Little Apple Chorus has a new Director Michael Brown

Transcription

1 1st place International on line newsletter 2010 and 2003 We are harmonizing members of the Barbershop Harmony Bulletin is published by the Manhattan Kansas Chapter and Chorus Volume 38, Number 3 Karen Nanninga, Editor and Publisher Summer 2016 Inside this issue President s Message 2 Little Apple Chorus has a new Director Michael Brown Christmas Show Pete Cooper Chapter fun New Music grants Summer performance photos Thanks you LAC Etc. Calendar Michael Brown is the new director for LAC. Welcome Michael. Changes under way for the Little Apple Chorus Michael Brown has been selected as the new music director of the Little Apple Barbershop Chorus, Manhattan, Kansas and assumed his duties in August He received his Bachelor of Music Education from the Baldwin- Wallace Conservatory of Music in Berea, Ohio. He also holds a Masters of Divinity from the Nazarene Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Missouri. He is currently the director of choral music in Junction City High School. In the summer of 2013, he attended Harmony University (HU), a week-long music program in which educators may receive Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from a University associated with HU. HU is presented by the Barbershop Harmony Society, Nashville, Tennessee. At this school, he was also exposed, introduced, and gained an interest and appreciation to the Barbershop Harmony Style of music. The Little Apple Barbershop Chorus is one of over 750 chapters in the Barbershop Harmony Society, consisting of 24,000 members in United States and Canada. The mission of the Society is to promote a cappella singing and support music programs in schools throughout the country. The chapter and chorus meets every Thursday evening at 7 p.m. at the Harris Activity Center on the corner of Poyntz and 6th Street, Manhattan Kansas.

2 Summer 2016 InCider Press 2 InCider Press, a monthly publication, is the official publication of the Manhattan, Kansas chapter of the Central States District (CSD) of the Barbershop Harmony Society. The Manhattan Chapter is the home of the Little Apple Chorus. The chapter and chorus meet every Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. at the First Methodist Church Activity Center on the corner of Poyntz and 6th Street, Manhattan, Kansas. For more information about meetings or joining call or write to the Editor. (see below) Chapter Officers 2016 Immediate Past President....Mike Shepherd President....Mark Robb Executive VP....Steve McKinzie VP Marketing Mike Sexton & Public Relations VP Music... Andrew Kvasnica & Performance.Arron Pauls, Asst. VP Chapter Development & Membership... Ben Listharke.....Bob Swenson, Asst. Treasurer...Gary Mott.Denver Marlow, Asst..Secretary.Chuck Marr..Darrell Parks, Asst. Board Member..Leonard Purvis Mail order show tickets Board Member / Uniforms Tom Neill Show Chairman Board Member/Chorus Mgr.....Don Thomson Contact/ Booking Board Member... Harvey Kiser Youth in Harmony Chairman. Appointments Musical Director...Ken Lang Associate Musical Director.Don Thomson Assistant Musical Director..Andrew Kvasnica Librarian....Bob Ridley Singing Valentine Chairman....Bob Swenson Bulletin Editor...Karen Nanninga Web Master Bart Bartholomew Bulletin Editor Karen Nanninga th Road Axtell, Kansas Phone: taren@bluevalley.net Unless carrying a byline or some form of credit to borrowed sources, all items in this bulletin are by the editor and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the chapter or board. All photos in the bulletin are by the editor, unless otherwise identified. All chapter officers are expected and chapter members are encouraged to contribute their ideas on a regular basis. Re-Marks Mark Robb President Summer is almost gone and it is time to get back to work on our upcoming performances. I hope all of you who took some time off from Chapter meetings over the summer months are refreshed and ready to get back to singing every Thursday. We have our new Director in place at the front of the Chorus and I am very excited about working with him to get ready for the Christmas Show and our 40 th anniversary show in April. We have begun to work on music for both shows and the music for the Christmas Show will include many numbers we have performed in the past including pieces to be done with the ladies. I know Don is currently working on scheduling rehearsal dates to be shared with both groups. It should be a great show and another opportunity to share our joy of singing with an audience. We will present the Christmas Show on Saturday, December 10 and the Spring Show on April 8. We will have our Installation banquet on December 15 at the Four Points as we have in the past. We will be passing along more information on the banquet as it becomes available. The nominating committee has begun to work on the slate of officers for the next year. If you are approached by the committee, please give serious consideration to serving the Chapter in the new year. These positions are very important to the success of the Chapter. If you have questions about what the duties of any office might include, I am sure that the committee can answer them for you. You will find help readily available if you accept a new position on the Board. The most important qualities are a willingness to do the work and attend the meetings. Remember, decisions are made by those who show up. Singing Valentines are not that far off either. It is not too early to get your quartet ready for delivering these Valentines. Valentines Day will fall on a Tuesday next year. This program provides revenue and maybe more importantly, exposure to the public for our Chapter. If you do not sing in a quartet, there are other ways to get involved. We will need drivers, presenters and help with details. Please consider getting involved. There will also be multiple opportunities to get more involved with the production and execution of our two big shows. We will need help with ticket sales, ad sales, ushers and much more. If you would like to sing to larger audiences, the way to get this done is really fairly simple. We need to sell more tickets and we need to put on a good performance. It is our responsibility as Chapter members to work at achieving both goals. Thanks to all those who contributed to the success of our summer Church Performances. We had a great time singing to many different congregations over the summer and we reached more than 2400 people through our performances. Looking forward to working toward great performances and sharing the wonderful fellowship that we share at Chapter meetings. Thanks to all for their dedication to Keeping The Whole World Singing.

