Jus' Like That

VOLUME 5- MARCH 2016 ISSUE 04

Jus’ like that...

The Kentones during a coaching weekend, as they start their preparations for this year’s BABS Convention in Harrogate. More inside.

Vol. 5 Iss. 4 Page 1 The Kentonian

Acafellas at Chelsfield Methodist Church Acafellas 31st January Acafellas were once again asked to join a Songs of Praise Acafellas at Beckenham Probus Oakley House Service at the start of another new year with the congregation 1st December of Chelsfield Methodist Church. Probus clubs are apolitical and non-religious organisations This service is part of the whose purpose is to provide regular meetings for retired profes- active liaison between the sional and business men who would value increased social con- church and the various tacts and the opportunity for meeting others in similar circum- communities and organi- stances. Acafellas were invited to sing to the Beckenham Pro- sations that meet there bus group after their Christmas lunch at Oakley House. during the course of the One of the chorus, short on numbers, had been unexpectedly week, not least BBHC delayed and our usual compère, David T, had gone sick - and who regularly hold Aca- the lunch was running ahead of schedule. It was going to be one fellas practices there. At of those afternoons. a time when local authori- Fortunately our very own getaway driver, Brian da Wheels-Fish ties continue to reduce the number of community meeting plac- came, or rather went, storming to the rescue and shortly reap- es available to clubs and adult education classes, this is indeed peared with said delayed member – only a few minutes into the a gem of a venue, not only as somewhere to hold singing prac- performance! tices, but where we are welcomed by the congregation. Frank Taylor was MD for this occasion. With professional Colin Couves ably directed Acafellas as they sang a number of songs from their repertoire, interspersed with hymns and readings by the congregation. The service was led by the Rev. Da- vid Gillman, who deftly linked Aca- fellas’ eclectic choice of hymns and songs with the prayers and readings into a unified whole - a consummate compère. David, if our David T ever hangs up his aplomb he carried on smiling, seemingly unperturbed, got on microphone (!) the job’s yours. Members of the congregation with the job and successfully guided us through our perfor- complimented Acafellas during refreshments after the service: mance, which was greeted with appreciation by the audience. we look forward to a continuing association with the church. Chris Garrard also stepped in at the last minute as compère and Colin Barnes, Ed improvised bravely to keep the show moving along without even a song-list. Acafellas at Chislehurst Village Hall for Rotary Thanks to Frank and Chris for their cool and for keeping things Club, 9th January on track to provide an enjoyable performance. Thanks also to Each year the Rotary Club of Chislehurst raises funds through a Beckenham Probus for the refreshments they kindly provided. variety of activities and events. These help them support local, Colin Barnes, Ed. national and international good causes. They try and give as much 'hands-on' help as they can locally, and some funds are used to run local activities for certain sectors of the community. In particular, they hold a New Year party for senior citizens from Chislehurst. Acafellas at Biggin Hill Community Care This was one such “Rotalink” party organised by the Chislehurst Association Christmas Lunch 4th January club for elderly people living alone in the area. Biggin Hill Community Care Association was formed in 1985 to help bring together all those who work in the community and those who help in a voluntary capacity as carers and volunteers. A Day Centre is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays and other clubs and activities are held, mainly for retired people. Acafellas were invited back to sing at their Christmas lunch, as they had in previous years.

Host Janet Boylan introduces Acafellas with MD Colin Couves

Acafellas sang to the guests after their meal. Colin Couves ably directed the singing, while David Tindall compèred and provided his usual erudite introductions and links to the various songs. Our host, Janet Boylan, said of us “You were a great success and our guests thoroughly enjoyed hearing you.” This was a new event for Acafellas, and we have been invited The singout was ably directed by Colin Couves and compèred by back. Well done and thanks to all members for making this such a David Tindall to the enjoyment of all. Thanks to all at the Com- success. munity Centre for their welcome and refreshments. Colin Barnes, Ed. Colin Barnes, Ed.

