Editors Notes:
An edition of the Regional News eBlast will go out on the 15th of this month..
View this email in your browser to see the all the wonderful news our sister chapters have to share .
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February 2019 Chapter News eBlast
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Sierra Gold Chorus started 2019 off by hosting the Region 12 AIM. What fun it was! While some of our members worked the registration table helping Region 12 attendees get registered and received class schedules, others were setting up the sales tables and arranging all the beautiful jewelry, fancy clothing and many handmade items that SGC members donated for the event. We are so grateful to our very talented Bev Miller for her beautiful hand sewn bags and lanyards. Thank you to Sue Faulkner who collected dozens of paperback and hardcover books to sell. And, a huge thank-you to “newish” member Cynthia McCarver, for all of the aromatic hand-made soaps she created and donated for the event. Thank you to each member who made a donation, scheduled time to work the sales table or registration table, or held a door for a class. We got the job done and had a blast doing it! We also took three brand new members with us, not only exposing them to the incredible learning opportunities our amazing region affords, but bonding with them and sharing stories…and maybe a little wine, too!
As the hostess chorus, Sierra Gold performed for the region Saturday afternoon. Then, on Sunday morning, we received coaching from the phenomenal International Faculty Member, Marcia Pinvidic, who gave us some incredible tips on how to improve our sound and performance skills. We were energized by her positive attitude and spirit! She gave us some valuable ideas on how to make our Open Division Package more successful for the upcoming competition in Sparks. All in all, the weekend was a huge success, and we highly recommend hostessing an AIM event!
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High Desert Harmony celebrated the holiday season in grand style on Dec. 10, 2018 with "High Desert Holidays," at McKinley Arts & Culture Center in Reno. We were thrilled to have a sellout crowd on hand to enjoy holiday favorites sung in barbershop style, as well as the enthusiastic musical offerings of Reno High School's women's chorus and Echo Loder Elementary School's honor choir.
High Desert Harmony was joined for three songs by our first-ever Holiday Guest Chorus -- 14 ladies from the community who rehearsed with us for five weeks prior to the show to get a taste of the fun and excitement of barbershop music. It was wonderful having these enthusiastic ladies on stage with us. In fact, several of these ladies returned for our Guest Night on Jan. 21st, interested in learning more about HDH. We are so glad to have them join us again!
HDH was honored to be invited to sing the National Anthem at the University of Nevada’s Women’s Basketball game on Jan. 12th. It was a thrill for us to be part of the excitement of collegiate basketball!
The ladies of High Desert Harmony were festive in silver and black for our “High Desert Holidays” show on Dec. 10th.
We had a great time singing the National Anthem for the University of Nevada Women’s Basketball game on Jan. 12th.
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Question: What do you get when you take a healthy dose of DVC, add a heaping spoonful of LoveNotes, and top it off with a dash of Barb Vander Putten?
Answer: You get one truly epic show—coming to a stage near you!
This April 27, join us in Walnut Creek for a spring show to remember. Scripted and emceed by Region 12’s own Barb (of novice quartet parade fame), the show features classic DVC favorites and exciting new numbers, including never before heard songs from our forthcoming Harmony Classic package. You’ll also enjoy a special appearance by LoveNotes, who are currently celebrating their 17th anniversary. It’s a musical treat not to be missed! Performances will be at 2 PM and 7 PM, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 399 Wiget Ln, Walnut Creek. Tickets go on sale soon—stay tuned!
In the meantime, we’re busy skill-building (only a month until Ryan Heller comes!), fundraising (thanks for visiting our sales tables at AIM!), and growing more excited and more grateful every day for these amazing opportunities as we enter our 63rd year. Want to see what it’s all about? Come join us any Tuesday night!
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We are proud to announce that our Tenor Vicky Lampe has been named as the new Assistant Director of Sacramento Valley Chorus. A longtime member, she has been instrumental in assisting our Music Director, Dede Nibler. We’re lucky to have both ladies!
These are some of the ladies who have formed Quartets, Quintets and Sextets in time for our Singing Valentines on February 14th. Every year these Singing Valentines have been an enjoyable source of revenue.
