THE BEAT From the Greater Indianapolis Chapter, Barbershop Harmony Society Winner, 2011 PROBE International Bulletin Contest Volume 43, Issue 5 June 2012
Our mission: To enhance lives by performing with excellence and encouraging singing within our community.
No real summer break for us!
We’ve been accustomed since elementary school to expect a break from our routine during the summer months. I’ve Gary Garitson even known barbershop chapters who scale back their ac- CHAPTER PRESIDENT tivities because so many guys are gone for the summer. That’s not us! “Plan to pace yourself during the Coaching sessions are already scheduled in June and Au- coming weeks and months.” gust as we begin our push toward qualifying this fall for International next July in Toronto. It is not a “given” that we will qualify for next year’s International, but it is our expectation! To make this a reality, we must be prepared. International convention in Portland. In that respect, I Obviously, efforts have already begun – we have the con- guess we can treat those two weeks as an official summer test music, and most of us have the notes and words break! Otherwise, plan to attend every other chapter meet- learned. The drive for Toronto begins right after our June 9 ing you can! annual show! Attitude (or mindset) is going to be crucial to our success as Qualifying for Toronto is one of our five chapter goals for well. I think we all recognize that we’re in a race. How- 2012: ever, think of this as a marathon, not a sprint! A sprint is a brief, explosive event while a marathon is a prolonged, high 1. Complete our recording project intensity, endurance event. Plan to pace yourself during the coming weeks and months. Yes, plan to be at our 2. Sell out our June 9 show at the Palladium meetings and rehearsals, but continue “training” (notes, words, interpretation, stage presence, choreography, etc.) between meetings. 3. Earn a berth in the 2013 International Chorus Contest in Toronto How well we improve with practice depends on several fac- tors, including the frequency of practices and the type of 4. Continue our association with Centerplate and Lucas Oil feedback that is available for improvement. Without feed- Stadium events back (from coaches or our Director), our practices can be ineffective, even detrimental to the learning process. If we 5. Add 20 singers to our ranks don’t practice often enough, reinforcement fades, and we’re likely to forget what we learned. Meeting and practicing I’ve made the assumption that each of us has “bought into” weekly is important to ensure our collective performance the Toronto goal and plans to make this journey together. reaches our goal—qualifying for Toronto in 2013! If you agree on the importance of this activity from a chap- ter perspective, you probably realize we need you to be at I had a coach once who de-bunked the adage, “Practice every chapter meeting possible over the summer. makes perfect.” He said, “Practice makes permanent; only ‘perfect practice’ makes perfect!” Please note, we will not be meeting on July 2 or July 9 be- cause of the number of guys who are attending the BHS (Continued on page 2) Page 2 THE BEAT June 2012
Break (Continued from page 1) THE BEAT As we begin our preparations for the fall contest in Columbus in October, I en- courage us all to be at chapter meetings and coaching sessions, to be there with a mindset to do the best we can individually, to be open to feedback, to continue to improve, and to practice on our own between chapter meetings. If we do this, I believe we’ll be well on our way to reaching Chapter Goal #3 – earning Jerry E. Troxel, Editor the right to compete in Toronto next summer! Member, PROBE (Public Relations Officers and Bulletin Editors) One last note – we are behind in our goal to add 20 singers to our ranks this 129 Yorkshire Blvd. E Indianapolis, IN 46229 year. Our Membership Team has a Guest Night planned for June 11. Please 317 891-1634 take the time to invite a guest to join us that evening! [email protected]
The BEAT is published monthly by the Greater Indianapolis, Indiana, Chapter of the Barbershop Summer Rehearsal Location Harmony Society, a proud member of This summer, we will once again be pre-empted from our normal location, the Cardinal District. Christ Lutheran Church, so that they can host their annual youth outreach event. For our rehearsals starting May 29 and continuing through July 30, our
