March 2006 2001 International Gold Medal Chorus XXIV NUMBER 2 Where Are All Your Members? By Max Kieba, President

If you haven t heard it enough from our VP of Chapter majority is information either chorus can discuss openly. Development and others in the chorus this year, you ll Maybe it s at a different scale, but these are problems hear it from one of our most respected competitors. with which any chorus deals. The same happened last That s one of the first things that our guest, Bruce Beer year when I talked to Gary DePew from MOH to get ad- from the Vocal Majority, said Monday night. It s inter- vice going into my first year as VP of Marketing & PR. I esting what you talk about when you sit down with was amazed with the advice he was giving me, and we someone like that during your own chorus rehearsal. knew nothing of one another other than the choruses of First though, I d like to dispel some humorous rumors which we were a part. Realize these guys are true gentle- connected to comments I sometimes hear such as men of Barbershop, and their goal is first and foremost to they re sending spies or it s unethical to attend the help you improve. Sure, we know when to avoid airing rehearsal of your competitor. too much dirty laundry, but we re still rooting for one another even when we re facing each other on the stage. They re sending spies. Sure, they may be interested in how and what we re doing. But I say he s a pretty bad They still want to win of course, as do I. But like me, spy when he announces himself to me a week in advance they probably want to win by beating their competitor at to see if it s appropriate, then proceeds to wear a VM his best. I ve been in quartet contests where my quartet name badge that night. was fortunate to jump a few spots from semi-finals to finals because the member of another quartet was in poor It s unethical to attend the rehearsal of your competi- voice during the finals. I was happy for the improvement tor. Why? Maybe for a chorus that would love to do a in place, but not so happy with the way I earned it. When parody of their competitor s contest set, but I have a feel- I run 5Ks or marathons, I ll never let my buddy hear the ing the VM has better things to do with their time. I m end of it if I beat him, but only if he s at a level close to sure they would welcome me to their rehearsal next mine and he s at his best that day. If he s injured, we week if I showed up. Moreover, realize when you talk to don t put that one on the books. We just say, We ll members from the VM, Masters of Harmony, etc. they meet again next time. I also play volleyball. I d much often give you much more information with their opin- rather win a hard fought battle 25-23 than I would a game ions and advice 25-2 where the other team just didn t have it that day. than you can ever In this issue . give them. The same goes for Bruce and the VM I m sure. When I Editorial Comment...page 2 was talking to Bruce, his tone was almost as if he were Engagement...page 3 Bruce and I talked disappointed for us. Note I said for us, not disappointed Where (continued)..?...page 4 about A LOT Mon- with us. He was hoping to see more guys on the risers, to Great Thoughts .page 5 day night, some of see us performing at our best, to cheer us on from the sidelines. All I could tell him was we re working on it, Recruiting Tip #4...page 6 which will remain between us but a

