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FALL, 2006
Contents Having trouble viewing this issue of InTune? You can also see an online version by clicking here. Please feel free to make extra copies for your chorus members! The Text Only version will probably print best. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Chapter Coordinator
All of the competitors were great, but a big rousing applause goes to our champions Seattle Mix and Pacific Sound! Thank you to everyone that participated in the Pep Rally! We quickly polished a re-worded tag (I Love To Sing ’Em) that a group of about 15-20 from various Region 13 choruses performed for Pacific Sound at the end of their pre-semi finals contest breakfast on Thursday. I’ve been told the chorus especially enjoyed the “raining” chocolate kisses! If you have any questions, concerns or just want to say hi, email me, snail mail me or give me a call.
Jan Matthews Communications & Technology Coordinator
We have an ongoing challenge to find women who will serve administratively in Sweet Adelines. There are a variety of reasons: time, desire, level of expertise, and perhaps a little fear of the unknown. So I decided to use my space here to tell you a little about my position on the Regional Management Team. The Communications and Technology Coordinator's (soon to simply become the Communications Coordinator) job involves facilitating communications between International, the Region, and our members. This happens in a variety of ways including direct mailings, the website, communications chapter administration, a membership database and facilitating the creation of the Region 13 annual report to International. But I don't physically "do" all this work myself! I'm part of an excellent TEAM of women who each assist me. The InTune team gets our publication done on a quarterly basis. The editor, Nancy Gott encourages the RMT, choruses and quartets to submit articles which she then edits and emails to Sue Middleton and Anne Sutherland for further editing and correction. (It's not possible to have too many eyes check these things.) Sue, our most excellent web-mistress, then puts the InTune together and sends it out to the Region in email and posts it on the Region 13 website. Marilyn Rogers takes care of direct mailings to members and chapters. Teresa McLuen is our Database Coordinator and keeps all of our information regarding members status, addresses, etc. up to date. Even the job of writing the annual report is a team effort and YOU are part of that team. I get input from all the choruses and other members of the RMT, and then I just pull it all together into a report to International. So the key to my job is having the team in place to make all of this happen. It's a rewarding and vital position to our region. If this or any of the pieces of the Communications position sound interesting to you, let me know. If you are not ready to be on the RMT as a coordinator yet, you could help with just a piece of the many things we do for the region just to get your 'feet wet'. It's a great learning experience and you meet some wonderful women in the process.
Chera Boom Directors Coordinator
DCP stands for Directors Certification Program, but don't let the name fool you...you don't have to be a director to enter the program! Esther Miles is the DCP coordinator for Region 13, and is in the process of securing more proctors in different areas of the region so there will be more opportunities for exam testing times and sites in the future. This means you can complete the program quicker if you choose. Region 13 has over 35 people who have completed the program, with backgrounds ranging from Front Line Directors to section leaders to "regular ol' members". It's a great way to hone your skills as a musical leader and also to understand what your director, coaches and judges keep asking for and why. If you are interested or have questions about the DCP, you can email Esther or call her at 509-837-5985.
Karen Leet Education Coordinator
As the pain subsided, I very quickly stopped taking pain medications and tuned in to my body. I used many of my music breathing exercises to relax muscles and help with sleeping. I tuned-in to barbershop by listening to Sweet Adeline CDs and watching International Competition on the web. Even though I had to cancel my trip to Las Vegas, I was able to use this experience to promote my positive attitude. Good old barbershop music has a way of making you feel better! Sweet Adelines has provided me the opportunity to make lifetime friends that support me with unconditional love. On the days when I was feeling sorry for myself, I could talk to a Sweet Adeline sister, read a card from a member, or email a barbershop girlfriend. I am on the road to recovery. My new and current choice of drugs is simply Sweet Adelines. Become addicted, it will help you get over the bumps and around the sharp turns on the road of life.
Patty Martin Events Coordinator
We'd like to see some new faces up on the stage this year performing the role of Mistress of Ceremonies for the quartet and chorus contests, taking place April 27 and 28 in Spokane. So as promised, here is information on how to “audition” as an emcee for Region 13 2007 Contest.First, remember you can't emcee a contest if you are competing in it! You don't have to have a lot of experience to do this, but a command of the stage is important. The ability to follow directions, work with the judges and competition coordinator, and think on your feet is also very critical! This isn't stand-up comedy; speaking clearly and with energy is what we’re looking for! Next, please send me a two-minute tape of yourself reading anything you're comfortable with. Use expression and attitude; we like both of those attributes a lot. Use your imagination! Include your name, full mailing address, phone number(s), and chapter. Also indicate which contest interests you (if it’s both, say so!). If you would like a printable form to supply this information, you can find one by clicking here, but just jotting down the information works, too! If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. My number is 907.272.4245 and I do have a message machine if I'm not home. I will return your call! This process is open to every member of Region 13, so go for it! My address is 1811 Lake Otis Parkway, Anchorage, AK 99508. I'm waiting to hear from you!
