Note to all webmasters.

Tim Cheney has retired and so has his website. So if you have a link to
http://timc.pop.upenn.edu/ on your website you should remove it. I am
currently trying to find where some of the parts of his site have
resurfaced. I have posted a list of sites that I am looking for to the
Barbershop Webguild http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BbshopWebGuild/ .

If you maintain a barbershop Webpage you should belong to that list as
there are often a lot of interesting bits posted there. To send an email
to Subscribe: BbshopWebGuild-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

If you need to find arrangements try
http://dmoz.org/Shopping/Music/Sheet_Music/Barbershop_Harmony/ as a
starting point.

--
Jonathan Foster
(JonNMelBBS@...)
ICQ (9039498) AOLIM (JonNMelBBS)
Bass - looking for a quartet
VP PR/Marketing - Megacity Chorus (Greater Toronto Chapter)
http://MegaCityChorus.com

Melanie Foster
Tenor - Cutting Edge (Region 16 SAI Quartet)
Tenor - North Metro Chorus (Toronto Ontario Chorus SAI - 1997 & 2000
Int'l Champions)
http://NorthMetroChorus.com

I have sad news to share with the group today.  Dick Kruse, a man with a
winning smile, a quiet dignity, and a pleasing baritone, passed away a week
ago today.  Others, who knew Dick more personally that I, can share their
stories.  Suffice it to say, he was a pleasure to be associated with.  I'm
enclosing a slightly edited version of the obituary featured in last
Sunday's Cedar Rapids Gazette.

Sincerely,

Ted Bey

Home phone: (319)362-6283
email: tedbey@...


The Gazette, Sun., Jan. 27, 2002

CEDAR RAPIDS

Richard W. Kruse, 76, of 225 31st St. NW, Cedar Rapids, IA, died of cancer
Friday, January 25, 2002, in his home.  Memorial services were held Tuesday,
at First Lutheran Church, with military rites.  Private family entombment
occurred at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery in Cedar Rapids.

Survivors include his wife, Betty, four daughters, two brothers, two
sisters, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Dick was born Nov. 21, 1925, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Orval and Pearl
Dunlap Kruse.  He graduated from Wilson High School in 1943.

He married Bonnie Hamman in 1947.  They were later divorced.  He then
married Betty Miene Null on Feb. 3, 1968, in Cedar Rapids.

Dick worked in the engineering department at FMC for 43 years, retiring in
1986.  He was a member of First Lutheran Church, a 36-year member of the
Harmony Hawks, volunteered at the History Center, was a member of American
Legion Hanford Post No. 5, and served in the Navy during World War II.

He was a board member and past president of the Cedar Rapids Chapter of
S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A.  He sang with various quartets, including the Certain D's
and the legendary Vigortones.  The Vigortones were selected for the Central
States District Barbershop Hall of Fame in 1996.

He was a longtime bowler and served on the board of the Cedar Rapids Bowling
Association.  He enjoyed golf, fishing, reading, traveling, and gardening.

Memorial contributions may be given to First Lutheran Church or St. Luke's
Hospice in Dick's name.



_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp.

Please welcome the latest addition to PROBE's links to online
bulletins.  Thanks to editor Scott Douglas and Webmaster Tom Ennis, the
Santa Rosa, California chapter's "The Chord Trimmin's" can now be found for
your viewing pleasure.  (PDF format)

Arnie Wade              awade @ accucomm.net
PROBE Webmaster         http://wwwlharmonize.com/PROBE/

Just for anyone's information...

Crystal Clear quartet (SAI) sells the Skyliner (or
whatchamacallit) also.  You can email me privately if
you want information about it.

We could keep them in our booth in Portland, we kept
selling out!  They're alot of fun!

