing some of our Christmas favorites and even learned a couple of new songs. Final preparations are underway, as we make a list and check it twice to be certain every task is assigned or completed. Sierra Gold will share the stage with our very own Encore Octet, whose style and joyful performances always bring smiles to the audience’s faces. The evening will most definitely be one to remember! Val Fritzsche will share her unique “twist” on the old holiday favorite, “Twas the Night Before Christmas”. You can expect the unusual whenever Val takes pen in hand. During a brief intermission, there will be refreshments and a fun raffle to keep the audience engaged. After a quick costume change, Sierra Gold will return to the stage and perform a number of our repertoire songs. Our friends and family look forward to this concert every holiday season, and we look forward to seeing some of you in the audience. It is a wonderful way to end the year.
The final weeks of December will be spent in preparation for hostessing January AIM, and for our Open Division Package in Sparks, Nevada in the spring. Our chorus retreat and coaching plans are already on the calendar, and we will hit 2019 running.
Please have a safe holiday season. See you in the new year!
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San Francisco Sound Wave Chorus has been busy! We’ve been learning new songs, dusting off old songs and madly preparing for our holiday show scheduled for December 9th http://www.sfsoundwave.net/events/calendar/details/51-harmony-for-the-holidays.html as well as preparing for various fund raising performances.
Over the past year, we’ve experienced the wonderful addition of several new members. Singing with Sweet Adeline’s is always an adventure, but especially so for new members. There are so many activities and opportunities for participation. AIM is a perfect example. Here is a perspective from Lindsay Gordon, one of our spectacular new members who attended AIM this past September:
"I've been a member of the SF Soundwave Chorus for a little over a year but this past September was the first time I was able to attend AIM. I was absolutely blown away by the experience and wanted to share for anyone else who is fairly new and hasn't had the chance to attend. The whole weekend gave me an incredible appreciation for how much there is to learn about this art form and what it looks like to become a highly skilled singer. 
I went to as many sessions as I possibly could and each one was a fascinating learning experience. I learned about creating forward motion with Mary Rhea while Verve gave us a live demonstration of each technique, I got to watch the magic of Jan Gervais as she mixed and matched voices to put together quartets (and had an intoxicating few minutes of being in a quartet!), I got to appreciate how difficult but important it is to add character to a song, and I learned about the nuances of directing (and how much more attention I should be paying to my director!) as a chorus member for the Learn Arm Waving students. My absolute favorite moment of the weekend was getting to watch Verve be coached by Mary Rhea and see their incredible talent and dedication to their craft. It was so inspiring to me as someone who's looking forward to being in a quartet in the future.
For any new members who haven't yet attended AIM, I can't recommend it more highly. The dedication to education is such a special aspect of our organization and I know you'll leave AIM feeling inspired.”
SAN FRANCISCO SOUND WAVE wishes everyone a wonderful holiday season and may music, harmony and peace be with you all.
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IN THEIR OWN WORDS from Sacramento Valley Chorus
Five women in the Sacramento Valley Chorus have each dedicated 50 plus years to Sweet Adeline choruses—A REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT! We are so fortunate to have them and their musical expertise! Here’s their stories IN THEIR OWN WORDS:
Chris Hoinacki
In 1964 I graduated from college and moved to Connecticut for a job. Looking for a place to sing I joined a group to sing carols for Christmas at work. Soon after that I got a call from one of the men who was recruiting singers for a newly forming Sweet Adeline chorus. I went to the first rehearsal and I was hooked. Even though I was the youngest in the group I seemed to fit in. We finally chartered in 1966 and I’ve been a SA ever since.
Over the years I’ve been to numerous international competitions including the very first international chorus competition in Washington DC. I’ve had the privilege of singing on the international stage 12 times. I have also held a number of positions both in administrative positions and as part of the music team.
Through the years I have made many friends and found there is no better bunch of women to be found. For the past 52 years Sweet Adelines has been an important part of my life.
Merriann Cree
I’ve been in SAI over 55 years. I Joined the Stockton chorus in April 1963. In May I was on the bus to competition in Salt Lake City. An over-achiever even then. An interesting fact I just realized: Both of my daughters have competed with me! I came home from SLC and discovered that I was pregnant. And then in 1966 I was 8 months pregnant with my second daughter.
Back to the beginning- I sang Baritone for 24 years and the love of that harmony is what got me hooked. Now it’s not only the music but the loving friendships, the special women who are part of my life. Sweet Adeline’s help me grow up, shaped me into the person I have become and I am forever grateful.
Pamela Thorington Hart Johnson
I chartered Modesto Valley Tones in 1968 with my mother and sister.
Proudly chartered with Song of Sonoma Chorus in 2010.
Have held membership with Delta in Stockton, CA., Pacific Empire Chorus,
Camellia City Chorus and Sacramento Valley Chorus along with the two mentioned above during the past fifty years, some as a duel member.
Competed on International stage with thee of the above.
Presently singing with Sacramento Valley Chorus where I am a member of Sacramento Valley Chorus visual team.