Chapter Leadership 2012 home will be First Church of the Nazarene, 9401 East 25th Street, 46229. President Gary Garitson The church is conveniently located just minutes from the interchange of I-70 VP Chapter Development and Post Road, on Indy’s eastside (see map below). From that interchange, go Steve Cline north on Post Road to the traffic light at 25th Street, turn right, and go about a
VP Music & Performance half mile. The church will be on your right. There is plenty of parking available. Skipp Kropp Park on the northeast side of the building and enter through entrance #4. We
VP PR & Marketing will be rehearsing in the Family Center (gymnasium). Larry Anthony Due to International activities involving several chapter members, there will be VP Operations no rehearsals on Monday, July 2 and Monday, July 9. Jeff Boyd
Secretary Tom Bradley
Treasurer Paul Gabriel
Board Members at Large Scott Beverley, David Fouts, Scott Wiederoder
Immediate Past President Jerry Troxel
Director Garry Texeira
Assistant Director Andrew Myer
Circle City Sound meets every Monday at 7:00 p.m. at First Church of the Nazarene 9401 E. 25th Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46229
June 2012 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 Ten Years Ago (2002) Twenty Years Ago (1992)
Dick Nyikos, a long-time The chapter purchased Carmel Gazebo Concert Wednesday, June 6 member of the Greater Indi- new blue shirts with the 7:30 p.m. anapolis Chapter, past dis- new logo for all singing Carmel, Ind., Fountain Square trict vice-president, member members of the chorus. of the Society Marketing and This was done to upgrade Annual Show PR team, past member of the public image of the Saturday, June 9, 7:00 p.m. the Society Convention chapter and show the The Palladium at the team, Chairman of the 1997 Pride of Indy logo. The Center for the Performing Arts Indianapolis Convention chapter was planning Carmel, Ind.
Team, 1997 District BOTY ahead for the following Lew Gillespie Entertainment and a good friend to all of year’s International con- on the Plaza us in barbershopping, died unexpect- vention to be held in Calgary, Canada Friday, July 20, 7:00 p.m. edly on June 15, 2002. (even though the chapter had not Greenfield Courthouse Lawn qualified yet). The upcoming fall con- Dick was the chapter’s BOTY in 1981. test would be held in Evansville, Indi- Coaching Retreat In 1999, he was also named the Soci- ana, where the Pride had very high with Brent Graham ety’s Public Relations Officer of the expectations of winning this contest Saturday, August 25 Year. Dick’s public relations work was and heading to Calgary. (details to be announced) one of his many gifts to us. He worked tirelessly to get our name out Upcoming events for the chapter in- Cardinal District Fall Con- to the public. cluded: June 28-July 5, 1992, Inter- vention and Contests national Convention in New Orleans; October 5–6 Clarion Hotel and Conference It seemed to be his mission in life to July 17, Pride of Indy show at Center Greenfield, Indiana for the annual get the chorus’s name and picture in Columbus, Ind. the local papers as often as he could, summer concert plaza series; July 24- and he was always looking for that 26, annual Brown County Campout Christmas Show next sing-out to put on our schedule. and Golf Tourney; and August 21-22, Saturday, December 1 He sought out ways to get us in front the Pride of Indy summer retreat at Anderson Auditorium of people who could help promote our the Broad Ripple Methodist Church in Arsenal Technical High School 3:00 p.m. chorus and barbershop in general. preparation for the fall contest at Evansville. He was an avid quartet man for many years. His last quartet, Two Genera- Steve Cline and Chris Gregory an- For detailed information on all chapter performances check tions, performed for more than 15 nounced plans for the afterglow, our bi-weekly bulletin, years and sang regularly at Metamora which would be held in the lower level and Union Station. (article taken from of Clowes Hall after this year’s annual SOUND BYTES D’In-Ky Notes, Vol. II, Issue 2, June show. Only 250 tickets would be or go to: 2002, Gary Garitson, editor, and available for sale, for $7.50. A deli- www.circlecitysound.org Inside The Pride, Vol. 33, Issue 5, July style menu would be provided at the and visit the 2002, Brad McAlexander, editor). afterglow. (notes taken from The Pride Members Only section of Indy Chapter Bulletin, Vol. 23, No. 4, June 1992, Lew Gillespie, editor). The deadline for the July issue of The BEAT is Friday, Secure the future of Barbershop harmony through June 22. Send articles to: your generous gifts to the Harmony Foundation. Pro- [email protected] vide additional support to your chapter and district www.harmonyfoundation.org with the Donor’s Choice option.
