  THE BEAT From the Greater Chapter, Barbershop Harmony Society Winner, 2011 PROBE International Bulletin Contest

Volume 44, Issue 4  April 2013

Our mission: To enhance lives by performing with excellence and encouraging singing within our community. Let’s talk about the CCS culture

We hear in chapter meetings about “the CCS culture” and the way we collectively and individually exhibit that culture. So just Skipp Kropp what exactly IS “the CCS culture”? The Oxford Dictionary de- fines “culture” in terms of beliefs and attitudes as “the beliefs CHAPTER PRESIDENT and attitudes about something that people in a particular group or organization share.” That’s it in a definitional nutshell, but that’s only where the story begins. “I want us to be the most friendly, most supportive and most active We as a group define the CCS culture in the way we hold our- chapter in the district...” selves out at events, the way we sing in public, the way we treat each other, and the way the public, our friends, and our families perceive us. We each have to ask ourselves how we want our culture to be molded and then conduct ourselves in a manner that makes that happen.

I thought I’d share my vision of CCS culture and let you know the direction I hope CCS is taking. I want CCS to be the flag- ship chapter in Cardinal District. We are already the biggest chapter in the district, and I want us to be the most friendly, most supportive, and most active chapter in our district. I’d like each of us to be ambassadors of good will and harmony throughout the district, so that when people see our blue CCS shirts they immediately think of CCS as “a bunch of really good guys who are not only friendly but who make a difference in the barbershop world.”

I hope that we are becoming a chapter known for being go-to guys who will “be there” when asked. Examples of how we showed that aspect of ourselves include hosting the Fall convention last Octo- ber, singing as the CDWI demonstration chorus last month, and donating our musical and production talent to help the Central Youth Barber- April 2013 shop Chorus in February.

I hope that we are a chapter of men who care about each other and about our families. We show that in the way we celebrate each other’s triumphs and mourn each other’s losses.

In this issue: I hope that we also continue to grow in showing respect for each other’s time by learning words and notes to songs and, most importantly, by refraining from

District Convention Results participating in anything in the room on Mondays between 7:00 and 9:45 except being on the risers and singing. We are getting better, but we still need to resist Page 2 the temptation to think “I just need to [your very important task goes here] and no one will notice.” We do notice. Each and every time we whisper among our- Old School and Instant Classic selves out front, sit out front while everyone else is on the risers working, or Page 5 just do anything that the rest of the men on the risers are not doing because they are working, it’s noticed, and it affects the entire chapter environment. I’ll take the opportunity in this otherwise wildly optimistic article to note that some ’s EdgeWalk of us are still guilty of milling around in the room, socializing, or (shudder) doing Page 5 chapter “bidness” while the rest of us are on the risers, and ask that we all re- (Continued on page 2)

Page 2 THE BEAT April 2013

Culture (Continued from page 1) THE BEAT commit ourselves to arriving on time and, regardless of when we arrive, heading straight to the risers if it’s after 7:00. That’s also part of “the CCS culture.”

I hope we are also a chapter that shows the public, the other Cardinal District chapters and, most importantly, our guests, that we care about our art form and how we display it. We show that through our contest scores, through the great Jerry E. Troxel, Editor reviews we have been getting from those for whom we perform, and from our Member, PROBE (Public Relations coaches, who have all said that we continue to improve each time they see us. Officers and Bulletin Editors) 129 Yorkshire Blvd. E Indianapolis, IN 46229 Finally, I hope that we are a chapter that, to coin a phrase, enriches lives 317 891-1634 through singing. I can’t begin to tell you how my life has been enriched through [email protected] my association with CCS. In three short years, I’ve met and grown to know and love some of the most terrific guys in the entire barbershop society. Our chapter The BEAT is published monthly by the is blessed with men who love to sing, who love to sing well, and who love and Greater Indianapolis, Indiana, Chapter care about each other, and I appreciate that. I hope you do as well, because not of the Barbershop every chapter has the abundance of talent, skills, and caring members that we Harmony Society, have. a proud member of the Cardinal District. In summary, I submit that developing “the CCS culture” is a tall order, but one

that I believe with all my heart that we can fill. Do you? Chapter Leadership 2013

