SUMMER, 2006

Contents
Calendar of Events
Choreography Workshop
Chorus and Quartet Chatter
Events Sponsorship
From the RMT
"Missing" CAL members
Marketing is not scary!
Ovation News
Standing Rules

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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.

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From the RMT

Chapter Coordinator

Jan Matthews, Chapter CoordinatorI am honored and exited to represent you as your Chapter Coordinator. My “door” is always open; I am available to everyone, not just chapter leadership. So, if you have questions, require assistance or just want to say hi, please drop me a line. Either email, snail mail or give me a call; I’d love to hear from you. Since contest I’ve only had one request; it was a request for assistance in obtaining contact information for chapters in our region. My job is to make things easier for you. Just let me know how I can help. Enjoy your summer and keep singing!

Jan Matthews
907.522.1988 / jlm@alaska.net

Communications & Technology Coordinator

Chera Boom, CTCHave you ever had to  organize the days for your kids, pets, and significant others?  You have logistics skills! Do you enjoy working with people, and do they seem to like you even if you have to nag them for something?  You have people skills!

Region 13 needs you! It’s time for the Regional Management Team to find women who are willing to take on the challenging and rewarding job of caring for our region.  It’s a very exciting time to join the 2007-2008 team... International has spent several years studying the RMT structure and the Region 13 RMT has voted yes to a wonderful new structure.

There are many jobs that could use your skills and expertise. So please come find the RMT table at SET and tell us about your skills and let us tell you about the opportunities with our region.

Chera Boom
907.688.3434 / cherab@mtaonline.net

Directors Coordinator

Karen Leet, Directors Coordinator“The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.” Confucius

“The expectations of music depend upon diligence; the singer that would perfect her work must first sharpen her ax.” Karen Leet

How’s your “ax sharpening” going this summer? It's not? Why not?

We all need to sharpen our skills now so our axes are ready for action in the future. You shouldn’t expect to pull out a sharp, shiny ax on stage in April or at your next show if you haven’t spent time continually sharpening your tool, would you? No sharpening = rusty tool/skill.

Don’t let this summer slip by without being involved in some ax sharpening activities. Try these tools from the shed: 

* PVIs (Private Vocal Instruction). They're available at SET!

* Attend rehearsals

* Attend SET or an Area School

* Read The PitchPipe.

* Watch and evaluate International Chorus/Quartet DVDs...what are the top choruses/quartets doing that you are not? Check out our Regional Library to borrow them.

* Listen to International Chorus/Quartet CDs. Again, check out our Regional Library or order some from SAI.

* Start the DCP program (it’s not just for directors).

* Read “Finding Your Voice”, “Art of Possibility”, “The Inner Game of Music”, and “Set Your Voice Free” online.

* Practice!

Time continues to march on.  Every day that passes without sharpening your ax is a day of potential growth and learning lost. Start sharpening your ax. Do it now!

Karen Leet
907.745.8371 / ckleet@gci.net

Education Coordinator

Patty Martin, Education CoordinatorAre you all fired up for our Summer Enrichment Program. Be sure to read my detailed article in this issue of InTune; just click here

Hope to see you at SET.

Patty Martin
360.789.1732 / pgmartin1@comcast.net

Events Coordinator

Sue Hahn, Events CoordinatorIs your chorus organizing a Young Women in Harmony Festival? Putting on a Christmas show? Undertaking a summer "vocal school" for women? Wouldn't it be great if you had help with the expenses?!?

As your Events Coordinator, I would like to share some things to think about when you are looking for an outside sponsor to fund such events. Click here to go to my expanded article on Event Sponsorships. And if you have questions or want to add to this topic, please feel free to contact me!

Sue Hahn
907. 272.4245 / sourdoughsuesb-b@alaska.com

Finance Coordinator

Janice McKenna, Finance CoordinatorI wanted to let everyone know that the regional assessments went out late this year as we did not have complete contact information from choruses. If I have inadvertently sent the invoice to the wrong individual, mea culpa. Would you please pass it on to the correct person? Thank you.

SET will soon be upon us and I am looking forward to seeing all of you in Yakima.  Debbie will be terrific and we'll all learn TONS.

Janice McKenna
206.368.5499 / brucejan@drizzle.com

Finance Coordinator

Gayle Robinson, Membership and Marketing CoordinatorHello!  As I begin my second term as the Membership and Marketing Manager for our region, I think about all of the lovely women I have had the opportunity to meet in conjunction with this position!  Truly, the women in my own chorus, of this region, and the entire SAI organization, are such a treasure in my life.

