Contents
A New Era Begins
Are You A Founding Member?
Area School
Chorus Chatter
Corrections
IES Scholarships
Quartet Corner
TAG FAQ
Why Quartet?


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Please feel free to make copies for your chorus members without email.

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Region 13 is dipping another toe into the waters of the electronic-age pool, and you are now viewing the very first "email issue" of InTune, our regional newsletter. You will also receive a "paper copy" of the newsletter for this issue and probably the next, as we work our way to becoming a totally electronic publication. While the entire process won't be finalized for nearly a year, your RMT is very excited about the possibilities.

Why electronic? Finances! The Region currently spends over $4000 to publish and mail the InTune annually. That amount of money would go a very long way if moved to the Education budget; $4000 would fund several Area Schools and workshops.

We realize it is very important that each member be kept informed of the goings-on in the Region. We know a number of you do not have email / internet access, and we also understand that those who do may still be uncomfortable using it. Plans are underway to address all of these issues, but the RMT would not be fiscally responsible if we didn't take this step towards reducing costs.

Each chorus has been asked to provide the email addresses of its members, which we will use to distribute InTune. Chapter presidents and team managers will also receive an issue with instructions to print out copies for their chorus members who do not have email. And we will be putting a copy on the regional website "for posterity". Region 13 will NOT use your email addresses for anything other than official regional business.

Here are a couple of tips regarding your electronic InTune:

-- Our mailing service has the ability to tell if your email program will allow you to receive the HTML (web view) version of the newsletter, or if you need the "text only" version.

-- Viewing the newsletter and printing the newsletter may get you different results! Various browser and printer settings can over-ride the specifications used to create the email, and you could quite possibly find variations if you print it out.

-- Want to send this on to a friend? You can forward InTune just like you can forward any other email. And there is a place at the bottom of the email that will let you subscribe to the list. Don't want to receive InTune? There is also a place to indicate that, but remember, this is your link to what's going on in your Region!

Please bear with us as we work out all the kinks with this new system! We think the results will be well worth it! -- Sue Middleton, Team Coordinator

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Are You A Founding Member Yet???

Now is your chance to invest in the future education of quartets in Region 13! There is still time to become a Founding Member of the Sea-Adelines Education Endowment Fund. As a founding member, you will be recognized in printed materials for years to come. The Founding Member levels are:

* Platinum Level: $1000
* Gold Level: $500
* Silver Level: $250
* Bronze Level: $100

Donate by the end of Regional competition weekend this spring to join this prestigious group of generous fund supporters. Remember, donations can be tax-deductible

And of course, donations are accepted year-round, on any occasion! Earmark a portion of your show proceeds, write a gift into your will, or make a donation in honor of the woman who invited you to your first rehearsal!

The fund is well underway...the bank account is open and the first $4,500 deposited, our team is assembled, and we're excited to see the money grow so we can start distributing it to our talented singers! For information about the fund, including the mailing address for donations, see the Regional Website (www.sairegion13.org/saeef.htm) or contact the Trustees (Teresa McCafferty, Anna Chamberlain, Dottie Dedrick, Zoe Thompson, and Janice McKenna) at SAEEFUND@hotmail.com.

Anna Chamberlain

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TAG Program FAQ

What is the TAG Program? TAG stands for Together and Growing and replaces the ETC Program. The purpose of TAG is to motivate members to embrace the journey to personal and musical growth in order to—as a team—develop into vibrant and entertaining performers in the barbershop style.

Okay…what is it REALLY?!? TAG is an opportunity for choruses to bring in a team of regional faculty members to help their chapter in areas such as vocal production, showmanship, chorus operations, membership growth and retention, PVIs and/or music team training, to mention a few topics. TAG will run every other year, partnering with Area Schools on the alternate year. The first TAG visits will begin May 1, 2005 and run through April 30, 2006.

Can I choose who comes to my chorus? Each chapter will have input into which faculty members will visit them. The final decision will be made by the program administrator, who is Sally Wallace (Coeur d'Alene Chorus). Sally will carefully consider the requirements and suggestions of the requesting chorus and match them with the faculty members best suited to their needs.

So exactly what topics are offered? Your TAG visit will be individually tailored to meet the needs of your specific chorus and may encompass several topics. Here are some ways the regional faculty can make your TAG visit successful: give all your members a PVI (personal vocal instruction); meet with your chorus/marketing team to map out your next Ready, Set, Grow program; sit down to organize your next show, from logistics to theme to scripts; run a quartet promotion; cover showmanship concerns, from choreography tips to characterization activities; meet with your Board or Management Team to talk about administrative issues or work on conflict management; or, work with your sections leaders to help them be more effective.

Can I use my TAG visit for a coaching session? The focus of the TAG Program is considerably broader than "coaching only". Choruses will have the opportunity to choose their specific areas of education, using a sheet of ideas as a starting point. However, if the chapter feels they would benefit most from a straight-forward coaching session, they can combine their visit with another chorus and be coached together.