Sue Hahn Finance Coordinator
Janice McKenna Membership & Marketing Coordinator
MEMBERSHIP MANAGERS: Please be diligent in doing the necessary paperwork when a member finds she must leave active participation in your chorus. Get a letter of resignation or plans of change. Headquarters MUST have this is in writing; e-mail will suffice. You may write out what an exiting member tells you, send it to her online and ask if it is accurate. All she has to do is state, “Yes”, and return the message to you. You then forward a copy to Connie Heyer at headquarters. When a member leaves your chorus, they do not automatically transfer to CAL. An application process must be followed. Furnish an exiting member with a hard copy of the transfer form to CAL; it can be found online. These procedures not only assist the individual member, but also saves your chorus money! The yearly regional assessment charged to all of our choruses is based on numbers supplied by SAI. If a member has exited but is still on your membership roster at Headquarters, your chorus will be required to pay her regional assessment. So Membership Managers, keep your records CURRENT!!! And thank you again for all that you do for your chorus and the region! Gayle
Robinson
Mild trepidation first greeted the idea. Where can we do it? How much will it cost? Can we really hear each other? Ask any member of the RMT about it today, and you will hear a resounding, "Yay, technology is wonderful!" In Seattle, we met in my office, which has VTC equipment and a T1 (huge and fast) line. Its use was FREE, thanks to my boss. Alaska folks met at a firm in Anchorage dedicated to VTC, and although its use was not free, recognition of our nonprofit status was kindly factored into their invoice. Cameras and high-gain microphones on both ends allowed us to see and hear almost as well as if we were in the same room together. Our plan for the future is to hold two meetings per year via VTC and two in person. That means one more meeting date for team members to better manage the region's events and needs, but requiring less actual travel and dollars. Win/win! Region 13 enjoys a reputation with SAI Headquarters of having innovative ideas, and VTC is both visionary and opportunistic. Your RMT strives to be careful stewards of precious dues dollars while providing high-quality educational, administrative and technical support to choruses, quartets and singers of Region 13.
Susan Soderberg _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
2006
DECEMBER 2006
2007
FEBRUARY 2007
MARCH 2007
APRIL 2007
MAY 2007
JULY 2007
AUGUST 2007
OCTOBER 2007
NOVEMBER 2007
2008
APRIL 2008
MAY 2008
JULY 2008
SEPTEMBER 2008
OCTOBER 2008
NOVEMBER 2008
2009
2010
MAY 2010
OCTOBER 2010
2011
2012
2013
Send Calendar info to: More Calendar details can be found online. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ InTune is published quarterly for the membership of North Pacific Region 13, Sweet Adelines International. For questions or comments about this electronic edition, please contact Sue Middleton at 253.874.2733. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ The next issue will be distributed in the Winter; deadline is January 20, 2007. Send articles to Nancy Gott, InTune editor. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Copyright 2006; all rights reserved. |
RMT Meeting
Highlights • In September, we had our first video conference meeting and it was a great success! Everyone on the Regional Management Team (RMT) felt we were able to get quite a lot accomplished on our agenda. We still believe in the importance of regular face-to-face meetings, but we plan to offset them with a few video conferences. For more information, see Susan Soderberg's article. • Last year during the regional contest, we had a video presentation displaying choruses and quartet activities during the year. The response was so positive that we are going to have a new presentation this year. We may even be able to display the pictures on the side wall of the Spokane Opera house during breaks between Competitors, so organize those pictures and take some new ones, too! Additional information will be coming in the next few months as to whom you should submit your pictures for the display. If you are a “techie”, have a little extra time and are interested in taking this project on, please email me. • “We Are Family” cds are still available. Please contact Janice McKenna / 206.368.5499 to request your copies. They are a great tool for marketing and promoting our art form and your chorus in your community. Maybe you know of a new daycare provider that has opened up where you can place them? Grade schools and local hospitals are also a great location to distribute the cds!
