   Vol. 46, Issue 4 Winner, PROBE International Bulletin Contest, 2011 and 2014

News and views from the Greater Indianapolis Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society April 2015

Our chapter mission: To enhance lives by performing with excellence and encouraging singing within our community. It doesn’t get much better than this! Cardinal to send a record 5 quartets to International

History was made on a March weekend on CCS members David Zimmerman, Theo the campus of Anderson University. As Hicks, Kyle Kitzmiller), Late Shift those ringing chords from a weekend of (78.7, CCS members Tim Martin, An- music were still echoing around Reardon drew Myer, Bob Kendall, Adam Auditorium, seven top quartets took their Winans), 7th Avenue, (77.5) and The place on stage to be honored for their Rooftops (77.3, former CCS members achievements in the quartet contests. Bryan Hughes and Chris Gregory).

Our 2015 District Senior Quartet Champions were an- Also representing our chapter and district well in the nounced first—Crosstown Sound (63.5, with CCS quartet competition were The Rush (69.8, CCS mem- members Brad McAlexander and Paul Gabriel) won bers Steve McCullough, Don Brown, Sonny Grif- the honor. Next up was Without a Doubt! (69.8, with fith, Larry Anthony) and mic-testers Rip Chord (CCS CCS member Josh Hughes and former CCS members members Phil Griggs and Kurt Vogel, and former CCS Greg Emmanuel and Steven Harris), winning the member Joe Schmidt). right to compete in the International Collegiate Quartet Circle City Sound competed in the Plateau Chorus Contest in Pittsburgh. Contest and won Plateau AAAA with a score of 81.8. And then the Cardinal District qualifiers for the Interna- To top it all off, the Greater Indianapolis Chapter was tional Quartet Contest were announced. A record five awarded 2014 Cardinal District Chapter of the Year. quartets from our district surpassed the 76.0 score re- quired to make the cut. Representing us in Pittsburgh What a weekend! It’s great to be a Cardinal District Bar- will be Forefront (89.7, former CCS members Kevin bershopper! (Pictures on page 7.) Hughes and Aaron Hughes), Instant Classic (88.0,

In This Issue

 Convention Photos

 CCS University

 2015 Annual Show Flyer

Circle City Sound, Anderson, IN, March 2015 Page 2 THE BEAT April 2015 Practical Singing Tips Second in a periodic series from A2Z Smart Music Academy

C = Communicate the Music's Message Jerry E. Troxel, Editor Member, PROBE (Public Relations Communicate the music's emotional Officers and Bulletin Editors) message. During performance it is 129 Yorkshire Blvd. E very important to communicate the Indianapolis, IN 46229 317 891-1634 [email protected] message of the song—and not any-

The BEAT is published monthly by thing else. If you make a the Greater Indianapo- “mistake” (something you didn't lis, Indiana, Chapter of the Barbershop Harmo- plan on happening) don't point it ny Society, a proud member of the Cardinal out to your audience. It is most likely they did not even notice. Sometimes, District. those moments are special in their own right.

Chapter Leadership 2015 If you can't remember whether you locked your keys in the car, don't allow President Greg Roebmke your distraction to show on your face, even if you can't keep the lack of focus

VP Chapter Development from presenting itself in your vocal tone. It is most likely your audience won't Scott Beverley notice unless you point it out to them.

VP Music & Performance Kyle Kitzmiller If you had a bad day, to be honest, the audience doesn't care, so don't share it

VP PR & Marketing with them unintentionally unless you can sincerely incorporate that message in Larry Anthony your song’s story. VP Operations Steve Cline It's true that everything you think and feel can be heard in your vocal tone, but

VP Program only you as an artist really know when your balance has been compromised— Don Brown unless you tell them. How do you tell them? Through the eyes, the face and Secretary the body. If you can get your eyes, face and body to reflect the message you Frank Bynum want the audience to receive, even on those days where your balance is far Treasurer Jerry Troxel from perfect, you can pull off a performance the audience will remember with