President Skipp Kropp District Convention Results

VP Chapter Development Steve Cline Our spring district convention, held in Lafayette, Indiana, VP Music & Performance March 22 –24, was one of our most successful conventions Duane Henry in recent times. A record number of choruses (10) in the spring plateau contest brought a lot of people to the con- VP PR & Marketing vention for the festivities. There were 645 registrations and Larry Anthony single-event tickets sold for this convention, compared with

VP Operations 527 last fall and 433 last spring. Jeff Boyd A big thanks goes out to District Director of Events Mark Leimer and District Secretary Director of PR and Marketing Kelly Andrews for their tireless efforts in planning Bruce Bellen and promoting this convention and introducing some new features into the

Treasurer weekend. Having the Purdue Varsity Men’s Glee Club on the Saturday night Paul Gabriel show was a definite plus!

Board Members at Large Quartets qualifying for Toronto International were Forefront (84.7%), Instant Scott Beverley, Classic (81.2%) and Rushed to Perfection (collegiate—69.1%). Plateau cho- David Fouts, Scott Wiederoder rus champions were the Kokomo Men of Note (plateau AA, score 51.9%), the

Immediate Past President South Bend/Mishawaka Valleyaires (AAA, 66.8%) and the Louisville Thor- Gary Garitson oughbreds (AAAA, 74.3%). Most Improved Chorus honors went to Blooming- ton’s Sounds of Indiana (AAA) and the Fort Wayne Summit City Chorus Director (AAAA). Garry Texeira

Assistant Directors Colin Craig of the Kokomo Men of Note was honored as the Cardinal District Theo Hicks, David Zimmerman Barbershopper of the Year 2012, and the Elizabethtown chapter (Kentucky Vocal Union) was named Chapter of the Year 2012. Circle City Sound meets every Monday at 7:00 p.m. Christ Lutheran Church Secure the future of Barbershop harmony through 345 N. Kitley Ave. your generous gifts to the Harmony Foundation. Pro- Indianapolis, Indiana 46219 vide additional support to your chapter and district www.harmonyfoundation.org with the Donor’s Choice option. April 2013 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 (2008)

All-Day Coaching Retreat “We Need You” was the title of the article that Garry Saturday, April 27 Texeira, CCS Music Director, penned for the monthly bulle- Englewood Christian Church tin. Garry stated, “what this means is that we need you (all 57 N. Rural St. members) to be at rehearsals on time, to learn your music 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. with attention to details, we need you to perform every moment on the risers, and most of all we need your very CCS Annual Show best attitude.” Garry goes on to say, “my vision for this Saturday, June 8 chorus is greater than I can even share with you right now, The Palladium and let’s just enjoy our small victories and make every week Carmel, Indiana a complete success.” 7:00 p.m. Lew Gillespie Randy Freeman, Chapter VP PR & Marketing, wrote an article about image. Afterglow Freeman stated, “the public image of barbershop singing needs to be changed, Saturday, June 8 and I intend to do everything within my power to change as many minds as I Prime Life Enrichment Center can. I’m concerned about the public perception of Circle City Sound and that Carmel, Indiana most of the people in Indianapolis have no perception of us at all because they 10:00 p.m. have never heard us sing. Work with me to change that.” National Anthem at The board accepted Bruce Bellen to membership in the chapter. The board Indiana Fever Game also authorized a donation of $200 to support the Central Indiana Youth Bar- Saturday, June 22 bershop Chorus (CIYBC). Plans were being formulated to celebrate the 60th Bankers Life Fieldhouse anniversary of the chapter’s founding. (notes taken from The Beat, Vol. 39, Is- 7:00 p.m. sue 4, April 2008, Jerry Troxel, editor). International Chorus Twenty Years Ago (1993) Finals Friday, July 5 Twenty-two choruses had been selected to participate in the 1993 International Air Canada Centre - Toronto 10:00 a.m. Barbershop Contest in Calgary, Canada. The Pride of Indy (CCS) was picked

