I'm sure you're all aware by now that Ron Brooks has decided not to renew his contract as director of our chapter. Our contract with Ron was for six months, ending at the conclusion of our annual show on April 1, 2006. Ron has personal reasons and objectives that preclude his continuing as director.

Ron signed on with us as director at a time when we were between a rock and a hard spot. Both Joe Veltre and Lou Viahos were going through various medical situations that prevented them from directing our chorus. We had no director and an annual show coming up with a list of new music to be learned. Thanks to Ron Brooks, we got through this difficult time, had a good show and improved our singing under Ron's tutelage.

Thank you Ron! The Greater Pittsburgh Chapter wishes you well in all your future endeavors.

Director search

With the departure of Ron Brooks, we are now in the market for a new full time director. Joe Veltre has agreed to resume directing in the interim. Your officers and board will be addressing this situation and keep you all informed of any developments in this regard.

Recommendations or information pertaining to potential director personnel should be made known to your officers.

Bulletin "on-line" via chapter web site

Our chapter Webmaster, Bernie Sinwell, is always working to improve our chapter web site. If you are not in the habit of making routine use of our web site, shame on you! Bernie has done a lot of work on our site and turned it into one of the best.

Our bulletin is now available to the entire BHS "on-line" community and I know it is being read based on e-mail comments which I receive. Of course, if you have not yet joined the computer generation, you are missing out [may I loan you my pocket knife to sharpen your wooden pencil?]

Not sure of a date? Just go to our site calendar that now list much more than just chapter functions. Wonder when another chapter is having their annual show? You'll find it there! Not sure when various District or Society events are scheduled? You'll find them there!

A very useful resource of our website is the "links" section that Bernie has set up.

If you are interested in promoting barbershop to a friend (or yourself), direct them to the approx. 12 minute "Singing Is Life" video link where you'll hear some great singing and comments from other barbershoppers (and barbershopper's wives). Or direct them to the "You Can Sing Too" recruiting link.

A very infonnative and comprehensive link pertaining not only to barbershop overall, but to the local scene, is the link to the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Barbershop Archives. You could spend all day doing barbershop research there.

Did you miss a Harmonizer or Cider Press? Link to it! Well, you get the picture. Do something with that computer other than playing games!

Whv do you rehearse?

A mystery that has always perplexed me is the segment of our membership that will come to every weekly meeting, rehearse with the chorus, learn new music and then not show up at a performance. I know that we occasionally have other obligations or conflicts, but there are some who make a habit of this. Performing in public should be the highlight of your "hobby." Why would you spend all that time in rehearsing and then not take the opportunity to perform for our public?

I know in my own case, I enjoy singing with the chorus, but enjoy quartet performances even more. Why? Because I enjoy the interplay with a receptive audience. Maybe it's an ego thing, but when I look out and see smiles, and people "mouthing the words" with us as we sing, and then coming up afterwards and telling how much they enjoyed our performance... it really makes it all worthwhile.

Our chorus manager, Jay Garber, expends a lot of effort lining up performances. He needs the support of all of you. And remember... we charge organizations to hear us perform and they are of the understanding that they are hiring a chorus for their event and not a VLQ.

Come on guys! Get off your (backside) and join us. Be an active member of the Three Rivers Chorus!

It's your bulletin

On oft repeated plea... I need your input to make this an informative and interesting bulletin. One that will be pertinent to our entire membership. I need input from more people. Don't wait to be asked! I would rather have the problem of trying to figure out how to fit everything in than worrying where I am going to get enough material to make an issue.Help!