--Contributed by Donna Wierzbowski
--Photos by Jannie Baker
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Winter
January is one of those months where, after spending time with family and friends during the holidays, it’s takes time to get back into the swing of things again. Not only that, but old man winter brings the colds and flu.
The beginning of January had many of our singing sisters out with the crud, including our illustrious leader, Angela. Our assistant directors, Voula Brown, Lysanda Lee and Sally Massen, stepped in and led our rehearsal brilliantly. The storms kept some of us who travel long distances and/or over the mountains from joining in the fun also. But isn’t that what happens during this time of year anyway?!
A good thing that happened in January is our dear Peg Towns returned to rehearsals after having being out with knee surgery. It is so good to have her back. We certainly missed her humor and joy while she was away.
Despite colds, flu and storms, MVC continued working and preparing for Regional competition and certainly, Carnegie. Everyone is almost paid up to go to NYC, flights are being booked and excitement is beginning to build as we look forward to singing in the country’s premier music hall. Costume discussions are taking place for both the regional competition and Carnegie, and so the countdown begins.
MVC will continue working hard and looking forward to the regional competition and the trip to Carnegie in NYC.
Submitted by Dale Summer
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Bella Acappella Harmony Chorus is accepting resume’s for a director. Please email Nancy Phillips: nancyphillips100@gmail.com and Sue McCaleb: msmccaleb@msn.com for more information or to send a resume’.
Our January activities included our annual business meeting followed by our belated Christmas party. We had many guests this month even though we had no formal guest night. We inducted a new member. We celebrated a founding member’s birthday with a performance.
We have had guests show up at every rehearsal this month. One night we had four guests. So exciting. Director Jocie the center.
Our newest member and addition to the lead section, Laura Riessen!
Nancy Ueland, center with light pink sweater, is one of Bella’s founding members.
We enjoyed celebrating her birthday in January. We made a visit to her home to perform for her. What a delight that was for all of us. We love our Nancy!
We had several members attend AIM. We look forward to Valegram performances in February.
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COACHNG WITH LEA BEVERLEY!
We thoroughly enjoyed our coaching weekend with Lea Beverley. She brought us the same old skills with new vocabulary and a new way of looking at them. Her positive energy was uplifting and inspirational!
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Bay Area Showcase
Our first coach of the year was Nikki Blackmer. Director of A Cappella Joy and lead in Frenzy, Queens of Harmony 2017. That was a lot of fun and we learned some unusual and new techniques. She also coached our quartets Friday and Saturday. BASC members joined in and there was some serious quartetting going around. Speaking about quartetting, we were thrilled for our two new quartets to sing at the Novice Parade at AIM: Airplay and Shout Sister Shout. I believe we will hear them again very soon;)
We have just celebrated our amazing Director Julie Starr’s big Birthday with “imaginative” gift giving, flowers, balloons, picture parade, Voices In Harmony quartet serenading, cake and sparkling drinks.
We are preparing for our Valentine singing that will take place on February 14th. Quartets will deliver Valentines in person or via phone.
That same night we will have a short rehearsal and also celebrate 5 new Emerita members: Juanita Erickson, Ellen Hoppe, Sandy Van Mell, Joyce Richwood, and Betty Carol Smith.
We look forward to honoring them with our love and appreciation.
Jette Sorensen, BASC Team Coordinator.
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Harmony Fusion Chorus News
After a brief break over the holidays – we needed it after a successful holiday show in early December and multiple holiday gigs in the Bay Area – we jumped right in with a performance for the Wa-Sung Community Service Organization in Oakland. What a fabulous audience, always welcoming, gracious, and fed us well too!
Many of us attended the January AIM weekend, attending a variety of classes, including LAW, and cheered on our fabulous director Barb Vander Putten as she MC’d the quartet parade on Saturday evening. What a hoot! She kept the evening lively and the audience laughing.
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River Lights Chorus is Pleased to Announce…
we’ve hired a new Director, Sally Massen!
Sally came to us as interim director when Shirley Kout retired. She has been a gifted and exciting interim. We could not have been more pleased when Sally submitted her application for the ongoing director position. We voted unanimously to hire her.
