Official Weekly Bulletin of the Fairfax Jubil-Aires Fairfax Virginia Chapter, Southern Division, Mid-Atlantic District of the Barbershop Harmony Society Vol. 60, No. 38 Chartered November 30, 1953 September 25, 2013 Editor: John Knueven: John@Knueven.net Staff: Robyn Sandler. Booking Agent: Art : amedici@9thdegreeadvisors.com Tonight we re rehearsing at Lord of Life, West 13421 Twin Lakes Dr., Clifton, VA 7:30 PM Rehearsal NOTE: Performance times are approximate. Sep 28 8:00p Franklin Park Oct 3-6 M-AD Convention in Ocean City, Maryland Oct 12 10-5 Fairfax Fall Festival Oct 16 Guest Night Oct 27 9:00a Southern Division Leadership Academy Nov 30 60 th Anniversary of the Fairfax Jubil-Aires! Dec 2 6:30P Channel 10 2014: Mar 14-15, 2014 Prelims (Host Chapter) Working: Loudon Golf and CC RED: Newly Scheduled From The Back Seat -Fred Geldon- We have some big events coming up. Saturday, we join our Loudoun colleagues in a performance at Franklin Park. Keep selling those tickets! The next weekend is you know Ocean City. Need I say more? Then comes the Fairfax Fall Festival (October 12th) and Guest Night (October 16th). Meanwhile, we have an election next year s officers and board. The slate is now firmed up: President: Randy Moller Immediate Past President: Fred Geldon Corresponding Secretary: Sam McFarland Recording Secretary: Ray LaTurno Treasurer: Kevin Deasy Chapter Development: Aaron Watts /Membership Marketing and PR VP: Harold Weinberger Music and MAL/Gigmeister: Art MAL: Paul Grano MAL: Doug Jones MAL: Alex Laufer As you can see, there remains an opening for Executive Vice President. Nominations A fellowship of men devoted to the art of a cappella barbershop singing, committed to excellence in musical performance and good will in the community. Visit the Fairfax Jubil-Aires s Web page at www.thefairfaxjubilaires.org
2 and volunteers are encouraged now, or throughout next year. Phil Merkel will be managing the election. As they used to say in [geographic location deleted]: Vote early and often. It s Great to be a Jubil-Aire! Jubil-Aires to Sing Tchaikovsky at District Convention? -Dan Patton- By now I m sure everybody knows rather than World War I Medley, we are to sing Lover, Come Back at the upcoming District Convention. Am I the only one who gets the impression upon hearing it, that Lover, Come Back to Me is a medley as well? Let s look at it. It was first published in 1928. The song s words are by Oscar Hammerstein II, and the music by Sigmund Romberg. The song was composed for the Broadway operetta The New Moon, which premiered on stage also in 1928. It was the third and last of Romberg s successful operettas in the style of Viennese operetta on Broadway, the others being The Student Prince (1924) and The Desert Song (1926). Sigmund Romberg was born in 1887 during the Austro-Hungarian Imperial and Royal Monarchy period in what is now Hungary, where he attended primary school. Influenced by his father, he learned to play the violin at six and the piano at eight. He studied engineering and also musical composition in Vienna, then moved to the United States in 1909 where he soon found jobs playing piano in cafes in New York. He independently wrote and published a few songs, attracting notice as a gifted song writer, and soon got a job in 1914 writing songs for Broadway productions. Now, for reasons you ll soon see (or hear), I digress and mention a bit about Tchaikovsky. Pyotr Tchaikovsky, the Russian composer, in 1875 was finishing up the orchestration of his first ballet, Swan Lake. As a way of supplementing his income, Tchaikovsky accepted an offer by the editor of the St. Petersburg music magazine Nouvellist to compose a series of 12 short solo piano pieces, one for every month of the year, each to appear during the course of the year 1876 in the monthly publications of the magazine. Now known as The Seasons, each month s piece had an epigraph (chosen by the publisher, not Tchaikovsky). January s was At the Fireside, February s was Carnival, and so on. June was Barcarolle, a piece written in G minor. (Barcarolle means a tune reminiscent of a Venetian gondolier s boat song). Now, make sure your computer s sound is turned on, pull out your copy of Lover, Come Back, turn to the bridge at measure 29, and listen to Tchaikovsky s Barcarolle : http://youtu.be/3xlqw5rm92s Not quite note for note, but so similar it is obvious that Barcarolle was the inspiration for this middle section of the song. As stated earlier, this song is part of an operetta. I couldn t find a recording of how it was originally performed on Broadway, but here are a couple of clips from the first film
3 version of the show, from 1930. The song was separately sung by both protagonists in different scenes in the film. Here is Grace Moore, in the character Princess Tanya, singing it operatically as a ballad: http://youtu.be/hloodbn3ivk And Lawrence Tibbett in the character Lieutenant Petroff, also in the ballad style: http://youtu.be/ymmek9t68u8 So, the song was obviously written and meant to be sung as a ballad. But I find it remarkable that virtually every artist thereafter performs it as a jazzy up-tune. And dozens of A-list singers have covered it, Nat King Cole, John Coltrane, Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Ella Fitzgerald, to name a few. Here are a couple of notable examples: Billie Holiday (1952): http://youtu.be/rrulxvdy1iw Barbra Streisand (1965): (must hear this one!): http://youtu.be/8obkuip1fkg And finally, Earl Fatha Hines, on piano, accompanied by drums. Strap