The Kentonian Page 2 Vol. 5 Iss. 4 Acafellas at PSP Support Group, Polhill Garden Centre Editorial Wednesday 20th January It was with open arms that we welcomed your singout group to “Jus’ like that?” The Kentones’ preparations for this our support meeting on Wednesday 20th February. Chris, one year’s BABs Convention began in earnest with the of our new members, who first coaching weekend held at Eltham College in sings with the Kentones, has recently been diagnosed February, of which more in Simon’s article. But this with PSP (Progressive Su- was not really the start. pranuclear Palsy), a progres- The start goes back over the winter months as we sive neurological condition have learnt the songs and endeavoured to develop for which there is no cure. our vocal technique in the many hours spent on the Our group meets at Polhill Garden Centre every other risers on Thursday evenings and at the Personal Vo- month to provide much cal Instruction (PVI) sessions with Peter and Ryan. needed support, advice and Of course there were also a few Singouts and own information for people liv- practice at home. But there is more, much more, still ing with the illness and an- to do. other related condition called CBD (Corticobasal This is probably the essence of this quarter’s issue: Degeneration). The group not a lot happening on the surface, but plenty going provides the opportunity to on behind the scenes as we and our various teams meet up with others in simi- prepare for the coming year, which promises to be lar circumstances over tea Sarah Marshall, PSPA, with both challenging and exciting. Of which more in the and biscuits; so that together John Sollitt they do not have to face the Music Team News and Chairman’s Corner. Suffice future alone. to say that, with Top Choir of Kent, Convention, Living with PSP/ CBD can make your world very isolated and, Leeds Castle, the Croydon Music Festival and The for many, getting to our group, in itself, can be very demanding Show to come, there will be some huge opportunities so having you along to entertain us was a real heart warming, to display your creative writing and journalistic skills toe tapping, joyous treat. We sang along, clapped and shared in your infectious enjoyment. Thank you. – please don’t hold back! An added bonus to the morning was that we were able to send Also in this issue: News from our Supporters’ Club our fundraising boxes around the garden centre café, and we and their promise of gastronomic delights to come; raised a remarkable £150.00 that we will send to the PSP Asso- an update on some of our charity fund raising; an ciation (PSPA), our UK based charity. The PSPA provides a introduction to two new members; reminiscences of national helpline, six regionally based specialist care advisors visits to US barbershop conventions; and some riser and runs educational events aimed at raising the profile of the tips. Hope you enjoy reading it. condition amongst health and social care professionals, many of whom have never heard of the condition before. The associ- Oh, and I know the Convention Dress code has not ation also helps fund research. We receive no Government been announced yet, but how about a red fez? (One funding and rely solely on donations to fund our work. for the Tommy Cooper / Dr Who fans.)

Sarah Marshall, PSPA Support Group, Orpington Colin Barnes (Ed)

Vol. 5 Iss. 4 Page 3 The Kentonian

It was a fun event enjoyed by customers and our Supporters The Kentones alike, although the singing quality had possibly slipped a notch by the end of the evening, mainly due to the rather hot, dry at- mosphere and crowded space(!). The Kentones at Eltham Warren Many thanks to our Supporters’ Club for organising the collec- 29th November tion and to all who contributed to it. To quote our treasurer, Dear chaps, Les, “What a surprise! I opened the collection bucket this A big thank you to those who came out on a windy Sunday morning and, Lo and Behold, the contents totalled the grand afternoon to sing at the Eltham Warren Golf Club. This was sum of £72.00. I think the collection fairy must have visited us during the night.” I dread to think what he tells our auditor. Colin Barnes, Ed