Will it cost the chorus anything? Faculty fees, transportation and materials costs will be funded by the Region. Choruses are expected to cover faculty housing and meals.

Does our TAG visit have to be on a weekend? No. You may schedule a TAG visit for a regular rehearsal night if that works out better for your chorus.

How do I request a TAG visit? You can schedule your TAG visit by contacting Sally Wallace. Sally's phone number is 208.772.3379 and her email is thewallaces@imbris.net. You can contact her starting now, for visits during the 2005-2006 fiscal year.

Members of the regional faculty met in January to fine tune the TAG program. Left to right (standing): Phyllis Sandel, Beth Smith, Lea Beverley, Dottie Dedrick, Sally Denkelberg, Sue Beck, Julie Hagstrom, Teresa McCafferty, Anna Chamberlain and Joan Levitin. Seated: Melanie Wroe, Sally Wallace and Charlene O'Connor. Not pictured (because she was taking the photo!): Sue Middleton.

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Region 13 Area School

When Dottie Dedrick asked me to write about the Region 13 Area School held in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho on November 13, 2004, I knew it would be an easy and enjoyable task. I was having a great time chatting with familiar folks from my own chorus as well as reacquainting with those I had not seen for a while from other choruses in our Region. The Coeur d'Alene Chorus, along with their director Sally Wallace, would prove to be wonderful hosts for this fun and educational event. As I looked around, I observed that some of the ladies from this friendly group were busy providing morning refreshments and two more ladies were manning the check in and registration table handing out name tags and educational materials to the incoming participants.

The session was well represented and we were very fortunate to have such a wonderful faculty for this school: Carole Kirkpatrick; Master Director of Pacific Sound Chorus, Expression Judge, Immediate Past International President and the list goes on! Our day kicked off with physical warm ups by Sherry Morrison, Coeur d'Alene Chorus; and vocal warm ups by Andrea Kaiserman, Spirit of Spokane Chorus. Then Carole took over and instructed us on proper posture, breathing and vocal warm up techniques. We received great handouts and volunteers from the audience got up in front of the group and helped with demonstrations. Some of the things we learned about were exercises for keeping the rib cage lifted while singing, how to fix that annoying 'break' in our voice and how to find those chord ringing resonance chambers. Then we broke for lunch and what a great lunch it was! The Coeur d'Alene Chorus again provided a wonderful spread.

The afternoon session got started with Carole explaining the Expression Category; again with great handouts. Did you know that it was originally called the "Precision Category"? This part of our day turned out to be quite fun and interesting. Carole showed us videos of groups with varied levels of ability and the audience was invited to comment on what they heard as pertaining to the Expression Category. After a short break we were given the opportunity to learn about analytical listening by observing more videos, but this time the audience got to be the judge!

Our day concluded with a wrap up of what we had learned and then Carole opened up the floor for any questions the audience might have. We then joined together and sang "That's What Friends Are For".

I left at the end of the day feeling educated and invigorated. Those of us that attended now had such great information to take back to our choruses and quartets. A great big "Thanks!" to Carole and all those involved who made this Area School such a success! I encourage each and every one of you to make a huge effort to attend one of these fun and educational events our Region works so hard to put together and make available throughout the year.

Jody Allen, Region 13 Historian

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Why Should I Quartet?

Personally, I love the challenge of singing in a quartet. Being able to hold my own part and improve my voice. Having a say in the music I sing and how it is sung. The power to bring an audience to tears or having them laugh – when you want them to, the thrill of having them leap to their feet with applause or simply putting a smile on someone's face.

I have asked several friends of mine from all over the Sweet Adelines organization to tell you why they choose to sing in a quartet. They sing in all different types and levels of quartets, range in age from mid-20's to over 60 and come from all different walks of life.

You might be surprised to find out that no matter how long they have been quartetting, or the level at which they have succeeded as a quartetter, their reasons for being in a quartet are pretty much the same.

Here are some of the responses I received:

"I was 17 when I sang on my first show in my first quartet. Since then, I've grown and learned so much from the experiences I've encountered. A quartet is so much more intense musically and emotionally." -- Connie Alward, actively quartetting for over 20 years, Bass, Backtalk, Region 13

"I initially started to quartet because three women whom I love dearly asked me to. It was to be a 'one time thing' for a show and it sounded fun. And then I got hooked. I love the challenges of singing with a quartet and the absolutely incredible opportunities to better my vocal skills. I have improved more vocally in the four years I've been quartetting than in the other 11 I've been in this hobby." -- Sue Middleton, Region 13 Team Manager, Bass, Departure

"I like the accountability of being in a quartet - each part accountable for their job. Working together to create the best product you are capable of producing. The collective effort." -- Heather Fraiser, Novice Quartetter, Baritone, Vivace, Region 13

"I'm in a quartet now of women whom I respect both as friends and musicians. We all share the same quest for individual musical growth as well as making great sounds as a musical unit. The chorus quality is enhanced greatly by all those of us who quartet and, as a director, I encourage as many folks as possible to venture into the quartet experience." -- Kathy Carmody, Past International President, 36-year member, Director, Region 8