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The New Tradition Chorus Editorial Comment Northbrook Chapter Illinois District Meets every Monday at 7:30 P.M. The time is fast approach- at the Christian Heritage Academy ing. We will be finishing 315 Waukegan Road, Northfield, Illinois MUSICAL DIRECTOR up our recording session Jay Giallombardo on the 11th of March, and President Max Kieba we, us, the chorus, in to- Executive Vice President Stan Sakalowski Don Meseth Board Member-at-Large George Moloney tal, everyone, needs you Editor Board Member-at-Large Max Karpiak Chapter Development Vice President Ralph Brooks there. More of this in the Chorus Manager Enrique Signoret article entitled "Great Thoughts" Immediate Past President John Trumbull Marketing & PR Vice Pres. Greg Lee Music Vice President J.D. Rich After the recording comes the polishing Operations Vice President Ken Rotter Fundraising Vice President Noah Miller time for our Spring Concert. Each time, I Secretary Mike Saeger hear comments about how great we Treasurer Bob Katin Music Team: sound, and we're always better than last J.D. Rich, VP-Music year. We have a responsibility to our au- Jay Giallombardo, Music Director Duane Fenn & Brian Milnikel, Assistant Directors diences, friends, groupies, or whatever Duane Fenn, Chapter Coach Bob Tempas, Tenor Section Ldr. you want to call those faithful faces in the Pat Brady & Noah Miller, Admin Tenor Section Ldr. Ralph Brooks, Lead Section Ldr. rows listening to us. We owe them. We Dennis Barto, Admin Lead Section Ldr. owe the advertisers. We owe the stage Dick Kingdon, Baritone Section Ldr. Ben Ahring, Admin. Baritone Section Ldr. and sound crew. We owe them our very Duane Fenn, Bass Section Leader Bob Haselsteiner & David Lee, Admin. Bass Section Ldrs. best in sound and presence. We owe the Ben Ahring, Music Librarian Greg Lee & Josh Leath, Learning Tape Prod. other guys in our section, and most impor- Barry Cain, Presentation Team Leader tantly, The HARMONY GAZETTE is published by and for the WE OWE OURSELVES. New Tradition Chorus, Northbrook, Illinois Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, an educational and non-profit society. Articles without by-lines are written by the editors. Contributions are appreciated and will be credited to the author. All submissions will be edited for clarity and for reasons of space. Editor: Don Meseth Assistant Editor: Jennifer Sievers The Gazette PO Box 2235 Bulletin of Chorus Northbrook, IL 60065 Editorial Goal [email protected] Phone: 630-462-3694 Photographers: Nancy & Tom Nicholson By means of professional reporting, articles, photos, Past Editors Richard Nelson and Michele Arnette were features, letters, and editorials, provide information Illinois Bulletin Editor of the year about the Chorus to our chapter, the Society and the 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001 community, which will assist our members in International BETY:Second place 2003, Third place 1999, 2000 - Fourth place 2001 achieving our goals and objectives. THE SOCIETY VISION STATEMENT The Society is to be a widely recognized ever-growing, singing Submissions for the next issue of the fraternity of men, drawn together by their love of the four-part a capella, close-harmony style of music known as barbershop whose Harmony Gazette are due by mission is to perpetuate that style by sharing it and their love for it with people of all ages throughout the world; and to be a leader in the April 7, 2006. cause of preserving and encouraging vocal music, in our education Please submit your systems and in our communities, as a lifelong recreational activity and an essential element in one s cultural well-being. pictures and articles!

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Engagement! Congratulations to Kristin Shrake and John Hansen, who recently got engaged. An August 12th wedding is planned in Chicago.

BARBERSHOP HISTORY QUIZ author: Mark Axelrod, editor of "Blue Chip Chatter," Teaneck, NJ. 1- Name the youngest man ever to sing in a 1st place quartet, his age when he was crowned, his voice part, the name of his quartet, and the year in which they won. 2- Name the oldest man ever to sing in a 1st place quartet, his age when he was crowned, his voice part, the name of his quartet and the year in which they won. 3- The "", our first quartet champs from way back in 1939, came in 2nd place in 1940, which resulted in the "once a champ always a champ" rule. How did this quartet run an endplay around this rule? 4- What is the youngest quartet in terms of combined age ever to take 1st place in international-level competi- tion? In what year did this quartet win the gold? 5- Only one district ever sent back-to-back chorus champs to the internationals. Name the district, the choruses, and the years. Answers on page 7