Presently, I create, coach and teach visual/showmanship, and have for most of my 50 years in this organization, at retreats, chorus rehearsals, AIM, Area Schools, and YWIH events working with both choruses and quartets.
I look forward to continuing with these activities.
Also, I serve on Region 12 Faculty and have for several years, as a Coach/Teacher in Showmanship/Choreography.
I am active in giving Personal Visual Instructions to choruses, quartets and individuals along with teaching classes at AIM and other venues.
Darlene Haag
I joined SAI in 1964, 54 years ago.
My husband and I went to the annual show of the Riverside men’s chorus, Far Western District Champions.. Another champion quartet, Gala Lads, also performed. I had never been to a barbershop show, and was blown away, and wanted to sing like that. At the afterglow, Joe introduced me to Rita Van Horn, director of Harborlites chorus, which I joined the very next week. They only had about 20 members then, but sang quite well, and had a notable quartet, S Van AnderMac, which included the director.
In 1966 we moved to Granite Bay, and I transferred to Camillia City Chapter, also a small chorus of about 20. Later Mary Alice Myers arrived in town, and started Sacramento Valley Chorus. I was one of about 8 Founding Members, and the only one still active in the chorus. When Mary Alice left, I transferred back to Camellia City, which had grown substantially, and was then directed by Sharon Carlson. After a few years Mary Alice returned to town, and started Voice of the Valley chorus, so I transferred again to VOV. When Mary Alice retired as director, Robin Richie took over. She decided not to compete that year, but said if we wanted to be dual members with Sierra Gold to compete that would be fine. Barb Tincher who had been an assistant director for her had just become the new Sierra Gold director. I was a dual member for several years, until VOV died. Then I transferred back to SVC as a dual. Last year I resigned from Sierra Gold, and so after about 8? years of competing as a dual, I’m now back to SVC only.
Shirley Kout
“I joined because of the music, the ringing chords, the education and I have stayed 50+ years because of the lifetime friends I have made through the years from all over the globe. I am Sweet Adelines.”
Shirley Kout joined Sweet Adelines in 1961 and received her 50 year pin and lifetime membership in 2011. She is a Master Director of two international choruses, Region 10's Greater Dallas Chorus (1976 - 1990) and Region 12's Mission Valley Chorus (1989 - 2002) leading both of them to Top Five Medalists in several international competitions. After retirement moved to Manteca, Ca and directed the Modesto River Lights Chorus for 10 years leading them to A Level Division Championships and Regional medals.
Serving on the International Faculty for over 45 years and was recently recognized as Faculty Emeriti. Over the past 45 years has become a world renowned musical educator and vocal coach traveling throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, the British Isles, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Australia, and New Zealand where she was an International Coach in Residence in New Zealand in 2000.
Recently awarded Judge Emeriti status in recognition of her service as a Certified Sound Judge, Panel Chairman, and Judge Analyst in the prestigious Judging Program for over 50 years. She is a member of Region 12's Musical Faculty Program coaching, teaching and judging throughout the region and a huge promoter of the Young Women in Harmony program.
She joined Sacramento Valley Chorus singing Baritone in 2016 when Dede Nibler began her directorship with them, and is currently Coach-in-Residence and a member of the music team. Shirley is a private vocal teacher and quartet coach with studios in several northern California cities. She is the mother of three adult married sons, grandmother of 12, great grandmother of 6 and friend to many.
-submitted by Donna Wierzbowski
-photos by Jannie Baker
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Caption: Thanks, Jan Gervais, for a great night of coaching in October!
October was a busy month at High Desert Harmony, beginning with Jan Gervais coming to Reno for a fabulous evening of coaching on Oct. 8. Jan’s energy, enthusiasm and encouragement were so inspiring, and by the end of the night’s hard work we were all exhausted – but ready for more! Thank you so much, Jan!
On Oct. 29, High Desert Harmony welcomed 16 ladies to our first-ever Holiday Guest Chorus, and we had a great time sharing our love of music, education and friendship. Nearly all of our guests came to rehearsals throughout November and will join us on stage for several songs at our “High Desert Holidays” shows on December 3 and 10. We hope these talented and enthusiastic ladies will be back in the New Year to learn more about the joys of membership in High Desert Harmony and Sweet Adelines International.
One of our favorite events of the year is kicking off the holiday season at a favorite local gathering place, PJ & Co. Restaurant in Reno. Our fundraiser on Nov. 29 was so much fun, with an appreciative audience and lots of holiday music and Christmas cheer! Happy Holidays to all our Region 12 sisters in song!
: You can tell we had a fabulous time at our fundraiser on Nov. 29 th!
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Bay Area Showcase keeps busy into the winter season. Early in November we had wonderful coaching from Erin Howden. She was a whirlwind character in the most positive way possible. And in the few weeks since then, we have welcomed two new members, Laura Bordowitz (a new Sweet Adeline) and Sarah Hodosh (who moved to this area from Rhode Island where she was a member of Coastline Chorus).