Chris Kirkman
Lead-Crystal Clear
www.crystalclearquartet.com
The excited new wife of Drew (tenor Michigan Jake) :)


--- JustJim@... wrote:
> Hi Gang,
>
>        In Nashville, last July, I saw folks
> supporting their favorite
> quartets/choruses with a device similar in
> appearance to an old New Year's
> Eve noisemaker (ratchet). As the device was spun,
> the name of the group being
> cheered was illuminated. I have no idea what it is
> called or where it might
> be available. If anyone has any information, please
> respond privately, unless
> you think the rest of the group would be interested.
>
> TIA
>
> Jim Parker
> Alive and well and singing in the BASSment,
> Bass, Ambassadors of Harmony
> JustJim@...
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been
> removed]
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> bbshop-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Great stuff seeking new owners in Yahoo! Auctions!
http://auctions.yahoo.com

Hi Gang,

Thanks to all who responded for the information about the "watchamacallit"
(AKA the Skyliner Floating Message Writer).

Jim Parker
Alive and well and singing in the BASSment,
Bass, Ambassadors of Harmony
JustJim@...


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

OK I am interested in the game, but when will the site be up or can you give
me the HOW TO PLAY in the mean time?

Thanks,

RayJay
Lead 66 WEST Barbershop Quartet
Future Harmonizer

On Feb. 1, Ted Bey wrote, in part:

Subject: Dick Kruse passes away

>>>Dick Kruse ... passed away a week ago today [...] Suffice it to say, he was a
pleasure to be associated with. [...] He sang with various quartets, including
the ... legendary Vigortones.  The Vigortones were selected for the Central
States District Barbershop Hall of Fame in 1996.<<<

      Dick Kruse was a Barbershopper's Barbershopper and a gentleman of the
highest caliber.
      The Vigor-Tones (correct spelling, if I recall) were a highly popular
quartet in eastern Iowa and surrounding regions for many years.  The Vigor-Tones
may have been one of the last quartets to have been professionally (corporately)
sponsored.

      I believe that another member of the Vigor-Tones, who may no longer live in
Iowa and whose name unfortunately escapes me, has recently been a member of the
Harmonet.  The sharing of memories from him and others would be greatly
appreciated.

Toban Dvoretzky -- TBone@ selec.net

Toban,

You're probably referring to Dick Leighton who sang tenor with the
Vigortones for many years and now lives in Williams Bay, Wisconsin.  In case
he's not still on the Harmonet he can be reached at:
leighton@...

Gary

-----Original Message-----
From: Toban Dvoretzky [mailto:TBone@...]
Sent: Friday, February 01, 2002 10:14 AM
To: bbshop@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [bbshop] Re: Dick Kruse passes away


On Feb. 1, Ted Bey wrote, in part:

Subject: Dick Kruse passes away

>>>Dick Kruse ... passed away a week ago today [...] Suffice it to say, he
was a pleasure to be associated with. [...] He sang with various quartets,
including the ... legendary Vigortones.  The Vigortones were selected for
the Central States District Barbershop Hall of Fame in 1996.<<<

      Dick Kruse was a Barbershopper's Barbershopper and a gentleman of the
highest caliber.
      The Vigor-Tones (correct spelling, if I recall) were a highly popular
quartet in eastern Iowa and surrounding regions for many years.  The
Vigor-Tones may have been one of the last quartets to have been
professionally (corporately) sponsored.

      I believe that another member of the Vigor-Tones, who may no longer
live in Iowa and whose name unfortunately escapes me, has recently been a
member of the Harmonet.  The sharing of memories from him and others would
be greatly appreciated.

Toban Dvoretzky -- TBone@ selec.net


To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
bbshop-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com



Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Len Bjella lives in Missouri. He was the Harmony Hawks Director
for years -- and sang with the Vigorous-Tones!

(^8

Len's e-dress is: < lenbjella@... >

Dick Johnson
Great Falls, MT

Here are the instructions to the game.
Happy quartetting!!!
EK

Quartet Promotional Sticker Game
IQ = "I Quartet"

1.  Pick up a strip of IQ stickers (four stickers per strip.)
2.  Find 3 other singers in correct voice parts for a quartet.
3.  Woodshed a song, sing a tag, sing your favorite arrangement, etc…
4.  Upon completion of quartet experience, celebrate the moment by
passing out the IQ stickers.
5.  "Triple Dog Dare" each singer to play the game with 3 other
singers and watch the joy spread like wildfire!