In Sweet Adelines, we often hear the phrase, “I came for the music but I’ve stayed because of the people!”  I encourage you to take a look around your own chorus and just think a moment about all that your chorus friends bring to your life!  How sad that there are so many women out there that do not have that type of loving fellowship and, in fact, may not even know about us!  For more information and ideas on how to remedy that situation, click here for some tips!

I hope to see many of you at SET this year. It’s going to be a wonderful weekend. And to those I don’t see… have a great summer!

Gayle Robinson
425.820.9825 / tomngayle@aol.com

Team Coordinator

Susan Soderberg, Team CoordinatorHow about a COOL time in August with a HOT twist? Here's your chance to get "All Fired Up" in Yakima!

Region 13's annual Summer Enrichment Time (SET), brought to you by the Education arm of the Regional Management Team, promises just that: hot sounds/air-conditioned spaces; SAI's own red hot Debbie Connolly/cool ideas; fiery performance suggestions/icy edges for Leads; warm friends/cold libations. It's all covered in this great August 4-6, 2006 program.

Your RMT will also lead "lunch & learn" sessions Saturday for general membership and special interest groups (marketing, membership,
etc.); look for options to sit with new/old friends and share concerns, information and ideas. Your input and questions are extremely
valuable as we look to the future and plan our strategy to help YOU (and your chorus) achieve YOUR goals.

Let's Sizzle and Sing!

Susan Soderberg
425.204.5252 / susanbass@speakeasy.net

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Regional Calendar

2006
AUGUST 2006
 
4-6: SET with guest faculty Debbie Connelly; Yakima, WA.
 18-19: Henrietta Lindsay Quartet Workshop; Vancouver, WA. Guest faculty: Dede Nibler. Sponsored by Region 24's Gold Country Chorus. For more information, including a flyer and a registration form, click here.

SEPTEMBER 2006
 
7-10: Anchorage Sourdough Coaching Session with Jan Gervais. For more information, contact Peggy McBride Spindle, director.
 8-10: Pacific Sound Coaching Session with Jim Arns and Renee Porzel. For more information, contact Laurie O'Brien.
 9: Eastside Area School with Kathy Carmody. For more information, contact Cris Turner.
 15-16: Region 26 Fall Workshop with guest faculty Jim Arns; Richmond, BC, Canada. For complete information, click here.
 25-26: Pacific Sound Coaching Session with Jim Arns and Renee Porzel. For more information, contact Laurie O'Brien.
 30: Pacific Sound Friends and Family Show. Come and send them off to Las Vegas, baby! Stay tuned for more information.

OCTOBER 2006
10-14: SAI International Convention
Las Vegas, NV
21: InTune Newsletter deadline for Fall issue; questions and articles should go to Nancy Gott.
27 and 28: Blue Mountain Chorus Show; Whitman College, Cordiner Hall; Walla Walla, WA.
28: Spirit of Spokane Chorus Show; Spokane, WA

NOVEMBER 2006
11-12: Anchorage Sourdough Coaching Session with Sandy Robinson. For more information, contact Peggy McBride Spindle, director.
11: Coeur d'Alene Chorus Show; North Idaho College, Schuler Auditorium. Coeur d'Alene, ID.

2007
JANUARY 2007
 19-20: Anchorage Sourdough Chorus Coaching w/Kim Hulbert; Anchorage, AK
 20: InTune Newsletter deadline for Winter issue; questions and articles should go to Nancy Gott

FEBRUARY 2007
 24: Seattle Shores Chorus Show and Dinner; Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, NE 145th Street and 20th Avenue NE, Shoreline, WA. 

MARCH 2007
 3-4: Director and Faculty Workshop with Sandie Nason, director of the Canadian Showtime Chorus. Puget Sound, WA area. 

APRIL 2007
 26-29: Region 13 Annual Convention (SAI); Spokane, WA 

MAY 2007
 3-6: Region 26 Annual Convention (SAI)
 12: InTune Newsletter deadline for Spring issue; questions and articles should go to Nancy Gott.
 17-20: Region 24 Annual Convention (SAI)

JULY 2007
 1-8: Barbershop Harmony Society International Convention (BHS); Denver, CO
 28: InTune Newsletter deadline for Summer issue; questions and articles should go to Nancy Gott.

