Volume 11, Issue 34 Changing lives through song Sept. 10, 2017 Ron Welch 2016 Barbershopper of the Year! Carrie s Cues Hi guys! We had 35 guys at chorus last rehearsal. Not bad for a Tuesday! I was in "perfectionist" mode, but it was good. We got a lot accomplished. Those who had other Tuesday commitments will need to get caught up asap. Here's the run-down: Hi Neighbor- Pro: all of our hard work on this song the last few weeks paid off. It is sounding good. Con: We need to be better about pure ah vowels and waiting to turn the vowel as we move to the next word. Hi= ha-----ee, My= ma------ ee, etc. n Sleeps Tonight- Pro: we stayed in tune! Con: some tenor (me!) needs to learn the words Roses/No Business- Pro: overall, our tone quality is good on this (Steve would be proud). Con: Basses watch out for the trap of those "Oh" vowels (no, show, etc.) We have a tendency to press on the larynx on those. Can't Help Falling in Love- Pro: There were some beautiful moments in this song last night. ConS: Basses, let's get the note right in ms. 4 and 25. Basses, tone color needs to match that of the leads on the word "take" in m. 30. EVE- RYONE needs to follow my hands. I was trying to move this song along and you weren't following my tempo. Rhythm of Love- Pro: We stayed in sync. Con: EVERY- ONE needs to follow my hands for tempo. King- Pro: It was REALLY helpful looking at the sheet music last night. That's never a bad idea when you've been off paper for a while. ConS: We especially looked at the trio singing "and" in m. 40 and all 4 parts singing "sayin'" in m. 42. Leads, baritones, and basses need to remember m. 105 is now "woo." Basses and baritones please continue to practice your new notes in m. 108. Basses, as I listened to the recording of this song, our sound was very pressed throughout. We will need to speak then sing through this one. All of us need to smooth out our sound, less pouncing, especially on the word "thing." Leads, I'm not convinced you are all singing the correct note on "my" in m. 160. (Continued on page 2) Inside this issue: Birthdays 2 Show Outfit 3 Bass Sectional 4 Business Briefs 5 Pre-contest Show Flyer Calendar 4 Board & Music Team 3 4
Page 2 Sept. Birthdays 3: Bill Burt 9: Erik Roffelsen 11: John Streetz 14: Sid Peterson 15: Daniel Garcia Carrie s Cues continued (Continued from page 1) Let Me Sing- Pro: We FINALLY understand the feel of verse 2 "let me sing a sad refrain." We have to wait just a little bit longer before those swung notes and the effect is fantastic! I'm also very pleased with where the intro ended up, though it lost a bit when we ran the set. BONUS PRO: there were NO "starch you's" last night! Woohoo! NEXT MONDAY- Sept. 11, we are once again in Western Springs for Chorus. Ellyn will have the tunics for us to wear while we practice so I highly recommend dressing cool (t-shirts, tank tops, shorts, etc.). We didn't sing Sweet Caroline last Monday, so we'll definitely rehearse that. My hope is too simply run through the other 5 songs for the second half of the Choral-Aires show. Please don't make us have to go back and practice these. If those sound great we can focus our time on the contest set. A lot has happened since last Monday. Most importantly, Dan's (my husband's) grandmother passed away Friday morning. She was our last living grandparent on either side of the family. We took the kids to visit her at the nursing home last Monday, so we're glad we had an opportunity to see her one last time. We had our Music Team meeting Thursday night. As much as I'd like to fix every note in every song, we only have a few precious weeks between now and contest and we need to turn our focus on our artistry and storytelling. So, here's what the Music Team decided. 1) For the rest of September, we will sing until 10 p.m. 2) We need every chorus member to fix any note/word/pitch issues outside of chorus time. 3) Two mistakes that we will not have time to fix are the bass note in ms. 4 & 25 of Can't Help Fallin' in Love with You. I sent you a snippet of that song with me playing the piano so you can practice at home. Leads, please fix the note on the second to the last word of King, "my." I will also sent a snippet of the tag with me playing the piano so you can practice at home. Other things that I/we need you to fix on your own: "Roses/No Business"- tuning on unison notes. Singing the ascending notes in tune "everything about it is appealing..." etc. (Think BIG steps up) "Sweet Caroline" please make sure you know the WORDS on Monday. "Let Me Sing"- the dynamics (speaking to the chorus, conversational, intimate, (Continued on page 3) PITCH Editor Bob Nicodem Illinois District BETY winner in 2008, 2009 & 2010 18W109 Claremont Dr. Darien, IL 60561 email: RNicodem@comcast.net Work: (708) 735-8164 Cell: (708) 337-3895 The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Chicagoland West Suburban Chapter aka The West Towns Chorus