Warning:
The IQ game has been proven to be habit forming and may also have
long term side effects similar to extreme joy, boundless happiness,
frequent goose bumps and sudden outbursts of chord worshipping.

FURTHER DISCLAIMER:  I understand that it is a breech of etiquette to
go straight to the "Triple Dog Dare," by passing the single and the
double, but this is important!!!   Quartet singing is some of the
most fun you'll ever have and it requires both our attention and
intention.   Now, get at it ... and have a great time!

In a message dated 02/01/2002 4:15:07 PM, TBone@... writes:

<<  The Vigor-Tones may have been one of the last quartets to have been
professionally (corporately) sponsored. >>

-----0-----0-----0-----0-----0-----

I suppose most of todays' top-notchers have their own corporation
as a sponsor.

(^8

Speaking of corporate sponsorship, Kansas City had a couple of
great groups -- The "Rudy Fick Royalaires" and the
"BMA Gamboliers" way back when. Rudy Fick was a big
auto dealer, and the BMA stood for "Business Mens' Assoc." --
at least I think so.

Dick Johnson
Great Falls, MT

I just got an e-mail from a family member who was out last night at a local
establishment with many professional musician friends following a music
rehearsal of their own, and lo and behold there was a barbershop group
(probably "gang" singing vs official quartet) there who started up. My
family member at first thought "Oh, this'll be nice...." but instead said
it turned out to be "awful, just awful". The musicians in my family
member's group were grumbling about "leaving the rehearsing in the
rehearsal hall" and left the eating establishment with a very bad opinion
about barbershoppers in general who, in their self-centeredness, have no
clue about what's "entertaining" to their fellow restaurant patrons.

I will say that my family member has had many exposures to barbershop
performing (besides the obvious of the family "connection" with Jay being
in the midst :-), including partnerships for gigs with barbershoppers in
various local variety shows and the like, but she said this was the first
time she'd seen this behavior and was embarrassed for the barbershoppers,
esp. amongst the musician group, for they apparently not knoweth the aural
agony they wreak.

It's funny - I've always felt very self-conscious (to the negative) about
"spontaneously" singing in a restaurant from the earliest days when I had
taken up this art form in the 1980's. That probably stems from my (believe
it or not) extreme shyness phase as a child and young adult, which it took
me a long time to overcome. Then again, I've always had this 6th sense
about performing musically when invited to do so.

I hate to say it, but barbershop, as the old nursery rhyme phrase goes,
"can be very, very good, but when it is bad, it is horrid". And
barbershoppers who go out after their own chapter meetings to continue the
"rehearsal" at local establishments out of habit (?) may indeed be causing
more bad PR than good, especially when there are other musicians who know
the difference between bad performing and good, amongst the patrons of the
establishment.

Helen Giallombardo
goldmedl@...

Helen:

What a WONDERFUL post!  I have had this same conversation with many people over
the years, and
strongly agree with your thoughts.

Too many times, we "assume" because we love our style and our music, that
everyone loves our style
and our music.  First of all, believe it or not, there ARE people in this world
who do not like
music, let alone barbershop harmony.  Second, as a patron of a restaurant, I
have the right to
enjoy my meal and the company I am with without having to battle a gang of
singers who are, as you
say, "rehearsing" in a public place.  I am many times embarrassed by those who
feel that anywhere
is a good place to ring a chord.  There are times, when the majority of the
crowd in an
establishment are barbershoppers, that this becomes acceptable--but even then it
is still a risk.

The fact of the matter is, part of our code of ethics is based on the
unsympathetic ear concept.
Bad, mediocre, good, or wonderful, our music should be reserved for those who
either share our
love of the style and ASK us to sing, or those who have paid to come hear us. 
Holding public "jam
sessions" is simply inconsiderate.