Page 4 THE BEAT June 2012 Quartet busy during first quarter 2012 By Keith Leavell, lead of Sounds Familiar
January—Annual Danville Rehab Visit Moving on from there, we headed due south to Community South hospital campus to sing for tenor Dave Cala’s wife, January is always our favorite time of year, when Sounds Susan. Once there, we learned that Dave and Susan’s Familiar gets the opportunity to go back to the Danville daughter, Kathy, not only works at the same hospital but Rehab Center. We have performed there seven times in on the same floor and in the same department. So mother the past six years. Virgene Kilbourne has always been our and daughter both got to enjoy listening to us at the same gracious host and takes us on a strolling performance tour time. It doesn’t get much better than that! during their lunch time and various resident rooms through- out the facility. Her son Sean is a resident there, so we Once we were finished at the hospital, we headed north to always make sure we sing “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” since the Beech Grove area for the next two Valentines and a it is his favorite. This year we sang for about 2-1/2 hours, lunch break before our half-hour Valentine’s Day show at singing in various places. It is so rewarding to see how Beech Grove Meadows Retirement Center. music brings such joy to folks and brightens their day if only for a little while. This year was different than previous years in that Singing Valentines orders were down, so when Beech Grove Mead- February—Valentines and Cub Scouts ows approached us to do a Valentines show on Valentine’s Day, we weighed our options before accepting the invitation February has been our busiest month of the year thus far. to sing. Everyone had a really good time at this perform- Our first engagement was an early Valentines show on Feb- ance, and it did not adversely affect Sounds Familiar’s com- ruary 10 at the Forum at the Crossing Retirement Home. mitment to deliver Singing Valentines on other assignments. We sang for nearly an hour, Once done at Beech Grove doing songs that centered Meadows, we were back on the around Valentine’s Day. All the road to continue with the rest of staff and residents enjoyed the our Singing Valentine orders. program. The last two orders of the day This Valentine’s Day marked the were significant in different twelfth time we (Sounds Famil- ways. This first of these took us iar) have participated in the to Oaklandon where we encoun- chapter’s yearly fund raising tered a Ball State alum and event. While the total number someone who might want to join of Singing Valentines we person- us in the future. (We will need ally delivered may have been to stay in contact with Jay and down from previous years, there Joanie and be sure they come to were still plenty of memorable our annual show.) experiences. Sounds Familiar with Susan and Kathy The last order took us all the Each year’s Singing Valentines way north to Lapel, Indiana. presents some challenges for us. This year was no excep- There we encountered the King tion since bass Steve McPherson left his tux jacket in his family, a household that were all interested enough in mu- car at the designated rendezvous point, forcing us to re- sic to all play instruments. Kind of like a music haven for schedule everything while we were moving. instrumental artists. The mother and the oldest daughter both play the French horn and the youngest daughter plays Our first stop was an elementary school in Fishers and then the violin. A great place and way to end our Singing Valen- straight to the courthouse in Noblesville. There is a big tines adventure talking how much we all loved music! difference between singing for elementary school children and singing for adults in the prosecutor’s office. We were Our last performance in February came when we got the asked by the guards there to stop by the metal detector opportunity and honor to sing the National Anthem and station to sing something before we left. You should have entertain “the troops” (so to speak) meaning the Cub seen the crowd that came out to listen as we sang and the Scouts themselves, their leaders, families and parents at sounds echoed up three stories. We told the bystanders their Blue and Gold ceremony banquet. A photo of that “Wait till you see what the guards have you do to get out of proud moment appears on the next page. the building!” The expressions on their faces were price- less! (Continued on page 5) June 2012 THE BEAT Page 5
Quartet (Continued from page 4) song first without telling him we had raised the pitch to C# instead of C, so the chords he was hearing just were not lining up for him as he gazed at the sheet music. After laughing about that for a while, we renewed our endeavors to get better and learn as much as we could from Jon.