• Sweet Adelines International is teaming up with
the fitness program, Curves! Click
here for more details.
Submitted by Jan Matthews, Chapter Coordinator _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
The
candidates are: You can find complete resumes for each candidate online. Check them out and read them carefully. YOU can have a say in who decides the future of Sweet Adelines. If you are a member of a Region 13 chorus, you will receive information and vote at a chapter meeting; if you are a CAL member, you will receive information sent to your house. If you have any questions, contact International headquarters at 800.992.7464, x139. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ This year at SET, the Regional Management Team (RMT) found a fantastic way for Region 13 members to get to know better: RMT BINGO! The BINGO cards spaces were filled with little known facts about each member of the RMT, and participants had to match the right facts with the correct RMT coordinator. Congratulations to all the winners and the people who played. The BINGO winners and their prizes were: Alice Devine (Top of the World), a 2007 SET registration; Pam Rivard (Pacific Sound), “Sing, Baby, Sing” warm up CD; Lucy Heinkel (Rolling Hills), Compete Breathing CD; Pam Darwin (Top of the World), a 2007 SET registration; and, Mary Ellen Bartholomew (Pacific Sound & Grand Olympics), a Pocket Tone Pitch Pipe. If you’re wondering the answers to these little known facts, here are the answers:
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Chera Boom, Communications & Technology Coordinator -- has earned her pilot’s license
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Sue Hahn, Events Coordinator
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Karen Leet, Directors Coordinator
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Patty Martin, Education Coordinator
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Jan Matthews, Chapter Coordinator
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Janice McKenna, Financial Coordinator
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Gayle Robinson, Membership/Marketing Coordinator
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Susan Soderberg, Team Coordinator
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Every year, the Young Singers Foundation holds a silent auction at our international convention's Harmony Bazaar and each region is requested to send a donation for this event. This year, your RMT decided to donate baskets that typify two of our North Pacific Region 13 states: Washington and Alaska. While Sue Hahn took on the Alaska basket, I had great fun shopping for Washington-produced products that said something about the state, and I simply had to share the list of fun and funny products.
Here is what went into the Washington basket:
If you are interested in putting together the YSF basket from YOUR state for next year, just let me know! submitted by Gayle Robinson, Membership & Marketing Coordinator _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Highlights from the IBOD Mid-Year Meeting
The International Board of Directors (IBOD) met in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 8, 2006. Following is a partial résumé of actions taken:
• The Board authorized the charter and chapter membership for two prospective chapters (Harmony Roses, #5 and South Shore Sound, #9). • The Board authorized a change of region affiliation for: Water Wonderland Chapter from #17 to #2, Hilton Head Shore Chapter from #14 to #9 and Laurel Harmony Chapter from #19 to #17. • The Regional Leadership Coordinators (RLC) believe that changing the due date for Regional Management Team Reports will allow regions more time to analyze input from chapters and include financial information from regional convention. Based on the recommendation from the RLC, the Board agreed to move the deadline for annual reports to June 30. • The Board applauded the Membership Committee for securing a strategic partnership with Curves. As a result of the partnership, Curves is generously donating advertising space in its publications and Web site. Also, beginning in January 2007, a fitness promotion will launch in which Sweet Adelines International members can join Curves for a special fee and have the opportunity to win prizes such as a free one-year membership to Curves. • The Board agreed to appoint a three-member task force to develop a plan for implementing computerized judging at both regional and international contests (editor's note: you will be proud to hear that these three members come from our very own region: Sue Beck (Chair), Beth Smith and Lea Beverley!). The Board agreed to appoint a task force to develop strategic plans for implementing online education. • The Board agreed to develop a policy that provides guidance for the future when a location outside North America indicates interest in becoming an area. The policy will establish a dues and funding structure for areas in transition to regions and set a time limit of five years in area status. An area would receive an annual amount of $2,000 for education and $1,000 for administrative assistance and annual per capita dues would be set at $60. • The Board agreed to develop a brochure aimed at parents/guardians of youth members and YWIH chorus or festival participants that highlights the education offered by Sweet Adelines International. