Director s Reflections

Transcription

1 Vol. 48, Issue 2 Winner, PROBE International Bulletin Contest, 2011 and 2014 News and views from the Greater Indianapolis Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society Our chapter mission: To enhance lives by performing with excellence and encouraging singing within our community. Director s Reflections by Theo Hicks, Music Director of Circle City Sound, Lead of Instant Classic As we begin the new year, we look back at the previous year to celebrate the successes and identify what we can improve upon. We ve grown musically and interpersonally, and excellence is becoming more of a consistent way of being. I love the genuine brotherhood that is felt at rehearsal. As I count my blessings, being able to make music with Circle City Sound is one of the greatest gifts I could have ever asked for. Our Chapter Shows & Community Outreach Our annual show and Christmas show keep getting better with every passing year. Each one is unique with its own challenges, but also with its own rewards. Having GQ as the featured guest on our annual show was an incredible experience, and it was our honor in Instant Classic to sing on the show again. Collaborating with the Indianapolis Children s Choir and the RTV6 Toy Drive for our Christmas show are continued efforts of collaboration within our community. And I was ecstatic to see that we finally bit the bullet and put on two shows. The general consensus (from surveys and word of mouth) is that this is the right direction for CCS. Two shows in one day does provide its own set of challenges and difficulties, but was worth it when it comes to exposure to our audiences and moving forward as a chorus. It is also great to see that we are starting to be more involved in our surrounding community. Obviously our guests on the Christmas Show are a perfect example, but how wonderful it s been to see the chorus embracing our community in different ways. Visiting the Louisville chapter last spring was another great outreach to support our brothers going into the International contest, and one of my favorites was singing for the assisted living facility in December. I m very excited knowing that the upcoming year has more of these outreach projects. Conventions Hosting conventions is becoming a regular opportunity for our chapter, and I have been so thrilled to see the majority of the chorus step up to make sure that hosting the convention is an amazing experience for all (Continued on page 4)

2 Page 2 THE BEAT The benefits of singing As seen in The VOICE, New Tradition Chorus, Lee Kingdon, editor Jerry E. Troxel, Editor Member, PROBE (Public Relations Officers and Bulletin Editors) 129 Yorkshire Blvd. E Indianapolis, IN jerry@troxels.com The BEAT is published monthly by the Greater Indianapolis, Indiana, Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, a proud member of the Cardinal District. Chapter Leadership 2017 President Kyle Kitzmiller Secretary Frank Bynum Treasurer Jerry Troxel VP Chapter Development Steve Erdosy VP Music & Performance Scott Bradford VP PR & Marketing Craig Johnson VP Program Ryan Smith Board Members at Large Kevin Cline, Josh Hamilton, Steve King Immediate Past President Greg Roembke Director Theo Hicks Assistant Director David Zimmerman Circle City Sound meets every Monday at 7:00 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church Indianapolis, Indiana Guests are always welcome! 1. Singing releases endorphins, which make you feel instantly happier. 2. When you sing you also release oxytocin, which is a natural stress reliever and is found to alleviate feelings of depression and loneliness. 3. You ll also sleep better as a result of being less stressed. 4. Singing improves your heart rate, which reduces the risk of heart disease, so singing is clearly a powerful thing. 5. And, when singing with someone else, your heart rates can even sync together. 6. Your posture will get straighter because you have to stand tall to really belt it out! 7. And your feelings of safety and confidence increase when singing in a group. 8. It s actually a good workout. You ll work out your lungs, improve your circulation, and tone your abdominal and intercostal muscles. 9. Singing also has been proven to boost your immune system. 10. It s really good for your brain and will enhance your mental awareness, concentration, and memory. Also, reading music in general improves your math skills, as well as other cognitive functions. 11. You ll develop healthier breathing patterns, which can help cope with various lung diseases, as well as provide similar effects to yoga. 12. It s been used as an all-natural way to help treat dementia, lung cancer, depression, and chronic pain. 13. You ll probably live longer, in general. A 2008 joint study by Harvard and Yale stated that choral singing in a Connecticut town had increased residents life expectancy.