After our first two sessions, we were feeling pretty good about our progress, until we got into our last coaching ses- sion with Jay Hawkins (Louisville). Working with Jay was a very humbling experience for all of us. Jay made no men- tion of needing “more” from the lead or anything like Jon or Terry mentioned in the earlier sessions. Instead, Jay had us return to some very basic techniques like taking a full deep breath. After singing together for nearly 12 years, I would have thought we might have mastered something so simple, elemental, and essential to being singers, but ap- parently not. I am not sure we even managed to sing be- yond the first full page of the music before our time was over and all had to go home. March—Quartet Coaching What we of Sounds Familiar took back with us has changed In March, Sounds Familiar participated in the district’s Bush our rehearsal methods forever. Despite being reduced to League quartet coaching event. After years of trying to co- learning how to breathe properly again, it has reminded us ordinate all four members’ schedules of the quartet to at- tend one of these events, somewhere the planets aligned, and we were all able to make this coaching session. None of us knew what to expect when we arrived, and I am cer- tain none of us were prepared for what the coaches would tell us in their respective sessions.
Our first session was with Terry Wence (Terre Haute). It started out pretty well, from our perspective. It had been a long time since Sounds Familiar had competed in a quartet contest, but we remember all too well some of the judges’ comments we received in the those years. We even took bets amongst ourselves as to how long it would take for any of the coaches to tell us that the lead was too loud and overpowering the other three parts. Imagine our collective surprise when Terry said he wanted “more” from the lead. Wish I had put big money on the betting line, but that sug- gestion was sure a shocker to all of us. We worked on a Coaching with Jay Hawkins “full” sound which required a little more from each of us, so gained some new perspective on our collective sound. that our performances are only as good as the focus and effort that we put into our rehearsals on everything we sing Our next coach was Jon Nicholas (Lexington). Jon re- and every time we get together. enforced some of Terry’s advice on needing “more” from the lead in our songs. Now hearing this revelation from two Thanks so much to all the coaches. Hopefully we will be separate individuals really threw us for a loop. I could have able to retain and utilize the suggestions and techniques doubled my money by placing that bet. We also threw Jon and demonstrate that proficiency on Friday, October 5 at a curve because we started working our “planned” second the Cardinal District fall convention.
Chapter Membership Average member age: 57.1 Statistics Average years of service: 20.3
Number of active chorus Chapter members as of May 1, 2012: 103 members: 67 (65%)
Page 6 THE BEAT June 2012
WHERE are we, and where are we going?
The Indy version of “Car 54, Where are you?” (by the way, it dates you if you remember that) is “CCS, Where are you?” Since we have gone over Who, What, and Larry Anthony When questions, it’s now time to look at where we are. VP PR & MARKETING Personally I think we are in a pretty good spot. Chal- lenging, but still good. There are times when we all need to step back in various situations and look at not only where we’ve come from, but where we are and “The sky is the limit, and we are in where we are going. When that is done, it is usually the driver’s seat.” satisfying. Our reaction should be satisfaction to a point.