Board Members at Large applause, instead of concern or pity. Not to mention the fact that truly losing Jason Best, yourself in performance not only helps the audience forget about their life chal- Norman Dew, David Sanders lenges for a moment, it can do the same for you. Immediate Past President Skipp Kropp ASK YOURSELF>> Am I sincerely communicating the song's message or just Interim Director reciting the story? Am I highlighting my strengths or showcasing my challeng- Theo Hicks es? Assistant Director David Zimmerman Make SMART singing choices >> Figure out what you want the audience to Circle City Sound meets every feel as a result of your performance and command your eyes, face and body to Monday at 7:00 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church follow that path. 345 N. Kitley Indianapolis, Indiana 46219 Enjoy your voice today! April 2015 THE BEAT Page 3

Strolling down memory lane A monthly look back at our chapter’s history Calendar By Lew Gillespie, Chapter Historian of Events Five Years Ago (2010)

CCS Annual Show Several present members of CCS competed at the Cardinal District spring con- “A Night at the Movies” vention, held in Fort Wayne, Indiana on April 9-11, 2010. In the International Saturday, June 13, 7:00 p.m. Collegiate Quartet Prelims, Instant Classic was the first place winner with a The Palladium at The Center for the score of 74.3. Present members included: David Zimmerman, Theo Hicks, Performing Arts and Kyle Kitzmiller. Second place medalists were Comin’ Clean, which in- Carmel, Indiana

cluded present member Tim Martin. BHS International Chorus Contest Indianapolis chapter members who competed in other quartets included: Friday, July 3, 10:00 a.m. Consol Energy Center Heatwave, with Kyle Kitzmiller; Smilin’ Through with Jerry Troxel, Pittsburgh, Penn. Dustin Hall, John McQuistion, and Harold Mathews; Three Longs and A Harmony University Short, with Ben Geesa; 65 South, with Andrew Myer; and Forefront, with July 26—August 2 Garry Texeira. In the Chorus Finals, the South Bend-Mishawaka Valleyaires Belmont University won first place with a score of 67.2; second place went to The Kentuckians Nashville, Tenn.

from Lexington, Ky., with a score of 66.5; and third place medal was won by the Cardinal District Fall Rensselaer chapter’s Iroquois Valley Harmonizers, with a score of 62.2. Convention and Contests October 2-3 (Notes taken from the official score sheets from the contest, April 9-11, 2010). Pike Performing Arts Center Indianapolis Ten Years Ago (2005) CCS Christmas Show Saturday, December 12 The Cardinal District spring convention was held in South Bend, Indiana on April Pike Performing Arts Center 1-3, 2005, at Clay High School. Several present CCS members competed in the Indianapolis

quartet contest and were as follows: Sycamore Road, with Phil Griggs and Cardinal District Spring Bob Whitacre; Breakthrough, David Bjork, David Hiner and Brad McAl- Convention and Contests exander; The Connection, Bob Kendall; Northside Edition, Ben Geesa; March 18-19, 2016 Location TBA River City Rhythm, Carl Sipe; Expressions, Jerry Bean, Jim Pyle and Jim Sauder; Keep ‘Em Guessin’, Kurt Vogel; and Still At Large, Tom Da- vis, Don Brown, Duane Henry, and David Coleman. For detailed information on all chapter performances check The Senior District Quartet Champion was River City Rhythm from Fort your Yahoo! Group emails Wayne, Indiana. In the Chorus Division, Plateau A winners were Sons of Dixie or go to: www.circlecitysound.org from Northern Kentucky; Plateau AA winners were The Cavemen from Mam- and visit the moth Cave, Kentucky; and the Plateau AAA winners were The Masters of Har- Members Only section mony from Valparaiso, Indiana. In the International Quartet Preliminaries, the gold medal went to Keep ‘Em Guessin’ with a score of 77.3 from Indy/Terre The deadline for the May issue Haute, while second place went to X4, with a score of 74.5 from Louisville; and of The BEAT is third place medalists were Afterthought with a score of 73.5 from Terre Wednesday, April 29. Send articles to: Haute. (Material taken from In-Ky Notes, Vol. 54. No 2, May 2005, Frank Ri- [email protected] doux, Editor).