Great stuff, Helen.

-S-

--- goldmedl@... wrote:
> I just got an e-mail from a family member who was out last night at a local
> establishment with many professional musician friends following a music
> rehearsal of their own, and lo and behold there was a barbershop group
> (probably "gang" singing vs official quartet) there who started up. My
> family member at first thought "Oh, this'll be nice...." but instead said
> it turned out to be "awful, just awful". The musicians in my family
> member's group were grumbling about "leaving the rehearsing in the
> rehearsal hall" and left the eating establishment with a very bad opinion
> about barbershoppers in general who, in their self-centeredness, have no
> clue about what's "entertaining" to their fellow restaurant patrons.
>
> I will say that my family member has had many exposures to barbershop
> performing (besides the obvious of the family "connection" with Jay being
> in the midst :-), including partnerships for gigs with barbershoppers in
> various local variety shows and the like, but she said this was the first
> time she'd seen this behavior and was embarrassed for the barbershoppers,
> esp. amongst the musician group, for they apparently not knoweth the aural
> agony they wreak.
>
> It's funny - I've always felt very self-conscious (to the negative) about
> "spontaneously" singing in a restaurant from the earliest days when I had
> taken up this art form in the 1980's. That probably stems from my (believe
> it or not) extreme shyness phase as a child and young adult, which it took
> me a long time to overcome. Then again, I've always had this 6th sense
> about performing musically when invited to do so.
>
> I hate to say it, but barbershop, as the old nursery rhyme phrase goes,
> "can be very, very good, but when it is bad, it is horrid". And
> barbershoppers who go out after their own chapter meetings to continue the
> "rehearsal" at local establishments out of habit (?) may indeed be causing
> more bad PR than good, especially when there are other musicians who know
> the difference between bad performing and good, amongst the patrons of the
> establishment.
>
> Helen Giallombardo
> goldmedl@...
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> bbshop-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Great stuff seeking new owners in Yahoo! Auctions!
http://auctions.yahoo.com

Helen and Sean make a very good point and I agree w/ the largest part of both
posts. However, how do we as babershoppers know that the ears that are in
proximity to us are UNSYMPATHETIC?

As a member of a registered quartet I have been chastised by the other three
for my willingness to sing just about anywhere. I must add at this point that
we have a good sound and really enjoy singing. After our gig on the 23rd of
September on the National Mall in DC we went out for a late lunch at an
upscale diner in Arlington, VA. In our group were the mother and father of
our bass and his wife, the Baritone, Tenor and myself. Just before our meals
I blew the pipe and got "THE LOOK"! You know the look that you get from your
Mom when you are about to do something that could end w/ "WAIT TILL YOUR
FATHER GETS HOME!" Well, I just started singing softly and the other three
followed suit. Not loud and boisterous but just a nice soft well blended
sound just for our enjoyment. Well, as we sang you could hear people putting
down their utensils and see them turn their heads and some crane their necks
to see what was happening. We gratefully accepted their applause and ate our
meals. I think in all we sang no more than 4 songs in the hour we were there
and were not at any time ask to stop.

I view this topic as "HOW DO WE KNOW THEY ARE UNSYMPATHETIC IF WE DON'T GIVE
THEM ALL THE INFORMATION?" While I know that this occurs and have even been
asked to not sing on a couple of occasions, I would ask this question: IF A
TREE FALLS IN THE WOODS AND NO ONE HEARS OR SEES IT DID IT HAPPEN? If we
offend someone w/ our singing that person or group of persons has the right
or responsibility to ask us to stop, and at that point we should honor that
request. I would not go to the weekly afterglow for that exact reason. While
I preached and preached good vocal production, matching vowels, listen and
match the lead, I knew that when I was not around all that went out the
window.