3 Summer 2016 InCider Press Christmas Show news Don Thomson Associate director Pete Cooper Don Thomson Harmony for the Holidays Christmas Show has some changes this year! In past years our Christmas Show has been held on a Sunday afternoon. This year our show will be held on Saturday! Why?...you may ask? The reason for the change is that there is a conflict with another significant KSU and Manhattan Community event. The Number #1 women s basketball team (University of Connecticut) is coming to town and will play the K-State Wildcat women s basketball team on Sunday afternoon, December 11. Many of our patrons, as well as a significant number of our chorus, have season tickets for the women s basketball games. We checked with McCain Auditorium for possible alternate dates, and trying not to schedule our show too close to Christmas, our executive board decided to accept Saturday, December 10 as the best option. Another change to our program is that the Flint Hills Children s Choir will perform with us. This is a fairly new organization, but a group of very talented young singers who will really light up our stage. You won t want to miss their performance. There are also other changes, but they haven t been solidified. It is fair to say, however, that this is going to be another very enjoyable, inspiring, and festive show for our audience. Some of the chapter members and their wives enjoying a meal together in Omaha at the 2015 CSC Spring Convention. They are left around the table, Janet and Harvey Kiser, Gary and Joyce Mott, Bob and Telva Swenson, Mike Shepherd, Joan and Don Thomson, Judy and Mark Robb, and Bill and Marilyn Bunyan. Pete Cooper, a prominent bass in our chorus for the past 39 years, passed away on May 12, The Little Apple Chorus was honored and pleased to be asked to sing for his service on May 21. As requested by his family, we sang I ll Walk With God, Hello, Mary Lou (a favorite song of Pete s), and I ll Fly Away. Pete was a charter member of the Little Apple Chorus. He had renewed his membership in March, and his 40-year membership card was presented to his wife, Helen, at the memorial service. Pete also sang Bass in the Manhattan Music Machine for 28 years. And, in addition to his musical talents, Pete served in many other capacities with the chorus including serving terms as treasurer and bass section leader. Pete was one of those people whose presence was always felt in a significant way. He would be the first to greet a guest, the first to point out a discrepancy in his section, the first to point out a deviation by the director Yes, Pete liked order, and changes to that order were difficult for him. The good part was his willingness to help keep us in order! As much as his presence was felt and appreciated by all, his absence has left a significant void. We miss him, but we will never forget his many years of devoted service, his many contributions to our chorus, and the friendship he and Helen shared with us for 29 years!

4 Summer 2016 InCider Press 4 Fun times, join us! Ben Listhartke We at the Little Apple Chorus like to boast about the amount of fun we have at rehearsals, and by the turnout of new members I'd say the word is still getting out. We've had a HUGE upswing in new members over the summer, adding 6 members in the past couple of months alone! Three of our newest invaluable members were visitors at our last open house in April. In addition, they all sing baritone! Frank Hwang sang with the chorus several years back, and after his hiatus he's rejoined us! We've also seen a couple of new faces to barbershop, Rick Roenigk and Troy Strifler. All three have been strong influences in our sound since they've joined. We also gained another member this summer, this time due to his new position as chorus director: Michael Brown. A talented, passionate and enthusiastic musician, Michael was the recipient of a chorus fund a few years ago to attend Harmony University and learn about barbershop directing. Now he's at the podium, and what a wonderful investment that was! Michael's enthusiasm for barbershop extends outside the chorus, to his school where he teaches choir. He's invited several of his students there to attend our rehearsals, and we've seen two of his students, Jacob Childs and Nathaniel Hancock, join the chorus as a result. President Mark Robb (Center) recognizing membership renewals for Jim Lindquist (left) 38 years of service and 6 Men of Note, and Scott McVey (Right) 7 years of service and 4 Men of Note. Troy Strifler receives a membership package from Ben Listhartke Mike Shepherd was the presenter at the Afterglow of the CSD Spring Convention in Omaha. Ken Lang with his man of note Rick Roenigk

