Vol. 11, No. 12 (#132) April 1, 2012
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Thank you, also, for your well wishes as the Blues add another member this late summer. [Editor’s note: That creates the Blue Youth Mixed Quartet!] From Prez Jack: MEN, Make plans for High School/College Night on Tuesday, May 29. Dar Johnson and Gil Schreiner may have college guests along with Dylan O'Connor (Eric). Natural E will be in contact with Durant High School (Julie Kohring). Eric Domke will be in contact with Mott (Aba Dearing) and Kettering (Michelle Harness). Wayne Oberstadt or I will contact Perfect Fifth . Jack St. Patrick’s Day St Patrick’s Day brought two performances by the Big Chief Chorus . On Thursday evening, 38 members performed for the residents and guests of Canterbury-On-The-Lake, an annual gig. The chorus was in fine voice as it sang a set of about a dozen numbers under Tom Blue’s directorship. 4GVN added its rendition of “The Spiritual Medley,” Limited Edition Vol. 11, No. 12 (#132) April 1, 2012 inaugurated a new seasonal number called “That’s an Irish Lullaby” and its standard “Come Fly with Me,” and Natural E sang “Aint Misbehavin’” and “Lida Rose.” Tom brought along his student teacher to observe the glories From the Director of barbershop. Afterward we all repaired to Canterbury’s downstairs Pub for Men and Friends of the BCC, green beer and more singing. Thank you for your kind attention and hard work for Jim Estes. Thanks to all who made the event happen from room reservation to sandwich order and pick-up. A great opportunity for the BCC and we "seized the moment" and soaked up all he had to say. I took copious notes. I do like the idea of starting with “Cabaret” and moving right into “Heart of a Clown” with "ties loosened and some jackets over the shoulder." Let's work this week on our contest pieces for most of the time and work at a riser order if possible. Following the break I would like to cover some repertoire songs. Let's remind ourselves of the following... breath (full and low) tall sounds (mouths open and lips shaped) Freddie McFadyen warming up the chorus in front of early guests engaged faces and bodies (arms are free to move, heads telling the story, everyone has to be engaged)) The next day a sparser group of nineteen retired members sang at the longer phrases with more efficient breath management Auburn Hills Community Center for its Senior Luncheon. Assistant Director lift the ends of sentences so pitch and chords stay in tune Freddie McFadyen covered any memory lapses with talk about “wisdom more dynamic variation overloads” (aka, senior moments) and that great old joke about Rose. Again, thanks to all and it is a privilege for me to work with you and your “McNamara’s Band” did not rehearse well, so Freddie wisely cancelled it. encouraging words, hard work and dedication keep us all coming back for Natural E filled in the gaps with three offerings. more each week. Green bow ties and arm bands were provided by Zaven Melkonian. 55th Annual Woodshed Contest After a one-year break, the Pontiac-Waterford Chapter, under Dick Johnson’s direction, hosted the 55th Annual Woodshed Contest on Friday, March 30, 2012. Thirty-six men - representing Pontiac-Waterford, Flint, Grosse Pointe, Macomb, Livingston, Lansing, D.O.C., Huron Valley, Motor City Metro, and Frank Thorne - gathered at the Pontiac Country Club for an evening of fun, fellowship and plenty of singing, all for the price of zip, nada, that is nothing. Mike Frye emceed the evening, with a seemingly inexhaustible supply of one-liners. The men formed eleven quartets, subject to the rules: (a) registered BHS member, (b) no more than two from any given chorus, and (c) no more than Auburn Hills seniors listen to the Big Chief Chorus one from any registered quartet. They picked songs from the 85 songs on the song-list board, huddled in room corners, worked up arrangements, and James Estes Visits BCC performed in front of the others. Pioneer District President Doug Weaver brought Society Music The judging quartet was Right on Q , comprised of Matt Tipton (T), Specialist James Estes to our practice March 24. What a fine evening! Ken Klein (L), Chris Bateson (Br), and Ed Bax (Bs). Not only did they carry out their responsibilities - choosing the winning quartet, and raking the other ten quartets over the coals - but they entertained with a sample of their repertoire, singing “Four Leaf Clover,” “All of Me,” “There Goes My Heart,” and “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad.” Photos by Jeff Doig The winning quartet was The Rumblers , with Fred McFadyen (Tenor), James O’Dell (Lead), Jeff Woodruff (Bari) and Aaron Wolf (Bass). Jeff was enthusiastic about finally winning a coveted Woodshed badge. Aaron is the “Pioneer District Educator and Certifier for the Ancient Harmonious Society of