So unless you are going to sing w/ quality and enjoy it I agree please take
it out side. But if you are going to put out a quality product and are still
willing to be ask to stop, I say it is often better to ask forgiveness rather
than permission.

RayJay
Lead 66 WEST Barbershop Quartet
Future Harmonizer

They say if you don't ask for it, you won't get it, so here goes:

Tenor in Central NJ looking for the other three parts - object:
Shows, shows, shows & Contest.

All the members of the quartet should be able to either sight-read or
learn their parts at home. Must also be open to coaching.

If interested, email me at NJQuartetguy@...

Ah - there's the rub. Far too many of us barbershoppers go out and sing
for our supposed enjoyment but without the quality. This is especially
true of many afterglows following the weekly meeting. (This is not to
say that arrangements can't be made with an establishment for just that
thing.)

It is amazing to me that I don't recall any time, at least in my
experience, that I have gone to a restaurant and heard a group start
spontaneously singing doo-wop, opera, (insert name of musical genre
here). It seems to be we barbershoppers that do that. Is it because we
are more passionate about our music, less passionate about the
sympathetic ear, or what? Yes we need to bring more singers into our
fold, but "caterwauling," as some have called unpolished, unrehearsed,
and often times unwanted "singing" isn't going to do it. Polished,
PROFESSIONAL SOUNDING singing will do it.

(Professional sounding doesn't mean that we are professional. We are
still amateurs. As someone said a long time ago the difference between
professional and amateur is that professional do what they do for money,
while amateurs do it for love.)

Sing-cerely & Humm-bly,

John Elving mailto:jelving1@...
"Shrine of Democracy Chorus"
Rapid City, South Dakota


-----Original Message-----
So unless you are going to sing w/ quality and enjoy it I agree please
take
it out side. But if you are going to put out a quality product and are
still
willing to be ask to stop, I say it is often better to ask forgiveness
rather
than permission.

RayJay
Lead 66 WEST Barbershop Quartet
Future Harmonizer

Dear RayJay (et al.),

Helen suggested that I might want to read her post.  She was right.
She has known for years how I feel about this subject.  Many
Harmonetters do, too, because I have not been shy about sharing my
feelings in this forum.  So I will not repeat any of my own horror
stories.  I will simply agree with Helen and Sean, and disagree with
you--respectfully and without animus, but disagree I must.

You say you were in an "upscale" restaurant. But your singing was
soft and "well blended."  Well, if you're going to impose yourselves
on those around you, better that you should do so in that manner. But
why do you think it's okay to impose first and assume it's okay
unless and until someone is offended enough to speak up?  I'm sure
your quartet is good and I would love to hear you perform... at a
time when I expect to hear you perform.  But if I'm paying
an "upscale" price to have lunch or any other meal... in fact, if I'm
anyplace for any reason where it's possible I might expect to be able
to conduct business or enjoy the surroundings without auditory
interfence, I think it's about as intrusive of you to start singing
as it would be for someone to turn on a boom box.  If the atmosphere
calls for music, the establishment should provide it.  If they want
you to sing as entertainment, they should hire you (or give
permission).

I think this is EXACTLY what our code of ethics means.  We SHOULD
assume that there may be unsympathetic ears in situations like you
describe.  The fact that nobody wanted to make a scene by asking you
to stop doesn't mean nobody was put off.  And even if it was a little
bit...

I'm sorry to sound so curmudgeonly (?!) but I think you have to apply
the Golden Rule more strictly.  It just isn't enough that you think
your contribution to the atmosphere is of a kind and quality that
should be welcome.  (I'm sure there are those who would say my q'tet
offended plenty of sympathetic ears over the years... but at least we
were usually in a contest or a guest performer on a show when we did
it.)

