Last year at our regional music school, there was one woman walking around
with a "tenor, seeks 3 other part" t-shirt.  Before the weekend was out,
she had a quartet.

Try whacky things like that.  Right now I happen to have (again) the 3
other parts that I need, but who knows if this will be "the" quartet.

Rebecca


John Rentz said:
> I'm sure you're not. But...  I'm also sure that everyone that's looking
> isn't on this site, either!
>
> I challenge every person on this site to tell five people about this site
> and get them to sign up. The more people we have here, the better odds any
> one of you have of finding people for your quartet.
>
> John
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: Susan Testa <singtesta@...>
> To: barbershopquartet@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 7:58:04 PM
> Subject: [barbershopquartet] Re: Florida female members in this group?
>
>
> I agree with Michelle. I just can't possibly be the only woman looking
> for a quartet in Virginia. I'm even willing to travel for the right
> mix. Everyone fill out their profiles!!
>
> Susan Testa
> Alexandria, VA
>  .
>
>
>
>      
________________________________________________________________________________\
____
> Get easy, one-click access to your favorites.
> Make Yahoo! your homepage.
> http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs


--
"The rung of a ladder was never meant to rest upon, but only to hold a
man's foot long enough to enable him to put the other somewhat higher."
--Thomas Henry Huxley

Legacy quartet is looking for a bass. We are currently 2nd place in
Region 9. Check out our website www.legacy4tet.com for more information
on us. If you, or someone you know is serious about singing barbershop,
and have the chops for singing some great charts, have them email me at
carter@... and we'll talk.

Thanks!
Carter

- We maintain a good relationship with the chapters (male and female) in our geographical region and before every contest ask them if we can come to a rehearsal to "test drive" our contest package in front of a live audience.... it's win, win for all of us.

- No Booking Agent.. costs money which we are limited with

- Yes, we have a website http://www.fusionqt.com (as of last weekend we are HI's 4th Place International Quartet Champions - WAHOO!!!)

- Yes, we actively market our "product" we have business cards that we leave with the contact person for every performance we do (often times people will approach the person who organized the event to get our info for something they are planning in the future). We also have postcards printed and do one big mailing a year to both past clients (friendly reminder) and also potential new clients - this year we added the Assisted Living facilities to our marketing list and they were VERY interested in having us but most often the are looking for a gratis performance - so in between some of the paid performances we have scheduled to do some of these too! We have also placed ads in the local paper but that can get expensive. We do not have a "press kit" per say, and we do not market to the local chapters.

- Our base rate is $150.00 for a 1/2 hour performance, however, if it is a considerable distance away etc... this can go up. We also have a standard rate of $50.00 for a "greeting" (birthday, anniversary etc...).

- We have only done a 3 hour gig once - 3 tree lighting ceremonies at holiday time in the same town, moving from location to location.. I can't remember what the price was but we gave them a break on the 150.00 per 1/2 hour standard rate.

Hope that helped... and this is a very good thread looking forward to hearing more responses.

Charlene
HI International 4th Place Medalist Tenor (milking it for all it's worth!)
FUSION Quartet

-- "John" <jg62bbshop@...> wrote:
Let's talk about how to get a gig:

How do you go about getting a gig?
Are you listed with chapters in the area?
Do you use a booking agent?
Do you have a web site?
Do you actively seek gigs?
How do you go about doing that? Posters? Business cards? Ads? Calling
people?
Do you have a press kit?
Do you advertise to the chapters in your District?

Also, how much do you charge?
Do you have rates for certain things?
What do you charge for a birthday party where they want Happy Birthday
and 2 other songs?
What do you charge for 2 songs at a wedding?
What do you charge for a 25 minute "show"?
What do you charge for a 3 hour show where you are at the front door of
a mall and people are just walking by?




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The lead and bass of last year's 3rd place collegiate quartet "Last
Minute" are looking frantically for a baritone in starting a new
quartet. ANYONE of collegiate age and living in the Southwestern
District who is interested, please call (817)-317-1311, and we will
try to set up a meeting. Thanks!

--- In barbershopquartet@yahoogroups.com, "John" <jg62bbshop@...> wrote:
>
> The lead and bass of last year's 3rd place collegiate quartet "Last
> Minute" are looking frantically for a baritone in starting a new
> quartet. ANYONE of collegiate age and living in the Southwestern
> District who is interested, please call (817)-317-1311, and we will
> try to set up a meeting. Thanks!
>
Darn i really wish i could help you guys out but unfortuntely i live in
the western edge of illinois.  i myself am looking for some young guys
to start a competition quartet.  Good Luck.