Page 3 Carrie s Cues continued (Continued from page 2) etc.); the "feel" of verse 2 (sad refrain), waiting to sing that swung note. Also, no breath after "sad refrain." Instead we need to grow through that word. Also grow louder after "blues." More "K' throughout. WATCH MY HANDS! "Can't Wait to be King"- all of us need to speak and then sing the phrases so they aren't pressed; make more of every "oh" and "man." More "K.' Sing to the breath, not the last note of each phrase. Sing "and" in m. 40, sing "sayin'," in m. 42, sing "woo" in m. 105. SMOOTH, SEMI-CIRCLE singing throughout! If you can correct these on your own, I will be thrilled to work on storytelling for the next three weeks. Oh! And don't forget Terry Ludwig is coaching us on Sept. 18. Please move mountains in your schedules to be there. Thanks and see you soon! Carrie Sept 24 Show Outfit Can't say it too many times Since we will be wearing both outfits for the Choral-Aires show 1st half Tunics, et al 2nd half - vests and ties NEW MEMBERS need to make sure you have everything you need. Existing members - make sure you have all your pieces and they are pressed!. (We have lots of women and an entirely new audience to impress. We need to look as good as we sound!!). Erik R is unavailable tomorrow night (I believe) so if you are unsure what you need or what you have DO NOT HESITATE to communicate with ME tomorrow night - especially if we need time to order something! We can't wait last minute or risk you re not being able to sing in this show. 1st half - Ellyn will have the tunic and the ropes - During the show, you will wear your white shirt (provided to you by chorus so we all have the same "pattern or sheen" under the tunic (for easy change at intermission, and your black tux pants, black socks, black shiny shoes 2nd half: Black tux pants already on White shirt already on Aqua Vest Aqua tie ----YES we will be wearing this for this performance!
Page 4 Bass Sectional Basses extraordinaire! Now that we are familiar with the new (temporary) rehearsal space, please arrive at 6:30 if at all possible for a bass sectional The time spent in this sectional will not focus on notes (as Carrie mentioned in her email) but I would like to focus on 2 things: 1. Remembering how we produced that full yet light ( = NOT HEAVY ) bass sound for Steve Scott and how to duplicate it and maintain it 2. Highlight the "opportunities" in both songs (repeats/echoes/pick-ups, etc...) To be sure we are getting the most from these arrangements ----- the most POINTS and the most entertainment value for our audience!! Thanks for the work you put into this hobby both in the rehearsal room and more importantly outside too! As the basses go, So let's GO Jay Bentz Reminder: Be sure to do some vocal warmups on your way to rehearsal.
Page 5 Business Briefs 9/5/17 Board 2018 Slate: Ron Welch announced the 2018 board slate for the upcoming election on 9/11/17: Jim Brown - President Jay Bentz - Music Art Dusenbury - Chapter Development / Membership Dan Garcia - Marketing Bill Haselberger - Program Tony Tumea - Treasurer Bob Nicodem - Secretary Frank Glas - Member At Large If there are any nominations from the floor on Sept. 5, the person must have agreed to the position prior to the nomination. Final vote will take place on Monday, Sept. 11, 2017. WE NEED people for the SPEED- WAY fund-raiser: (Adult family members can help too.) Talk to Mark Johnson Chipotle: Frank Glas reported that we made $249 at the Chipotle fund-raiser REGISTRATION for the Fall Contest is now OPEN. Go to www.illinoisdistrict.org, click on Illinois District Fall Convention 2017, scroll down and click on the red REGIS- TER NOW button. Please make sure you are current with your society membership dues. Hotel info is also on this page. September 24th Choral Aires Concert to prep West Towns for contest. 1. The start time is 3:30 p.m. (Call time TBD) 2. The location is Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church (on the frontage road by Elmhurst Hospital). 149 W. Brush Hill Road, Elmhurst, IL. 3. Ticket prices are $15 for adults 18 and up, and $10 for under 18. See Tony Tumea for tickets. 4. SINGERS DO NOT NEED A TICK- ET Christmas Show Program Ads: Frank Glas said it s time to start thinking about getting ads from local businesses for the program book. REMINDERS: Rehearsal this next week is MONDAY (Sept 11) in our TEMPORARY location, the First United Methodist Church of Western Springs at 4300 Howard Ave. Monday, October 2nd is PREVIEW NIGHT for family and friends to see our contest set before we go to Bloomington and get the trifecta (District Trophy, Most Entertaining Chorus, AND Most Improved Chorus) Guest Night: Monday after Contest (October 9th) is a GUEST night. Christmas Promo: As we have done in the past, West Towns will be singing Christmas Songs the Saturday after Thanksgiving November 25th in downtown Downers Grove to promote our Christmas show. Please be thinking about doing this.