Kentones Christmas Singout at intu Bromley 20th December in support of the Chartwell Cancer Trust (CCT) Once again the Kentones were invited to sing at intu Bromley in support of their nominated charity, the CCT. The day started as we gathered over the course of a superb Sunday breakfast at Café Giardino—and just went on getting better. It was not long before we were changed, and gathered in the concourse with the muzak silenced. We possibly attracted a few puzzled, even worried, looks as thirty-one guys each dressed as if for a Christmas stag-night, started to warm up with lip trills A small chorus from The Kentones under the direction of their and choruses of meany-meany-meany, ming-ming-ming... MD,Peter Kennedy, at Eltham Warren Golf Club one of the best singouts (if not the best) I've heard with a small group ( twenty eight). The audience of around sixty in the club- house warmed quickly to our performance, and by the end we had calls for an encore and several standing ovations! It brought back memories of other fun singouts, and reminded me why we do this and of the entertainment we can deliver. I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I. We collected for our charity and sold a number of CDs. I'm sure Brian will let us know how much it came to one Thursday. Lastly the club Chairman said "what superb entertainment " and will propose to their committee that they book us for a yearly Peter Kennedy directing the Kentones at intu Bromley paid gig. Great fun, great singing and great friends. Perfect afternoon. However any doubtful looks soon disappeared as Peter Kenne- Kindest regards. dy led us through our songs to loud applause over the course of John (DT) the next two hours. One lady even asked, during one of our intervals, when the next session was to start so she could be The Kentones at the Whyte Lyon 17th December back in time and not miss it! Meanwhile mem- The Kentones made their annual Christmas club-night pilgrim- bers of the CCT age to the hostelry down the road to sing songs from their rep- and our Support- ertoire, plus a few festive songs with customers and Supporters, ers were circulat- all ably directed by MD Peter Kennedy, in aid of their nominat- ing with collection ed charity, the Chartwell Cancer Trust. buckets, managing to collect some £850. A very successful day. Many thanks to all who contrib- CCT Trustee Michael Douglas and grand- uted to make it sons helping with the collection such a success. Let’s get together and do it again. Colin Barnes, Ed.

Sing-a-long time with the Kentones at the Whyte Lyon— MD Peter Kennedy conducting the audience

The Kentonian Page 4 Vol. 5 Iss. 4 Charity News

The following article appeared in The Chartwell and King’s “FUNdraising” Magazine (Issue 10, 2016):

Kentones in harmony for the CCT once more Back in November, David Tindall, a senior member of the Kentones, (Bromley Barbershop Harmony Club), got in touch to share the good news that the club had nominated us once again as their Charity of the Year. They also collected on our behalf at their annual Christmas Performance at intu Bromley (formerly the Glades), on Sun- day 20th December. David initiated our friendship with the Kentones as a result of his late wife Pam’s treatment at the Chartwell Unit. Pam had been a loyal and enthusiastic supporter of the Kentones, whose previous contributions have come from last Christ- mas’ [2014,Ed] intu Bromley event and July’s Classical Concert at Leeds Castle. The event [Christmas 2015,Ed] was a fantastic success and £850 was raised. Trustee Michael Douglas attended the performance with his grandsons, Herbie Douglas Johnson and Alfie Brown, to help with the bucket collections and he reported that the performance was a delight and joy to listen to. Thank you to the Kentones for their continued support. Below: Members of the Kentones (Bromley Barbershop Harmony Club).

Movember 2015 A big thank you to everyone that took part and donated to the Kentones Movember 2015 event. As a team we raised a total of £751 - a great result. 7 BABS choruses support Movember in 2015 and raised just under 7 thousand pounds. Although less than last year from us and the rest of BABS this is still a great achievement and will really help the Movember foundation in their support of men’s health issues such as mental health, prostate cancer and testicular cancer and physical inactivity. See the Movember website for more details http:// uk.movember.com. I'll be taking over the running of the BABS Movember campaigns in 2016 so watch this space for further communications for future BABS Movember support. Thanks again all! Roger