                                     Mike Sellers

Ok, guys...

My quartet is at the point that we need to name ourselves.  This is
surely an important step to which to arrive.

We have a few ideas; but, we want to make sure that the name is
available.  Does the Society have a comprehensive list of registered
names, much like a site like GoDaddy has of domain names, one can
quickly view to make sure we're not stepping on anyone's identity?
Or, is the process more of a pick a name, submit, wait, get approved
or denied and, if denied, start all over again kind of thing?

Looking forward to your responses.

Brett Auttonberry
Director, Louisiana Showboat Chorus
http://www.myspace.com/louisianashowboatchorus

Ok, guys...

My quartet is at the point that we need to name ourselves. This is
surely an important step to which to arrive.

We have a few ideas; but, we want to make sure that the name is
available. Does the Society have a comprehensive list of registered
names, much like a site like GoDaddy has of domain names, one can
quickly view to make sure we're not stepping on anyone's identity?
Or, is the process more of a pick a name, submit, wait, get approved
or denied and, if denied, start all over again kind of thing?

Looking forward to your responses.

Brett Auttonberry
Director, Louisiana Showboat Chorus
http://www.myspace.com/louisianashowboatchorus

---

To: barbershopquartet@yahoogroups.com
From: donknieriem@...
Date: Sat, 1 Dec 2007 10:34:50 -0800
Subject: Re: [barbershopquartet] Quartet names

Brett,

Congrats on the "birth" of a new music machine!

On the society home page there is a row of red buttons under the blue header bar. Click on Home, then Find, then Find A Quartet. The next page has a.link to name your quartet.

Best of luck to you,

Just One Voice,

Don Knieriem

Bass of Rapid Fire

M-AD Northern Div. Novice Champions 2007

On Dec 1, 2007, at 1:13 PM, "Brett" <opus27no2@hotmail.com> wrote:

Ok, guys...

My quartet is at the point that we need to name ourselves. This is
surely an important step to which to arrive.

We have a few ideas; but, we want to make sure that the name is
available. Does the Society have a comprehensive list of registered
names, much like a site like GoDaddy has of domain names, one can
quickly view to make sure we're not stepping on anyone's identity?
Or, is the process more of a pick a name, submit, wait, get approved
or denied and, if denied, start all over again kind of thing?

Looking forward to your responses.

Brett Auttonberry
Director, Louisiana Showboat Chorus
http://www.myspace.com/louisianashowboatchorus

---

Be a better sports nut! Let your teams follow you with Yahoo Mobile. Try it now.

Anything for a brother in harmony. Post the name you come up with so
we can all follow your quartets gigs and progress!


--- In barbershopquartet@yahoogroups.com, Brett Auttonberry
<opus27no2@...> wrote:
>
>
> Thanks so much, Don.
>
> This is exactly what we need.  I just KNEW the Society's site had
to have had something.  I just couldn't find the darn thing.
>
> Thanks again!
>
> Brett
> Cool link: http://www.myspace.com/louisianashowboatchorus
>
>
> To: barbershopquartet@...: donknieriem@...: Sat, 1 Dec 2007
10:34:50 -0800Subject: Re: [barbershopquartet] Quartet names
>
>
>
>
>
> Brett,
>
> Congrats on the "birth" of a new music machine!
> On the society home page there is a row of red buttons under the
blue header bar. Click on Home, then Find, then Find A Quartet. The
next page has a.link to name your quartet.
>
> Best of luck to you,Just One Voice,
> Don Knieriem
> Bass of Rapid Fire
> M-AD Northern Div. Novice Champions 2007
> On Dec 1, 2007, at 1:13 PM, "Brett" <opus27no2@...> wrote:
>
>
>
>
> Ok, guys...My quartet is at the point that we need to name
ourselves. This is surely an important step to which to arrive.We
have a few ideas; but, we want to make sure that the name is
available. Does the Society have a comprehensive list of registered
names, much like a site like GoDaddy has of domain names, one can
quickly view to make sure we're not stepping on anyone's identity?
Or, is the process more of a pick a name, submit, wait, get approved
or denied and, if denied, start all over again kind of thing?Looking
forward to your responses.Brett AuttonberryDirector, Louisiana
Showboat Chorushttp://www.myspace.com/louisianashowboatchorus
>
> Be a better sports nut! Let your teams follow you with Yahoo
Mobile. Try it now.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Put your friends on the big screen with Windows Vista® + Windows
Live™.
> http://www.microsoft.com/windows/shop/specialoffers.mspx?
ocid=TXT_TAGLM_CPC_MediaCtr_bigscreen_102007
>