Page 6 Tunic Size /Colors Tunics have been assigned based on the new riser positions and availability of tunic size and color. Tunics will be in three plastic bins: Small, Medium, & Large, with special wide ones in white plastic bags. The rope belts are in a fourth bin. The sides are now sewn to avoid gapping. When you put the tunic on over your head you ll have a space to put your arms through. Ropes also go over your head with the knot on your right. Red Purple Burt, Bill L Baker, Gary L Fagan, Jack L Bentz, Jay L Gertig, Will - Wide L Betczynski, Mark L Kendall, Peter L Connell, Kevin L Luedtke, Brian L Kersten, Glen L Mehok, Tony L Lancaster, Craig - Wide L Rofellsen, Erik L Munneke, Al L Wells, Dustin L Risolvo, Aldo L Servos, Mark L Betczynski, Caleb M Brown, Dick M Brown, Jim M Davia, Don M Dirks, Ben M Hasselberger, Bill M Emerson, Tony M Horsley, Ray - Wide M Ferro, Trenton M Jones, Calder M Garcia, Daniel M Murphy, Dan M Johnson, Mark M Peterson, Sid M McKnight, Doug - Wide M Riva, Gerry M Nicodem, Bob M Schuurman, Bruce M Reeder, Bryan - Wide M Vander Beek, Bob M Siebert, Rob M Westburg, Kevin M Tomecek, Joe M Wixson, Jim M Welch, Ron M Williams, Jim M Spencer, Curt S Dusenbury, Art S Tumea, Tony S Glas, Frank - Wide S Zima, George S Kaap, Don S Moore, Vern S Shepherd, Dave S
Visit us on our website: www.westtowns.org Chicagoland West Suburban Chapter Barbershop Harmony Society PO Box 1005 Downers Grove, IL 60515 Changing Lives Through Song Phone: 630-201-5544 E-mail: info@westtowns.org 2017 Board President Jim Brown Music VP Jay Bentz Development & Art Membership VP Dusenbury Program VP Bill Haselberger Marketing VP Daniel Garcia Treasurer Tony Tumea Secretary Bob Nicodem Member-at- Frank Glas Large Past President Ron Welch Email Board@WestTowns.org Sunshine Don Davia Care Person Librarian Bob VanderBeek Uniform Eric Roffelsen Music Team Director: Carrie Marcotte Asst-directors: Mark Betczynski & Joe Tomecek Music VP: Jay Bentz Section Leaders Bass: Baritone: Lead: Tenor: Jim Brown Mark & Joe Kevin Westburg Trenton Ferro, Sid Peterson Email MusicTeam@WestTowns.org Calendar of Events SEPTEMBER 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 OCTOBER 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 NOVEMBER 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 September 9/4 Labor Day NO rehearsal 9/5 - Tues Rehearsal Western Springs 9/11 Rehearsal Western Springs 9/18 Rehearsal Western Springs 9/14, 9/15, 9/16, 9/17 Speedway 9/21 Board Meeting 9/24 Preview Performance 9/25 Rehearsal Western Springs October 10/2 Rehearsal 10/6-8 Fall District Convention 10/9 Guest Night / Rehearsal 10/14 Christmas Blitz 10/16 Rehearsal 10/19 Board Meeting 10/23 Rehearsal 10/30 Rehearsal Future 11/19 DG Library Performance 11/25 Christmas promo sing in DG 12/8 Tech/Dress Rehearsal 12/9 Christmas Shows 12/10 Christmas Show West Towns rehearses every Monday evening, 7:00 PM at Horizon Community Church in the Meadowbrook Shopping Center, 2129 63rd Street, Downers Grove, IL 60516. We invite men who like to sing to come visit us and join us in song and fellowship.