Let Me Call You Sweetheart 1
If the animation stops when the music starts, just click
(Use your Back Button to return to this list of contents.)
In This Issue:
President's Message by Mike Werner
Afterglow, Denny's Restaurant, 3000 W Chapman between the 57 and 5 fwys by Mike Werner 2006-It's Going to Be Quite a Year! The year is going to see some serious changes starting with our Board of Directors. We welcome Rich Spencer, Gary Phillips, Paul Gutierrez, and Wes Reed as brand new members of the board, We also have Don Engel and Phil Roth swapping jobs this year. Believe it or not, we are already starting the groundwork for the Singing Valentines. This year we are operating on a committee approach so as to lighten the load and not burden one or two people with every task that is needed. Rich Lewis (R.I.P.) did a great job almost singlehandedly, but it was time to go in another direction. I believe that the Valentines program will work, but more than ever it will take all our efforts to make it successful. We are the Orange Quartet Chapter, and we will not lose sight of this, but having quality singing is what will attract people to our hobby. Wherever we perform, we have to give them our personal best because someone is hearing our style of music for the first time. You have to make a good first impression!
I am really excited about what lies in store for us in 2006. Enjoy the ride.
Welcoming In The New Year
As 2005 faded into history, the Orange Quartet Chapter also lost one of its stalwart members. Rich Lewis, our “signature” tenor and frequent director of the annual Singing Valentines program, went on to the celestial quartet chapter. As we gathered on Monday, January 2, 2006 we were unsure how many members would find their way through the wet streets to join us on a night when so many chapters were dark. But Rich would have been proud. By the time some of us had finished gluing the many advertising “tents” together for the 2006 Valentines project, our numbers had grown to about seventeen, including new members Ed Paulvir (tenor) and John McCallum (bass), and visitors Ray Normandin (a great lead) and Don Thomas (tenor). Phil Roth, Paul Kelley, Scotty, Michael, Virgil, Don Engel, Rich Spencer, Keith, Dick, Dan Whipple and I kept them busy, aided by Marcheta on tenor. Wes Reed dropped by to help although he wasn’t back in singing trim yet.
The flu season has hit several of our members hard, but we know they’ll be back as soon as their doctors clear them to vocalize again. This season is a good one for flu and pneumonia shots! But before we know it, we’ll be bearing hearts and flowers to lovers of all ages in the form of Singing Valentines. Then will come Spring, Summer, and more watermelons than we can eat. And what would it all be without our music? We form a parade of singers, and inevitably we come and go. But our spirit lives on in the melodies we choose to sing. Hail and farewell to Rich Lewis; we’ll remember him when we raise our voices in song.
Rich Lewis, R.I.P.
Last night (Sunday 1/8/06) about 150 people paid their respects to our "spark plug." At least 50 of the attending barbershoppers got on stage and sang "Irish Blessing," directed by Rich Lewis' grandson, Pat Claypool. The other gang sing of "I Believe" was directed by Mark Freedkin. The O.C. Four sang "The Lord's Prayer" as a quartet, Pat Claypool being the only member present at that moment, and they sounded splendid. The three missing parts were fleshed out by some highly talented young guys from The Masters and/or the new version of the Westminster Chorus. So the crowd got a darned good sampling of barbershop singing, both in chorus and quartet forms. Hopefully they realized that they were hearing and seeing some of what Rich Lewis clung to for many years of his life! They got more at the reception--all arranged by Marcheta Pletcher.
Senior Pastor, Stan Smith, smoothly kept the ceremony for Rich going into the reception within an hour. Son Mike gave the main eulogy, and then Stan roamed the sanctuary with a microphone, inviting any who wished to comment to do so--briefly. Personally, I think that is the way these funerals or ceremonials should be handled. All of us were expressing our respect for the man's life, and also our grief at his passing. But our barbershopping includes a great dosage of fun, and it showed itself well during the ad lib comments into the roving microphone segment. Rich Lewis was a free-spirited PMA man (that's Postive Mental Attitude!). It showed in all phases of his life.