---

To: barbershopquartet@yahoogroups.com
From: donknieriem@...
Date: Sat, 1 Dec 2007 18:58:33 +0000
Subject: [barbershopquartet] Re: Quartet names

Anything for a brother in harmony. Post the name you come up with so
we can all follow your quartets gigs and progress!

--- In barbershopquartet@yahoogroups.com, Brett Auttonberry
<opus27no2@...> wrote:
>
>
> Thanks so much, Don.
>
> This is exactly what we need. I just KNEW the Society's site had
to have had something. I just couldn't find the darn thing.
>
> Thanks again!
>
> Brett
> Cool link: http://www.myspace.com/louisianashowboatchorus
>
>
> To: barbershopquartet@...: donknieriem@...: Sat, 1 Dec 2007
10:34:50 -0800Subject: Re: [barbershopquartet] Quartet names
>
>
>
>
>
> Brett,
>
> Congrats on the "birth" of a new music machine!
> On the society home page there is a row of red buttons under the
blue header bar. Click on Home, then Find, then Find A Quartet. The
next page has a.link to name your quartet.
>
> Best of luck to you,Just One Voice,
> Don Knieriem
> Bass of Rapid Fire
> M-AD Northern Div. Novice Champions 2007
> On Dec 1, 2007, at 1:13 PM, "Brett" <opus27no2@...> wrote:
>
>
>
>
> Ok, guys...My quartet is at the point that we need to name
ourselves. This is surely an important step to which to arrive.We
have a few ideas; but, we want to make sure that the name is
available. Does the Society have a comprehensive list of registered
names, much like a site like GoDaddy has of domain names, one can
quickly view to make sure we're not stepping on anyone's identity?
Or, is the process more of a pick a name, submit, wait, get approved
or denied and, if denied, start all over again kind of thing?Looking
forward to your responses.Brett AuttonberryDirector, Louisiana
Showboat Chorushttp://www.myspace.com/louisianashowboatchorus
>
> Be a better sports nut! Let your teams follow you with Yahoo
Mobile. Try it now.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> __________________________________________________________
> Put your friends on the big screen with Windows Vista® + Windows
Live™.
> http://www.microsoft.com/windows/shop/specialoffers.mspx?
ocid=TXT_TAGLM_CPC_MediaCtr_bigscreen_102007
>

I was in a high school quartet for about 3 years, a District-level
men's quartet (recently disbanded) for 4, and am now looking for 3
other young guys in the SWD to form a quartet aimed straight at the
Collegiate gold. Please, I am currently looking ONLY for those truly
Willing and Eager to commit the time and effort necessary to become a
championship quartet. My part preference is Lead, but I could sing
Baritone if need be.

I was in a high school quartet for about 3 years, a District-level
men's quartet (recently disbanded) for 4, and am now looking for 3
other young guys in the SWD to form a quartet aimed straight at the
Collegiate gold. Please, I am currently looking ONLY for those truly
Willing and Eager to commit the time and effort necessary to become a
championship quartet. My part preference is Lead, but I could sing
Baritone if need be.

Qtet
Posted by: "granitestatesman" granitestatesman@...
granitestatesman
Sun Dec 2, 2007 2:18 pm (PST)
I'm looking for any 3guy's who are from the NED that might be
interested in forming a Quartet or 3guy;s who are looking for a bass.I
have 17yrs experiance and have 10 international' s with choruses, 3
trip' s to District and I've been singing since I was 5yrs old.If
there's any group out there that need's a very good BASS please contact
me at shortbus2001@ hotmail.com In harmony,Frank Bent (SB)

No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.16.14/1171 - Release Date: 12/4/2007 7:31 PM

I sing bass,looking for the other parts,live in Leesburg Fl.

Larry D

I sing bass,looking for the other parts,live in Leesburg Fl.

Larry D

Did you hear the new song that the champs did this year? Yeah! It's
cool...  we should do that one! Yeah, let's do it!!