Page 4 THE BEAT April 2015

On the road with Circle City Sound Pittsburgh Preview 4 by Greg Roembke, Chapter President

At the recent Cardinal District Convention, we picked up hot dogs to a few more passengers on the road to Pittsburgh. The cheese curds and small but mighty Cardinal District qualified FIVE quartets a smashed meat- to compete in this year’s International with two of them ball sandwich. coming from our own chapter. Instant Classic and Your choice of Late Shift will be competing for the gold, and we’ll be condiments will be there to cheer them on. We will also be rooting for limited to Heinz Without a Doubt! as they pursue collegiate gold. products since they call Pitts- The Consol Energy Center burgh home.

Strangely enough, the Consol Center is one of the very few major arenas that does not serve Coke or Pepsi products. Your choices will be Dr. Pepper, RC Cola and Sunkist Orange to name a few. If you are one of those people who must have your Coke or Pepsi, you’d better load up before heading into the arena.

There appear to be a number of restaurants and bars located near the Center that will allow us a break from the arena fare while staying close to the action.

How to get there There are going to be shuttle buses circulating between And speaking of singing, this year’s competition will be the convention hotels and the Consol Center. The times held in the Consol Energy Center. Opened in the fall of and locations of those should be available once we ar- 2010, the multi-purpose arena is home to the NHL Pitts- rive in Pittsburgh. According to the map, it is approxi- burgh Penguins. The very first event was a concert by mately one mile from our hotel, the Westin, to the Cen- Sir Paul McCartney on August 10, 2010. It takes its ter. Of course, as we’ve learned in the past, that one name from Consol Energy, the biggest producer of bitu- mile may get us to the Center, but, depending on what minous coal in the country. The arena seats approxi- doors are being utilized, it could be a little longer or mately 18,000 for hockey, but we will be performing to a shorter. smaller crowd using a similar arrangement to other are- nas that the International has recently visited. Janie and I will be in Pittsburgh over Easter, and we plan on doing some walking around. Once we return, we Since many of us will be spending a lot of time there may be able to provide a little more accurate information during our visit, it is interesting to note that the venue is on this. known for its wide variety of food choices. While we won’t really know what will be available during our visit, (Continued on page 5) the list includes everything from the standard burger and April 2015 THE BEAT Page 5

Road (Continued from page 4) • You membership dues must be paid and in force through the convention. Please refer to your member- ship card or the information listed on our website under And the List “My Pittsburgh Readiness Status.” By the time that you read this, the window for making • Failure to be in compliance with the last two items your convention hotel arrangements will be closed so could result in the chorus being disqualified, and I don’t hopefully you have taken care of that piece of business. think that you want to be the person that causes that! Thanks to Jerry Troxel for being diligent in making sure everyone knows what is needed and when. Our The most important thing in all of this and anything re- collective status is shown below. lated to Pittsburgh is that if you have questions or don’t understand the procedure, ask someone for help. We • Financial Aid Applications are due by April 30. If you want this to be an enjoyable and stress-free trip for eve- feel that you might need some help in getting to Pitts- ryone, so let’s get the details out of the way now. burgh, please check out the form located in the Docu- ments section of our web site. That’s it for this issue of “On the Road with Circle City Sound.” Next time we’ll look at some of the “non- • You must have a full convention registration in order singing” things to do in Pittsburgh. to compete with the chorus at International. The dead- line we have set for this is June 1st.

“Music acts like a magic key, to which the most tightly closed heart opens.” ― Maria Augusta von Trapp Page 6 THE BEAT April 2015 The change of seasons by Larry Anthony, VP PR and Marketing

