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!

September 1999

Welcome Back

I hope everyone has had a relaxing and enjoyable summer. Now its time to get back in gear for our fall and upcoming winter season (yuk - winter already??). We've had a somewhat active summer despite having Monday nights 'off' – music taping sessions, chapter party at Darrell's, Buffalo Day's Parade and O Canada for the Roughriders Game (Hurray – they won one!).

We've added new faces to the executive to keep us moving along in the right direction. No sooner has Bill Coulthard returned from Ontario (their loss, our gain) and he has agreed to take on the important Membership / Chapter Development position. This position is the lifeblood of both our local chapter and the society as a whole. Congratulations and thanks Bill for accepting this responsibility. (p.s. we're glad to have you back singing with us too!)

Peter Vanderstelt will be taking over the Monday night Program VP reins

from Stuart and we're looking forward to him putting his own style on our meeting night program.

Many thanks to Stuart Reiley for the work he's put into the Program VP (and Chorus Manager) position over the past years – but don't think we're letting him off that easy. Stuart will be busier than ever in the Chorus Manager role – and keeping us busy too – with singouts, parades, football games, parties…

We've already had our first chapter Executive meeting. Plans are under way for our Spring 2000 show. We have a music specialist visit scheduled for October 1^st/2^nd. We're entering our float into the Santa Claus parade. And then there's Fall Convention, Brandon's 50^th anniversary, Christmas, COTS, the new Millenium and lots of other activities.

So, grab your music, grab your hat, and get ready for another year of musical fun. The fun all starts on Monday night September 13^th, so see you there…

First Regular Meeting

Monday September 13^th, 7:30pm

Buffalo Days Parade

Once again, we had a great time participating in the Buffalo Days parade on July 30^th. Thanks to Nelson, Stuart, Wayne and Ed – the construction crew. Thanks also to the members of the chapter who turned out to ride on the float and to our sound technician – Bruce. Everyone along the parade route seemed to be having as much fun as we were.

We are investigating the possibility of entering the float in the Santa Claus Parade.

Congratulations as well to Ken and the Regina Sweet Adelines for their winning float.

Gord Gardiner – the PR guy

Late news flash – at our meeting on Monday night, the executive approved entering our float into the Santa Claus parade.

Roughriders

Sixteen or so of us were there on August 13^th singing O Canada for the Rider game against Edmonton. It was a really great experience being right down on the field with all the players and officials and TV crews (and cheerleaders) as well as being a great opportunity to get out in front of the public. The game was broadcast on TSN coast-to-coast so hopefully our singing went national as well. After the opening we all hustled off to our seats to watch the rest of the game and cheer the Riders on to victory!

Thanks to Stuart for making all the arrangements for this and thanks to Ken and the rest of the singers for coming out and supporting our chapter.

Taping Session

The taping session on June 28^th was another success. We used O Canada for the Roughrider game, and many of the other songs for our Buffalo Days float. Watch for an upcoming Christmas music taping session in time for the Santa Claus parade.

Queen Isabella watched proudly as the ships left the quay. A large part of her Treasury had gone into the construction of the fleet but it was necessary to keep those Englishmen from invading her country. They were a nuisance, no doubt about it.

But Her Highness had another, more practical reason for having such a fleet. The New World had just been discovered and she wanted to reap some of its boundless wealth for Spain (and, of course, a bit for herself). So she authorized the construction of an Armada but told everyone it was for an invasion of England, and possibly a little exploration on the side.

It was for this very reason she was on hand today to bid Godspeed to the ships. They were on their way to the Americas to investigate reports of Indian tribes having so much gold their streets were paved with the stuff.

The Queen wrung her hands in glee as she contemplated the future. Wealth beyond her wildest dreams and her beloved Spain the most powerful country on earth. She wanted this mission to be a success so she spared no expense in providing for the comfort and well-being of the crews. Wine, food, spices and other essentials were packed in abundance, as were kegs of salt to be emptied and used to hold the gold on the return trip.

Isabella also had a keen eye for psychology. She knew that men had trouble coping with the loneliness of months at sea and that boredom could lead to all sorts of trouble. Unhappy men often mutinied and that was something to be avoided at all costs.

She turned to her Chief of Foreign Affairs and asked if there was anything she could have forgotten.

"No," he assured her.

"They have lots of food for the journey?"

"Yes, my Queen."

"And wine?" "Yes, Your Majesty."

"How about entertainment? Have the singers and musicians all been assigned?"

"Oh Yes, Your Highness, just as you ordered. Sixteen per vessel. That's four quartets to the galleon."

Chapter Executive – 1999/2000

In case you missed it last month, here's our slate of officers:

• President: Bruce Fish

• Immediate Past President:
  Dave Pearce
• Music & Performance VP:
  Ron Evans
• Membership &Chapter Development: Bill Coulthard
• Chapter Promotion & Public Relations: Gord Gardiner
• Program: Peter Vanderstelt
• Secretary: Wayne Keys
• Treasurer: Rod Schlosser

The following committee appointees have agreed to serve for the upcoming year:

• Service & Charities: Jack Boan
• Chorus Manager: Stuart Reiley
• Uniform: Bill Quick
• Music Librarian: Wayne Keys
• Bulletin Editor: Bruce Fish

Executive Meeting

We had our first Executive meeting of the season with a nicely balanced octet – Gord, Rod, Wayne, Peter, Ron, Bill C., Ken and Bruce – out on the deck enjoying the summer evening. A number of ideas were discussed but this was mainly a kick-off meeting to get us all back into barbershop mode so that we can hit the ground running (and singing) when we start up on the 13^th. Stay tuned for more ideas and activities from your executive as the fall progresses.

"Too many people are ready to carry the stool when there is a piano to be moved." – Unknown

Barbershop Visitors

Those of you who attended the chapter party at Darrell Herauf's will have noticed a number of strange faces there. Not only did we have the pleasure of having Murray La Salle and Dave Slinn, and the full complement of the Queen City Slickers, and wives and families – but we also had one visiting barbershopper and a Back Seat Driver from Oshawa, Ontario. Our friends Howard & Joan Anyan were returning from a trip to Alaska via Kenosha and Regina – and dropped in to visit us at exactly the right time to join in the food, festivities and harmonizing at our chapter party.

Darrell Clement on the other hand emailed us that he would be arriving a few weeks later – and arrived from B.C. the week after our taping session and after we broke for the summer. Darrell is another friend and former Oshawa barbershopper, quartetter and Sweet Adeline director, and now directs a barbershop chapter in Surrey, B.C. Since our barbershop chapter was off for the season, we put him in touch with Mercy Mills and the Regina Sweet Adelines and he was able to take in one of their meetings while he was here. Sorry we missed you Darrell, but from all reports you had a great time and taught the Sweet Adelines some new tags as well.

Sharp Notes Schedule

Tentative dates for the upcoming newsletters are as follows:

October 4^th (September 27^th deadline), November 8^th (November 1^st deadline),
December 13^th (December 6^th deadline), January 17^th (January 10^th deadline).

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. Submissions will be credited to the author. Please address any comments, suggestions or submissions to the editor – Bruce Fish, 761-2503 / bfish@cableregina.com. Current and back issues of the Sharp Notes can be found on our chapter website at www.gpfn.sk.ca/culture/arts/gharvest.

Recycle this bulletin! Pass it on to your family and friends!