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Coeur d’Alene ChorusTo expand our influence within the Coeur d’Alene area, it was decided by the Management Team to join the Art Alliance. This group began as part of the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce to promote art in the area and had such success, they formed their own non-profit group. We are now rubbing elbows and ringing chords right beside some of the elite groups in the area like Opera Plus and The Northwest Sacred Music Chorale. As a result of our involvement in the Art Alliance, we were recently offered three different venues to strut our stuff: In July, for Art in the Park, we entertained an appreciative crowd of people at a cozy little park called Sherman Square. With a brick wall behind us and flowers and trees all around, our music enhanced the beautiful ambiance of the night. Along came August and an opportunity to participate in the Friday night Art Walk, where different art galleries and establishments are open for tours. We looked very stylish in our black and white ensembles with just a splash of red for flair. A group of about 12 members strolled down Sherman Avenue singing on the corner or wherever we were asked to sing. Several gallery owners requested we ring some chords while shoppers perused their art. Viewing fine art does simulate the senses to the magic between visual art and performing arts! Our most recent performance was for Art for the Heart, a weekend where different art forms were presented in the downtown Coeur d’Alene area. Many varied choral groups pleased the crowds in the Resort Plaza, an upscale shopping mall across from the Coeur d’Alene Resort. We looked smart, dressed in our blue-sequined dresses and using stairs as our risers. A couple of teenage girls sat in the audience doing a music critique for a school assignment. After the performance I asked them what they thought of our Barbershop singing. The oldest one replied, “I loved it! Especially the Hernando’s Hideaway song!” According to Jerry Chambers, the Team Coordinator for the Coeur d’Alene Chorus, “ Being involved with the Art Alliance has broadened our exposure within the local art community and given us the opportunity to perform our style of music in more varied venues.” If the Coeur d’Alene Chorus can benefit so much by aligning themselves with the local art community, think about what could happen in your city, county, or state. Submitted by May Dooley_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Pacific Sound Chorus Thursday morning, October 12, almost 20 members from other Region 13 choruses invaded Pacific Sound's pre-competition brunch in Las Vegas with a wonderful pep rally. Jan Matthews, Region 13 Chapter Coordinator, led the parade carrying a huge balloon bouquet and "raindrops" (aka Hershey's kisses) to fall upon my head in honor of the "Rain" Show Package we had prepared for the competition finals. The highlight of the rally was a song parody prepared just for us, with "P.S. We Love You" lovingly shouted at the end by all. On behalf of Pacific Sound, I take this opportunity to express the sincere gratitude of every chorus member for Region 13's love and support in Las Vegas. We heard your voices in the audience! Carole also received a beautiful flower arrangement to honor this special Celebration of Excellence. Such simple, meaningful gestures will long be remembered after the glow of new jewelry has dimmed. Thank you, dear friends! submitted by Susan Soderberg _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Seattle Shores Chorus
The Seattle Shores Chorus has been invited—and has accepted—an invitation to represent the State of Washington (and Sweet Adelines International!) at America’s 400th Anniversary Weekend, May 10-14, 2007, in Jamestown, Virginia. On May 13, at 3:00 pm, 40-plus members of Seattle Shores Chorus will join with over 2000 musicians in the massed festival choir and orchestra performance to commemorate Jamestown’s founding. Seattle Shores Chorus and its director, Bonnie Willis, are thrilled to be able to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, which will include a “stand alone” performance on Saturday, May 12. We are busy polishing our repertoire and finding creative ways to fund the trip to Virginia. We're hoping to receive some financial support from grants and corporate donations, but this kind of fundraising is totally new to us. However, we're learning! The purpose of America’s 400th Anniversary is to celebrate not only its early history, but also the America that has become and the America that will be. These festivities will capture the spirit, imagination and diversity of Americans and develop that energy into a national event that showcases Virginia’s unique role as the birthplace of modern America and the cradle of American democratic traditions. And we say, what better way to do this than in song?! We look forward to being a part of the musicians celebrating this memorable event; the commemorative choir will number 1607 in honor of the founding of America in 1607 and the orchestra will be made up of 400 outstanding musicians to celebrate the 400th anniversary. All 50 states in the Union will be represented. This finale concert will showcase nationally recognized talent and plans are also afoot to provide national television coverage. We’ll be famous! And in other news… August 28, 2006 was designated Seattle Shores Day by the Shoreline (WA) City Council! Chorus members had met several of the council members at the Celebrate Shoreline Festival several weeks prior and they wanted to do this for us. Seattle Reign (with Bonnie Willis singing lead) sang for the audience and we were given a lovely proclamation certificate.Submitted by Linea Croly _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Prospective RiversEdge Chorus In July, 