Vol. 5 Iss. 4 Page 5 The Kentonian

Kentones Coaching Weekend 27-28th February, Eltham College Day One: We all arrived suitably refreshed and raring to go (we hoped). The riser team were diligently performing the magic that makes the risers appear out of nowhere - and in a different location from normal! Warm-up included us eventually working out what Ryan Jen- sen wanted us to do (without him giving us any verbal instruc- tions) and Peter Kennedy trying desperately to get the Duke of York's men to decide whether they were going up or down the hill (or neither). At one point there was a feeling that the warm- up might last until lunch (with Tim Priddin no doubt mourning the loss of his schedule so early in the day). Movement? - we’re outta here! We sang Can't Buy Me Love for guest coach Dale Kynaston, and he seemed suitably im- and that does sometimes mean some movement. Jo had the pressed with the progress of the plan all mapped out and patiently took us through it, demon- chorus compared to his last hear- strating what it should look like. Jo and PK started to look like ing, and said some very compli- some kind of variety double act, dancing around in front of us. mentary things. Then came the From what I know of Barberfellas, plus the couple of questions bad salad (sad ballad). After asked by Simon, I got the feeling they were much more used to singing It's Impossible, Dale was a bit of choreography than the Kentones! However, we got into glad that we'd given him some- the spirit and managed to make it through the song a few times thing to work on over the week- with most of the right movements in many of the right places. end... Thoughtfully, the sequence was filmed so we could all look Then followed much singing of back at our efforts (thanks Hsien from Barberfellas, I think...). It's Impossible, a new stack and Although tired by the end, we had learned a lot and made sig- a lot of tweaking and learning how to make the song sound its best. Peter was learning different ways of directing it too! We were joined for this escapade by 3 members of Barberfellas (4 on the Sunday), who we'd met at the BABS Quartet Exploration Day and had also been learning the 2 convention songs. They seemed to enjoy singing with us Dale Kynaston and we were glad to have them add their voices to the chorus. Hopefully they will join us and sing at Convention. No, no, no - no more! By the end of Day One, It's Impossible sounded completely different (in a good way)! Dale had transformed it into some- nificant strides, not just towards making the Convention songs thing much more worthy of a Convention stage. sound their best, but towards becoming a better chorus as a Day Two: whole. We started with a recap of It's Impossible, with Dale building on what had been accomplished the previous day. After a slightly shaky start, we collectively recalled how to create that magic. Dale had to leave just before lunch, but left us in the capable hands of Jo Braham. We moved onto Can't Buy Me Love and (gasp) movement! Although we tweaked the song a bit, the focus of much of the afternoon was on how we might enhance the overall spectacle, by moving - hopefully with the Peter and Ryan in deep thought - and some joker? right movements at the right places in the song, with all of us Many thanks to the hard work from Dale, Jo, Peter, Ryan and moving at the same time. all the others who made the weekend the success that it was. We are not synchronised danc- Simon Bird ers but we are Barbershoppers, Jo Braham

The Kentonian Page 6 Vol. 5 Iss. 4 Club News BABS Long Service Awards, Club Night New Members - 10th March Alan Chick and Len Torode There were three presentations for long service to be presented Alan and Len successfully completed the Kentones 6 week th this evening. LTS Course on 12 . November and subsequently applied to th When such milestones are achieved, the recipient has three join the Chorus on 14 November. Both Alan and Len have choices as to where they are to be received: at Convention, by now passed their auditions with Peter Kennedy, and finally th post or in the company of their club colleagues. We were de- obtained full BABS Membership on 4 .February. lighted that they chose the latter option, to share the honour with us. On behalf of BABS and the Kentones, we offer our gratitude for their many years contributed to the promotion of our craft. It was my pleasure and honour to award Barrie Newman and Chris Sydee their 25 year BABS medals. It was then a special honour to make the third presentation to Jack Willoughby, who has achieved “Ruby” status with just a modest 40 year commitment!

Len Torode receives his BABS Membership Certificate from Peter with Terry and John

Alan Chick receives his BABS Membership Certificate from Peter with Terry and John Jack Willoughby (rt.) receives his 40 BABS medal Well done, Alan and Len. As is customary on such occasions, the recipients’ families and Terry Cooke, Membership Secretary

Introducing Ourselves

Len Torode – new member February 2016

Len is a retired secondary school headteacher who enjoys singing, bowling, gardening, philosophy and studying French. BABS medal recipients Barrie Newman, Jack Willoughby and At the moment he is a Chris Sydee flanked by John Sollitt and Peter Kennedy County Short Mat Bowls player for “London” and a friends were welcomed at the event and shared their moment. member of the “Shirley Singers” who give two con- John Sollitt, Chairman certs a year. He took up Barbershop singing with the Kentones through the Learn to Sing Course and is thoroughly enjoying the experience. He and his wife Lucy have three children and five grandchil- dren, with whom they spend a considerable amount of time.