Despite being told time and again that it's not a good practice, we
do it anyway. Oh... I've done it.

I've tried and tried to convince my fellow quartet members to just
take an easier song and really massage it and make it ours. But... I
can't get them to do it. Why are we so stubborn?

Anyway, that's not really my question. My question is this. You need
a new song. You want something that no one else is doing so it can
be "yours". You look at the Society catalog with ....however many
songs there are...  say 5000. You either recognize and know a
song ...or you don't. How do you go about picking a song you don't
know?

You have no idea what it's about, how it goes, what the range of the
parts are, etc., etc. Or... you KNOW the song, but there are 5-6
arrangements of it. How do you know which arrangement to get?

Do you just listen to CD after CD after CD after CD trying to find a
song you like.... knowing full well that's it been done...  on a CD!

What you want is that gem that no one has heard of. But how do you
find something that no one has heard of? Are we then relegated to
doing what's always been done and do only the songs that we've been
hearing? (My quartet was one of SEVEN to sing Old St. Louis at
District contest a few years ago. Please imagine - or maybe you don't
have to - the moans and groans ...very audibly from the audience as
you sing your first 3 words.) Nothing says "get off the stage" at a
contest than an audience reaction like that  ...in the first
round  ...on your first song!

And have you ever had an arrangement that you learned, but didn't
know the exact arranger (handwritten) and knew it was out there
somewhere; you tried to make it legal by purchasing it from the
Society, but there were 5-6 arrangements... waited for a while to get
it only to find out that THAT wasn't the right arrangement? And, in
fact... it's nowhere CLOSE to that one that you learned! (I'm
speaking from experience.)

**This is not a gripe session.** I just find picking music to be a
terribly difficult task. And I hope through discussion here that
people have some fantastically productive suggestions.

Perhaps there are processes in place that I am not aware of. I'm
eager to hear about them.

My ideal situation is to be able to see the actual sheet music and be
able to hear the arrangement before purchasing. I understand
copyright issues and such. But...  that's my dream.

John

----- Original Message -----

From: John Nuss

To: barbershopquartet@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Thursday, December 13, 2007 7:59 PM

Subject: Re: [barbershopquartet] quartet

Larry:

 

I sing bari, also looking for other parts. However, I'm about 2 hrs south of you in north Pinellas county, Palm Harbor.  Keep me in mind. Perhaps we could meet in Dade City

after the holidays with a lead and tenor.

 

John Nuss

larrydelorenzo <larandbobbie@yahoo.com> wrote:

I sing bass,looking for the other parts,live in Leesburg Fl.

Larry D

Guys,  it's my dream also..to be able to hear several arrangements of different
songs. And to hear new songs and arrangements not from a champions cd.

There are millions of songs out there.  We hear maybe 3%....if you have a good
cd collection.

I've found it difficult to get true recommendations, even from those who know
you and your quartet.

Most will send you to the music library for your organization and say pick
something from here.

You are left to gather preview copies and spend hours days or weeks at your
keyboard trying to get an idea how each will sound.  All before you propose a
song to the quartet.

No wonder that so many just pick a song they heard on the int'l stage.....

I'll brainstorm with you, maybe we'll come up with a legal, affordable 
solution....

Lynette....
....Very very frustated with the trials of finding a competition -minded or a
serious education/training quartet.

  Solo work looks better every year.



-----Original Message-----
From: "JON WAGNER" <jon_wagner1@...>
To: "barbershopquartet@yahoogroups.com" <barbershopquartet@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: 12/14/07 1:27 PM
Subject: Re: [barbershopquartet] December Question - How do you pick music?

John and Others, I may have solutions to these frustrations, but first, let me
say that if a Championship Quartet performed the song or songs you have in mind
singing, it's going to be TOO DIFFICULT for your group, and I've not heard you
sing. Ask any judge, from any category, and they'll tell you this is the first
and biggest mistake any quartet can make.

If I were you, I'd approach someone you know, or comes recommended to you, from
your District to whom you can either sing directly or can send your BEST
recording, making sure they understand that this is the pinnacle of your success
to date. Then, give them a list of songs you have in mind.... let them guide you
or perhaps even suggest some titles which they think you could do well.

When I submitted a chart to Burt Szabo for arranging, I asked if he thought it
would translate into a decent BBS song. He did, and asked me to send him a
recording of our group. He also asked if I I wanted an arrangement that was
"Easy", "Medium" or "Oh, My Gosh!"  I selected medium and it was a challenge.

