Introducing Masterpiece www.harmonymasterpiece.org.nz We are fortunate to have se- Here’s what The 5 th wheel, a -shop Society and why we cured the fabulous quartet barbershop quartet blog, had to sing. Masterpiece for this year’s say about them: It's not just the music, it's also Convention. “Masterpiece represents all the fellowship of meeting and A masterpiece is a supreme that is right about our Society hanging out with other breth- artistic achievement, and that and why we sing together. ren around the country who is a fitting description for the First off, they are all friends. share the love of this great unique sound of this im- They get along together and hobby/lifestyle. When Master- mensely talented group. enjoy each other's company. piece agrees to do your show, The fact that they all sing with That really comes across on they won't ask to be first on the Masters of Harmony, seven- the stage when they are sing- afterglow so they can catch the time World Champion Chorus, ing. An audience can tell when midnight flight home. They indicates their high level of a quartet's members are will stay and close out the af- commitment and skill in sing- friends. The members of Mas- terglow. If you give them a ing that won them 1st place in terpiece are also "crazy" tech- beer, they'll stay even longer. the 2008 Far Western District nicians when it comes to per- That's because all four of them Barbershop Quartet Champi- fecting the craft. I can guaran- joined barbershop as kids. onships. tee you that they will ring They were all raised in small Masterpiece are: every chord, in tune, with mu- chapters and learned probably Rob Menaker - Tenor sical execution and precision. 90% of their musical abilities Patrick Haedtler - Lead It's just the nature of the four- through the Society and its Alan Gordon - Baritone some. However, that's not educators. While they are all Brett Littlefield - Bass what makes them stand out in superstar singers, they are The guys are looking forward my book. humble men who give back to very much to their time ‘Down They understand what it means the Society that has so en- Under’, just as we are eager to to be a barbershopper. They riched their lives.” be entertained and inspired by "get" the culture of the Barber- Continued p. 4 them. Masterpiece – from left: Brett, Patrick, Alan, Rob Check out their sound on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DnB5iGVaus&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7lJMhunuyI See also their website at http://www.masterpiecequartet.com/index.htm. Editor: Richard Bentley 1 Layout: Mike Martin Programme Update www.harmonymasterpiece.org.nz Duane Wallace Register On Line Now and Save! Programme Commit- Be an early bird – register for Convention be- tee Convener fore 30 May and save $20. Duane is a familiar fig- Go to the Convention website at ure at NZABS Conven- www.harmonymasterpiece.org.nz and fill in tions, and you will the online form, or print out a paper form. know that he goes to You can order from the stunning range of each one determined to Convention clothing on the same form – all learn more and enjoy embroidered with the Convention logo. Cloth- himself. He and his ing orders close on 1 st August. team have designed a Don’t forget to make your payment, which is programme so you will done separately from the registration. You enjoy yourself too. need to follow the detailed instructions on the Says Duane: website carefully. “You will see from the convention website Remember that you can register for the Har- (www.harmonymasterpiece.org.nz ) that we’ve mony University at the same time – and don’t put the Quartet competition on Friday and the forget to choose your special dietary require- Chorus competition on Saturday. This schedule ments. simplifies organisation and makes things better There are separate processes for the registra- for singers too – you won’t have your chorus and tion of quartets and choruses, which are also quartet on stage during the same day, and can available now. focus on one thing at a time. Payments are by Internet banking or cheque. We want you here right at the start, so plan to be You will not be able to pay by credit card due in Hamilton ready to go at the Official Opening. to the cost to BCL and online security issues. From then on we plan to keep you busy with maximum audience participation and singing Travel Latest whenever there is a pause in proceedings. Travel Latest We’ll keep you going right through to after the For all you skinflints taking advantage of Sunday lunch, which will be held at Sky City. cheap flights to Auckland and needing trans- This is a great venue. Everyone should try sing- port to Hamilton, the Naked Bus Co. ( http:// ing