By Joseph Veltre, Greater Pittsburgh Chapter District Delegate

1. Serious ASCAP problems have arisen and President Skip Kropp ask that we do not sign anything sent to us from ASCAP until talking to him. Continue paying ASCAP fees the same way as we have done in the past until further notice.

2. The District Board of Directors approved a reorganization plan for the District recommended by the Society. See the Governance & Management Task Force Report on the Society web site: www.spebsqsa.org click on members only and follow the instructions. The reorganization plan was tabled by the House of Delegates. An explanation of the report was published in the September/October issue of the Cider Press. If you still have that issue, you can review the report there.

3. It is very important that all incoming officers attend COTS.

4. Membership is a hot topic in the Society. The statistics are not good. Use the "Singing for Life" video. It is the best marketing tool for the Society to date. Give to guests to take home. We can order 50 for $100 ($2.00 per tape). It is very cost worthy.

5. A few changes were made in the Collegiate Barbershop Quartet contest rules. They will be published in a future Cider Press.

6. The Music Man Program was only offered in the Johnny Appleseed & Mid Atlantic Districts in the past. It is now offered Society wide.

7. In Montreal, the Society Board established a Society Hall of Fame Committee to choose inductees to be announced at the International Convention in Louisville, Kentucky in July.

8. When & if you are looking for a new director, contact the VP of Chorus Director Development for help.

9. A Senior Quartet Task Force has been formed to upgrade the Senior Quartet program.

10. The 2004 Divisional Contests will be held in Wheeling, WV (Eastern) and Cincinnati, Ohio (Western).

11. Elected to officer's positions that were opened for 2004 are:

12. Apple Corps will be hosting the Classic Collection (past International Champs) next year.

THE MYSTERIOUS' "8" - Submitted by Bernie Sinwell

No - It's not the name of an upbeat VLQ, but it's the "8" that appears (or should appear) under the treble clef in most of our music. What does it mean? Well, to put it bluntly it means don't sing here. Why not? It's because the lead and tenor voice range is 1 octave lower than the music notation. If this compromise was not used then most of the lead and tenor notes would be on ledger line above the bass clef or below the treble clef. WOW!! What a mess that would be. Just remember when you play the lead or tenor part on a piano or keyboard to play 1 octave lower than written.