Now, I've about 2,500 charts in my file cabinets. Perhaps more - I've not
counted them. If there is a song you'd like to see, or five songs, or ten songs,
let me know.

Jon Wagner
Director, Par For The Chorus
Barbershop Harmony Society
Sun City Center FL

jon_wagner1@...<mailto:jon_wagner1@...>  (that's an _ underscore between
my names)

Cell: 813-810-0283
Fax: 866-572-5971
Free: 800-529-1832




   ----- Original Message -----
   From: John<mailto:jg62bbshop@...>
   To:
barbershopquartet@yahoogroups.com<mailto:barbershopquartet@yahoogroups.com>
   Sent: Friday, December 14, 2007 1:23 PM
   Subject: [barbershopquartet] December Question - How do you pick music?


   Did you hear the new song that the champs did this year? Yeah! It's
   cool... we should do that one! Yeah, let's do it!!

   Despite being told time and again that it's not a good practice, we
   do it anyway. Oh... I've done it.

   I've tried and tried to convince my fellow quartet members to just
   take an easier song and really massage it and make it ours. But... I
   can't get them to do it. Why are we so stubborn?

   Anyway, that's not really my question. My question is this. You need
   a new song. You want something that no one else is doing so it can
   be "yours". You look at the Society catalog with ....however many
   songs there are... say 5000. You either recognize and know a
   song ...or you don't. How do you go about picking a song you don't
   know?

   You have no idea what it's about, how it goes, what the range of the
   parts are, etc., etc. Or... you KNOW the song, but there are 5-6
   arrangements of it. How do you know which arrangement to get?

   Do you just listen to CD after CD after CD after CD trying to find a
   song you like.... knowing full well that's it been done... on a CD!

   What you want is that gem that no one has heard of. But how do you
   find something that no one has heard of? Are we then relegated to
   doing what's always been done and do only the songs that we've been
   hearing? (My quartet was one of SEVEN to sing Old St. Louis at
   District contest a few years ago. Please imagine - or maybe you don't
   have to - the moans and groans ...very audibly from the audience as
   you sing your first 3 words.) Nothing says "get off the stage" at a
   contest than an audience reaction like that ...in the first
   round ...on your first song!

   And have you ever had an arrangement that you learned, but didn't
   know the exact arranger (handwritten) and knew it was out there
   somewhere; you tried to make it legal by purchasing it from the
   Society, but there were 5-6 arrangements... waited for a while to get
   it only to find out that THAT wasn't the right arrangement? And, in
   fact... it's nowhere CLOSE to that one that you learned! (I'm
   speaking from experience.)

   **This is not a gripe session.** I just find picking music to be a
   terribly difficult task. And I hope through discussion here that
   people have some fantastically productive suggestions.

   Perhaps there are processes in place that I am not aware of. I'm
   eager to hear about them.

   My ideal situation is to be able to see the actual sheet music and be
   able to hear the arrangement before purchasing. I understand
   copyright issues and such. But... that's my dream.

   John

Derek,

How do you write or arrange a song for a quartet that you've never seen or
heard?

Do you have a standard list of questions that you need answered before you start
writing?

What kind of discussion is there between you (composer/arranger) and the quartet
(or individual representing the quartet)

I'm always ready and willing to learn more about how this  "quartet thing"
works.

I think that my questions and your answers might be interesting to others that
are trying to get into quartetting.
Lynette

________________________________

From: barbershopquartet@yahoogroups.com on behalf of Derek Hatley
Sent: Sat 12/15/2007 9:55 AM
To: barbershopquartet@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [barbershopquartet] Re: December Question - How do you pick music?



Well, John, there is a way to make sure you have a song that is yours only, and
is suited to the level of your quartet/chorus--get a composer/arranger to
arrange one, or even write one, specifically for you.  Most arrangers will be
more than happy to do this for you.  Yes, it will cost more than buying an
existing arrangement, but the benefits can be great.

In the interest of full disclosure: yes, I write and arrange songs, and would be
delighted to do so for anyone, but there are, as you know, dozens of other
arrangers out there, and I suggest that you shop around for one whose work you
like best.