Sally’s passion for music has been life-long. After graduation with a Master’s Degree in music, she came to the Bay area. Shortly after, in 1972, she joined one of the highest ranked Sweet Adelines International choruses, the Mission Valley Chorus in San Jose. She was the Director of Surf City Chorus in Santa Cruz for a year and a half, and directed Harmony Bay, located in Alameda, for 6 years where she took them to 5th place at Regional Contest.
Her diverse competition experience includes 5 different quartets at the Regional level. Sally is a chorus member of Mission Valley and Bay Area Showcase choruses and With a Twist quartet. She has served as Assistant Director, Music Team, Management Team, Choreographer, Section Leader, Tape Checker, and many other committees. She also served at the Regional level as the Director Coordinator for 3 years and is currently on the Regional Faculty.
Sally retired in 2010 from Valley Transportation Authority after working there for 36 years.
Welcome to River Lights Chorus, Sally!
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The Pacific Empire Chorus had it’s 9th annual Crab Feed on February 2, 2019. Wendy Gibson and her committee chairs threw one heck of a party that feed 512 people. Between the pasta, salad, bread, crab and home made desserts our guests were happy campers. Ladies First helped serve and sang up a storm. PEC was able to not only preview a new song but perform their “Rif Off” set again which was super fun. The silent auction was again successful as was the wine auction. The evening was a huge success and if you missed it .... the 9th annual is just 12 months away!!!
Now we move on to CONTEST SEASON. Wow, can’t believe our Regional Contest is in just 3 short months. We are gearing up for coaching with our beloved Joe Connelly and Sandy Marron with a retreat in there too. Our Friends and Family Night is April 24 so put that night on your calendar and come hear our contest set, rep songs and our chapter quartets.
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Free coaching!
Terrie Carrozzella, a member of R12 Faculty, Front Line Director of Sierra Gold, 22 year member of SAI, and part of the Region 12 Education Team, is I offering FREE coaching to R12 quartets and small choruses. My PVI and coaching reviews from the region have all been 5-star. I am interested in expanding my coaching skills, so I am offering FREE COACHING for singers that are up to two hours’ drive from Sacramento, and anything beyond that, video coaching! Propel your ensemble forward and save your coaching cash! PM, call 530-350-0247 or email me (terriebari@yahoo.com). Thank you!
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HARMONY COLLEGE NORTHWEST
June 14-16, 2019
PLAN TO ATTEND
You don’t want to miss Harmony College Northwest on June 14-16, 2019 in Tacoma, WA. HCNW is one of the premier barbershop educational events in the country! In addition to all the great classes, there is so much more: high caliber faculty, reconnecting with old friends, amazing coaching, a fabulous Saturday night show, singing tags into the wee hours, and great food, all on the beautiful campus of the University of Puget Sound!
Over 100 classes are tailored for a wide variety of barbershop interests: general singers, quartetters, marketing and membership teams, arrangers, people new to barbershop singing, and even techno-geeks. And there are over 30 classes designed specifically for Directors and Music Team members.
Our headliner quartets in June will be Signature (BHS), and Frenzy (SAI). Featured faculty this summer includes barbershop stars like Lori Lyford, Kevin Keller, Jean and Brian Barford, Jana Gutenson, Ryan Heller, Ron Black, and many more!
Here’s what you can do now:
- Mark the date on your calendar: June 14-16, 2019
- Put the registration in your personal budget.
- Tell your chapter members – classes for every interest.
- Encourage all members to attend HCNW with you.
- Come for chorus coaching.
- Send your chorus director.
- Bring your quartet for coaching.
Registration will open in early March:
- $215 - Residents (staying on campus)
- $150 – Commuters (driving from home)
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Announcements:
Thank you to everyone who came to the Winter AIM. So many great classes by Marcia Pivindic and our Regional Faculty. Our weekend was filled with performances on Saturday from the YWIH Chorus, Novice and Double Quartet. A big thank you, as always, to the Love Notes! for their performance. The weekend was a blast! See you at our next AIM.
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WEBSITE CONVERSION PLANNED
We have started transferring website information to a new website, which we hope to launch after contest., in May. We will 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 this website conversion.. This conversion will make interaction between the chorus/chapters and the region more mainstream.
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