REGINA GOLDEN HARVEST Barbershop Chorus

Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America

# Sharp Notes #

Publication of the Regina Golden Harvest Chorus

Golden Harvest Chorus meets most Monday Evenings, 7:30-10:00 at
Knox Metropolitan United Church, corner of Victoria and Lorne, Regina, Saskatchewan
Guests always welcome!

October / November 2001

Music VP

Role Statement

The role of the Music VP and the Music Committee is to develop, on behalf of the chapter and in concert with the Chapter Music Director, a music program that meets the needs and interests of all members and is consistent with chapter goals. The guiding principles for the music program will be:

Principle #1. Chapter members are the owners of the music program.

Rationale / Implication: Members are likely to learn their music faster, sing better and enjoy it more if the songs are selected on the basis of member preference. This means that members should be given an opportunity to propose and select songs on an equitable basis, consistent with the needs and goals of the chapter. They should also be encouraged to participate in the interpretation and presentation of each song as well as in all other aspects of the music program.

Principle #2. The quality of musical performance is of higher priority than repertoire SIZE.

Rationale / Implication: This implies a greater emphasis be placed on the overall entertainment value of presentations with a limit to the number of new songs introduced in any given period. In addition, songs should be selected for their overall contribution to a balanced program. It also implies the need for regular coaching and continued vocal improvement by all members

Principle #3. Chorus repertoire songs should have a pre-determined purpose and application.

Rationale / Implication: All new songs should have a purpose and specific application and we should know where a song is going to fit into our program before introducing it. If we don’t know where a song fits, we should not waste any time on it. This implies that themes for our annual show and package shows are known before we take on new songs.

Principle #4. Chapter meetings are for the enjoyment of all members.

Rationale / Implication: This idea has implications for the type of music program we have. It suggests a need to find out what the members want, what they enjoy and what they want to derive from chapter meetings. It also implies a balanced approach to rehearsals, to ensure that the interests of all members are included, that we obtain periodic input on those interests and that all elements of the program are covered. The program elements are seen to be:

• The Annual Show
• Quartet Development
• Music Education / member development
• Package Shows (Paid or otherwise)
• Competition
• Polecat Program
• Tag Program

To fulfill this role, we will be pursuing results in these Key Result Areas. We will be looking for results in these areas using these measures:

1. Performance Quality
   • Total score achieved in contest.
   • Level of member satisfaction with the contest performance.
2. Music Education
   • Number of educational sessions given.
3. Polecat Singing
   • Number of Polecat songs mastered by the members participating.
4. Quartet Activity
   • Total number of members participating in quartet activity.
5. Member Satisfaction
   • General attendance.
   • Feedback on level of enjoyment by members.
   • Number of members participating in the program.

OPERATIONAL GOALS - 2001/2002

1. Increase our contest scores by at least 10% over our 2001 scores
2. Develop a feedback system including a satisfaction scale to monitor member interest, enjoyment and satisfaction with the music program.
3. Plan and implement an educational program on musicianship and barbershopping.
4. Develop and implement a Polecat Program to encourage members to learn and perfect the polecat songs.
5. Develop and implement a plan to involve more members in quartetting.

Dave Pearce, Music V.P.

Every Monday Nightis a Guest Night!
Invite a friend!
They’ll be glad you did!

From International

HARMONY COLLEGE FEATURE TO AIR ON PBS

"Egg: the arts show" will feature barbershop harmony in an upcoming program. The highly acclaimed show had a crew filming at this year's Harmony College. The show features interviews with students and faculty members and captures the full range of the great Harmony College experience.

The New York City premiere date is November 23. Viewers should check listings for local times and stations. Additional information about air dates and times for EGG is available at www.thirteen.org/egg.

September 11th tribute

Two countries, with one heart, that ached together on Sept. 11; brought together in song to remember those who are no longer with us. Lest we forget ...

A very special musical treat can be viewed at the following web site: www.sycorp.com/gof.

On Saturday September 29th, at the Chandos Pattison Auditorium in Surrey, BC Canada, the Men's Barbershop Harmony Society, Regional Convention closed with an emotional rendition of Jay Giallombardo's American/Canadian Ode to Joy.

Based on the well known Beethoven melody and the two national anthems, it was performed by 150 men of the combined Greater Vancouver Gentlemen of Fortune and Salem Senate-Aires choruses, with two past Champion quartets, Counterpoint from BC and Sold Out from Salem OR.