Leonard Torode

Vol. 5 Iss. 4 Page 7 The Kentonian

Introducing Ourselves der rolling should be sufficient, with deep breathing while con- centrating on the diaphragm is a good idea. Posture is important Alan Chick – new member February 2016 as, for example, a slouched position is reflected in the sound produced and will result in the pitch going flat and into a dull My son, Roger, encouraged me tone, while an upright, smiling and positive posture will have to join the Kentones. I was the opposite effect. very reluctant at first, mainly Musical readiness involves the ears. Listening to notes and through nerves. However, 'getting tuned up' much the same as an orchestra does before meeting up regularly with such playing. Simply practising pitching a note, singing a few scales a friendly group of men every (nothing too complicated) and then a few bars of a familiar Thursday, initially through the piece, perhaps the first item in the programme, is recommended. Learn to Sing Course, gives me Don't worry about dynamics or interpretation. Whatever it is, it confidence and continues to needs to be lively and loud. Sing once loud, then soft and then teach me to sing. Now I look loud again. forward to our Thursday meet- The warm-up should not last more than ten minutes and should ings. end immediately before the performance - no 'dead' time in be- Thanks to everyone for helping and encouraging me. tween. It is not a time to correct mistakes - too late for that. It

should increase in intensity, starting slowly and building up to Alan Chick the opening number, which should always grab the attention of the audience. Encourage the choristers to treat the opening number of a rehearsal as a concert piece. Finally, it is important you prepare the warm - up, know in ad- The Warm-up vance what you are going to do and do not let the choristers I came across this article when I was looking through my me- think you are making it up as you go along. This will help to ticulously kept Barbershop file (a cardboard box in the loft). I keep discipline and achieve the object of the exercise.” don't remember reading it before and have never heard of the author, but I thought it might be of some interest to members, The reproduction of this piece is not intended for our existing and who knows, improve one’s singing. excellent 'warmer - uppers' but to give Club members a better The Warm-Up, by David Heasman understanding of what warm - ups are supposed to be about. “The purpose of the warm-up is to get the choristers in the Frank Taylor right shape to sing before the concert or rehearsal. As with any kind of performance it is necessary to warm up in order to get the best results. Whether it be for a race, a match or a concert, athletes and singers need a similar approach. Thoughts For The Day Unless the chorus members are willing to apply themselves in  If Dracula has no reflection, how come his hair parting productive exercises their full potential will never be reached. is always so straight? To achieve effective results, singers must understand the pur-  Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called pose of the exercises and approach them with seriousness. Making light of them by any individual or group will minimise "rush hour”? the benefit for the whole group.  What happens if you get scared half to death twice? The following is a guide for anyone leading the warm-up, but  Why, when you are flying off to your next holiday spot, there is no reason why it cannot be practised by individual is there (on some planes) frosted glass fitted on the win- choristers while waiting. dow in the toilet?? There are three principal areas that should be addressed: Bob G. a) Mental readiness b) Musical readiness c) Physical readiness Mental readiness requires the choristers to shut out all other matters from their minds. Work, personal relationships, money, football. sex, beer or anything not related to the matter in hand, i.e. the performance/rehearsal, needs to be put aside. A very short chat, a joke or anything in fact but preferably something related to the rehearsal/concert should achieve this. Possibly something good about the last concert (it's always possible to find something). A large part of success is having the right mental approach. With singing, you should be convinced that this what you want to do more than anything else, like a runner in the blocks ready and eager to go. Physical readiness means the body being free from tension and a few very basic exercises should be sufficient. Although in fact one uses the whole body, when singing, from toe to top of the head, some simple head turning, spine stretching and shoul-