OCTOBER 2007
 19-21:  Evergreen District Convention; Meydenbauer Convention Center, Bellevue, WA
 27: InTune Newsletter deadline for Fall issue; questions and articles should go to Nancy Gott

NOVEMBER 2007
 10: Jet Cities Chorus Show; South Seattle, WA area. Stay tuned for details!

2008
JANUARY 2008
 19: InTune Newsletter deadline for Winter issue; questions and articles should go to Nancy Gott.

APRIL 2008
 10-13: Region 26 Annual Convention (SAI)
 24-27: Region 13 Annual Convention (SAI); Location to be decided

MAY 2008
 10: InTune Newsletter deadline for Spring issue; questions and articles should go to Nancy Gott.
 15-18: Region 24 Annual Convention (SAI)

JULY 2008
 31: InTune Newsletter deadline for Summer issue; questions and articles should go to Nancy Gott.

SEPTEMBER 2008
 19-21: SET with Region 26, with guest faculty quartet Rumors; location to be announced.

OCTOBER 2008
 18: InTune Newsletter deadline for Fall issue; questions and articles should go to Nancy Gott.

NOVEMBER 2008
 4-8: SAI International Convention; Honolulu, Hawaii

2009
APRIL 2009
 2-5: Region 13 Annual Convention; TBD
 23-26: Region 26 Annual Convention; Calgary, AB

2010
APRIL 2010
 22-24: Region 13 Annual Convention; Anchorage, AK
 29-May 2: Region 24 Annual Convention

MAY 2010
13-16: Region 26 Annual Convention; Saskatoon, SK

OCTOBER 2010
 19-23: International Convention; Seattle, WA

2011
OCTOBER 2011
 18-22: International Convention; Houston, TX

2012
OCTOBER 2012
30-Nov 2: International Convention; Denver, CO

2013
NOVEMBER 2013
 5-9: International Convention; Honolulu, HI

Send Calendar info to:
Tracie Cogdill, Calendar Coordinator
PO Box 80007
Fairbanks, AK 99708tracie@mosquitonet.com
Home: 907-457-5244
Fax: 907-456-5244

More Calendar details can be found online.

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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 middsue@aol.com or 253.874.2733.

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The next issue will be distributed in the Fall; deadline is October 21, 2006. Send articles to Nancy Gott, InTune editor.

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Copyright 2006; all rights reserved.,

 
  Those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer

SET LogoIf most of you wonderful women are like me, you have not found the lazy part of summer. As for hazy, I know we all have those days. And crazy, yes!

Our lives are so busy; sometimes the only relaxation we have is our music. We are so very fortunate to belong to such a wonderful organization. We have music, dance, education, and most of all friendship. Where else can you find all of those things in one hot package? SET! Yes, Get All Fired Up for SET, August 4-6!

The planning for our Summer Enrichment Training (SET) in Yakima has been a wonderful learning opportunity. The best part is the creative teamwork. Since I am new to the Education Coordinator position, I needed to have a great hard-working team to make sure we address the educational needs of the region.

The greatest THINK TANK in our region is the Education Direction Team. Our members are Sally Wallace, Lea Beverley, Joan Levitin, Cris Turner, Dottie Dedrick, and myself, Patty Martin. This team has worked diligently on ideas for SET, faculty workshops, area schools, the TAG program, and general resources for Region 13. We meet twice a year and accomplish the details of the educational needs of the entire region.

We are so fortunate to be able to offer educational opportunities at SET this year based on our 2006 Competition Judges? comments. We, of course, are offering Private Vocal Instruction (PVIs), which will not only enhance your individual musical ability, but will add to the overall quality of your chorus. Our IES scholarship recipients will each prepare a ten-minute presentation on the new, innovative techniques they learned in the areas of visual enhancement, musical skills, and director insights for developing a terrific chorus.

SET will also offer classes that will help you understand judging. There are classes that will explain judging categories, go over your contest score sheets, help you plan for the coming year, and provide you with the opportunity to ask certified judges your difficult questions. You will be provided education on section leader training, membership and marketing, volunteerism, and barbershop resources on the internet.

Our Region 13 second place quartet, Pepper, will teach you our SET song, “You Made Me Love You” and our very own Carole Kirkpatrick will teach our class on Vocal Space. Melanie Wroe will provide Visual Team class offerings that will cover what works, creating a visual plan, and the final spark of the visual presentation (see her article below!).

Debbie Connelly, our special faculty member and a Queen of Harmony, is pleased to offer our region classes on packaging and emceeing, overcoming stage fright, encouraging quartets, and bringing your best performance on stage. In addition, Debbie will work with Region 13 quartets, Pepper and Moxie, as she demonstrates best performances, and coach our very own first place quartet, Seattle Mix and our first place chorus, Pacific Sound.