in the foyer. It’s part of the old Post Office nakedbus.com/ ) has stripped 25% off their building and features a glass ceiling dome that fares for August/September travel booked dur- has great acoustics. ing May. Check out Intercity Coachlines too You will notice in the program that there is to be (http://www.intercity.co.nz ). Mini-bus shuttles a chorus directed by 2001 BHS gold medal lead are readily available and charge around $30 - and 3 times gold medal director Mark Hale. This $60 one way depending on how many in your chorus will be made up of members of small cho- group. ruses plus other non-competing barbershop sing- ers. This will be a real highlight for those singers who have never had the chance to sing within a large chorus before and to be coached by one of the best in our society. Be sure to keep a close eye on the website for further updates and Convention newsletters.” Editor: Richard Bentley 2 Layout: Mike Martin Harmony University ––– Tune It or Die! www.harmonymasterpiece.org.nz Come and be part of a unique educational programme that will change your barbershop experience for life! Get Dressed! • Exceptional teaching faculty: 7 international staff plus 5 Clarrie and Janet Jensen and Mike NZABS trainers Martin, in consultation with Thorn- ton Shaw, designed a convention • A full programme of clothing collection that we know four teaching streams – will be popular. choose from: Harmony The colour theme for the convention College, Directors Col- is navy with a red trim, strong warm lege, Out Standing in colours for winter. Front (for section leaders Along with the perennial favourites and future directors of of cap and short sleeve polo short, all kinds), Quartet Col- the collection includes a long-sleeve lege polo shirt to keep you warm in the • A chance to sing every- cooler Waikato spring weather. Just day with a large chorus the thing to wear under the reversi- • Directors will get ‘hands on’ practice in front of a large ble nylon/fleece vest. Check out the chorus collection on the Convention web- • Wednesday night public show to strut your stuff site ( Note: last orders 1 August). • Wonderful tranquil location with very comfortable facili- ties • Incredible economic pricing at $250 all inclusive (accommodation, meals and classes); non-NZABS Mem- bers $300. Book online when you register for Convention: http://www.harmonymasterpiece.org.nz/ Stop Press! Harmony Showtime concert ––– May 30 Our very own “ Musical Island Boys” will be appearing in the Harmony Showtime concert at the University of Wai- kato’s WEL Energy Trust Academy of Performing Arts at 2pm on 30 May. The proceeds from the show will assist the MIB to travel to Philadelphia in July this year to compete in the International competitions. Also appearing is the NZ Young Women in Harmony Under 25 years champion quartet, Extra Shot . This quartet com- peted at the 2009 Rising Star Competition held in Nashville, Tennessee, and gained a very creditable 3rd place medal. To complete the programme will be the Waikato Rivertones chorus which won an international title for mid size choruses in San Antonio, Texas, in 2007, and of course Mighty River Harmony , which won first place the “Over 30” competition at last year’s Convention. Be there, if you can, to support MIB ! Editor: Richard Bentley 3 Layout: Mike Martin Introducing Masterpiece www.harmonymasterpiece.org.nz both the Masters of Harmony his wife, Cyndi, live in Fuller- and Westminster Choruses ton, CA, with their daughter, (where he has served as Presi- Molly. dent for the last 3 years), but is most recognized as lead of The Crush , twice a FWD Silver Medalist, 2007 Collegiate Quartet Silver Medalist, and 2009 International Semi- Finalist. While more recently rising through the ranks, Patrick be- gan 16 years ago at the age of 12, joining the San Jose (now Tenor - Rob Menaker Bay Area) Chapter with his Rob has sung many musical father and brother. Patrick re- styles with the UCLA Men's sides in Manhattan Beach, CA. Glee Club, touring the U.S. Bass - Brett Littlefield and Far East. After graduat- Brett, who hails from Westmin- ing, his effortless tenor voice ster, CA, started barbershop made him a valuable commod- singing straight out of high ity to many groups, culminat- school. Demonstrating the ing in a 1996 International depth of a gospel singer with Quartet Championship with the warmth of a crooner, Brett Nightlife. In the Masters of anchored the 1996 Champions Harmony , his vocal consis- with Rob in Nightlife . Brett has tency and colour have served been active with the Masters for as a model for the tenor sing- 20 years, serving as bass section ers for all six chorus champi- leader, director, and assistant onships.