While vacationing in Florida this winter, I found time on Feb. 23rd to visit Bob Poxon at a meeting of the Palm Harbor chapter, of which Bob is a dual member. Their chorus is the "Crystalaires" and they were getting ready for their annual show. A very nice singing chorus of approx. 50 members, they really impressed me with their rendition of "Battle Hymn of the Republic." It was interesting to note that the members were in the process of "qualitying" for their show by singing into tape recorders for evaluation (sound familiar?). I mentioned that they were getting ready for their show, but they still took the time to bring all the guests up front, introduce each guest, sing "Welcome as the Flowers in May" and then have the entire front line parade by and shake our hands. After that the guests sat in on the respective section rehearsals. A nice group of guys!

"Silent Notes" - by Betzi Powers

At our March 30th meeting, Rich Stevens was awarded "Barbershopper of The Quarter" by president, Bob Parker. This is a new award in the Pittsburgh Chapter, and Rich is the first to receive it. Rich is certainly deserving of such an award! President Parker pointed out Rich's effort as Program VP. He has tried to come up witb a program that covers many areas and is striving to set forth a program agenda that allows time for many, varied activities. Rich has been taking private voice lessons and has been passing on to us what he has been learning through various vocal exercises and other tips to improve our craft. Rich is the section leader of the baritones (a task in its' self!). Through his weekly "noteworthy," distributed both by e-mail and at each meeting, Rich sets up the weekly agenda and brings us other up to the minute items. You may have also noted that Rich is developing into a fairly good director.

Congratulations Rich!! Keep up the good work!