Quartet Activities

The Four Hoarsemen sang to a packed lunchroom at Heirloom Harvest on Saturday November 3^rd. A good time was had by all.

Watch for further reports on the activities of our other chapter quartets next month. (Hint! Hint!]

Sweet Adeline Show

A number of barbershoppers were volunteer helpers at the Saturday November 3^rd Sweet Adeline show. Not only did we get fed before the show, but we were able to watch and enjoy a great show package as we worked.

COTS in Brandon

The Brandon Mini-COTS is less than a month away – on Saturday December 1^st. This is an excellent opportunity for all executive and non-executive members to learn more about the operation of the Chapter and District. This is also a chance to network with representatives from other Canadian chapters.

A cowboy rode into town and stopped at a saloon for a drink. Unfortunately, the locals always had a habit of picking on strangers, which he was. When he finished his drink, he found his horse had been stolen. He went back into the bar, handily flipped his gun into the air, caught it above his head without even looking and fired a shot into the ceiling.

"Which one of you sidewinders stole my horse?!?!?" he yelled with surprising forcefulness. No one answered. "Alright, I'm gonna have another beer, and if my horse ain't back outside by the time I finish, I'm gonna do what I dun in Texas! And I don't like to have to do what I dun in Texas!" Some of the locals shifted restlessly. The man, true to his word, had another beer, walked outside, and his horse has been returned to the post.

He saddled up and started to ride out of town. The bartender wandered out of the bar and asked, "Say partner, before you go... what happened in Texas?"

The cowboy turned back and said, "I had to walk home."

Seven Song Package

~~ Chorus waits off stage ~~

MC: "Ladies and Gentlemen:" (pitch) "Put your hands together and welcome the Golden Harvest Chorus!"

First Song: When the Saints Go Marching In

Chorus: Doo, doo, doo, doo

Everyone sing lead while marching on.

Once in formation break into parts.

At the conclusion blow pitch during applause and go straight into second song.

Second Song: Sittin’ on Top of the World

MC: "We certainly feel like we’re on top of the world when we can sing in a chorus of men like this. And we hope that you too are feeling on top of the world, or at least will be by the time we are finished tonight. We are the Golden Harvest Chorus and we sing in the barbershop style. A great many barbershop songs are based on the theme of love. In this next song we express our commitment to our sweetheart because of what we haven’t done!

~~ Pitch ~~

MC: We’re staying out of trouble!"

Third Song: Ain’t Misbehavin’

MC: "There is no greater love than a mother’s love. We sing this next song in honour of all the mothers here tonight."

Fourth Song: Irish Lullaby

MC: "It’s getting to that time of year when many people start thinking about a holiday in a warmer climate. Now we’re going to take you to the Carribean where the banana plantations grow their own style of music."

Fifth Song: Banana Boat Song

MC: "Sometimes our love is an expression of the longing we feel when our sweetheart has left us. Whether for a short time or a long time we may find ourselves pleading for them to return to us."

Sixth Song: Baby, Won’t You Please Come Home

MC: "The Golden Harvest Chorus loves to sing. However, a lot of great music comes from bands with all shapes and kinds of musical instruments. For our final number we’re going to sing about and imitate one of the great bands of all time!"

Seventh Song: MacNamara’s Band

During applause chorus sings melody to doo, doo while marching off stage

Harmony Foundation – preserving the musical legacy of SPEBSQSA through support of vocal music education in our schools and communities.

Seven Song Christmas Package

~~ Chorus waits off stage ~~

MC: "Ladies and Gentlemen:"

~~ Pitch ~~

MC: "Put your hands together and welcome the Golden Harvest Chorus!"

First Song: When the Saints Go Marching In

Chorus: Doo, doo, doo, doo

Eeveryone sing lead while marching on.

Once in formation break into parts.

At the conclusion blow pitch during applause and go straight into second song.

Second Song: Jingle Bells

MC: "Christmas is really for children. The greatest joy we get as adults is watching the faces of the children as they open their gifts on Christmas morning. It just wouldn’t be the same without the kids."

Third Song: Children’s Medley

MC: "Well, it will soon be here, won’t it? Yes, of course, Christmas. But even before that we expect a big dump of the white stuff to set the mood. What would Christmas be without snow?"

Fourth song: White Christmas

"We belong to SPEBSQSA which stands for the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America. We are first and foremost a quartet society. Now to entertain you we present "-----------."