yourself in and go for a wild ride in a 7 ½ minute tour de force (Live at the Village, Vanguard 1965): http://youtu.be/z9e4xry28qg M-AD Fall District Contest Returns to Ocean City! -Kevin Deasy- Again this year, the 2013 Mid-Atlantic Fall Convention and Contest will take place at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, Maryland on October 4 th and 5 th. As usual, the Chapter has purchased a block of Premium Seats in the front half of the auditorium at the Early Bird price of $45.00 each. Tickets will go on sale to Chapter members at rehearsal on Wednesday. Treasurer Kevin Deasy will accept payment in cash or (preferably) check made out to Fairfax Jubil-Aires. Seat availability in the Chapter Block is limited, so hurry and snap up Premium Tickets for yourself and your guest(s) while you can. And remember, you MUST have an All Events ticket in your possession before going on-stage to sing in the Contest. (They do check sometimes more than once in the Ready Room and/or at the stairs leading up to the stage.) It's That Time Again!! -Sue Jones- I haven't started packing yet for the M-AD district competition in Ocean City, MD, but I'm definitely looking forward to the weekend. I've been thinking about how the Jubi-Ladies can help make it a great weekend for our guys. As in past years, they'll want our help with snacks for the Saturday evening afterglow, so if you'd like to contribute, I know the Jubil-Aires would appreciate it. Either sweet or savory snacks would be great, and if you'd just drop me an e-mail letting me know which category, I can keep track so we don't go overboard one way or the other. Another way to help out would be to assist the guys with their makeup and final check before they go on stage Saturday morning. Charleen Deasy monitors these tasks, and I'm sure she'll contact us shortly. Please help her out however you can. This is going to be a great competition and a great weekend. The guys are sounding so good. I'm so proud of them. I look forward to seeing all of you in OC!! Thanx, Sue
4 Celebrations! Palmer McGrew, finally returned from snowbird land, celebrates his 39 th year of barbershopping. Letter to the Editor From: Sean Devine [mailto:hf@harmonyfoundation.org] Monday, September 16, 2013 5:05 PM Subject: Thank You! Please let me begin by saying 'Thank You' for your wonderful hospitality with KJ last week. He called me on his way home from the chapter meeting, just so excited to share the highlights of your time together. Harmony Foundation is absolutely thrilled to have so much support from the Fairfax Chapter. A quick note from KJ - "I can't thank you enough for allowing me to come and share the evening with you all! I could feel the warm welcome as soon as I came through the door and you were all so very kind to allow me to share the vision of the Foundation! For those of you who responded by joining or upgrading your membership, I thank you from the bottom of my heart! It is a very personal thing for me and when I get to be a part of someone making the choice to pass along what has been given to them through music. And for those of you who are still on the fence as to whether or not you can do $10.00 per month, or if you are considering upgrading your AOS membership to PC, I know that Sean or I would be more than happy to answer questions or address obstacles that are keeping you from joining our family. You are all are so blessed to have Richard at the helm of the chorus and I hope I get to come back again someday soon to hear the progress! Thank you again for the time and thank you in advance for doing your part in securing the next 75 years of this great American art form. Peace and blessings my friends!" As was mentioned on Wednesday, it's also a special time in the Mid-Atlantic District. We have two match programs happening simultaneously... you can triple your gift! All new donors, and any increases from current giving - is doubled through the McCollum Match... a Society wide match program in honor of the 75th Anniversary. And, here in the MAD - we are still working towards the Tarpy Tribute... a match by our own Roger Tarpy, doubling the money of any brand new President's Council members. There's honestly never been a better time to make that first time gift to Harmony Foundation, or consider increasing your current giving! If you were not able to be there last week, or didn't have the opportunity to complete a pledge card yourself, please call or click bdecatur@co.stafford.va.us today - and yes, we'll certainly send either the 'Harmony Foundation Presents Show' or the brand new 'Medal Moments' DVD out to you! Many thanks for your consideration - and thanks again for a great night... In Harmony, Sean Devine Director of Development Harmony Foundation International toll-free: 866.706.8021 ext 3048 cell: 714.271.4506