3 THE BEAT Page 3 Strolling down harmony lane A monthly look back at our chapter s history by Lew Gillespie, Chapter Historian Ten Years Ago (2007) New chapter officers were President Jim Rosenau, PR & Marketing VP Larry Anthony, Membership VP Steve Cline, Music & Performance VP Duane Henry, Program VP John McQuistion, Secretary Tom Bradley, Treasurer Jim Sauder, Board Members at large David Bloomer, Brad McAlexander, and Lucas Snyder, Music Director Bryan Hughes, and Immediate Past President Jerry Troxel. Upcoming events for the chapter were: BOTY Banquet, Indiana Historical Society, January 26; Spring Convention, Columbus, Indiana, March 23-25; and Annual Show, Warren Performing Arts Center, June 9. Chapter meetings were held on Mondays at 7:00 p.m. at the Masonic Temple, 525 North Illinois Street in downtown Indy. Bob Boehmer, author of The Sound Corner in the chapter bulletins, had to resign his writing assignments due to health issues. Bob had written 44 mini-biographies of chapter members for The Beat. Bob had also been the baritone section leader and a former chapter president. (Ed. note, every now and then the chapter is still blessed with Bob s appearances at chapter rehearsals). (Information taken from The Beat, Vol. 38, Issue 1, January 2007, R. Duane Henry, editor). Fifteen Years Ago (2002) Chapter leaders were President Larry Anthony, Music & Performance VP Jerry Troxel, Membership VP Jim Rosenau, Program VP Terry Silke, Public Relations VP Dick Nyikos, Treasurer Jeff Whiteley, Secretary Vic Kendall, Immediate Past President Duane Henry, Board Members at large Wayne Alford, Steve Grimes, and Scott Hutchison, Music Director Bryan Hughes, Assistant Director Dave Bjork, Music Librarian Bill Chisler, Chapter Historian Phil Miller, Uniform Chairman Steve Cline, and Service Chairman Bill Schlosser. In district news, the spring convention for 2002 would be held in Columbus, Indiana on April 5-7. Weekend activities were scheduled to include the quartet and chorus contests, the auction, and the gospel sing. This year the chorus contest was scheduled for Saturday afternoon with the quartet finals and Show of Champions beginning at 7:30 p.m. that evening. Cardinal Chord College would be held in Marion, Indiana in July. This event was a great way to improve each member s vocal and singing techniques. (Material taken from Inside The Pride, Vol. 33, Issue 1, January 2002, Brad McAlexander, editor). Secure the future of Barbershop harmony through your generous gifts to the Harmony Foundation. Provide additional support to your chapter and district with the Donor s Choice option. Calendar of Events Singing Valentines February 13 and 14 Indy metro area CCS Awards Banquet February 18, 6:00 pm Woodland Country Club 100 Woodland Lane Carmel, Indiana Madison County High School Choral Festival Concert March 7, 7:30 pm Frankton High School 610 E Clyde St, Frankton, Indiana Cardinal District Convention and Contests March Ben Davis High School 1200 N. Girls School Road Indianapolis, Indiana CCS Annual Show June 10, 7:00 pm The Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts One Center Green Carmel, Indiana Afterglow June 10, 10:00 pm Market District Restaurant N. Illinois St. Carmel, Indiana Members: For detailed information on all chapter performances check your Yahoo! Group s or go to: and visit the Members Only section The deadline for the March issue of The BEAT is Wednesday, March 1. Send articles to: jerry@troxels.com

4 THE BEAT Page 4 Reflections (Continued from page 1) involved. Our brothers in the district see the way we operate, and you are an inspiration to many of them. Thank you for being amazing ambassadors for our art form, and thank you for showing what true hospitality looks like. The Future When I was in the latter years of high school, my father and I would often talk about my future and how to appropriately plan for it. His main piece of advice has been ingrained in my mind to this day: Decide where you re going first; then decide how to get there. Sure does seem like common sense, doesn t it? However, it is common to hear of people taking a course of action that seemed like a good idea at the time, but having never really thought about the overarching Why? Sometimes we operate in survival mode, other times we are so focused on others that we forget our own goals and aspirations. Realizing our long term goal collectively will help us in our planning as we move forward. Therefore, as we move onward we need to think about the big picture: Where do we want to go, and how do we want to get there? Some of you have expressed your desire for an International chorus medal, while others have said their joy simply lies in performing often and for great crowds. Neither one is wrong, but both have their limitations. That is one of the big reasons why the leadership has tried to focus on our Commitment to Excellence. Excellence is not just a placement in contest, a certain number of tickets sold, or how well we ring chords. Excellence, by definition, is the quality of being outstanding. Committing to excellence means that there is no ceiling to what we can accomplish together. Committing to excellence means that there is no expiration date to our adventures together. Here s to continuing the commitment to excellence! The Lighter Side ACTUAL COUNTRY SONG TITLES I Keep Forgettin' I Forgot About You If You Don t Leave Me Alone, I ll Go and Find Someone Else Who Will I m Just a Bug on the Windshield of Life Thank God and Greyhound She s Gone You re the Reason Our Baby s So Ugly I m So Miserable Without You It s Like Having You Here I d Be Better Off in a Pine Box The Next Time You Throw That Fryin Pan, My Face Ain t Gonna Be There Tennis Must be Your Racket, Cause Love Means Nothin To You What Made Milwaukee Famous Has Made a Loser Out of Me