~~ Possible spot for a quartet ~~

MC: The other thing that we love, or hate, to do at Christmas is shop. There is a lot of talk about Christmas becoming too commercialized, but don’t we love it!

Fifth Song: Silver Bells

MC: It seems that one of the things we love to see at Christmas are decorations. It seems that they get brighter and more elaborate every year. But this is no recent development as people have been decorating their homes for millennia.

Sixth Song: Deck the Halls

MC: Thank you ladies and gentlemen for letting us entertain you at this festive Christmas season. As we leave you, we extend to you our warmest greeting.

Seventh Song: We Wish You a Merry Christmas

~~ During applause chorus melody to loo,loo while marching off stage ~~

Promotion Update

REGINA INN

Arrangements are in place for the Regina Inn to host our Afterglow following the Annual Show, if we elect to proceed as per last year. My proposal is that we follow a similar schedule. The Regina Inn is also interested in having us do some type of show there, possibly as a fund raiser for us.

CHORUS LOGO

Five schools have declared an interest in competing in the Logo competition and have been provided with background information about the chorus and our society to help them out. Entry deadline is the end of November after which we will need to judge the entries. Art directors have been told we will present the winning prize in early December.

TOURISM REGINA BOOTH - AGRIBITION

Tourism Regina is sponsoring a booth for their clients and would like us to participate. It’s a matter of whether we want to be represented and availability. We have to let them know by early November.

Dave Pearce,
Public Relations

Sing…

For Life

Executive Meeting

We had our October meeting at Ron and Christine’s. with Peter, Ron, Wayne, Dave, Lynn and Bruce in attendance.

• The nominating committee – Lynn and Dave – is still looking for a treasurer to replace Rod. If we are unable to convince anyone in the chapter to assume this role, then we may have to look outside of the chapter.
• Wayne will continue to follow up with members and potential members who may not have been out for a few weeks. We will need to follow up re: uniforms for any members who have dropped their membership.
• Possible singout for Masons on November 21^st.
• Developing a six-week new member orientation program – need to ensure that new members have a ‘buddy’.
• Promoting the chapter in the Sweet Adeline show – Dave has produced an insert to go in their printed program.
• We will be working on our new Society theme song in December – Teach the Children to Sing.
• Pipers needed for each section – especially for section practices
• Setting up a rotation schedule for Riser crew (set up and take down)
• The chorus won’t have a float in the Santa Claus parade. The float was badly damaged in one of the recent windstorms and will require rebuilding.
• Christmas Party Monday December 17^th at Lynn and Carol’s.
• Lynn working with Bill C. re show script
• Contacting quartets for show – possibly Counterpoint from B.C.
• No Bingo’s currently scheduled.
• Non-Profit organization report filed with the Corporations Branch
• Next meeting November 18^th at Lynn & Carol’s

Riser Crew Monthly Schedule

1^st week – Tenors & Director
2^nd week – Baritones
3^rd week – Leads
4^th week – Basses
5^th week – Executive

Taps

We have all heard the haunting song, "Taps." It's the song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually creates tears in our eyes. But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be pleased to find out about it's humble beginnings.

Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, Captain Ellicombe decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention.

Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment. When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead. The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.

The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial despite his enemy status.

His request was only partially granted. Captain Ellicombe had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician. The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform.

This wish was granted.

The haunting melody, we now know as "Taps" used at military funerals, and at the end of each day on US military bases was born.

Day is done, Gone the sun
From the lakes, From the hills
From the sky.
All is well, Safely rest.
God is nigh.

Fading light, Dims the sight
And a star Gems the sky,
Gleaming bright
From afar, Drawing nigh,
Falls the night.

Thanks and praise, For our days,
‘Neath the sun, ‘Neath the stars,
‘Neath the sky,
As we go, This we know,
God is nigh.

Sing … for life!

Experience the beauty and meaning that singing can bring to our world.

Coming Events

Articles in this bulletin do not necessarily reflect the views of the chapter. Unless carrying a byline, they are those of the editor. Items received may be referred to the executive before publication.
All chapter officers and members are encouraged to submit articles to the Sharp Notes.
Please address any comments, suggestions or submissions to the editor – Bruce Fish, 761-2503 / bfish@accesscomm.ca. Current and back issues of the Sharp Notes can be found on the
Golden Harvest Chapter website at www.gpfn.sk.ca/culture/arts/gharvest.

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