Bottom line: Don’t let the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer interrupt a tremendous learning opportunity. For more information about SET, click here.

Submitted by Patty Martin, Education Coordinator

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Choreography Workshop at SET

Once again, SET will offer some special opportunities for you to polish up your skills! This year’s guest faculty, Debbie Connelly, is a master at visual performance. Regardless of the musical focus for each class, she will provide hints on how to grab the audience and have a strong impact from the stage.  Debbie is highly energetic, so come prepared to move. Take your vitamins because she doesn’t slow down for anyone!

Two activities have been set aside just for us, so be sure to mark your calendars:

FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 1:00-5:00 PM:  CHOREOGRAPHY WORKSHOP. This year the focus will be on the development of a visual plan. We’ll start with a brief class and discussion about what kinds of moves tend to be effective for each type of song/mood/style. Then we’ll break into work groups, each led by experienced visual leaders, to develop an actual plan for the songs you bring to us. If you plan to come to this workshop, please bring an audiotape (or CD) of your chorus singing the song, along with five copies of the sheet music. And please email me to let me know you are coming.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 12:00-1:15  VISUAL LEADER LUNCH. This is our annual time to chat about what’s new and network together. Be sure to mark this luncheon on your registration. Last year, twice as many people showed up as they had planned for and we ran out of chairs! I look forward to reconnecting with each of you once again!

submitted by: Melanie Wroe, Region 13 Visual Coordinator

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Are you a "missing" CAL member?

We have learned the list of Chapter-at-Large (CAL) members in our regional database does not quite match up with the list at Sweet Adelines International. Some of you are on one list but not the other, which is a problem! We are trying very hard to get it straightened out, but in the meantime, we are asking for your help.

Please check the lists at the end of this article and follow the outlined instructions. If your name does not appear on either list, you are properly recorded with both groups! Thank you to all those CAL members who have already taken care of this!

The billing document was issued based on the information Region 13 had as of April 30, 2006; perhaps your membership status has changed since then.

Because of the glitch, we realize you may need additional time to take care of this. The following is the revised schedule for payment of the regional assessment for all Region 13 CAL members:

Chapter-at-large assessment for ALL Region 13 CAL members is $35 due on September 1, 2006. If payment is received after that deadline, a $15 late charge (for a total of $50 by October 1, 2006) will be charged. Payment covers May 1, 2006 through April 30, 2007.

Sorry to have to even think of the late charge but last year it took five mailings to get all of our CAL members caught up so that they were in good standing for our regional functions and to keep their membership current in Sweet Adelines. Membership can be cancelled if financials at all levels (chorus/CAL, regional and international) are not current.  We do not want that to happen to any of our friends in Region 13.

Please remember… the errors here may well be between headquarters, regional and/or chorus communications. No matter the reason, we need to know where you are so that you are not disadvantaged by some crazy clerical error! We are just trying to align all of our records.

LISTED WITH REGION 13 BUT NOT SAI

This means International does not consider you a member! Check directly with SAI: Connie Heyer, 800-992-7464. Additionally, let Gayle know. Or, if you have left SAI, please let Gayle know.

Linda Bergvinsson
Suzi Blattner
Cheryl Branz
Colleen Fabor
Julie Gentzler
Joan Glinn
Judy Hendershot
Dorothy Herival
Barb Keogan
Kim Kinyon
Jane Kock
Terry Kolp
Laura Lambert
Eileen Laycock
Joan Louderback
Lisa Martin
Mertha Matteson
Linda Meyer
Delores Mode
Charlene O’Connor
Jo Reierson
Lola Smith
Patty Stevens
Kyla Thompson
Catherine Tillotson
Patty Warren
Mary Wieneke
Gayle Wooster
Alice Workman
 

LISTED WITH SAI BUT NOT REGION 13

This means you have not paid your regional assessment; both international and regional must be paid to be considered a member of CAL! Contact Janice McKenna, 206-368-5499.