The Kentonian Page 8 Vol. 5 Iss. 4 Music Team News As we entered 2016, we did so with an air of excitement and anticipation, ahead of a year that promises to deliver on all sorts of levels. Since the last issue of the Kentonian, we have carried out the ambitious but rewarding Personal Vocal Instruction (PVI) programme, which set out to provide an opportunity for each member of the chorus to have a one-to-one session in small groups, over the course of an hour. Ryan and I set out to provide a few simple, attainable nuggets that essentially stripped down some engrained old habits and gave the individual permission to “be free”. My thanks to everyone involved in organising the two full days (and the occasional Thursday rehearsal) and to each singer who gave himself to us and trusted us. I have to say that we were really impressed by the commitment, but moreover the high level of individual quality that we heard. And speaking of commitment, this year we introduced the long awaited Blue Dot scheme to our contest package, with the aim that every singer be able to attend the first of our two coaching weekends (27-28 Feb) with Dale Kynaston and Jo Braham. My thanks again to the team, especially the amazing Section Leaders, who somehow managed to pull pretty much everyone through to have Blue Dots for each of the Convention Songs. I know it was hard work, but I also know how many of the chorus found it rewarding and there is no question what effect it has on the overall sound and solidness of the chorus. The weekend was hard work, intense almost, and Ryan and I worked hard with Dale, to carve out the beginnings of what I truly hope will be the best Convention package the Kentones have ever put together. Jo joined us on Sunday and added a visual package on the up-tune, which I know we will develop and absolutely nail. We were joined by four Barberfellas, a group from London, who are keen to join us on stage in Harrogate. They were warmly integrated into the chorus and appreciated the quality of work that we achieved, as well as our welcoming and in- clusive approach towards them, for which I must thank everyone! A great weekend, and we must all be excited about capitalising on it, and pushing forward between now and the next coaching weekend at the end of April. Speaking of between now and end of April, we are now focusing on the Top Choir of Kent final, in which we are competing on March 19th in Canterbury, against 7 other choirs, and whatever the outcome, it is always a fantastic event and I know that we will put on a great show!... Thereafter, we have Convention looming, beyond which is possibly the biggest singout the chorus has ever had, at Leeds Castle, in front of some 30,000 people! And just so we don`t get lazy, the following weekend we will be recording our new CD; with all new songs, and our new sound, so watch out for that in the shops and your Christmas stockings! We are working hard to put together our 40th anniversary show in September, details of which will no doubt be published in forthcoming editions of the Kentonian; but my thanks to Steve Cooper and his team for everything they are doing to ensure a great show. We have a wonderful team of people across every spectrum of the chorus, and I am fortunate to have the privilege of working and having fun with each and every one of them. From the riser team, to the committee, I believe we are building for the better and for the future. My final thanks must go to Tim Priddin, for his unending and unquestioning support. Together with the Section Leaders, Tim Sowter, Colin Couves and of course Ryan, who is fast becoming my partner in crime and part of our very fabric, we are indeed fortunate to have such talent and dedication to the vision that we all now share. Keep singing, Peter

Vol. 5 Iss. 4 Page 9 The Kentonian

Chairman’s Corner So, where does the time go? Already 3 months into the New Year! This, my second article as Chairman, has taken me to the halfway stage of the current “year” since elected in September. It has been very interesting in that there are many matters that need and will, in the future, need addressing. Some more easy than others, as anticipated. I appreciate the support and advice from many chorus members. I am so pleased to report that the new committee members elected in September have taken to their tasks with energy and commitment on your behalf and are to be commended. Just before Christmas we held our annual sing event at intu Bromley (formerly “The Glades”). This was in support of the Chartwell Cancer Trust, our chosen charity for this financial year, and on the day collected around £835. Additional fund raising has generated a further £1000, and we are due to present a cheque later in March. As I said previously, the way ahead has entered a new and exciting phase. PVI sessions were introduced by Peter Kennedy, ably supported by Ryan Jensen. They were well received and supported by our members who found them very beneficial: Peter has more to say in his article. As I write, we are looking forward to the Top Choir Kent competition in Canterbury. We are one of 7 groups competing. We hope to hear the broadcast version on Radio Kent at some stage. In May, we are off to Harrogate with our new songs, which have been with us in practice for some time now and were recently the subject of an intensive weekend’s coaching at Eltham College. Hard work, but so rewarding. As a result of the Learn to Sing course, which ran from October, we have three new members: we hope they will enjoy being with us and will develop their Barbershop skills with all the as- sistance and guidance available. Aside from new members, it has been my privilege to present three long service awards. There were 25 year awards to Barrie Newman and Chris Sydee, and a 40 year award to Jack Willoughby, Lead part leader, who joined the Kentones almost as soon as we the Club was formed. My congratulations to all of them: we hope they will continue to sing with us and support us for many years to come. Finally, I remind you, again, that the Kentonian is YOUR magazine. It needs your support and contributions on a regular basis to survive. Having persuaded Colin Barnes to take on the role as Editor, please make an effort to make his job a little easier. John Sollitt - Chairman