Since Pastor Smith requested brevity in the audience comment time, I personally kept my notes in my pocket and really was brief! So I didn't get to tell about his knowledge of every street and back alley in Orange County and how the quartet enjoyed some of the longest shortcuts in history while Rich drove to our gigs. Too, Rich had a lot on his mind constantly, and he moved about the traffic lanes quickly and often. Once, years ago, Don Richardson was riding in the rear seat and drawled to Rich that all those bumps we were hitting were Bott's Dots placed as lane markers by the California Highway Department. Don asked him not to drive on them continually, but to pick out two lines and stay between them. Said his fillings were getting real loose. Can't recall the response, but Rich got the message.
Of course, you can't use anything but superlatives about the deceased, so I threw my batch of the other cards (mostly funny!) away.
Rich, thanks for everything, and you will be sorely missed. RIP!
Valentines! Time To Hustle.
Our chapter does not put on shows, does not sponsor contests, and does not require any effort of our members to really finance the chapter. Except for the Valentines program! This is the chapter's only program to raise money to establish the foundation from which the chapter is able to function for the rest of the year. And it is fun. All we have to do is go out and sing two songs, take a picture and give out a rose. And it is fun. Great fun! The people who receive the Valentines are overwhelmed. Some of them laugh and some of them get upset. But most of them cry. Yes, cry. I mean, really cry. It is a real kick to perform these Valentines. Some are at homes, some at hospitals, some at businesses and some at restaurants. But all of the Valentines are terrific to do no matter where you do them.
So where do we come in as members? We have two jobs. First we must get orders for the performances. And it won’t happen unless we pass out the teepees to the establishments that we frequent and pass out the business cards to everyone we meet. We have to get the word out and only you can do it. "You" means me, you, you and YOU. Yes, each of us has to let the neighborhood know that they can get a Singing Valentine, and we are the ones that can deliver them. Your second job, form a quartet that can sing two simple love songs, "Let me call you Sweetheart" and "Heart of my Heart." It would be smart to have a couple of extra songs just in case they are needed. "Sweet and Lovely" and/or "My Wild Irish Rose" are two good ones.
Now that is not asking too much of you. Let’s go do it. Remember, we are delivering Singing Valentines on three days -- Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, February 12, 13 and 14. And with the cost of gasoline, we are limiting the locations for the deliveries to the local Orange County area. This includes Orange, Tustin, Irvine, Garden Grove, Santa Ana and other local cities. The cost is minimal, $50. And this really is minimal when you think that four guys are driving to some place in the middle of the day for $50 to sing two songs. The times are: morning 8:30-12:00, afternoon 12:00-5:00, and evening 5:00-8:30. There is an extra charge if they want a one-hour window (but we discourage that). Come on and support your chapter. Do your part. We need to have a strong financial base from which to work, and only you can help.
The Best Gig Songs of 12.06.05
By Stanley Tinkle
NOTES:
1. Uptunes are the life blood of gigs, because they’re happy and rhythmic. Let the rhythm carry you all along.
2. Ballads stop the forward motion of a gig and must therefore be thematic to the specific gig. Avoid self-indulgent use of ballads; it’s their party, not yours. One ballad per gig should be your max.
3. Start with your best uptune. Follow it with your third best. Then introduce your quartet in a few words, and then sing some more. Your final song should be your second best. Sing seven or eight songs max., then leave quickly, while they’re still shouting for more. Don’t do encores! Even the best quartets will bore the audience after a while.
4. Find the songs that fit the abilities and virtues of your quartet. Learn them first. Sing only the songs you like. Try to fit your choice of songs to each gig.
5. Don’t take requests! Just reply that you all know that song but that you don’t know 4 parts for it. Besides, it’s your show. Don’t let a wiseacre take it away from you.
6. On the day of the gig, rehearse every song you plan to sing. Have 2 alternate songs ready in case one of you has voice trouble and can’t handle a tough song that day.