Now let me immediately reverse course and say I wish our culture was
more musically inclined.  I have been greatly encouraged by the way
this country responded to music -- esp. the vocal kind -- in the wake
of 9/11. Very moving, indeed.  And the fact that some of us have
contributed to that response is wonderful.  I'm also very encouraged
by efforts of our staff in Kenosha to spread the gospel among our
public school music educators... and the FANTASTIC results in H.S.
and collegiate contests.  (I expect some very young additions to the
AIC very shortly... and some more shortly after that.)  I am under
the impression that Sweden should be something of a model for us in
terms of music education and appreciation.  What's the atmosphere
over there in terms of this "unsympathetic ears" controversy?

Maybe I'm wrong, and some gentle pushing of the envelope by RayJay
and others (but always softly and with quality, please?!) will move
things in a good direction--not just for barbershopping, but for
music and singing in general in this country.

Just PLEASE don't sing stupid uptunes in the vestibule of the Mormon
museum in Tabernacle Square, okay?

Regards,
HJB
hjbrandt2@...
Grandma's Boys (79)

Would Brian or some member of Metropolis please contact me by email.

Shelley A. Herman
Whittier Chapter
saherman@...

> Pan down part way right below national news and click on
the Singing
> Valentines.. Once you click on that page, note that they
also have a link to
> the Society Singing Valentines

Quite a coup!  Kudos!

A question for harmonetters with better memories:  a couple
of months ago, someone posted a web site with computer
voices singing a bunch of songs including "Let me call you
sweetheart" with a female soloist singing some other song.
What was the other song?  I thought my quartet could use our
tenor's wife as a soloist to sing to some of our male
"victims" this 2/14.

Nothing tells someone you care like a Singing Valentine sung
by a barbershop quartet.
http://www.singingvalentines.com
_____________________________________________________________________
// free anonymous email || forums \\ subZINE || anonymous browsing
             subDIMENSION -- http://www.subdimension.com

I'd like a stab at this...

First off, let me state my 'official' take on this subject. I am mostly
inclined to NOT break into song in any random place like a restaurant, but
on occasion there are three parts singing and staring at me 'angrily' so I
just HAVE to throw in the bass part. I am often nervous that the resulting
singing will be unappreciated, and thankfully, more often than not, it
actually is appreciated and applauded.

A few weeks ago, I was at our annual North Carolina Harmony Brigade, held in
Pinehurst, NC. It is an awesome weekend of singing and fellowship amongst
some of the best barbershoppers in the state. Anyhow, on Saturday afternoon,
prior to the annual show we put on during that weekend, my buddy Trav, and
his bass and tenor went out to lunch at the local Applebee's. We were
playing around following lunch and his bass, Kevin, said he'd sing lead to
MWIR. Trav's tenor (who can sing ANY part at ANY time), Izzy, said he'd do
bari. Trav himself is a former tenor, so that left me to do the bass part.
We went through it one time, and it sounded pretty good.

When our waitress came by with the check, we asked he if she'd like us to
sing a song for her. She said she hadn't been serenaded in awhile, so sure.
(This girl wasn't a day over 18 - I'm fairly sure this was her first
serenade!). Anyway, we sang MWIR to her in a moderate volume, and not only
was she smiling (and quite embarrassed), but I noticed the diners around us
obviously listening in with interest.

We finished, and got a great round of applause. We then jokingly asked her
if we could get half off our check because of our performance. She laughed,
and said "Well... I don't know about that...", and went off on her duties.
Well - as we're figuring out who owes what for lunch, the manager of the
establishment stops by, leans over, and says he'll take half off our bill if
we'll sing a couple songs for the crowd. Now keep in mind, we're officially
two basses, a former tenor turned lead, and a present tenor who sings
anything he wants.

We look at each other shockingly and in unison, say "Sure!". We know we have
MWIR down pat, and I suggest doing Down Our Way second, since I know lead to
that, Trav knows tenor, Kev knows bass and Izzy, well... he's Izzy!

We go to the entrance, turn and face the restaurant, and sing MWIR to
perfection. The whole place cheers enthusiastically. Me and Kevin then trade
places, and launch into DOW. Again, the patrons all enjoy it and give us a
very nice applause. We're all happy, and the manager walks over and says not
to worry about the tab at all, he's taken care of it!