Here's an unabashed plug:  My original song--Bell Chord Blues--is contestible,
is of moderate difficulty, and has never been been performed in contest.  It's a
tongue-in-cheek blues with (you guessed it!) lots of bell chords, and it's "pure
barbershop"--it couldn't be sung in any other genre.  I'd be happy to send a
preview copy to anyone interested.

End of plug.


Harmoniously,

Derek

Visit my arrangements web site at:
http://www.HatleyMusic.com <http://www.hatleymusic.com/>

Derek Hatley, Arranger & Music Librarian
Great Lakes Chorus
Grand Rapids Chapter
Pioneer District

E-mail: Derek@... <mailto:Derek@...>

12/15/07

John .....[last name? email not in Members Only]   John · 45 · Male
Arlington, TX

If you are a member of SPEBSQSA The Barbershop quartet Society you could
audition a thousand songs on Jack Baird's site, all Public Domain-no copyrights.

Have you heard about our HARMONY ARCHIVES?  We have up to 6,000 arrangements,
and over10,000 sheet music items ready for arranging.  These are available on a
donation basis.  We have Harmony guides and arrangement foios.for sale.  These
assume you know the titles you want.

If you need to find title[s] and have an idea of what category of arrangements
you want, the listing below will help your quartet.  We offer a Category List of
Titles covering over a thousand titles [1.330]. The index of the 34 categories
are listed below with information on how to get the complete title list.  This
should help you  pick music

Another service of HARMONY ARCHIVES

Casey Parker
HARMONY ARCHIVES
--------------------
CATEGORY LIST OF TITLES index

BARBERSHOP
BERLIN, IRVING
BROADWAY SHOW SONGS
CHRISTMAS
CIRCUS
COLLEGE
DISNEY, WALT
DIXIE
DREAMS
GAY 90's
GEOGRAPHY
GIRLS
GIRL'S NAMES
HOLIDAYS/SEASONS
HOME
INSPIRATIONAL
IRISH
JOLSON, AL
MEDLEYS
MINSTREL
MOTHER
MUSIC
MUSIC MAN
NEW YORK
NOVELTY
PALS
RIVERS
ROSE/ROSES
SMILE
STATES
SUN/STARS/MOON
VAUDEVILLE
WARS
WESTERN

A five page document listing 1330 song titles in the above thirty four
categories.  Send SASE + donation to:
C. Parker
305 Vineyard Twn Ctr Way #113
Morgan Hill, CA 95037

  Arrangements available from HARMONY ARCHIVES.
---------------------------"john"-------------
1a. December Question - How do you pick music?
     Posted by: "John" jg62bbshop@... jg62bbshop
     Date: Fri Dec 14, 2007 10:23 am ((PST))

Did you hear the new song that the champs did this year? Yeah! It's
cool...  we should do that one! Yeah, let's do it!!

Despite being told time and again that it's not a good practice, we
do it anyway. Oh... I've done it.

I've tried and tried to convince my fellow quartet members to just
take an easier song and really massage it and make it ours. But... I
can't get them to do it. Why are we so stubborn?

Anyway, that's not really my question. My question is this. You need
a new song. You want something that no one else is doing so it can
be "yours". You look at the Society catalog with ....however many
songs there are...  say 5000. You either recognize and know a
song ...or you don't. How do you go about picking a song you don't
know?

You have no idea what it's about, how it goes, what the range of the
parts are, etc., etc. Or... you KNOW the song, but there are 5-6
arrangements of it. How do you know which arrangement to get?

Do you just listen to CD after CD after CD after CD trying to find a
song you like.... knowing full well that's it been done...  on a CD!

What you want is that gem that no one has heard of. But how do you
find something that no one has heard of? Are we then relegated to
doing what's always been done and do only the songs that we've been
hearing? (My quartet was one of SEVEN to sing Old St. Louis at
District contest a few years ago. Please imagine - or maybe you don't
have to - the moans and groans ...very audibly from the audience as
you sing your first 3 words.) Nothing says "get off the stage" at a
contest than an audience reaction like that  ...in the first
round  ...on your first song!

And have you ever had an arrangement that you learned, but didn't
know the exact arranger (handwritten) and knew it was out there
somewhere; you tried to make it legal by purchasing it from the
Society, but there were 5-6 arrangements... waited for a while to get
it only to find out that THAT wasn't the right arrangement? And, in
fact... it's nowhere CLOSE to that one that you learned! (I'm
speaking from experience.)

