Hi Steve & Richard,

> I say win MIB.. and it will do the society good.

<snip>

> Now I trust out judges, don't get me wrong, but I still think
> it will be
> harder to beat the SPEBSQSA regional groups when competing in USA.
> Call it home ground advantage if ya like ;-)

No question of it! When Affiliate quartets first began competing in the
early or mid '80s (don't recall the exact year - '83? 84?), there were
comments made about their "funny sound." Swedes, Brits, and the lot of
you don't sing "normal" vowel sounds like "us av'ruge 'Mericuns" do!
How the heck can we judge such funny sounds?

I think things are faaaaaaaaaaaaaar better than they used to be in that
regard, and Society members (and judges) are now used to hearing a sound
that isn't "pure" from all you "furr'ners." But I do agree that the
"normal" sound made by a North American quartet probably sounds "better"
to the judges. They are (allegedly ;)) human, after all.

I think that's why the Swedes have done better in competition than other
nationalities. English is not their native tongue, so they practice
phonetically and learn to speak - and sing - a "more pure" accent than
does someone from Wellington or Wapping, Canberra, or Cork.

I also agree that an MIB win will do the Society a lot of good. SAI has
been far more open to embracing the world, but it wasn't 'til '89, when
Growing Girls won the crown, that people really stood up and took notice
of what's happening around the world. The men need a similar "shot in
the arm," and I think the best opportunity for that is the CQC
competition.

As to Richard's comment:

> It's interesting to note, however, that SPEBSQSA are actually using
> MIB to promote the Collegiate Contest. I've uploaded the official
> 2005 poster for the MBNA collegiate competition onto the Files section
> of the Yahoo group page for you to have a look at. It features, along
> with Heat and Vocal Spectrum, none other than Musical Island Boys.
> If they do win, it would be a bit upsetting if the Society didn't
> support them, seeing as they used MIB's image and reputation in
> promoting the competition in the first place.

Oh, they will "support" MIB's win, Richard! Please don't get me wrong
in that regard. They will be VERY proud that an Affiliate quartet has
won one of the Society's competitions. Especially that one, which is
targeted towards participation from "non members." Just don't expect
MIB to be invited to appear around the US and Canada too often. They
might work something out for some appearances IF the boys are in North
America, but I'd be VERY (pleasantly) surprised if they were invited to
appear at the Society's express invitation and at its total expense.
Great dream, that ...

And hoping that MIB gives reason for that dream to happen! ;)

Patrick


--------------------------------------------
Patrick Kelly, Vocal Coach
Tel Aviv, Israel
pkelly@...
www.singisrael.co.il
Home: +972 3 696-4253
Cell: +972 54 660-SING (7464)
--------------------------------------------
"There is really only one quality of great
music and that is emotion."
Frederick Delius
--------------------------------------------



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