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Where are all your members? I hear we used to have an intense performance qualification (continued) in the past. Even in recent years we ve tried a stricter taping sidelines. All I could tell him was program, but admittedly it wasn t quite planned well enough we re working on it, we have some by its leaders, resulting in understandable frustration by its snow birds and other inactives that will members. While we re trying to get new members, could we be back, and we re working on other benefit from a more intense interview? Yes, it may be hard new members. Is that a true statement? to get in, but once you re in, you re well prepared for com- Can you give us your help and ideas for mitment and you re also agreeing to the musical vision set getting more men on the risers? forth by the current leaders and the champions before you. That may allow us to avoid some of the struggles we face There were some other interesting comments from Bruce down the road with new processes implemented. Could NT regarding our membership. Ignoring the relatively low benefit with a process such as this? number totals for now, he was amazed we don t have a Finally, one comment that stuck out was for choruses like greater percentage of new members in this contest cycle, ours, this is not just a hobby. You know what? I fully that it s pretty much the same core of guys we had through agree. Yes, this is a hobby; we re not getting paid for this. those silver medal years, the gold in 2001, and the bronze But there are also many chapters throughout the district and medals the last couple of years. It s probably expected more society, and different levels of commitment. We should hold with a group like VM that has competed once every 3 years. nothing against any chapter they have a charter and there Naturally with such a gap in contest performances you re are members that accept that charter. For chapters like VM, bound to get a greater percentage of new members each the MOH, and NT, however, we do so many events like con- time. But still, he was impressed with us for the most part test, recordings, performances, and others, back to back, of- being the same guys working so hard for so long ten with such a time crunch that it has to evolve from just a hobby to some real hard work at times. We do need to We talked about many other things, such as the new contest make sure we have fun during the journey. schedule we both agreed there are varying opinions, but at the end of the day you just have to go down there and see Do you agree? I do, but I m a bit of an anomaly I actually what happens. We talked about our recording methods for enjoy working hard to improve my craft, to push myself to our CDs. We generally record all our songs during one levels I didn t think were capable, then finding that little ex- weekend session, back-to-back full days, or in the case of tra to push some more. I don t enjoy all the time being cri- this CD split over two Saturdays a few months apart. They tiqued by my director and coach, but when I m not focusing generally record on average 3 songs a session, but sessions or not performing at a level I am capable, I expect him to let are scheduled on a regular rehearsal night, and not always me know that. Even more, it sure is great to take those com- back-to-back. In some cases it involves a Saturday and ments, apply them, do the work I need to on my own, and spanned over as much as 6 months. We talked about our receive praise from my coach when I succeed. And even learning CDs they have two guys named Jeff Oxley and better, I love hearing comments like how did you do that? Greg Clancy doing the tracks, under the direction of some from my peers, my audience, and even those darn judges. other guy named Jim Clancy. Our learning CD method is That s fun to me, but it s even more fun when I can say constantly evolving, but lately we re trying with the chorus Yeah, I did it but I couldn t have done it without my riser and section leaders live on mics and some guy named Josh buddy. Do you agree? Leath using an arsenal of recording equipment I m afraid to touch, and of course, under the direction of some guy In closing, I ask you to respond to three main points dis- named Jay Giallombardo. cussed in this letter One interesting topic for discussion was the concept of ex- Where are your members? pectations, in particular the expectations of new members What are your expectations? coming in or even the expectations of veteran members at Is this sometimes more than just a hobby, but still any given rehearsal. The VM does have an initial voice fun to you? qualification similar to ours, but they also have a much more detailed and intense multi-level qualification process if you As always, gentlemen, thank you for your perseverance and want to be a performing and competing member. The proc- hard work. Thank you VM, MOH, and many other chapters ess is tough, but once you re in, you re in. You re respected for your unselfish advice and support that will contribute to for doing the work, but in turn you know most of what your our success. I look forward to hearing more of your ideas, leaders say is not questioned; you knew that was expected but more importantly, I look forward to singing with you. coming in. In talking with MOH, they do something simi- lar.

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Great Thoughts and Ideas: From Stan Saka- Just a heads up notice: Chiefs of Staff, 1988 Inter- lowski..."I am finally back after several weeks of national Quartet Champs, will be together and singing stress and recouperation. I look forward to rehears- in Peoria this Spring. Don, Tim, Chuck and Dick will als, that time when I can escape the stresses of be converging on the convention to have some fun daily life and make music with a bunch of guys who and hopefully entertaining the attendees. share that same passion of filling the room with beautiful sound." We plan to sing on the Friday evening President's re- ception after the contest. Then, on Saturday night we " I'm sure that many of you may be in the same boat will all host the Chiefs' Room in the Pere Marquette. as I, with responsibilities of work and everyday life, Should be fun. We encourage all to come and join but don't let that take you out of the chorus. It is so us. Possibly share a story if you remember anything easy to do, but you will all realize, like me, that not about the 1988 San Antonio convention. being at chorus is taking something out of your life, and something is missing for the others who are at Those were good old days when Illinois shone as a rehearsal, the healing power of the music we make barbershopping District. As I recall, there were no as a chorus at full strength...THE SOUND!" "You less than 3 IL District quartets in the top 5 medals that all know what I mean when I say this...it is that point year. TNT was also medalling. in rehearsal when everything clicks...when we reach that moment of musical excellence, when your heart Hummmmbly skips a beat, and the goosebumps raise up on your Dick Kingdon, Bari, Chiefs of Staff arms."