"First off, there is the rush of adrenaline from holding your part against others and it actually sounds good. Secondly, vocal development: My voice changed/developed more in 1 year of novice quartetting than it had in the previous 5 years of chorus singing." -- Lisa Hills, Novice Quartetter, Region 26

"As a lead and former solo singer, being in a quartet provides me with the opportunity to develop my skills and abilities on a very specific, individual level. In turn, I can bring this experience back to my chorus and make a positive contribution." -- Julie Harrelson, Lead, Kinetix, Region 12, International Competitor

"There's everything about being a better singer – vocal production skills improve dramatically because you and you alone are responsible for your part!" -- Sue Beck, Region 13, International Faculty, Judge & Competitor

Personal Improvement. It was in every response that I received. I received other responses as well but then I could write a booklet with the responses I got back from everyone!

They all mentioned many of the same reasons for being in a quartet. It wasn't all about the music and the personal vocal improvement, but it was the very first thing most of them mentioned.

It's also about the fun, the laughter, the excuse to shop, the thrill of performance - of doing something special, locking a chord, becoming a better person, being in the creative process, touching an audience, gaining confidence, the challenge, taking a risk, feeling like a star and most importantly, it's about the lifelong friendships.

I agree with them all. Being in a quartet can bring so much to your life both musically and personally.

My quartet mates are my friends, my sisters in song and my life would not be the same if I hadn't had the opportunity to share in the experiences I have with every woman I have ever sung with in a quartet.

Challenge yourself in 2005! Remember, we all have to start somewhere – we were all once novices. Take that step toward becoming a better singer, helping improve your chorus and developing friendships that will change your life forever.

Teresa McCafferty, Region 13 Quartet Development Coordination
Tenor, Unplugged 2005 SAI 6th Place Quartet
Former Novice Quartet Member

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Singing in the snowy wilderness around a glowing bonfire is not where you would ordinarily expect to find a barbershop chorus, but some Anchorage Sourdough Chorus members celebrated the season by singing Christmas carols at the Eagle River Nature Center's Annual Solstice observance. After warming up our voices in a yurt, we trekked through the woods, on a pathway lit by lanterns made by the children, to a venue of happy celebrants gathered around a huge crackling fire. We continued our holiday activity by singing Christmas carols to businesses around town, as well as to long-distance telephone recipients.

Anchorage Sourdough Chorus is starting the New Year off right with a weekend of coaching by Sandy Robinson, tenor with Brava and Master Director of Lions Gate Chorus. In February we'll be up to our eyeballs in popcorn, staging our major fund-raiser, the Anchorage Fur Rendezvous melodrama entitled "The Saga of the Stagger Inn Hotel", written by the venerable Sue Hahn. Our director, Peggy McBride-Spindle, is the heroine who speaks in echoes – but wait - we'll tell you more about this event in the next newsletter. -- submitted by Mona Hendrickson

Harmony Northwest

Harmony Northwest Chorus of Mount Vernon, Washington is celebrating twenty-five years together in harmony! The chorus, chartered in 1979 as Sea-Island Sound, boasts members from all of Northwestern Washington including Mount Vernon, Anacortes, Burlington, Bellingham, Ferndale and south to Everett. They are also proud to have among their members Elsie Jussel, of Bellingham, who is beginning her 38th year as a Sweet Adeline!

Harmony Northwest Chorus has been marking their silver anniversary year with public performances and fundraisers, including their 18th Annual Spaghetti & Song in October. The chorus was also happy to be able to help the community by donating to a local teen shelter and sponsoring one of their own members, Lindsey Matthews, of Anacortes, with a scholarship for area high school graduates this year. -- submitted by Carol Ward.

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Suggested Contest Music For C+ And Above

By Marge Bailey, Certified Music Judge

BALLADS
Title and Arranger (Comments)

• Chase The Rain Away; Lynnell Diamond (good competition)

• Old Teddy Bear; Lynell Diamond (competition and fun)

• Lonesomest Girl In Town; Rene Craig (good competition)

• My Mother’s Eyes; Rene Craig (good competition)

• When I Leave The World Behind; Joni Bescos (good competition)

• When I Lost You; Carolyn Schmidt (good competition)

• When I Grown Too Old To Dream; Nancy Bergman (good competition)

• Over The Rainbow; Joni Bescos (good competition)

• Strangers; Nancy Bergman (good competition)

UPTUNES
Title and Arranger (Comments)

• Baby Face; Joni Bescos (good competition)

• Give My Regards To Broadway; Nancy Bergman (good competition)

• I’m The One You’re Lookin’ For; Joni Bescos (good competition)

• Side By Side; Ruth Emley (competition and fun)

• Dear Hearts And Gentle People; Joni Bescos (good competition)

• Please Don’t Talk About Me; Westley (competition and fun)

• By The Sea; Dot Calvin (competition and fun)

• Showboat Came To Town; Val Hicks (good competition)

• Goody Goody; Nancy Bergman (good competition)

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