to sing in the fifteenth spot and represent the Cardinal District. Four wild card choruses were also selected to sing: The Big Apple Chorus, Phoenicians, Performance at Penrod Ambassadors of Harmony and New Tradition. Other major top ten cho- Arts Fair ruses competing were: , Masters of Harmony, Dukes Saturday, Sept. 7 Indianapolis Museum of Art of Harmony, , and the Alexandria Harmonizers.

Jim Pyle was approved for chapter membership. He would be a dual member For detailed information on all with us and with the Muncie and Alexandria, Virginia chapters. Extra rehearsals chapter performances check for Calgary were announced by chapter director, Tom Gentil. Dick Gale, our bi-weekly bulletin, chapter airline agent, announced that the price of a round trip ticket to Calgary SOUND BYTES would be $410.00. Payment was required by May 10, 1993. Special guests on the annual Clowes Hall Show on June 11-12, 1993 were The Ritz, 1991 Interna- or go to: tional quartet champions, and The Thoroughbreds, International chorus cham- www.circlecitysound.org pions from Louisville, Kentucky. (material taken from Clef-Notes, Vol. 23, No. 4, and visit the April 1993, Lew Gillespie, editor). Members Only section

The deadline for the May issue of The BEAT is Wednesday, April 24. Send articles to: [email protected] The preferred cleaners of Circle City Sound

Page 4 THE BEAT April 2013 Exposure brings future rewards

Wow!!! As I am writing this article, I still have our Na- tional Anthem performance from March 25th vivid in my memory. Talk about exposure. We knocked the socks Larry Anthony off a very good crowd at Bankers Life Fieldhouse Mon- VP PR & MARKETING day night. How many lives were impacted by that per- formance? How many people are wondering who are “I would like people to think first of these people, and how can I take advantage of this wonderful sound? us as the go-to group for entertain- ment...” I, as did many of us who sang prior to the Indiana Pac- ers versus Hawks NBA basketball game, heard many favorable comments from people as we were walking off of the floor to our seats. A man from Kentucky who was at the game with his son felt compelled to email Garry Texeira and com- ment on how proud he was during our performance to be a barbershopper. That is called delivering and making an impact. How many other people did we impact? Some effects we will see in the near future, some further out.

This was undoubtedly the largest turnout we have had for a National An- them performance at Bankers Life. There have been numerous comments over time concerning the facts that we have to pay for parking then also pay for a ticket even if we are not staying for the game. John Robinson had the vision and foresight several years ago to start cultivating a rela- tionship with the Indiana Fever and then the Indiana Pacers. Those early efforts have resulted in more frequent appearances to sing the National Anthem. We've even sung the National Anthem at a Colts preseason game. That, too, is just a start.

How can we truly identify what future impact may come from any sing-out? The truth is that we cannot. It is, however, a game of odds. The more we can sing in front of the public, the more potential we develop for future and bigger perform- ances. John Robinson is currently cultivating potentials for a Pacers playoff game performance. We have already sung at an Indiana Fever playoff game. Do you see a trend developing? This can be carried to sing-outs such as the Greenfield sing-out we did last year which was lined up by Scott Beverley. We heard comments at that show that they had to have us back sometime soon. Once again, future rewards.

What is my goal? It is for us to become the option of choice for singing enter- tainment. I would like people to think first of us as the “go-to” group for enter- tainment or singing the National Anthem. Would that not be outstanding? in a word, it would be FANTASTIC! But how does it start? It starts with spending the time (and sometimes the money) to plant the seed and cultivate the rela- tionship. Whether it is a sing-out or asking a friend to come to one of our shows, and yes, maybe buying a ticket for them, we never know of the future rewards.