"You can't experience THE SOUND if you are not there, nor can the others experience it when you are not there. It takes all of us, together, in body, mind Northbrook Chapter Quartets and spirit, to create it. Remember July of 2001? * Denotes Chapter Members Sure you do! Let's do it again!" Boom Town Geneva Tenor: Craig Hall Tenor: Gareth Cole Lead: Chris Kirkham Lead: Wayne Weiser Great thoughts and ideas: From Max Kieba..." A Bari: Pat Henders Bari: Steve Schoultz* (312) 558-8642 comment that stuck out during my conversation with Bass: Jerry Metzo* (847) 354-2823 Bass: Paul Zeien our visitor from Vocal Majority...'for choruses like The Chi-Tones Hospitality ours, this is not just a hobby.' "You know what? I Tenor: Noah Miller* Tenor: Pat Brady* Lead: Larry Emery* (815) 477-3037 Lead: George Carlson* fully agree. Yes, this is a hobby, in that we are not Bari: Mike Schnitzler* Bari: Keith Mockenhaupt getting paid for this. But there are many chapters Bass: Andy Smith* Bass: Joseph Schlesinger* (847) 328-0921 throughout the district and society, and different lev- Chicago Sound els of commitment. We should hold nothing against Tenor: Peter Fink* Lakeside Edition Lead: Dennis Barto* Tenor: Bob Tempas* (630) 887-8399 any chapter. They have a charter, and members Bari: Bill Donahue* Lead: George Harper that accept that charter. But for chapters like Vocal Bass: Walt Parus* (847) 253-7197 Bari: Paul Saeger* Bass: Duane Fenn* Majority, Masters of Harmony, and New Tradition, Chordiac Arrest we do so many events like contests, recordings, Tenor: Marty Jahnel* Skyline Lead: Dick Johnson* (815) 838-1874 Tenor: Tim Carter* performances, and others, back to back, often with Bari: Mike Bagby* Lead: Dan Starr (630) 483-0418 such a time crunch that it has to evolve from 'just a Bass: Earl Meseth* Bari: Mark Betczynski Bass: Doug Smith* hobby' to 'some real hard work' at times. We need Father 'N Son Reunion to make sure we have some fun during the journey" Tenor: Paul McCracken* Take 2 Lead: Lawrence Dohogne (618) 452-7196 Tenor: Steve Davis* Bari: Steven McCracken* Lead: Mike Woods* (847) 415-2821 "It's great to hear an 'atta-boy' from the sections Bass: Larry Dohogne Bari: Peter Harrison* Bass: Dave Brady* leaders, coaches and the director, when we get it Gadzooks right. It's even better when we hear comments like Tenor: OPEN Talismen Lead: John Cain* Tenor: Gene Woolcott 'how did you do that?' from my peers, my audience, Bari: Bob Scheible* (312) 255-1344 Lead: Ralph Brooks* yes, and even those darned judges. Yes, that's fun Bass: Bill Ward* Bari: Dick Kingdon* (847) 934-1171 to me, but even more fun when I can say,'Yeah, I Bass: Ed Chapman did it...but I couldn't have done it without my riser buddy." Do you agree?"

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28 Recruiting Tips By Ev Nau

Tip # 4

Here s an idea that my long-time friend, idol and mentor passed along to me. If this works for Freddie King, then it ought to work for those of us willing to put in the time! Freddie writes: "In Baltimore County, where I taught for 31 years, there are twenty high schools. As the choral teacher at Overlea High, I interacted with all of my peers. They wondered how I could continually stock my choirs with the number of young men. "It is easier if you have a "men s" chorus in your schedule, "I said. I arranged with my principal to put the men s chorus in the schedule, and I started with 40 non-singers looking to pick up a music credit for graduation.

It wasn t long before we were wailing Bill Grogan s Goat. At their first concert, they sang three songs, among them Val Hicks "Cecelia," and they played to a standing ovation. The girls in the concert choir, ladies chorus, chamber singers, and Gospel Choir went bananas. That sold the boys right there! All but two of the high school teachers went to their principals to have the men s chorus put in their schedules. What I did next was truly exciting. I built an all county chorus of boys from grade 10 through 12. We rehearsed after school at my school twice a month, and we performed on several of the high schools concerts. How I stocked it was the key to their success. I asked each choral director to send one first tenor, one second tenor, one first bass, and two second basses. With all twenty high schools participating, I soon had a 100 man chorus all under the age of 20...... 40 Basses, and 20 each for bari, lead, and tenor.