7. Song titles with asterisks (*) have been hits at the gigs I’ve done. They might work especially well for you, too. Or not. Remember, any song you do with gusto will be a hit.
Here, in no special order, are my favorite uptunes for gigs:
1. Hello, Mary Lou*
Successful Ballads (see NOTES, above):
1. Auld Lang Syne
More On The New Logo
Delegates of the Far Western District sent a complaint to Kenosha about the new Barbershop Harmony Society logo. The response came back in early December, as follows:
To the FWD Delegates:
Thank you for communicating with the Society Board concerning the new
Society logo. The members of the Board always like to hear from the
membership about issues of particular concern to them. We certainly
appreciate and respect the thoughts and opinions that are shared with
us.
The Society Board considered the most appropriate response to your
request that the new logo be dropped and we return to the old logo.
The fact is that when the Society Board approved a new logo it did so
with the clear understanding that not every member would be pleased
with the decision. Indeed, it is impossible to imagine any decision
about a new logo being popular with every Society member. Still,
just as you are dedicated to the perpetuation of the barbershop
harmony style, so is the Board. We want the Society to prosper for
many generations to come, and we were convinced that we needed to
present a more contemporary look for our current and future audiences
and potential singers. As you know, the logo is not only for our
current members but also for our future members and for our
audiences, too. The Board discussed the request from the FWD House
of Delegates concerning the logo, but the Board does not support the
requested action and it declined to take any formal action on it.
The Board has received both complaints and compliments about the new
logo. I'm convinced that the new logo will grow in popularity as
we use it and people associate it with our Society. Any logo
acquires meaning as it is repeatedly associated with a company or
product.
I wish you and yours a most happy holiday season and terrific new year!
All the best,
Keep the Whole World Singing!
You CAN Write for the Squeezin's
At our gathering last Sunday night, I talked to a couple of the guys who indicated they would like to write an article for our bulletin, but they had hesitations. So here are some points that may help them (and others) to decide.
1. Subject matter: Have you had an experience in your barbershopping that helped you know what to do (or what NOT to do) for the future? How about your own gigs? How did you get started singing? Any ideas on how to get new members started? Subject matter is all around you. I wrote one article about what I learned from my therapist when I had lost my voice. Once a barbershopper gave me a news clipping with a story about "Taps."
2. Spelling and Grammar: Don't worry about your S & G. I'm the Editor: I EDIT.
3. Format and Timing: Your article can be typed or handwritten. No special format. If you're not so computer-savvy, just write me an email and include the article in your message. I aim to get bulletins out the first week of the month if possible. If your article won't fit in the current bulletin, it will go in the next one.
One-Liners For Lovers
Marriages are made in heaven. So is thunder and lightning.
Abstinence makes the heart grow fonder.
There are two theories to arguing with a woman. Neither one works.
The average woman would rather have beauty than brains because the average man can see better than he can think.
My wife says I never listen to her....or something like that.
Where's there's smoke, there's dinner.
If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?
Real men don't waste their hormones growing hair.
My wife and I are incompatible. I lost my income and she lost her patability.
I don't know of anything better than a woman if you want to spend money where it shows.
Next Issue
Target publication date for the next Squeezins' bulletin is March 1 or whenever we get enough articles. Send your articles to Editor at dcacton@earthlink.net.
 ORANGE QUARTET CHAPTER SPEBSQSA
To find a separate printable list of officers for your records, click HERE.
OFFICERS
President: Mike Werner
Immediate Past President: Dave Gryvnak
V.P. Marketing & PR: Gary Phillips
Secretary:
Rich Spencer
Treasurer: Don Engel
V.P. Membership: Wes Reed
V.P. Music: Paul Gutierrez
V.P. Programs: Phil Roth
Member at Large: Ken Tillmanns
Bulletin Editor: Dorothy Acton
|
ORANGE SQUEEZIN'S