The name of the game is exposure. I do not want us to be the best-kept secret in Indianapolis anymore. I want CCS to be the go-to group, the one that people automatically think of. When they hear another group perform the National Anthem, I want them to say, “That was nice, but you should have heard the Circle City Sound barbershop harmony chorus do it!” Would that not be nice? I cannot imagine how any of us would want anything else.

Let's be those go-to guys. Let's build those future rewards. Let's work together and not only be the best we can be at Inter- national competition in Toronto, but also at every opportunity for additional exposure and the chance to impact someone else's life.

Let's continue building and be the group that people think of first! Onward and upward! Go CCS!

April 2013 THE BEAT Page 5 Silver and Gold What do you do when the tenor of your gold-medal quartet develops vocal problems jeopardizing an upcoming perform- ance? That’s the dilemma that three-time gold medalist Kipp Buckner and 2011 International Quartet Champion Old School faced in February within a few days of their gig on White River Sound’s annual show. They ended up cancelling their appearance and called upon collegiate silver-medalist quartet In- stant Classic to fill the bill.

Congratulations, Instant Classic (pictured below, L to R: Kohl Kitzmiller, bari, Kyle Kitzmiller, bass, Theo Hicks, lead, and David Zimmerman, tenor) on this singular honor and for putting on a great show!

Old School

Instant Classic

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Greater Indianapolis Chapter Board Meeting Summary March 2013

The Greater Indianapolis Chapter Board of Directors met on Monday March 18, 2013 at Christ Lutheran Church for a regular monthly meeting prior to rehearsal. There were ten Bruce Bellen members present constituting a quorum. The following is a CHAPTER SECRETARY brief summary of the business transacted at that meeting.

Secretary The minutes of the January 14, 2013 and Feb- ruary 18, 2013 meetings as submitted by Secretary Bruce Bellen were approved. The CCS Board meets the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church or at Treasurer The treasurer’s reports for January and Febru- other times and locations, as announced. ary as submitted by Treasurer Paul Gabriel were ap- proved with an ending balance of $57,053.58 of which All chapter members are encouraged to attend. $31,932.66 is restricted and $25,120.92 is unrestricted.

Old Business: The Reen family consisting of Stephen, Stephen II, Dominic and Bernie have been accepted as dual mem- bers. The annual show at the Palladium will feature our own 2012 Collegiate Quartet Silver Medalist Instant Classic, and plans for the afterglow are progressing. Christmas The proceeds from Lucas Oil work at non-required events Card CD’s are to be available for preorder at the Palladium. of members who have completed their obligation will be fully distributed to that member’s account. Social media advertising for CCS is now in place with more to come from the team of Steve Cline, Steve Erdosy and New QuickBooks software was authorized for purchase by David Meade. Treasurer Paul Gabriel.

New Business: For the Good of the Order:

CCS, together with the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Don Brown was selected as Barbershopper of the Month Association, will be putting a bid package together for the for two months in succession. He was named the January BHS International convention to be hosted here in the BOTM for taking the chairmanship for the CIYBC show years 2021 or 2022. when it was realized that no other participating entity was doing so. Two dates have been added to the Toronto timeline being administered by Jerry Troxel: 1) Hotel reservations by Jerry and Pam Troxel and John McQuistion are the April 1, at which time the rooms will be released back into February Barbershoppers of the Month once again for their the Society’s reserved block of rooms and 2) April 15, 2013 management of the Singing Valentines project. for Show and Contest costume approval.

April Birthdays Membership Statistics

4/1 Steve Erdosy 4/12 Dave Cala 4/5 Tom Bradley 4/13 Larry Anthony Chapter members as of April 1, 2013: 112 4/6 Rick Batchelder 4/17 David Average member age: 55.0 4/8 Robbie Brown Zimmerman Average years of service: 19.5 4/8 Steve King 4/18 Frosty Beverley 4/9 Greg Roembke 4/26 Eric Turpen Number of active chorus members: 77 (69%)