5 THE BEAT Page 5 Start with WHY By Craig Johnson, VP PR and Marketing This shift in emphasis away from the what and how toward the WHY had its origins in a book by Simon Sinek, Start with Why, and a TED Talk called How Leaders Inspire Action. People don't buy What you do; they buy Why you do it. Only when we begin to tell others the why will it begin to resonate. The Apple corporation has always thought differently and embodies this approach, saying: We believe in challenging the status quo and thinking differently [why]. Our products are beautifully designed and easy to use [how]. We just happen to make computers, want to buy one? [what] Why not Circle City Sound? We believe in creating art through music and brotherhood (why). Our chapter is fortunate to have incredible leaders and opportunities to sing with performers from around the world (how). Twice a year we perform in a show setting in our community. Would you like to come to see us? (what) Exercises Watch How Leaders Inspire Action Think about how you talk about CCS to others Reflect on and answer the questions, Why Barbershop? and Why CCS? Think about how you can shift to this mindset for Singing Valentines, shows, sponsorships, etc. Additional Notes Shifting your mindset to this takes time and practice. Refresh your memory on this topic once a week, and try applying it to different facets of your life. Our Chapter Quartets Late Shift Instant Classic 2015 International Quartet Champions The Rush 2014 Cardinal District Quartet Champions (765) (248) (317)

6 Page 6 THE BEAT Goal : To understand WHY Singing Valentines are beneficial to our chapter from the performance and financial sides, and WHY you should be part of this project. A Singing Valentine is: The WHY of Singing Valentines By Greg Roembke, Immediate Past President and Singing Valentines Chairman A unique gift presented in a popular music form An opportunity for us to perform for an audience that might not normally hear us The chance for you to perform in public for a very appreciative audience The chance for you to promote our chapter Why you should be enthusiastic about Singing Valentines We have a unique product that is family rated Our style of music is hot right now, and we are much more affordable than Pentatonix We offer a musical gift that won t soon be forgotten, and at a reasonable price And we have the chance to touch people with our music Our Singing Valentines make people smile and laugh Our Singing Valentines make other people jealous And our Singing Valentines create a lot of emotion, both for those we are performing for and for us Singing Valentines provide the chance to: Sing in a quartet where the audience thinks you are probably International Champs Spend time with your fellow CCS members in a completely different environment Promote our upcoming shows and events Introduce people to our type of music Perhaps find someone who has been looking for a place to sing So WHY? Everyone has their own reasons for being part of this: It provides you the chance to connect with someone musically who, before you showed up, was just having another normal day We all love to perform, and what better way to do that than by us going to the people rather than trying to get them to come to us It puts our chapter, our music and our love of entertaining out in the community before the people who might end up coming to see us So what does each of us need to do: Participate in delivering Singing Valentines Share this opportunity with your family, your friends and those you work with Purchase a Singing Valentine and have it delivered to someone who could benefit from knowing that someone cares about them Make this something that you enjoy and look forward to every year Don t sell Singing Valentines because you have to, but because you want to, and it benefits so many people.