Woodshedders.” The Flint chapter repeated as winners of the Carroll P. Adams Bennington Trophy, for largest percentage chapter participation. It’s calculated as number present plus number quartetting divided by chorus membership. Several men sang in multiple quartets, especially tenors. Jacob Welty Photos by Jeff Doig and Bob Stephenson sang three different voice parts in three different quartets. Ten of the seventeen Chiefs participated in quartets – Auquier, John Northey’s wife Sandy was admitted to Royal Oak Beaumont Hospital Cowlishaw, DeNio, Frye, (Dick) Johnson, McFadyen, Perry, Shew, March 6 where they found three blockages. She underwent surgery and Stephenson, and Wallace. suffered two cardiac arrests while undergoing the procedures. She was in Jeff Doig won the 50-50 raffle. Natural E was the only other intensive care and undergoing kidney dialysis. The remaining blockage was organized quartet present; they sang “Aint Misbehavin’.” treated once they got her stabilized. She is no longer on a ventilator, and the Dick Johnson brought the snacks. Bill Dabbs, Howard Lynn, Pete physicians are pleased with her progress. Our prayers continue for Sandy and Mazzara, and Doc Mann worked the tables. Lance Shew, Roger Holm, and John. Jim Owens transported Woodshed materials to and from the storage bins. As Eric Domke wrote, “It is so inspiring to see how much everyone helps Bob Legato returned to Ann Arbor for more heart surgery. to make the Woodshed Contest happen. Thank you to all who were a part of this tradition.” Al Monroe went in to Chelsea Hospital Jan 18 for a total right knee OTHER PHOTOS at: replacement; was supposed to be in for three to four days, but ended up being http://www5.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=589730902 three weeks, minus the day he attended his brother Dave’s funeral. Now he is 8/a=3636342028_3636342028/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAM doing rehab, though still not driving. He can walk on his own for short E=snapfish/ (You’ll have to register, but it is free.) distances. He quartetted last fall with three guys from the Jackson area, but that is now defunct, due to illness and moves. Spring Convention registration site is now online: http://www.pioneerdistrict.org/nextconvention/convention_info.htm Zaven Melkonian had a laminectomy Thursday, Mar 29, at Pontiac St Joe’s Are you singing on stage? Hospital, to remove some material from the L4 area that has limited his a. Your BHS membership must be up-to-date. action. b. You must register for an all-events pass for the convention. c. Our secretary has registered the chorus for competition. Bill Holmes will have cataract surgery. AROUND THE PATCH Ross Ensign’s grandson has moved out of danger and up the weight scale The March 20 rehearsal was held at the Crary Campus (former Middle from 3 lbs to 5 lbs. School) in order to have tiered singers, to prepare for contest. Pioneer District President Doug Weaver brought James Estes as a special guest. Jimmy Johns Guest Steve Brown has been returning to our practices. Mike Frye met him sandwiches were provided. when they shared work at a polling station. Let’s do all we can to help him learn about barbershop. Gene Downie was selected as Barbershopper of the Month for his annual creation of the Big Chief Chorus Directory. It has other goodies in it besides Aaron and Michael Oberstadt , members of the Huron Valley Percussion, member phone numbers. competed March 24 at Lakeland High School in the Michigan Color Guard Circuit event. Bob Stephenson received his Polecat pin for memorizing and performing all twelve polecats. Other Chieftains who have the pin are Freddie McFadyen Jim Owens may be retired, but he has too much energy to stay quiet. He and and Bob Wallace. wife Carol have a small business selling “Cat Doors” as you know if you have used Jim’s email address. Now they have produced an AV commercial, with Bill Dabbs has a new computer, a new email address, and renewed internet Jim and Carol singing a version of “Kitty” and grandson Daniel acting. You access. Reach him at [email protected] can help them win a contest to have their product put on Walmart shelves by going to http://www.getontheshelf.com/product/2091/CAT-DOOR and voting Jack Teuber visited his family in Kyoto, Japan last month. by text (sending 2091 to 383838) or Facebook. The contest rules allow one vote per day by each method. The contest ends April 3, 2012. Wayne Oberstadt’s father-in-law died Mar 1. Non-Senior Chorus Quartet News Thanks to those four members who save us from being a senior chorus. (Senior quartets can have no member under 55 and the foursome must Huron Valley’s Got Talent Show average at least 60 years of age.) Our chorus singers under 55 are: Tom Blue, Our quartet, 4GVN , has survived the first and second Eric Domke, and Michael and Wayne Oberstadt.