We are now in the change from win- fully concentrate on the annual show ter to spring. We are moving into the and Pittsburgh. As we were building colorful and fresh time of the year, for Anderson, we were also learning and it’s about time. I think we are all songs for the annual show. During the ready for the change. In Circle City rehearsal on March 23, I commented Sound, we have ended the season of during the business meeting that it getting ready and performing in the was not too early to look at all of the Cardinal District Spring Convention aspects of the annual show. Now we and are now getting ready for the can more fully get our ticket sales go- next season or series of events. ing and planning for increased ad sales. I must pause here to congratulate everyone in CCS for the work that each of you did to make our performance There have been times in the past when CCS totally con- in Anderson a success. A special congratulations to eve- centrated on one season at a time. We worked on a ryone who performed in a quartet during the contest contest package, then when that was over we worked portion of the convention. Your hard work on top of the and worked to get the next season (annual show) ready work required to be on stage with CCS definitely paid by show time. As of late, CCS has proven that we are off. As I am sure most are aware by now, we had two capable of doing more than one thing at once and that chapter quartets qualify to compete in the 2015 Interna- we can learn songs quickly. We have to commend our tional Quartet competition, a quartet containing a CCS music leadership for providing a plan that allows us to member that qualified to compete in the college interna- build on more than one priority at a time and reduce the tional quartet competition, a quartet with two CCS mem- impact of the change in seasons. bers who won the Cardinal District Senior Quartet com- It is true, we do have a change in seasons but we are petition, and another CCS quartet that competed in the multitasking and preparing for future seasons simultane- quartet prelims and finals and not only improved scores ously. Doesn’t that feel better? While we can enjoy the but also standing. CCS was definitely well-represented in seasonal changes from one area of concentration to the that convention. And being named the Cardinal District next, we don’t have to stress as the change takes place. Chapter of the Year was an outstanding achievement. So our flower continues to grow and push for that beau- Now back to this month’s topic. Do we have a change of tiful bloom that we can see in the future. Do those of season? The spring convention is in our rear view mirror, you who were at the chorus evaluations in Anderson and we are now gearing up for the next season—our remember the comments by several judges concerning annual show and the Pittsburgh international competi- where we are headed? It is not a question of “if” but tion. The CCS approach is that we are continually im- only of “when.” proving. Each change in events does not change our Is our change of seasons really about a change in per- approach. We are continually striving to become the formance venue (i.e.: district convention, annual show, best we can be. The CCS approach can be compared to international convention) or is it a change in season con- a flower that is growing from day to day. We have not cerning our growth? I prefer to believe the latter. While totally blossomed into the flower we will eventually be, we are proud of our growth, we are also proud of what but we continue to grow. we can be. Let’s do it. Let’s prove that we want to be Our seasonal change is merely a change in concentra- the best we can be. Let’s fill the Palladium and let every- tion. With the spring convention behind us, we can more one see who and where we are! Go CCS! April 2015 THE BEAT Page 7

Spring Contest—Photos submitted by Kevin Hughes, Josh Hughes, Steve McCullough, Brad McAlexander, & Theo Hicks.

FOREFRONT INSTANT CLASSIC

LATE SHIFT 7TH AVENUE

THE ROOFTOPS WITHOUT A DOUBT!

CROSSTOWN SOUND THE RUSH Page 8 THE BEAT April 2015 Where do you want to go? By Greg Roembke, Chapter President

One of my favorite sayings is “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.” This of course implies that, without some sort of destination in mind, you don’t really need a plan to get there.

The really good news is that we have that destination and the plan to get there. The destination is to sing in our most beautiful voice all the time and always put our heart into our music. And the plan to get us there is CCS University.

For over a year, we have been the benefactors of teach- ing by some of the most talented people in our Society as our very own Music Team has developed and deliv- ered the lessons of CCS U. We are learning lessons that make us better. At a minimum, we owe it to them to will benefit us in everything we sing, not just a “quick pay attention to what they are saying as their only real fix” to get us through the next contest or show. This is goal is make us all better. a long term commitment now and for the future. The results have been obvious to anyone who has heard us So, you knew at some point I was going to ask you to perform lately, as the feedback from our audiences has do something, and here it is. Join us on our journey to been positive and enthusiastic. our destination. Pay attention to the lessons of CCS U that are being provided by our talented Professors. Do The time that we spent with the judges during the Dis- your “homework” and come to our rehearsals prepared trict Contest reinforced the fact that we have started and ready to go. Be respectful of those who are sharing down the right path toward our destination. They were information and skills by paying attention. Be open to generous in their praise of what we are doing, and con- suggestions that are offered. Offer to do more than just firmed that the lessons of CCS U have and will continue be there on Monday. And be enthusiastic and positive to serve us well. They also reminded us of something about what we are doing, because we are heading in else—the talented people that we have as Professors of the right direction CCS University.