5 Summer 2016 InCider Press 5 Be advocates of Music in our Schools Harvey Kiser, VP of Youth In Harmony And Past President, Central States District Have you talked with vocal music teachers about the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) and learned that they never have heard of us? I have. Our chapter has had the privilege of providing grants for vocal music programs to several of our area/local schools. For three years, we have provided a grant to 16 teachers giving a total of $11,000. (4 grants of $500 in 2014, 6 of $750 in 2015 and 6 of $750 in 2016.) Much of these grants come from the net proceeds from our Christmas Holiday show. The teachers were extremely surprised and happy to receive their grant. Their happiness is our pleasure. Our teachers have indicated many uses of our Chapter s grants. They are used for sheet music, soloist books, choir robes, new stereo or sound system and new boys choir music, and the boy s cummerbund/bow ties. A teacher can buy 30 to 60 copies of new music that may cost $2.00 to $3.00 and as high at $7.00 per copy. Here are two responses from this year s recipients on how they are or are planning to use the money. Kerri Butler, K-12 Music Teacher, Blue Valley School District/ Randolph, KS One thing that we are in desperate need of is books for soloists for contest. So I will be purchasing some new books that are for singers of a lower vocal register. Another possibility is to help some of my students attend a vocal music camp or workshop somewhere; and I will not hastily spend this money. I will try to stretch it as far as possible and make sure that I use it for either things that can be reused in my classroom for many years to come or that will truly benefit my students and give them an opportunity that they would not otherwise get. Anna L. Wimmer, B.M., M.A. Music Educator, Performing Flutist, & Private Instructor, Manhattan, Kansas Catholic Schools said, I do have great plans! Here is what I plan on purchasing: Christmas & Spring Concert Music for the Elementary Vocal Programs; Christmas & Spring Concert Music for the Middle School Choir Programs; Rhythm Cup Explorations for the Elementary Vocal Department; A Teacher's Resource Guide for Jazz for Young People for the Elementary Vocal Department; A choir method series for the Middle School Choir Program; and a new stereo system for the classroom and replacement choir folders. A $750 check presented to Jana Havens for her vocal music program. She was smiling ear to ear. She has a small chorus/choir and is working on to increase the numbers. We asked what the money might be used for music and possibly to cover transportation costs to take the students to the district/state music contests. This spring the Chapter presented a grant of $750 to Garrett Jones, to use with the Rossville High School vocal music program. At a recent chapter meeting he thanked the chapter for the grant to help his music program. Adam Aadalen teaches vocal music at Sabetha High and Middle Schools. Included in these courses are 6th, 7th and 8th grade girls and boys choirs at SMS as well as Infinity, Odyssey and Concert Choir at SHS. Infinity and Odyssey are both auditioned choirs that do all genres of music. These two groups perform around the community throughout the year and put on a variety show the end of January. Each fall, both groups compete at the Peru Showchoir Festival, where Odyssey has won their division twice. In addition to his teaching duties, Mr. A codirects the high school musical and teaches voice lessons. Many Barbershop Harmony Chapters provide support and encouragement supporting local school s vocal music program through grants, college scholarships, vocal music pieces/books and youth festivals. Marty Monson, CEO/Executive Director of our Society, has said that the results of the collaborations between the Society and other vocal music associations, such as the American Choral Directors Association and the National Association for Music Education, are still ongoing and developing further. Anecdotally, he says that we, as a Society, are seeing a rise in overall interest from music educators on how we are serving our communities as described above. How? We are selling more barbershop music, offering more localized funding, more schools and students participating in our festivals and workshops, and more music educators attending our week long Harmony University and regional Harmony Colleges than ever before. Let us continue our support of music education whether it is by grants, university scholarships for music education majors, youth festivals or travel scholarships to vocal music teachers to attend Harmony University. We want our schools vocal music programs to continue and grow stronger. Jana Havens Kerri Butler Adam Aadalen Anna Wimmer Garret Jones

6 Summer 2016 InCider Press 6 Summer Performances The singers outside the Bluevalley Methodist Church. The water boy. Here are a few of the churches that the Little Apple Chorus sang at this summer. How many of them can you name? There was one young man paying very close attention.