We are embracing the holiday spirit to the fullest. A subset of the chorus entertained at the Harvest Festival in San Jose after Thanksgiving. We will have our Holiday Show on December 8 where LoveNotes will be our headliners. We look forward to entertaining our audience with songs from all over the world (sung in their original languages). December 15 is the day we “phone-deliver” our singing Holiday cards. We start early in the morning so we can sing for friends and family in other time zones, all around the world, and we continue all day. In the evening we will participate in a gala show with the mens chorus, Voices in Harmony, currently directed by our own Julie Starr.
We will then rest for a few weeks just to be up and running in the new year with coaching for quartets and chorus by Nikki Blackmer January 10-12. Happy Harmonic Holidays. Jette Sorensen, Team Coordinator
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Now that competition season is over, MVC spent the majority of November getting ready for the holiday season, pointedly our Jingle Bell Tea. The chorus was abuzz with activity reviewing and polishing our holiday repertoire and adding a new song.
In preparation for this gala event, committees were formed in various areas, ticket sales, food prep, decorations, you name it. The excitement was palpable and we were ready to perform on December 1st. Did you know we raffle off holiday centerpieces at our Tea?
We’ve also been having raising money for the chorus and for our trip to Carnegie in June through various fundraisers. Gloria Malander and Vicki Bannerman sold and delivered our live, green wreath and garland orders in time for Christmas. Kathy Murtha handled Scrip sales for gift giving and for donating to our SAI sisters in the Paradise area who were drastically affected by the devastating Camp Fire. Our hearts go out to them.
Our newest fundraiser is with Rada Products. These are cutlery, cook books and quick dips that you can order online. Please check out our Mission Valley Chorus Facebook page to see how wonderfully fantastic these products are and modestly priced.
And last, but certainly not least, we added two new members to our ranks this month, Sandra Paglieroni and Paula Kato. We welcomed them with happy hearts and open arms.
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Greater Eugene Chorus has lots to be thankful for this holiday season. Here are a few highlights from 2018:
- We are honored to be Region 12’s small chorus champions, especially with so many new members!
- At competition, we debuted an original song written and arranged by our talented director, Lauren Kahn.
- We are thrilled about our new rehearsal space at the Eugene Faith Center. Despite being in the “kids” room, the farm scene painted on the walls brings us joy.
- In October we were coached by the fabulous Mo Fields!
- This fall, we purchased new risers thanks to a grant from the Oregon Community Foundation.
- A group from the Greater Eugene Chorus sang the National Anthem at a University of Oregon Men’s Basketball game in late November.
- We are in the middle of our Holiday Harmony season and we can’t wait to continue sharing peace, love, and harmony throughout our community.
Nothing like summertime tagging at Greater Eugene Chorus’s new rehearsal space. Some might say the director is outstanding in her field!
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Mountain Harmony Camp-
Under the pristine canopy of the Alliance Redwoods Conference Grounds in Occidental, forty-five young women gathered for a fantastic and fun-filled weekend of fellowship and song. With the effervescent Dede Nibler as clinician, the young women were off to a rousing start as they learned two a cappella songs, (without the benefit of advanced music or learning tracks), one popular tune and one conventional barbershop arrangement. Aiding in their endeavors were Verve Quartet, as teaching faculty and Kelly Sopher as choreographer. In addition to learning two a cappella tunes, the young women were treated to classes in Vocal Production; Showmanship; and The Barbershop Style. The weekend included our traditional Saturday NightVariety Show around the campfire and culminated in the mass consumption of some VERY yummy S’Mores! Sunday morningfeatured our traditional performance for friends and family before we bid farewell to the beautiful redwoods and some new, best friends! Many thanks to all our counselors, visiting music educators and most especially Region 12 for making this, our EIGHTH Mountain Harmony Camp, a smashing success! Please mark your calendars for November 22-24, 2019 for our next, not to be missed, Mountain Harmony Camp!
Cyndi Sharp
Mountain Harmony Camp Director
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Circle 12 will be offering a Mentorship Program to Novice Quartets for the January AIM event! A Circle 12 member will answer any questions in advance of January AIM, walk the Novice Quartet through the Pattern and meet with the quartet afterwards to review and discuss score sheets and help clarify the judges comments! This a GREAT opportunity for support and encouragement and we look forward to sharing your journey! If you are interested in the Circle 12 Mentorship Program, please contact Wendy Gibson at BassEsq@pacbell.net or Kathy Scheel at kathy.scheel@oregonspirit.org. Happy Holidays and you in January!
Respectfully submitted by,
Julie Harrelson
Secretary
Circle 12
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WEBSITE CONVERSION PLANNED
We have started transferring website information to a new website, which we are hope to launch after contest., in May. We are switching from ConnectedSound to HarmonySite. About eight chapters in the region already use HarmonySite as their webserver so they know some of the benefits we will reap from conversion.. This conversion will make interaction between the chorus/chapters and the region more mainstream. We look forward to sharing more information at Winter Aim in January.
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