Where have we come from? Indy has a long history of not Our members are developing the pride again that makes only being a chorus that sings well, but also a chapter that them want to spread the word and promote us to people or is a leader in the district. We have gone through the normal organizations they know. Where are we? We’re coming up and down sine wave transitions over time that any cho- back. But where is this taking us? rus goes through. We went from a small chorus to a 100+ man chorus in the mid-1970’s, then back down in numbers, Where do you think we are going? I know that Garry then back up. It’s interesting Texeira and Kyle Kitzmil- and sometimes frustrating to ler know our potential and look at the changes over have an idea of where we time. We have also gone are going. I believe that we from being well known in are our own worst enemies. Indianapolis to not so much. I also believe that we can go Through the 1970s and 80s as high as we let ourselves our name was known and the go. With the help of Garry, members were actively Kyle, various world class spreading the word. We sang coaches, and a few good at the Pan Am games, pro- additions to our ranks we fessional sports games, thea- can “Rock their world!” (and tres such as Beef & Boards, ours). The people I talk to and other exciting venues. from newspapers and radio Our annual shows were at stations hear it in my voice the beautiful Clowes Hall. We and see it in my eyes when also sang in numerous Inter- I describe our exciting en- Circle City Sound performs the National Anthem at the national contests, including semble and product. Most of Indiana Pacers/Orlando Magic playoff game, May 8, 2012 entertainment competitions —photo submitted by Larry Tolle them have not heard of us, such as the Buckeye Invita- so they have a tendency to tional, which we won. Our history is that of a very enter- get excited to represent us. That’s what happens! When taining, and very good quality chorus. It provided a good you share your excitement, it is contagious. When we sang basis for where we are now. at the NBA Pacers playoff game, we “lit their fire” with our presentation of the National Anthem. I talked with an officer As I look back at the preceding paragraph, I see a thread of of a local newspaper who was at the game with friends. He similarity between then and now. We are a chorus that told me that they are STILL talking about our performance. sings well. Actually make that pretty darn well. We are a He summed it up in one word—WOW! leader in the district. Our quality singing is bringing in new members so the numbers are inching up. Our name is be- Where are we going? The sky is the limit, and we are in the coming known again in Indianapolis. A big thanks goes out driver’s seat. Be a carrier of the exciting contagion that is to John Robinson on this for his superhuman efforts for CCS and spread the word. Let’s create many more WOWs! getting us back in the spotlight. We have sung the National Anthem for all of Indianapolis’ major sports teams, including an NBA playoff game. We have sung for major festivals in Fishers and are singing this year in Greenfield plus the June popular summer music series at the Carmel Gazebo. Our Birthdays annual show is returning for the second consecutive year to the world class Center of Performing Arts in Carmel, the Palladium. We competed in the last two International com- 6/5 Keith Leavell 6/25 Adam Winans petitions and placed in the top 16 choruses in the world. June 2012 THE BEAT Page 7 This is how it all began...
Portions of this letter are quite blatantly and deliber-
ately stolen from the letter sent by O.C. Cash and Steve Cline Rupert Hall to the original members of what is now VP CHAPTER DEVELOPMENT/ known as the Barbershop Harmony Society. This is done without permission, as the authors have been MEMBERSHIP deceased for quite some time. I sincerely hope they approve. I have customized the letter to our particu- “...something should be done to encour- lar chapter, and it is intended to entertain but also to age the enjoyment of this last remaining stir some interest in recruiting. bastion of human liberty.”
Dear Sir,
In the current age of bureaucrats, dictators, and governmental oversight of everything, about the only privilege guaranteed by the Bill of Rights not in some way supervised and directed, is the art of barbershop singing.
Currently, we still have the right to ”peaceable assembly,” which I am advised by competent legal authority includes bar- bershop singing. The writers of this letter have for a long time thought that something should be done to encourage the enjoyment of this last remaining bastion of human liberty. Therefore, for the past several years, we have been conducting less than clandestine gatherings on a weekly basis, where we have been strategizing the propagation and perpetuation of this art.
After several months of research and investigation, and at the recommendation of a member or our organization, we are th St, Indianapo- convinced that your record warrants our tendering you the honor of joining this group. This letter serves as your invitation to attend these meetings, which are currently held on Mondays at First Church of the Nazarene, 9401 E 25 lis, Indiana, from 7:00 to 10:00 PM. We sincerely trust you will not fail us.
To help promote our organization, we have decided to host a songfest on Monday night, June 11, at the above meeting place, at 7:00 PM. Do not forget this date, and make every effort to be present. Telephone us if convenient, use electronic communication if preferable. We have a private room and so will not be embarrassed by the curiosity of the vulgar public. You may feel free to bring a fellow singer if you desire.
At the conclusion of the meeting, we typically retire to a local purveyor of fine food and libation, Applebees. You are en- couraged to join us as we socialize and reflect on the events of the day. There we are often prone to outbursts of song, to
the delight of the other patrons.
If you would like some more information about our organization, feel free to visit our public relations device on the world . If you would like to visit our chapter to observe, prior to seeking admittance to our wide web at www.circlecitysound.org austere and ancient society, we welcome guests with open arms.