2006, a group of 21 experienced Sweet Adelines (619 years collectively) decided to start another chorus in Spokane, so RiversEdge Chorus was born. We currently have two co-directors—Kathy Murbach and Diana Thomas—and have started a search for a passionate, dynamic director to join us as we continue ringing those barbershop chords. We have been working on a repertoire and preparing for a coaching session with Zoe Thompson on October 22 and our first visit from Region 13 RMT members on October 24. We are enjoying our rehearsals and there is lots of laughter along with the hard work we put into each rehearsal. It’s an exciting time for us as we hope to charter by January and compete at Regional Competition in April of 2007. The Region 13 Education Team is really doing a bang-up job of offering opportunities for advancement and education. Some of us attended SET with Debbie Connelly in August and were captivated by her wit and knowledge. Nearly the entire chorus was in attendance at the area school in Pasco last month. Since it was all about small choruses, we felt it was right up our alley. Kathy Carmody filled us with a renewed energy to come home and implement all the wonderful ideas she shared with us. She was her usual dynamic self, and we thoroughly enjoyed the entire day. This new chorus is an ambitious bunch, so we are planning a Christmas show December 10 at St. Mary’s at 4th and Adams in Spokane Valley. It will be an afternoon performance at 3:00, geared toward families with a visit from Santa and lots of music and holiday merriment. If you are in the area during this time, we’d like to extend an invitation to you to join in the fun. Submitted by Mary Ann Milette _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Seattle Mix THANK YOU REGION 13!!! Thank you so much for your support, encouragement, and praises before, during, and after our Las Vegas International performance. We had a wonderful time and we really felt your well-wishes and accolades throughout our entire experience. It was especially fun to hear our name chanted by the Region 13 contingent seated right down front. And what a welcome bunch of smiling faces greeted us as we left the stage…and a long-stem rose for each of us! We felt like queens! We owe so much to Region 13, PSC, and our coaches—Carole Kirkpatrick, Don Rose and Beth Smith—for empowering us to be at our best. It was such a strong quartet and chorus contest with so many deserving performers. What an absolute joy to be a part of it all! Thank you for the honor to represent Region 13 as your 2006 Quartet Champions! Seattle Mix: Amy, Melanie, Sonja and Sydney _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ The Skirts (Texan style!) No one told us that if you were a Young Women in Harmony Quartet at the Sweet Adelines International Education Symposium (IES), you needed to have a matching outfit for every day! Some quartets just wore the same colors, but others really went all out: matching shirts, skirts, shoes, accessories, maybe even underwear for all we knew.
By the time we left the Seattle area for IES, The Skirts were used to being bombarded with warnings of the Texan heat and humidity. What most people failed to warn us of was that if you opened up all of the doors and windows of Trinity University, home of the 2006 International Educational Symposium, the temperature of the entire state of Texas would probably drop at least three degrees because of all the air conditioning!
Naturally, the Rising Star Quartet Competition was over a half an hour behind. As contestant 17, The Skirts had the privilege of “stewing in our nervousness” in the Green Room of the Laurie Auditorium for what seemed like ages. But it was fun to chat with other quartets and wish them luck before they performed. We were most nervous about the fact that the house lights of the auditorium were going to be on and we could SEE EVERYONE!
The atmosphere of the entire event was very supportive and fun. All of the participants loved the Rising Star Contest, and we received many congratulations after our performance. We also enjoyed watching the chorus competition and participating in the tenor-heavy Young Women in Harmony chorus. All in all, we had a lot of fun, but more importantly, we were still recognizable as a quartet...because we were the only ones who were mismatched. The Skirts: Julie, Emerald, Kelly and Megan _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Green Heart Chorus, a chapter of Sweet Adelines International, situated in Abbotsford, B.C., requires a musical director for their 35 member chorus. A strong understanding of a cappella barbershop style singing for women is required. The applicant should have the expertise and experience to take the chorus to competition. Contact: Ann Senae, 604-826-8060.
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Wow; what a fabulous week in Las Vegas! If you weren't able to attend, hopefully you “tuned-in” (pun intended) to the webcast.
If you are looking to learn more about the craft of barbershop harmony, check out the DCP course.
As many of you know, I am currently recovering from a broken arm and surgery. During the first two weeks, I was heavily medicated.
One area of concern
regarding membership that keeps presenting itself is the need to focus on the necessary paperwork that supports the changes that occur when members change their status in Sweet
Adelines.
Region 13's RMT scored a perfect digital 10 for its last meeting on September 23rd! With four team members located in Alaska and four in Western Washington, we decided to explore a new meeting forum: video teleconferencing (VTC).
A