Esther Alward
Betty Benedict
Erin Borowski
Janet Brookman
Diane Chitty
Eva Colomb
Roberta Cooper
Anita Gohl
Judy Gregg
Frances Hall
Maxine Hamper
Diane Johnson
Kathryn Laymon
Terri Mayeur
Linda Muldowney
Dana Nunn
Patti Staffen
Debbie Stokes
Jeanie Taylor
Jerry Tiderman

ATTENTION CHORUS MEMBERSHIP CHAIRS and MANAGERS: when a chorus member finds that they must leave active participation, it is imperative that YOU supply that member with a CAL application form.  Members must apply on the written form to be transferred to CAL.  If they do not apply, their membership in SAI will be cancelled when their yearly anniversary date comes around.) If you need these forms, call SAI at 800-992-7464 or download them by clicking here.

Thanks to everyone for your help in getting this all cleared up!

submitted by Gayle Robinson, Membership & Marketing Coordinator

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Is it time to update your Chapter Standing Rules?

Please check your chorus Standing Rules for the date they were last revised. You should revise them every two years! This involves finding someone in your chorus to go over them for changes that need to be made. Then your chorus needs to approve them and they need to be sent to me for approval and signatures.

If it has been several years since you have updated your chapter's Standing Rules, please go online to the SAI website and download them, call International at 800-992-7464, or check your Chapter Guide for this document. The most current revision date is 7/02. If your copy is outdated, get a new one to help you in updating your own Standing Rules.

Once you are finished, send a copy to me. Be sure to include the signatures page. I will review them and sign and date them so you'll be good for another two years.

If you wish to reach me from October - March, please use this address: 875 Rio Virgin Dr. #106 / St. George, UT 84790. My telephone number is 435-673-6418 and email address is cjdownen@charter.net.

If you need to reach me from March - September, please use this address: 1845 Elm St. / Clarkston, WA  99403. My telephone number here is 509-751-9783 and my email address is cdownen@cableone.net.

Submitted by: Connie Downen, Region 13 By-laws & Rules Chair

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Marketing: It's not all that scary!

What if we all viewed that frightening term “MARKETING” in a different way?  Replace that scary word with the gentler verb of “SHARING”.  When a trusted friend shares information on a good movie or new detergent, you believe it and are far more likely to go to that movie or buy that new product.  Most of us are delighted when asked to SHARE a wonderful recipe. “How about that new store in the mall?” you ask a friend. Again, you are much more likely to frequent a business if someone has SHARED positive news about it. 

Our Sweet Adeline friends are those with whom we share many of our happiest moments. Sweet Adeline friends are often those that are there to share our burden and help us carry on with life’s demands and sorrows.

In other words, to market our wonderful hobby simply means to share our music and offer fellowship to our friends and family. You can even turn an acquaintance into a friend by offering to pick her up and drive her to your next chorus meeting. Share what we do and all the joys chorus life can bring.

Many of us “over 21” have been taught not to toot our own horn. Women, especially, have been cultured to not be too pushy. Well, phooey on that! We sing in an incredible organization that continually and inexpensively offers vocal education. We offer women the chance to experience the wonderful natural highs of performing. We support public and private education for today’s youth via our Young Singers Foundation and Young Women in Harmony programs, as well as through individual chorus scholarship offerings.

So rev up those vocal chords and start tooting your horn and pushing our hobby. SHARE all that we do and you will rightfully be a full-fledged member of your chorus? MARKETING TEAM. You are the key to offering this tremendous gift to those who have not yet found their home with Sweet Adelines.

submitted by Gayle Robinson, Membership and Marketing Coordinator

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Event sponsorship for your chorus

Here are some questions to consider when considering having an event sponsored by someone other than your own chorus:

1)  What’s in your “idea” for the sponsor? What do they gain from buying into your proposal? Name recognition with heightened visibility? Free publicity? Monetary gain through increased sales? Public Relations? Public Service?

2)  Is there a possible “national hook-up” to your event?

3)  Is it an event that has possibilities for local media coverage?

4)  Does the event have responsibilities that your chorus can handle personally or do you need outside assistance to make it fly?

5)  Is it an outdated concept or one that recognizes today’s life and times? An example would be a bake sale where the chorus is responsible for contributing the baked items. Unfortunately, they all work full-time and don’t choose to spend what leisure time they might have cooking!

6)  What market are you trying to reach with this event?

7)  Are you planning to add goods and services to your idea and, if so, to whom would they appeal?

8)  Are you planning to offer your idea to more than one sponsor? If so, are the sponsors compatible and would you inform them of a multiple sponsor project? Consider exclusivity when contacting sponsors.

9)  Is your chorus able to complete this event by themselves?

Again, contact me at SET or by email if you have questions. Let’s talk!

submitted by: Sue Hahn, Events Coordinator

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News from Ovation!