What an experience THAT was! We sang to what might've been unsympathetic
ears, and earn a free lunch while doing it! That was a first for all of us,
and we talked about it the rest of the weekend. Needless to say, our
waitress got a huge tip (after we almost forgot, and walked out without
leaving her a penny... Doh!)

I know 'Your Mileage May Vary' in these situations, and I realize this was
probably a pretty rare set of events... but it turned out great and it was a
blast! I might not be so reluctant next time the pipe is blown while I'm out
eating lunch during a convention/BBS weekend!!! :-)

--Timster--

BASS - In Serious Treble

Hi guys

Just a quick note . .

The February Issue of the SWD Roundup is now available online via:

http://www.swd.org/roundup/

click the link

thanks

grady - editor


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi Again,

I thought i'd give you a heads up.

In the February Issue of the SWD Roundup is a very special article about
Heartspring.

There has been some confusion on the Society's relationship with Heartspring.

I invite you to check out the SWD Roundup Online for this article.  It's too
long to post here.  I think many of you will find it interesting.  Its rather
in depth and points out several facts you my not be aware of.

check it out at

http://www.swd.org/roundup/
click on the February Issue link,  and then scroll to the bottom of the page.

I suspect there will be several comments generated.

thanks

grady - editor


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

But.  Whenever my chorus goes out in force to eat after contest, or at our
annual banquet, whenever we begin to sing (and we usually are in a separate
room), the wait staff and other patrons stand in the doorway smiling or other
patrons stop talking at their tables then clap and cheer when our song is
finished.  Any quartet members present will also sing with the same results
in the restaurant.  Of course we don't sing all night long.  :-)

Peggy B2, tenor
SAI Region 22
Fox Valley Chorus


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Interesting thought you write about why Florists wont do a commission deal
on Singing Valentines, BUT........
Perhaps if you reversed this thing it might turn into a gold mine.

Ask the Florist to offer
          "FLOWERS DELIVERED BY A QUARTET WITH A SONG"

You work the numbers
1)  He offers the service at cost of flowers + Quartet fee ($40/$50/$75, etc.)

2)  He then keeps 10% (or $10) of Quartet fee AND his flower profits (win/win)

3)  He is gonna send a lot more Flowers than you will do Singing Valentines
        WITH or WITHOUT  your Quartets... YOU could be the beneficiary of
          these AND make many contacts for future shows, Valentines, singers

4)  How many Florists in your neck of the woods??  Make sure to include any
        Florist you are buying Roses, etc.from for your own SV solicitations.

5) WIN- WIN-WIN What's to lose??

Joe De Felice  (still a BAC man at heart)

At 02/01/2002  07:26 PM -0500, Michael Ho wrote:
>Ebac,
>I thought of this as the florist near my school turned down my offer.  Why
>would a florist want to advertise for us even if we promise him a $10
>commission?  If a person is going to buy a singing valentine, he probably
>won't shell out more money (I don't know exactly how much money that would
>be since I'm not well versed in the art of wooing) for a dozen roses since
>we include a silk rose and a box of chocolates with our musical delivery
>anyway.  A florist would probably lose business if somebody buys one of
>our singing valentines.
>-Michael_


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I'm right there with ya, Hank.

This country is very musically underdeveloped, and has grown
into a culture of citizens who listen to whatever the media foists
on them and tells them is good music, be it pop, rock, punk, or
that other kind of half-music, rap.  But very little singing goes on,
and people have learned to observe the talented few instead of
taking on a hobby of amateur commnity singing.

While we have opera companies and bach societies, we really
don't have a lot of people advancing the art of singing AMERICAN
styles of music.  Besides we barbershoppers, of course.  That is
why I am such a barbershop advocate in the conventional world
of music.  Because it's about time we stopped kissing up to
European composers so much and sing some good old
fashioned American harmony.