7 Summer 2016 InCider Press 7 Thank you LAC I can sing better now John Thomason It s only been eleven short years but it seems like a lifetime. I mean that in a good way, of course! How foolish was I to think that I didn t have time to sing. How preposterous! That s like saying, I don t have time to pray, or eat, or sleep. These last eleven years I ve had to play catch-up to fit in with the Little Apple Chorus. Oh what a great time it has been! Many years of urging from Bill Hanson planted the seed to get involved with singing Barbershop but, I foolishly thought, I m just not ready. Dan Bartholomew has been a business acquaintance since 1993 but I wasn t aware he had such a wonderful bass singing voice. The week after the 2005 LAC Spring Show Bart was getting his RV Trailer ready for a summer of fun. We were chatting about the upcoming summer camping season and he said he was looking forward to a much-deserved break after his most recent project. He had just completed his role as chairman of the LAC Spring Show! I believe his comment was, Man, I ll never do that again! or something to that effect. My response was that I didn t know he was in the LAC and I had been thinking of joining for several years. Well let me tell you! he said, in his best retired Colonel salesman voice and informed me of the Spring Open House. He invited me to come and join in the Joyous Noise and good Fellowship that I would find with the Little Apple Chorus. Bart, you were 100% right on the mark! The Joyous Noise and good Fellowship grabbed a hold of my Soul and wouldn t let go. The rest is history. Now I just need to learn how to sing Barbershop. So far the Chorus has been very patient with me and I have learned a great deal about my voice and my inner child. I look forward to many more enjoyable years with the Little Apple Chorus and the great group of men, and women, who give it the vibrant Life it displays each and every day. UPDATE: I wrote this 6 years ago so the eleven years is the current version. A lot of water has gone under the risers since then. Times change and people come and go. That s what life is about. My, I mean our, friend Bart will be moving along soon. Ken Lang has retired to spend more time on the greens and with the grand kids. I just want to say to these great guys and the rest of the Chorus the same thing I said 6 years ago THANK YOU! I CAN SING BET- TER NOW, I think. Leading since 2005 (or at least trying to) Here are the Guests August 18, 2016 Left to Right - Isaac Williams, Jacob Childs, Nate Hancock, and Cameron Black. Komments from Karen Summer is just about over. From my stand point it was great for the LAC. From all the Summer Performances, Singing with the Band, and the summer picnic that was rained out. We were happy to host the event, just sorry it had to be moved but we were dry. I put some of the Summer Performances in a collage format. See if you can figure out where you were. Now there are all the fall and winter activities to prepare for and with a new director. Good job guys! In the 1900s, an English town had fallen on really hard times. For decades, its primary industry had been its textile mills. But now the mills were all closed, and unemployment was at an all-time high. Desperate, the town's mayor looked frantically around for other industries to bring to his town. He found that there was a man in Germany who was looking for someone to take over his thriving hunting-dog breeding business. The man had made a fortune raising the animals but was willing to unload the business for a fraction of its value so that he could retire. The mayor used his influence to have the mills converted to kennels and all of the dogs transported to his town. Employment skyrocketed, and the town prospered. Everyone was happy, even though the animals got a little noisy, keeping some residents awake. But even these unfortunate few learned to sigh and say, "The mills are alive with the hounds of Munich."

8 Summer 2016 InCider Press 8 LAC again sang with the community band as another summer performance. Tag singing. A young band member, at least he thinks he is.

9 Karen Nanninga th Road Axtell, Kansas Calendar for the Little Apple Barbershop Chorus September 15 Chapter meeting September 22 Chapter meeting September 29 Chapter meeting October October October October 6 Chapter meeting 13 Chapter meeting 20 Chapter meeting 27 Chapter meeting November 3 Chapter meeting November 10 Chapter meeting November 17 Chapter meeting November 19 - Joint rehearsal at Harris Center from 9:00 to 3:00 with lunch served Thanks to the following for articles Don Thomson, Mark Robb, Ben Listhartke, John Thomason, Harvey Kiser. And for photos from Mike Shepherd, Steve McKinzie, District and International dates Central States District Convention October 7-9 Cedars Rapids Iowa November 24 No Chapter meeting Thanksgiving December 1 Chapter meeting December 8 Chapter meeting December 10 Holiday Show