ORANGE SQUEEZIN'S 
July, 2003
MEETING EVERY MONDAY 7:15 P.M.- COME SING WITH US UNTIL 10 P.M.
AT THE FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH, 1130 E. WALNUT ST., ORANGE, CALIF. 9-11 A Barbershop Tribute by SPEBSQSA
The Barbershop Harmony Society has created a special national event in tribute to the victims and families of the September 11, 2001 tragedies in New York, the Pentagon, and Western Pennsylvania. Barbershoppers in communities all over North America will gather at city halls, state capitols, and community centers everywhere to give vocal tribute to those who died and to those men and women in uniform who protect our land.
Your chapter will want to be a part of this memorable event. Contact your local community leaders (mayor, councilman, town manager, etc.) to set the date in the calendar and enlist their support. Contact other vocal groups in your area to recruit for the ensemble. Also, contact your local chapters of the American Legion and the VFW to gain their support for color guards and flag ceremonies. Notify the local press at least two weeks prior to 9/11. Call your District Vice-President for Marketing and PR if you have questions.
Go For The Gold was "Montreal Lite"
On Saturday, June 21, several Orange Quartet Chapter members joined a large crowd at Plummer Auditorium to give a proud sendoff to the nine quartets that will represent the FWD in Montreal this July. The lopsided strength of our district in the world of barbershop was evident in the number of qualifying quartets: nine!
Ken Tillmanns thought that the FWD college quartet champions, Four Score, had the best vocal blend of the entire evening. I especially like the precise comedy timing of Metropolis, which flip-flopped between "suave" and "terrified" at a snap of the fingers. All of us were spellbound by Uncle Fester (tenor Craig Ewing) and the rest of the Addams Family, as sung by High Fidelity. (Too bad the lovely Morticia Addams could not appear because of the "no smoking" rule at Society events!)
"Go For The Gold" is organized by Nick Papageorge, who shared the MC role with three other famous barbershoppers this year because he was also in one of the competing quartets, Sam's Club. At the end of the evening Jim Crowley, FWD VP: Mu&P, handed a personal check to each quartet to help defray their expenses in Montreal. Because so many quartets have qualified this year, Jim said he figured that each group's share of the proceeds would take them as far east as Albuquerque!
The Roths and the Tinkles will trek to the Internationals in Canada to hear these quartets again. As I watch my credit card heat up, I begin to understand why GFTG is such a bargain for West Coasters. For only fifteen dollars, you witnessed the best in barbershop and took part in a musical feast. On top of that, you didn't have to learn to sing "Oh, Canada!" and to speak French. Quel dommage, mon frere.
So which was my own favorite quartet of the evening? You can't compare chocolate, sirloin steak, and hot berry pie a la mode; you can only savor each one. But I think I most enjoyed the little touches, the surprise moments of interplay between the quartets and the public. At two points, for example, the baritone for Finale was cheered by the audience. This was too much for the tenor, Gary Steinkamp, who put on a show of being insanely jealous. And during Nightlife's set, bass Brett Littlefield gave us a virtuoso demonstration of his incredible range and timbre, after which a wag in the audience called out, "More bass!" Brett paused for a beat, grinned and said, "Oh-kayy!" Then he went on to do just that!
Quartet Corner
One of our other chapter quartets, "BALDERDASH"
performed for the Acoustical Neuoroma Association
on the evening of the 21st of June at the Anaheim
Sheraton for their Annual National Symposium.
According to Mike Werner and Rich Martinez,
bass and tenor respectively, "It was a blast!"
(Their lead, Dave Gryvnak, and bari, Pat
Gaston were not available for an interview.)
They performed more than 31 songs, some twice, for the
pleasure of over 200 attendees which had gathered
in small groups for refreshments--the best
time to sing for admirers of barbershop harmony,
and to ears unfamiliar to barbershop.
They were talking to me about their gig for a considerable
time prior to last week's meeting. You could
see the excitement in their eyes when they spoke
of specific people they sang to and the songs
they selected. In some cases they changed the
words in the song to adapt to the party they were
singing for.
I am convinced that with the quality of singing we
have been hearing from BALDERDASH lately, and
the enthusiasm they are generating in their 'gigs',
we'll be hearing more about their successes
in the future.
Incidentally, guys, you need a business card to
hand out to those who liked your presentation.
You're ready for wedding anniversaries, birthday parties, private parties and more business
'mixers'. Quartetting is a 'referral' business.
One good gig should generate at least one
or two more opportunities.
All of the members of the Orange, Quartet
Chapter congratulate BALDERDASH on your
successful performance. We're looking forward to getting your picture up on our new "Photos" section.
No other quartet performances were noted for
the month of June, but, July 4th weekend
will have an abundance of performances.
Membership Roster Update
Here are updates on the membership roster:
Blackwell, Floyd "Blackie" 24552 Paseo De Valencia, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 (949)454-1683
Please send your updated information to Bill Snyder WWilln@aol.com
Mail & Email
Hi Dick,
Once again, thanks for remembering me!
For anyone that cares, I'm doing great, got my waist back to a 33 and my
blood sugar to a reasonable level. Built a floor to ceiling, wall to wall bookcase
for Donna and am learning how to do stained glass. Big opening adjacent to
the front door. Haven't done any Barbershopping lately, but that is due to
change shortly.
Wish every one well. How about some news about what is going on in the
regular meetings.
Going home from the first bout was too soon, as the following month (& instructed to take aspirin) I began throwing up blood once again. This trip to emergency only took 7 pts. After a few day & medication, I was once again released to go home, as everything seemed to be doing its job, stabilizing my own "borrow blood" to behave itself. The four doctors checking on me informed me it would be a few months before real recovery would be complete.
I feel quite sure the St. Joseph Hospital & Heart Center would be "relieved" to have me move out of the area.
Phyllis & I are deeply indebted to all who gave, sent cards & held us up in prayers.
Thanks again & God bless all.
Hope to be able to visit the Chapter again soon!
P.S. Tell brother Paul Kelly thanks for the "80 proof" jump-start--it really worked.
Always in song,
P.P.S. Richard, you & the wife really doing an excellent job on the bulletin. Keep up the good work.
Summer's here! We need everybody there! Sung to the tune of "Summertime"
lyrics by Dorothy Acton
Fellas leave, to vacations they fly. And then sometimes old singin' buddies go crazy When they're meetin' to sing with one bass and tenor shy. So come out, keep singin' under that ol' summer sky.
Editor's Absence
I have missed
several chapter meetings because of a minor disability that prevents me from singing. (I can hear you saying, "Who said he could sing, anyway?") I hope it'll be over soon and things will be normal again. But meanwhile, as the old tune goes......
The song has ended, but the malady lingers on.
(Please groan in 4 part harmony...)
1906
Music and Lyrics by: George M. Cohan
We look forward to hearing news from attendees at The International in Montreal June 29-July 6. Stan and Barbara Tinkle and Phil and Phyllis Roth will be there to hear 21 choruses and 43 quartets, including 9 quartets from the FWD: Finale, Q, Freestyle, Sam's Club, Metropolis, Broadway (Ariz), Gotcha!, Hi-Fidelity, and Late Night Barbershop.
My Forgetter
My forgetter's getting better
For when I'm "here" I'm wondering
Oft times I walk into a room,
At times I put something away
When shopping I may see someone,
Yes, my forgetter's getting better
author unknown
Target publication time for the next Squeezins' bulletin is Aug 4-11 (whenever we get enough articles). Send your articles to Dick Acton at racton@adelphia.net or bring to the Monday meeting. |