This is an exciting time to be a member of CCS and We are fortunate that one of the top quartets in the each new success leaves us wanting more. We don’t world stands before us every week sharing their passion really know what our final destination will be yet, but and knowledge. Instant Classic is respected through- wherever that is should be exciting. There is plenty out the Society, and we have the opportunity to learn room for everyone as we head down the road, so please from them every week. They have “been there and join us has we continue our journey. done that” and spend so much of their time working to Recent Guests Josh Whitlow (guest of Tim Martin), Ryan Wolf (Kevin Kellogg), Josh Hamilton (Jeff Boyd), R B Kuhn (Jason Spires), Dave Walker (was a previous member from the 1970s), Jake Hughes (Josh Hughes), and Tyree Hill (Dave Sanders). April 2015 THE BEAT Page 9 Hotel California By Tim Dalton, CCS Member

I was helping a friend help his Been there, done that. Anyway, roommate get his car out of the we connected and I told them compound after getting arrested some of my own story. Surprising- for DUI. This young man (in his ly with all this life turmoil and dif- thirties) just spent three days in fering backgrounds they listened. jail because the system is set up Which always amazes me when it such that it is very hard to get happens. someone out. It basically is a money maker for many people. So what does this have to do with The longer you stay, the more our chorus and what we are trying money everyone makes. My fa- to do? vorite reference is from the Ea- Well, what I see when I go to gles’ “Hotel California”: "You can chorus rehearsal is a vast amount check in but you can never of experience and life stories. We leave." are so focused on rehearsing and So to thank us for our efforts, this young man took us performing that this knowledge transfer to one another out for some fast food. We were sitting around the table does not easily happen. I see some of it happen at the listening to his long list of stories from his short incarcer- District competitions. I know it happens at Harmony Uni- ation. It was quite unnerving to say the least. versity. It can happen with this newsletter. But it can and should happen more. The conversation eventually turned to relationships. The more knowledge experience transferred by all, the This young man was at a crossroads in his life. I sug- more relationships are formed and goodwill achieved. gested that he somehow rise above all this negativity People want and need to express themselves but are and move forward, accept responsibility and move on. usually insecure about doing so in a public forum and with people they do not know. Everyone has their com- We talked about his wife and kids whom he is separated fort levels, insecurities, individual personalities, personal from. They are living in Sweden of all places. His wife is agendas, time constraints, bandwidth. All these factors a Swedish citizen with whom he has two children. He is affect the relationship-forming process. still married to her but it is a long distance from Indian- apolis. But that is only the beginning in these choruses. There are a lot of jobs to be filled and duties that need some- After listening to his story, I got the impression that one attending to. There are many opportunities to form nothing was really wrong. My take is he never felt com- relationships and hopefully tell some stories. fortable being an American in Sweden where everyone speaks 4 or 5 languages and English was fifth on the list. I am a guy who can walk into any situation and start He was dealing with a lot of self-esteem issues which acting like I have been there forever (from being a mili- began affecting his relationship. I felt like he still loved tary brat). This skill also serves me well as a consultant. his family, but things like respect, love, honesty and self- What I lack is the ability and comfort level to form those esteem got trampled. close relationships. I usually will befriend one person (poor guy or gal) in a given situation. This is why the I told him relationships are all about energy. You need buddy system is so important for the new guys. That to make sure you are not taking all that person’s emo- person needs to feel wanted every time he walks tional energy and that you are giving some even though through the door. Not by everyone, but by at least one you may have very little to give. If not, things just crash person. and the other party can act crazy and irrational. (Continued on page 10) Page 10 THE BEAT April 2015 Chapter of the Year—where do we go from here? by Scott “Frosty” Beverley, VP Membership/Chapter Development