In fact, it sounds like a great angle to use when recruiting for a
berbershop chapter:  "Come and learn to sing American Music
with other's who love it.  It's good for our country!!!"

Sweden is a great nation to look to as a model for our own
musical development.  In fact, they are decades ahead of
America in many facets, like intergration, slum control,
environmental policies, gay rights, etc.  But there musical society
is perhaps the best aspect of their culture there is.  They have a
caring, sophisticated society who loves a cappella music and
strives to do it well.  I think we can do the same thing here in the
US and Canada.

So get out there and spread the word:  singing barbershop
means you're proud of your country!!

Matt Swann
Dundalk, MD & Miami, FL chapters
Choral Studies at the Univ. of Miami
Portland Bound!!!

Being involved in church music (profession) besides barbershop
(professional hobby), there are many similarities to what you speak of
here. It has affected the churches, as well. Unfortunately, there are
still many churches who don't do singing, but would rather have some
person/group do the singing for them. Interestingly, it is a growing
phenomenon that churches that have a lot of participatory singing are
growing like wildfire. People want to sing, but some of these "opera
companies, Bach societies," etc. that you talk about are far too
sophisticated for them. They need simple songs they can learn and sing
without large choirs around them. Now don't get me wrong, I love Bach as
much as anyone, but for general singing of the people, it just doesn't
cut it. One of the surprises of the past few years is the popularity of
certain "praise & worship" tapes and CD's sold via commercials on the
T&V. Sales have far exceeded expectations. The reason? Those are songs
that people can identify with, learn quickly, and sing by themselves.
Wonder what would happen if we were to do the same marketing with
barbershop? As I stated earlier, people want to sing, they just need the
music they can sing AND RELATE TO. (Emphasis/shouting on purpose.)

Sing-cerely & Humm-bly,

John Elving mailto:jelving1@...
"Shrine of Democracy Chorus"
Rapid City, South Dakota
Director of Music Ministries
First Presbyterian Church


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

This country is very musically underdeveloped, and has grown
into a culture of citizens who listen to whatever the media foists
on them and tells them is good music, be it pop, rock, punk, or
that other kind of half-music, rap.  But very little singing goes on,
and people have learned to observe the talented few instead of
taking on a hobby of amateur commnity singing.

While we have opera companies and bach societies, we really
don't have a lot of people advancing the art of singing AMERICAN
styles of music.  Besides we barbershoppers, of course.

--- In bbshop@y..., "John Elving" <jelving1@h...> wrote:
> Being involved in church music (profession) besides barbershop
> (professional hobby), there are many similarities to what you speak
of
> here. It has affected the churches, as well. Unfortunately, there
are
> still many churches who don't do singing, but would rather have some
> person/group do the singing for them. Interestingly, it is a growing
> phenomenon that churches that have a lot of participatory singing
are
> growing like wildfire. ...

Not to mention those churches which have maintained a strong singing
congregation -- I attended my niece's graduation from Goshen College
(Indiana) a while back, and was pleasantly surprised by the high-
quality, three- and four-part a cappella singing of the at-large
congregation.  This happens to be a Mennonite college, but there are
others with similar traditions.

Perhaps all is not lost.

Tom Emmert
barit1@...
Bass - SGC etc.etc.

Thanks to those who responded, but I still need help (see below.)

Netters...

Spring Pre-lims and Regional competitions will be coming up soon.  Once
again this year, I would appreciate a helping hand from a few of you.

The Buckeye Invitational is always looking for ways to spread the word about
the event.  One of these ways it to distribute our literature at gatherings
of barbershoppers.

We are looking for a representative from each region and district who has
the "authority" to place a small display on an information table in the
venue lobby.  This entire display takes up about 1 square foot on the table
and includes a 9x12" easel board with an event poster and a supply of
tri-fold brochures.  We will ship the display to you and it need not be
returned.

If you (or someone you know) could help, would you please contact me
privately?

Walt Miller
2002 BI Executive Committee