Harmoniously yours, O.C. Cash Rupert Hall - S.K. Cline Third Assistant Tempo Royal Keeper of the Minor Keys rary Vice Chairman High Chancellor to the Understudy
And Stuff
[email protected] 317 669-8936
Page 8 THE BEAT June 2012 Skipp is one busy Barbershop guy!
With a long and distinguished Barbershop career, Skipp Kropp is well traveled and has served in a variety of differ- ent positions along the way. However his first big musical The Sound Corner experience was as a member of the Purdue Marching Band, where he played trumpet. In 1967, he was part of by Greg Roembke the band that made the trip to the Rose Bowl where the Boilermakers became the only team to beat Southern Cali- fornia that year. Also included in his list of favorite quartets are the OK 4, In 1971, Skipp was introduced who Skipp feels is one of the funniest quartets ever, Gen- to Barbershopping by his ex- tlemen’s Agreement, the Boston Common, Dealers father-in-law Ken McDowell Choice, The Ritz, Marquis and Yesteryear, all Interna- and became a member of the tional champions. Skipp states that he had the pleasure of Lafayette Tippecanotes. singing with Yesteryear’s Mark Blake in the Boardmen Within a year, he was singing quartet, and that it was “waaaay cool.” He also feels fortu- lead in his first quartet, Sound nate to count the members of all these quartets as friends Arrangement. This was only and has had the pleasure of working and singing with them the first of many quartets for over the years. Skipp, where he has performed as lead, baritone and bass. His These people and others have had an impact on Skipp’s Skipp Kropp latest quartet, Yates Crossing, singing career. He credits his late father-in-law Ken recently competed in the Cardi- McDowell for getting him “hooked” on Barbershopping. In nal District International quartet prelims. the early 1970’s he found himself “adopted” by Bob and Carrie Martin from Fort Wayne, who treated him as their If anyone is interested in serving in a chapter, district or “Barbershop son.” He considers Mark Blake one of the International leadership position, I’d suggest that you spend “classiest men, and best BHS Ambassadors ever to wear a some time talking to Skipp. His resume includes tours as gold medal.” Skipp credits Clarke Caldwell as the person Director, Assistant Director in three chapters, and Program who singlehandedly turned the Harmony Foundation into Vice President in two chapters. His current role as Vice what it is today. And through the Foundation, he has be- President of Music and Performance with Circle City come friends with Ryan Killeen, who sings tenor for our Sound marks the fifth time that he has held that position. friends from the south, TNS. In a twelve-year period, he served as District President, Executive Vice President and Events Vice President for the When asked about the current state of Circle City Sound, Johnny Appleseed District. Skipp served as a Society Board Skipp stated that he feels we are a terrific chapter that is Member from 2007 to 2009, and in 2010 began serving as a “heading in the right direction.” Not surprising is that he member of the Ethics Committee, a position he still holds also feels the chapter should engage in more socializing, today. something that he knows very well! Skipp suggests that the entire chorus should be attending every convention and However, his involvement doesn’t stop at the board room. host a hospitality room whether we are competing or not. Over the years, Skipp has been a driving force behind an- Based on his experience and the people who have crossed other important facet of our hobby, socializing. Not satis- his path, we should be listening to what he says. fied with the regular afterglows, Skipp would host the after- afterglows at his home. And if that weren’t enough, over Skipp also added that he “loves being with the CCS guys.” the years International champions and finalist quartets Looking at the list of the people he has encountered in his stayed with the Kropps while performing at chapter shows. Barbershop career, the people who he has sung with and The list includes the Gas House Gang, Matrix, OC worked with, and the people who are his friends, we should Times, Roaring 20’s, You Bet and The Allies. Talk be honored with that statement. Thanks Skipp! about an impressive list of house guests!
Remember: Practice makes permanent. Only ‘perfect practice’ makes perfect.
June 2012 THE BEAT Page 9
Lynn Martin 1920-2012
We are sad to announce that another of our brothers in song, Lynn Martin, has passed away. Lynn was a 38-year member of the Greater Indianapolis Chapter and was an en- thusiastic singer, leader and supporter throughout those 38 years. He started his quartet- ting career in 1978, joining with three other guys over 50 (Ken Pearson, Phil Miller and Ben McVay) to form a quartet known as the Over Fifty Four. They entertained all over the city, often doing two shows a day.