The Dundalk annual show was always in May, so the boys had several months, and several performances to polish their act. The Chorus of the Chesapeake @ around 120 strong invited the boys to open the second half of the annual show, and they in- vited them to sing with the chorus at the finale. Needless to say the results of that program were astounding. For the three years that we were allowed to have the chorus, The Dundalk chapter was able to garner 6% of the boys chorus to become members. That s six guys a year, which meant that, in three years, we put 18 men under the age of 20 in our ranks. As you know, I recently had to step down as musical director of the Dundalk Chapter. Isn t it wonderful to note that my successor is one of those boys. He s Jim Kraus, and I ve been teaching him since the tenth grade.

I hope this is the sort of thing you need; there s lots more where that came from. Love...... Ferd"

(note: So, how many music teachers out there can do this, or anything like it. The re- sults speak for themselves. Wouldn t it be great if we could all find our successors . . . and have them carry the torch into the next generation? Ah, Freddie . . . . you just keep on giving, don t you?)

Page 7 Harmony Gazette March 2006 Sweet Traditions Answers to Barbershop History Quiz: New Tradition Women s Auxiliary 1- Tony DeRosa, 19 year old baritone of , Join us! which took the Gold Medal in 1992 Date: 3rd Monday of each month Time 7:30 p.m. 2- Rod Nixon, 60 year old baritone of , which Place: Christian Heritage Academy Program: TBA entered the winners' circle in 1997 The 2006 Sweet Traditions Board Nancy Nicholson, President [email protected] 262-886-5486 3- By changing its name to the "Phillips 66 Barflies," Helen Giallombardo, Vice Pres. [email protected] which placed #3 both in 1941 and 1942. Kay Schuetz, Secretary [email protected] 630-325-0214 Kathy Parus, Treasurer [email protected] Marion Meseth, Membership [email protected] 847-827-6530 4- The "Four Teens" took the top spot in 1952 when the Linda Brady, Social Chair [email protected] foursome had a combined age of 79 years. By compari- Robin Jacobs, Sunshine [email protected] son, the youngest quartet to win in recent times, Four Mindy Lazor, Immd. Past Pres. [email protected] 847-257-1000 Voices, was quite geriatric, with a total age of just over Please email or call anyone on the Sweet Traditions board if you 100. have questions, suggestions, or wish to volunteer. 5- The M-A-D was represented by the 1st place Dapper Dans of Harmony from Livingston, NJ, in 1970. The next year, the Chorus of the Chesapeake from Dundalk, MD, retained the title for the district. Board meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month at the home of Treasurer Bob Katin at 7:30 P.M. Members are encouraged to attend. Exception: July 19th

New Tradition s Section Leaders

Duane Fenn Dick Kingdon access the web Bass Section Baritone Section New Tradition Chorus: www.newtradition.org Barbershop Harmony Society: www.barbershop.org Illinois District: www.harmonize.ws/Ill/

Barbershop Harmony Chicagoland: www.bbs.singer.as Chordiac Arrest: www.chordiacarrest.com Hospitality: www.harmonize.ws/hospitality Lakeside Edition: www.lakesideedition.com Skyline: www.harmonize.ws/skyline Ralph Brooks Bob Tempas Take 2: www.take2quartet.com Lead Section Tenor Section

International Gold Medalist - 2001 International Silver Medalist 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000

THE HARMONY GAZETTE Northbrook Chapter SPEBSQSA Editor: Don Meseth Assistant Editor: Jennifer Sievers PO Box 2235 Northbrook, IL 60065 [email protected] 630-462-3694

President Executive VP Music VP Operations VP Chapter Dev. VP Max Kieba Stan Sakalowski J.D. Rich Ken Rotter Ralph Brooks

Member-at-Large Member-at-Large George Moloney Max Karpiak VP PR & Marketing VP Fundraising Greg Lee Immed. Past Pres. Noah Miller CALENDAR OF EVENTS (other than regular Monday night meetings) April 22 Peoria Spring Convention

May 6&7 Spring Performances

Jun 9&10 Carthage College Retreat

July 7 International Competition Indianapolis, Indiana Treasurer Secretary Chorus Manager Bob Katin Mike Saeger Enrique Signoret