The Kentonian Page 10 Vol. 5 Iss. 4 Supporters’ Corner

Water Boy ance on where to find a place to stay. However, before that, within the Tour Office was a small array of cotton trade items: a bale of Following my poor rendering of Water Boy at a recent rehearsal, I cotton about three and a half feet square and a cotton plant at the got to thinking of bygone days of the Alexandria Harmonizer top of which was a ring of nasty looking spikes with a bud of cot- Groupies. We attained this name after a group of us accepted ton in the middle. On the wall opposite the tourist desk was a large an invitation to attend the Barbershop International in Atlanta board with the price that day of a bale of cotton in the late nine- Georgia in 1998. We were welcomed into the family of the Alex- teenth century. We know that after that .came the Bole Weevil, andria Harmonizers (AH) and in fact were the only people which virtually destroyed the cotton trade in that part of the world. allowed to attend the final rehearsal before the Competition: on But at this moment in time ,the bales of cotton were taken by mule- that occasion they won the Gold medal with a performance that drawn carts to the levee of a short channel of water to connect with included a rendering of Steppin’ Out With My Baby. The choreo a steam driven rear wheeled paddle boat. This boat took about two for this I can only compare to a Hollywood production of a Busby days to reach Savannah, the deep water port where the sailing ship Berkeley movie of the 30s. from England was loaded and set sail for Lancashire and the cotton The people who became known as the overseas support group of mills. the AH were: Pam and Frank Taylor, Sue and Colin Couves, Avril Before leaving Augusta we took a morning stroll along the bank of and Chris Sydee, Brenda and Barrie Newman, Sandie and Steve the levee and had a look in the museum, outside which stood a row Beany, Frank Bostock (of fond memory) and Ros and Geoff of flag poles with national flags fluttering in the breeze. I was sorry Quinn. to see ours flying upside-down, which I had learned as a Boy Scout We, as supporters, were at the International in Anaheim during was a signal of distress. I felt inclined to complain to the City Fa- 1999 where we met Dick van Dyke. In following years we were at thers but there was no time to do so. Nashville (2000), by way of Memphis and Graceland, and finally At last I come to the important bit. We spoke to a group of elderly Salt Lake City (2004). It was whilst in Nashville in a hotel about black ladies, having coffee near the museum. The conversation six miles from the centre of town that we took to the river to get turned to the subject of their earlier relatives who had worked as back - by rear-wheel paddle steamer General Grant: all the Harmo- slaves in those cotton fields, and the small boys who were paid a nisers and guests were on board including Mr Vocal Majority small amount to supply water to those labouring in the heat and himself, Jim Clancy, and his wife, with whom I had a conversation humidity - their job to fill the gunny sacks they hauled along the about VM’s visit to Glasgow. rows of bushes with the cotton buds. So the cry was “water boy The last visit was to Salt Lake City - home of the Mormons, where where are you hiding; if you don’t come I’m gonna tell your mam- arrangements had been made to hold that year’s Convention in the my”. 23,000 seat auditorium. We were in our seats before 9am to hear End of story. 6oo of Barbershop’s Gold Medal holders, together with 360 mem- Barrie Newman bers of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing three songs. The first was Whaley Whaley, arranged by John Rutter, and the second The Lost Chord. The last song was Deep River. Geoff Oxley sang the bass solo part in the song, with around 1000 voices accompanying him. It rounded off a very memorable event. Supporters’ Club Strawberry Tea I almost forgot about Water Boy. It so happened that Brenda, Pat and Denis Delaroute have generously agreed to rd Frank Bostock and I decided, on leaving Atlanta in 1998, to take a host the 3 Strawberry Tea in their garden on Sun- th week’s tour in a big circle, arriving back at Atlanta airport for the day 10 July. Please put the date in your diaries - flight home. So we set out on a Monday morning in a hired air- more details to follow. conditioned 4x4. We decided to make our first overnight stop in Brenda Newman Augusta: as approached the city we spotted the Tourist Information Office, so we parked and got out. The heat and humidity nearly knocked us off our feet. We quickly got into the building to find a long reception desk with a clerk in attendance who gave us guid-