Lynn served as Chapter Bulletin Editor from 1989-92, Board Member in 1993-94, and was honored as our Chapter Barbershopper of the year in 1989. When hearing problems forced his retirement from singing, he continued to serve our chapter by opening his base- ment recording studio for our use in the creation and duplication of all of our learning tapes for many years.
Lynn was always gracious in sharing his time, his encouragement and his warm smile with everyone in the chapter. He will be greatly missed.
Greater Indianapolis Chapter Board Meeting Summary May 2012
The Greater Indianapolis Chapter Board of Directors met on Monday, May 14, 2012, in regular session. Ten of the eleven board members were present. The meeting was Tom Bradley held at Christ Lutheran Church. The following is a brief CHAPTER SECRETARY summary of the business transacted at that meeting.
Secretary The minutes of the April 18, 2012, meeting were accepted as written. The CCS Board meets the third Wednesday of each Treasurer The chapter’s checking account contained a month at 7:00 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church or at balance of $37,019.10 at the end of April. The restricted other times and locations, as announced. portion of this amount was $17,012.46. The board re- ceived the balance sheet, the restricted funds report, the All chapter members are encouraged to attend. profit & loss year-to-date comparison, the monthly cash flow report and the YTD financial summary for April. ternative rehearsal venue during the months of June and PR and Marketing Performance opportunities with the July. Colts and the Penrod Arts Fair are being pursued. A VLQ performance at the Indiana State Fair is confirmed for Au- Standing Committees gust 4. Contracts have been signed with radio stations 105.7 and 107.9 for annual show publicity. Annual Show: Detailed planning for the show and the af- terglow is continuing. The board approved a performance Chapter Development A guest night is scheduled for fee for the featured quartet. 1,500 flyers have been mailed. June 11 (i.e., shortly after the annual show). There have been five guests so far in May. Christmas Show: The show is to be performed at Arsenal Technical High School on Saturday, December 1. Music and Performance Coaching sessions with Theresa Weatherbee (June 18) and Brent Graham CD Project: A process for handling credit card sales of CDs (August 25) have been scheduled. The design and produc- at the Palladium is being developed. tion of the CD will be completed in May. Rehearsal atten- dance requirements have been set for the annual show. New Business The Barbershopper of the Month for April is Duane Henry for his excellent management of our Operations Arrangements are being finalized for an al- “Back in Business” CD project.
THE BEAT
www.circlecitysound.org
Jerry E. Troxel, Editor 129 Yorkshire Blvd. E Indianapolis, IN 46229
WANTED: Men who love to sing! Circle City Sound meets every Monday at 7:00 p.m. at First Church of the Nazarene 9401 E. 25th Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46229
Guests are always welcome!
News of our Members
Patrick McAlexander, member of the Greater Indianapolis Chapter since age 7 and our Tenor Section Leader, graduates from St. Theodore Guerin Catholic High School this month. He is one of several valedictorians in his class, and has been very active in music and drama programs there throughout his high school career. Pictured at right, Patrick portrayed Colonel Mustard in the school’s production of “Clue, the Musical” this spring. He also co-wrote the musical “Gray Area,” which was last fall’s production.
In addition to being valedictorian, Patrick has earned several other awards, including induc- tion into the National Honor Society, winning a high school music composition contest at the University of Indianapolis, and being selected as one of 40 Indiana Academic All Stars (pictured at left, with Dr. Peg Dispenzieri, Assistant Principal; Mark Duray, Fine Arts Director and Patrick's selection as Most Influential Teacher; and Rick Wagner, Principal). The annual Academic All Star program honors the best high school seniors in the state who have distinguished themselves in academics, service and leadership. The field of 228 nominees was especially strong this year—six of the nominees, including Patrick, had a 4.0 GPA and a perfect score on either the SAT or ACT exam.
The future for Patrick will, sadly for us, take him away from the Indianapolis area. We do, however, heartily con- gratulate him for his accomplishments and wish him all the best as he pursues the next phase of his education at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Great job, Patrick—we’re so proud of you!