Now that we have been named 2014 trict. By this connection it is our joy- Chapter of the Year, we just kick back ful obligation to both give and receive and relax, right? Wrong. We have the gift of music while in Pittsburgh. only just begun to be the best and We will give the gift of music to our strongest chapter in the district and International audience by putting our one of strongest chapters in the Bar- best chords forward during our 10 bershop Harmony Society. Having minutes in the spotlight. We will re- greater numbers on our risers will not ceive the gift of music by supporting only improve our performance but will our record-setting five quartets and give us a greater impact in our district collegiate quartet who will also repre- and the community in which we live sent the mighty Cardinal District on and seek to empower through song. As Greg Roembke the International stage. pointed out when we were on stage Saturday night at From the membership end there is one key component convention, we have the opportunity and resources to of our International readiness that we must be mindful help any chapter in the district, so let’s all feel empow- of and that is to make sure that our dues are paid up ered through increased membership and brotherhood to through International. If you have any questions con- do so. cerning your membership please feel free to contact me. One way that our membership will be supporting the With spring now upon us, it is the ideal time to bring Cardinal District is by hosting the district convention this some new life to our chapter and our district! One of the October. As we have just finished with the spring con- ways that we have already done that was through our vention, it is the ideal time to start thinking about ways Guest Night on March 23 when we welcomed 11 guests, that you can help out in the fall. five of whom were visiting us for the first time. Make As I discussed in last month’s article, when they an- sure to help our guests smell the roses of CCS next time nounce us in Pittsburgh they will say “representing the they visit us by introducing yourself and making them Cardinal District” and as the Chapter of the Year this feel welcome. Also, make sure to adopt our newest means more than just the fact that we all live in either member Steve Warner, who is joining us as a dual Indiana or Kentucky. It connects us with our brothers on member with the Columbus-Greenwood chapter, into the risers, via the webcast, and back home in our dis- the brotherhood of Circle City Sound.

California (Continued from page 9) I have recently moved to Bloomington, Illinois, for a new consulting contract and have joined the Bloomington Since I walked into this chorus acting like I had been chorus. I plan on keeping a dual membership with both here for 20 years, I was not assigned a buddy and have choruses. I just have not had a chance to figure it all out not really formed any close relationships (but that is on yet. But who wants to leave one of the best choruses in me). I basically live in another state and work here. But the nation (world) with the best talent, best music direc- I do feel close to all of you after these two years of sing- tors, best quartets, best leaders, etc.? ing. There is no way anyone who has spent two years with you guys will not feel your hospitality. You keep So, it’s back to relationship-building for me. I sum it all trying to pull me into the fold, have me step up for up as follows—relationships (whether marriage or bar- something, anything. I have dodged most of those op- bershop choruses) are like the Hotel California. You can portunities mainly because of my job flux situation (at check in but you can never leave. least I keep using that excuse). April 2015 THE BEAT Page 11

The Songs We Sing: “The Trolley Song” from Wikipedia

"The Trolley Song" is a song written by and and made famous by Garland in the 1944 film Meet Me in St. Louis. In a 1989 NPR interview, Blane said the song was inspired by a picture of a trolley car in a turn-of- the-century newspaper. In 1974 he had said that the picture was in a book he found at the Beverly Hills Public Library and was captioned “Clang, Clang, Clang, Went the Trolley.”

The song was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Origi- nal Song at the 1945 Academy Awards but lost to “” from Going My Way. “The Trolley Song” was ranked #26 by the American Film Institute in 2004 on the “100 Years, 100 Songs” list. When the song was recorded on the set of Meet Me in St Louis, it was done in a single take.

April Birthdays

Chapter statistics as of April 1, 2015 4/1 Steve Erdosy 4/16 Josh Hughes

4/3 Kevin Kellogg 4/16 Jeff Spires Chapter members: 108 4/5 Tom Bradley 4/17 David Zimmerman Average member age: 56 4/8 Steve King 4/18 Frosty Beverley Average years of service: 20 4/9 Greg Roembke 4/19 Dave Bjork 4/12 Dave Cala 4/26 Eric Turpen Number of active chorus members: 70 (65%) 4/13 Larry Anthony

Secure the future of Barbershop harmony through

your generous gifts to the Harmony Foundation. Pro- vide additional support to your chapter and district www.harmonyfoundation.org with the Donor’s Choice option. Page 12 THE BEAT April 2015 April 2015 THE BEAT Page 13