7 THE BEAT Page 7 A brief history of our chapter s Singing Valentines By Jerry Troxel, Editor of THE BEAT, former Singing Valentines Chairman Singing Valentines is a program which has been around for many years and has been adopted by most of the Barbershop chapters, both men s and women s. The Indy chapter first delivered Singing Valentines in 1995, so this will be our 23 rd year. Jim and Jane Patterson headed up our Singing Valentines program for 10 years, then Jerry and Pam Troxel led the program for 12 years. Now it is Greg and Janie Roembke s turn. In the 22 years we have done this program, we have delivered 3,034 Singing Valentines that s a whole lot of love! Our best year was 2002, when we delivered 213, but in 2007, when a Valentines Day snowstorm dropped about a foot of snow on Indy, we delivered only 54. As you know, we will deliver our Valentines wherever our customers send us. We have been to homes, offices, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, retirement communities, restaurants, stores, churches and synagogues. Some of our more unusual venues have been: Live on-air on WIBC radio and FOX59 Morning News On the floor of the Indiana House of Representatives while in session (with the permission and blessing of the Speaker of the House) At the Indiana Boys School (Plainfield Correctional Facility) At a certain gentlemen s club on Indy s west side For many of our customers, a Singing Valentine is a once-in-a-lifetime thing, but we do have some regular customers, like Bill Chisler and John McQuistion and guys outside our chapter, who have been ordering from us every year for 10 years or more. Some of them order two or three Singing Valentines each year. From a revenue standpoint, those Valentines have brought in an estimated $120,000 to our treasury to support our music and outreach programs. But much more important than that wherever we go, we are making the music that makes a difference. We know that we have made that connection, made that difference, by the smiles, the tears, and the reactions of people who want to sing along. And we also know that by the marriage proposals we have been a part of. So, with Singing Valentines, every year for 23 years now, we have been saying I LOVE YOU, with a song!

8 Page 8 THE BEAT Chapter Board Meeting Summary By Frank Bynum, Chapter Secretary The Board of Directors for the Greater Indianapolis Chapter met January 16, 2017 in regular session at Christ Lutheran Church. It approved the minutes from the December 29, 2016 board meeting and accepted the Treasurer s Report for December CCS will host and compete in the Spring Cardinal District Contest March 25. Plans are on schedule for contest set rehearsals. The Music team will touch base with Cindy Hansen on February 6 and continue our rehearsal process. Our Fall Retreat will be at Bradford Woods again, Sept The coach for the retreat will be Evan Boegehold. Steve Erdosy and Ryan Smith are helping with creating content and cleaning up the Facebook Page. A Singing Valentines video is in the works for Facebook. They also want to feature chorus members answering the Why Barbershop and Why CCS questions for a social media segment. They are asking for input on this. They would also like to start a "TBT" with old chorus pictures, videos, etc. Pursuant to chorus outreach efforts, the Program Team plans to take advantage of contacts we already have. The team will vary by each event we take on. Current contacts are: Hoosier Village - Scott Bradford, Madison High School/Choral festival - Theo Hicks, Pike - Dave Zimmerman, and assisted living facilities - Dan Pritchard. We want to take on additional outreach to high school programs. This doesn't necessarily mean putting on shows, but finding ways to expose the younger crowd to barbershop, such as attending local high school performances and tagging in the lobby. The Generations Trio contract has been signed for the Annual Show in June. The Buzz contract has also been signed for the 2018 Annual Show. There is a new performance venue possibility Beech Grove High School. This is suitable because they welcome long term scheduling. The board will be working on this site as a possible venue for future Christmas Shows. Board of Directors plus Steve Cline, Becky Cline, George Houk, and Jim Sauder are listed as bonded for CCS business purposes. Sales tax exemption Jerry Troxel provided the Tax Exempt number for CCS to those board members making purchases for the chapter. The board approved CCS participation and performance at the Madison County Choral Festival Tuesday, March 7 (7:30 pm performance). The chorus will receive a performance fee and this will also serve as a community outreach program.

9 THE BEAT Page 9 The Songs We Sing: As Time Goes By from Wikipedia As Time Goes By is a song written by Herman Hupfeld in It became most famous in 1942 when part of it was sung by the character Sam (Dooley Wilson) in the movie Casablanca. The song was voted No. 2 on the AFI's 100 Years Songs television special, commemorating the best songs in film (only surpassed by Over the Rainbow by Judy Garland). The song has since become the representative song of Warner Bros. and was also the title and theme song of the 1990s British romantic comedy series As Time Goes By. As Time Goes By has been recorded by many artists, including Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Durante, Harry Nilsson, and Neil Diamond. Also by Nat King Cole, Liberace, Barbra Streisand, Paul Anka, Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr., Kenny Rogers, and ZZ Top. 2/5 Paul Gabriel 2/8 Dan Sejas 2/12 Dave Fouts 2/13 Derek Bailer 2/15 David Hollingsworth 2/15 Hiram Lynch 2/15 John McQuistion 2/21 Scott Hutchison 2/22 Carl Sipe 2/23 Jeff Broadfoot 2/23 Scott Keeler 2/27 Jim Rosenau Chapter statistics as of February 1, 2017 Chapter members: 120 Average member age: 54 Average years of service: 18 Number of active chorus members: 72 (60%)

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