**This is not a gripe session.** I just find picking music to be a
terribly difficult task. And I hope through discussion here that
people have some fantastically productive suggestions.

Perhaps there are processes in place that I am not aware of. I'm
eager to hear about them.

My ideal situation is to be able to see the actual sheet music and be
able to hear the arrangement before purchasing. I understand
copyright issues and such. But...  that's my dream.

John

Phlabbergas

Well, John, there is a way to make sure you have a song that is yours only, and is suited to the level of your quartet/chorus--get a composer/arranger to arrange one, or even write one, specifically for you.  Most arrangers will be more than happy to do this for you.  Yes, it will cost more than buying an existing arrangement, but the benefits can be great.

In the interest of full disclosure: yes, I write and arrange songs, and would be delighted to do so for anyone, but there are, as you know, dozens of other arrangers out there, and I suggest that you shop around for one whose work you like best.

Here's an unabashed plug:  My original song--Bell Chord Blues--is contestible, is of moderate difficulty, and has never been been performed in contest.  It's a tongue-in-cheek blues with (you guessed it!) lots of bell chords, and it's "pure barbershop"--it couldn't be sung in any other genre.  I'd be happy to send a preview copy to anyone interested.

End of plug.

Harmoniously,

Derek

Visit my arrangements web site at:

http://www.HatleyMusic.com

Derek Hatley, Arranger & Music Librarian

Great Lakes Chorus

Grand Rapids Chapter

Pioneer District

E-mail: Derek@HatleyMusic.com

---

To: barbershopquartet@yahoogroups.com
From: just4singing@...
Date: Sat, 15 Dec 2007 11:29:25 -0800
Subject: Re: [barbershopquartet] Re: December Question - How do you pick music?

Would this song - "Bell-Chord Blues" be suitable for a new SA quartet to learn - three of whom have sung barbershop harmony before; two who have sung in a quartet together for 5 years;  and new one member who (hopefully our new tenor), although she grew up around barbershop and heard it all her life and is just now going to try to sing with us?

I'd love to hear this song if you think we could do anything with it.  you may e-mail me privately at just4singing@ yahoo.com (remove spaces)

Derek Hatley <Derek@HatleyMusic.com> wrote:

Well, John, there is a way to make sure you have a song that is yours only, and is suited to the level of your quartet/chorus--get a composer/arranger to arrange one, or even write one, specifically for you.  Most arrangers will be more than happy to do this for you.  Yes, it will cost more than buying an existing arrangement, but the benefits can be great.

In the interest of full disclosure: yes, I write and arrange songs, and would be delighted to do so for anyone, but there are, as you know, dozens of other arrangers out there, and I suggest that you shop around for one whose work you like best.

Here's an unabashed plug:  My original song--Bell Chord Blues--is contestible, is of moderate difficulty, and has never been been performed in contest.  It's a tongue-in-cheek blues with (you guessed it!) lots of bell chords, and it's "pure barbershop"--it couldn't be sung in any other genre.  I'd be happy to send a preview copy to anyone interested.

End of plug.

Harmoniously,

Derek

Visit my arrangements web site at:

http://www.HatleyMusic.com

Derek Hatley, Arranger & Music Librarian

Great Lakes Chorus

Grand Rapids Chapter

Pioneer District

E-mail: Derek@HatleyMusic.com

---

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.

Well, John, there is a way to make sure you have a song that is yours only, and is suited to the level of your quartet/chorus--get a composer/arranger to arrange one, or even write one, specifically for you.  Most arrangers will be more than happy to do this for you.  Yes, it will cost more than buying an existing arrangement, but the benefits can be great.

In the interest of full disclosure: yes, I write and arrange songs, and would be delighted to do so for anyone, but there are, as you know, dozens of other arrangers out there, and I suggest that you shop around for one whose work you like best.

Here's an unabashed plug:  My original song--Bell Chord Blues--is contestible, is of moderate difficulty, and has never been been performed in contest.  It's a tongue-in-cheek blues with (you guessed it!) lots of bell chords, and it's "pure barbershop"--it couldn't be sung in any other genre.  I'd be happy to send a preview copy to anyone interested.

End of plug.

Harmoniously,

Derek

Visit my arrangements web site at:

http://www.HatleyMusic.com

Derek Hatley, Arranger & Music Librarian

Great Lakes Chorus

Grand Rapids Chapter

Pioneer District

E-mail: Derek@HatleyMusic.com