Acafellas Chorus Director – Colin Couves Meetings:– alternate Tuesdays, 10.00am to 12.00 noon at Chelsfield Methodist Church, BR6 6HD

Diary Dates Date Time Venue Function

Tue 22 Mar 16 1.45pm Marjorie McClure School, Chislehurst Singout

Mon 15 Aug 16 tba Thomas Philipot Almshouses, Eltham Singout

Vol. 5 Iss. 4 Page 11 The Kentonian

The Kentones Honorary Life President – Frank Taylor Club Nights - Thursdays 7.30 pm at St. Paul’s Church Hall, Crofton Road, Orpington, Kent, BR6 8JE Main Committee: - Music Committee: - Chairman - John Sollitt Chorus Director - Peter Kennedy Deputy Chairman - David Southgate Asst. Chorus Directors - Colin Couves

Secretary - John Vaughan Ryan Jensen

Treasurer - Les Moore - Tim Sowter Membership Sec. - Terry Cooke Music Team Secretary - Tim Priddin Public Relations Officer - Brian Showell Co-opted Member - John Rayfield Performance Sec. - Alan Lucking Co-opted Member - T.B.A. Part Leaders Lead - Jack Willoughby Almoner Chris Garrard Asst. Lead - Peter Wigington Bass - John Williams Tenor - Tim Sowter Baritone - Ryan Jensen

The Kentonian Magazine:- published QUARTERLY Editor: - Colin Barnes Sub Editor: David Tindall All Club material intended for publication: Proof reading - David Tindall - Graphic information - Al Horton Copy Deadline for next issue: Thu 26th May 2016 PLEASE SUBMIT ALL MATERIAL TO THE EDITOR AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE

Date Time Venue Function Wed 09 Mar 16 7.30pm McDermott's, Forestdale Fish and Chip Supper

Sat 19 Mar 16 tba Canterbury Top Choir of Kent Sat 30 Apr – Sun 01 May 16 tba Eltham College (TBC) Coaching, Dale Kynaston and Jo Braham Sat 14 May 16 tbc Croydon Minster, Church Croydon Music Festival Street, Croydon, CR0 1RN Fri 27 – Mon 30 May 16 5.00pm Harrogate 2016 BABS 42nd Convention

Sat 09 Jul 16 3.00pm Leeds Castle, Broomfield, Leeds Castle Classical Concert Kent, ME17 1RG Sun 10 Jul 16 tba 2, Warren Drive, Orpington, Strawberry Tea BR6 6EX Sun 17 Jul 16 tba Eltham College TBC Recording of the new Kentones CD Sat 24 Sep 16 7.00pm Langley Park School, Eden Show -Music at the Park Park Rd., Bromley, BR3 3BP

INTERESTED IN MEMBERSHIP OF THE KENTONES OR SUPPORTERS? NEED ENTERTAINMENT FOR AN EVENT OR FUNCTION? VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT www.thekentones.org

The Kentonian Page 12 Vol. 5 Iss. 4