As Ovation takes on another year of service to our Region, we thought we’d update you on what we accomplish each year and what our plans are for the future.

Ovation, as the chorus of quartet champions, has some very seasoned and dedicated Sweet Adelines in its membership. We want to use those resources each year to support the on-going activities around quarteting and promote some new activities that help our current quartets hone their skills, as well as create opportunities for new quartets so they can perform and compete throughout the region.

Currently Ovation provides education and coaching talent to the SET weekend as faculty, PVI instructors and quartet coaches. We also host Quartet Wannabe parties throughout the year at different locations in the region. Our last party had 35 attendees who were able to mix it up and get singing! Ovation members also help the host choruses at Regional Contest by taking on hostess duties in the traffic patterns for quartet and chorus contests.  We want to be known as a presence in the Region whether we are on stage, back stage, or getting our region’s performers ready to go on stage!

In the future, we are planning to provide a place to support our Internationally-bound quartets by offering fundraising support and hosting an Ovation table where we could expand those fundraising efforts and have some fun looking back at past quartets through a history display at the table!.

The biggest event yet in our history will be in November of 2007 as we host an educational day for seasoned and beginner quartets with the International Queens, The BUZZ as our faculty! This will be in conjunction with the Jet Cities Chorus Show that will be held the same weekend.

Look for exciting opportunities to support our quartets by supporting Ovation’s efforts at each of our Regional events!

submitted by Katy Hawley, Ovation Team Leader

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Chorus and quartet chatter

Rolling Hills Chorus

What a crazy, but rewarding, ride Rolling Hills Chorus has had this past year! We lost one wonderful director, Cris Turner, and contracted another wonderful director, Lucy Heinkel; celebrated our 25th anniversary with former directors Cris Turner, Lori Lyford, Dwayne Brecto, Evelyn Weiss, and Joan Ruehlow Jones participating in our anniversary show; moved rehearsal from Tuesday to Thursday; moved to a new rehearsal venue not once, but twice (after an exhaustive search Rolling Hills is now settled into a beautiful facility: the Pasco Senior Center); participated in the TAG program with Dottie Dedrick and Sue Beck facilitating; had great coaching sessions with Mike Elliot, Unplugged's Teresa McCafferty and Anna Chamberlain and worked hard on improving vocal production and getting into character with showmanship skills!

WHEW!! It makes me tired just to think of it all! But the grand finale was winning not only 1st Place Small Chorus, but 4th Place over all and having Lucy receive the Novice Director award! Have we got a hard act to follow!

With one competition under her belt, our now not so-new director is using her experience as a former member of both our chorus and Spirit of Spokane, plus her musical degree to improve our discipline, vocal production skills and to expand our repertoire. Lucy attended IES in July as one of the recipients of a Region 13 IES Scholarship.

Rolling Hills Chorus is looking forward to the coming year with coaching from Sue Beck. We are excited about hosting the East Side Area School with Kathy Carmody on September 9th (thank you Region 13 for providing excellent educational opportunities). Also in September, we will be hosting a membership drive using the DIVA program. In December, we will take the stage for a Christmas show, ?So Much to Celebrate?! It’s gonna be great so save a spot on your calendar for the first or second week in December.

Here we go again! The quest for great barbershop harmony. Let’s ring those chords!

submitted by Julee Perry

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Pepper

It was a great day for us in July 2005 when we gathered around LouAnn’s dining room table and said, “Let’s form a quartet!” We are a tri-state (two-region) quartet, with two members in the Spokane area, one in Coeur d’Alene, and one in Helena, Montana.

On our first rehearsal weekend, we were fortunate to get some coaching from Judy Olsen and a request to headline a show. What a start!

Since then, the journey has been amazing beginning with winning the SET 2005 Novice contest--especially exciting for Debbie, our novice lead. Then, traveling over mountain passes all winter long for sporadic weekend rehearsals in various locations (we liked the one at Quinn Hot Springs!). Top it all off with second-place ribbons around our necks at the Regional contest! Words can’t describe the thrill and awe of receiving medals from a queen of harmony and other faculty members for whom we have great respect!

Our thanks to the Region 13 convention committee for putting on a great convention. And special thanks to our coaches, Mike Elliott, Ryan Heller and Carole Kirkpatrick, to our families for their loving support and sacrifice, and to the supportive members of Region 13 & Region 24. We appreciate all of you!

Pepper: LouAnn Hommel, Debbie Drake, Elizabeth Keller, Carran Kelly

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Check us out on the web:

North Pacific Region 13