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7 Dear President, GRANDE FESTIVAL CORALE VERONA GARDA ESTATE 2014 (ITALIA) (www.gardaestate.altervista.org ) The Organizing Committee of the Festival Verona Garda Estate has decided to invite your interesting choir to participate and represent your country in Italy in 2014! The choral Festival takes place in the provinces of Verona (www.tourism.verona.it), Brescia (www.comune.brescia.it), Mantua (www.turismo.mantova.it), Vicenza (www.vicenza.org) and the Garda Lake during the month of June-July 2014. The festival is divided in four equal parts: First part: 26, 27, 28, 29 June (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday) Second part: 3, 4, 5, 6 July (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday) Third part: 10, 11, 12,13 July (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday) Fourth part: 17, 18, 19, 20 July (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday) Each choir can choose the most suitable part in which it participates. In each festival 6-8 choirs will be invited. In total there will be up to 30 foreign choirs to participate together with some local Italian choirs. The participating choirs will perform in four concerts or alternatively participate in a Mass with a short concert following, which means one performance a day, each one in a different city. The concerts are held mainly in churches but also in theatres or squares suitable for choral concerts. In each concert there will be two foreign choirs (sometimes three) and a local choir if present. The performing couple changes every night. Each choir will have 20-35 minutes for an a cappella program of free choice, either religious or secular program, depending of the place of the concert. The duration of the program depends on how many choirs are present. In the Mass there will perform two choirs. A score of two simple compositions will be sent to each choir well in advance. The choirs will sing these compositions all together in each concert or Mass. The rehearsal for these two songs will be agreed with the choirs at a later time. Organization The rating of the hotels the organization will offer you is at least three stars or higher. The offer for each choir includes two singles and the requested amount of doubles or triples. A full board is also included in the offer, starting with dinner on Thursday night and ending at the breakfast on Monday morning. The meals include several dishes and also water and wine. The meals will familiarize you with the delicious local Italian cuisine.
8 The travel costs will be your responsibility as well as all the movements according to the Festival program (concerts and visits to different cities). The participating fee for each singer is 270 euros. If you arrive by plane and not with your own bus, our organization is pleased to arrange on behalf of your choir a luxury coach for a very reasonable price. The coach will be at your disposal covering all the movements mentioned in the Festival program including also your trips from and to the airport. The companions who are not choir members and are not singing with you pay the sum of 370 euros. The companions will be entitled to attend all concerts and also participate in all the activities mentioned in the program. Also the accommodation and meals are included in this price. Excursions in the region will be organized according to the schedule below. For the whole period of the festival you will be accompanied by one of our guides. General program for your stay in Italy Thursday (first day) In the afternoon the choirs arrive in Verona. There will be somebody from our organization to welcome you at your hotel At 5,00 pm opening ceremony and dinner for all the participating choirs. The directors and presidents of the choirs will be presented During the dinner every choir sings one welcoming song At 7.30 pm At 9.00 pm departure to concert places concert In the end of the concert the choirs sing together Signore delle Cime a piece composed of Bepi de Marzi from the Veneto. (The score will be sent to all the choirs well in advance) Friday (second day) Breakfast in the hotel About 9.00 am departure to Verona, max 10-20 minutes from the hotel Free visit to the historic center (Piazza Bra with the famous Arena, via Mazzini, piazza Erbe, the balcony of Juliet, S. Anastasia, piazza Dante etc) About 1.00 pm lunch together with all the choirs
9 After the lunch you may return to the center of Verona or return to your hotel about 6.30 pm about 7.30 pm At 9.00 pm dinner departure to the concert concert In the end of the concert the choirs sing together Signore delle Cime Saturday (third day) Breakfast in the hotel About 10.00 am departure to Vicenza, the city of the great architect Palladio, about 30 km from your hotel Free visit to the historic center (Corso Palladio, Piazza dei Signori, Basilica Palladiana, Teatro Olimpico, Loggia del Capitano, Chiesa S. Croce etc) about 2.00 pm About 4.00 pm lunch together with all the choirs return to the hotels In the evening the choirs can be engaged in two different ways (to be determined): At 7.00 pm At 9.00 pm assisting in Mass followed by a short concert (dinner after the Mass) Concert (dinner before the concert) In the end of the concert or Mass the choirs sing together Signore delle Cime Sunday (fourth day) Breakfast in the hotel In the morning assisting in a Mass followed by a short concert About 1.30 pm lunch together with all the choirs In the afternoon free visit to the historic center of Sirmione (www.comune.sirmione.bs.it ), called also the pearl of the Garda Lake (www.gardaweb.com) Optional: a boat trip of 25-30 minutes (8 euros per person)
10 About 8.00 pm closing ceremony and dinner to all choirs Monday (fifth day) After the breakfast the choirs are free to leave N.B. Each year many choirs would like to stay a few days before or after the Festival in Italy to visit the beautiful region of Veneto and its beautiful cities (Venice, Padua, Mantua, Ferrara etc). We gladly assist to organize a visit to one of the numerous wine canteens or reserve a ticket to opera in the Arena of Verona. Our organization will be at your disposal to organize every moment of your additional stay. If you decide to stay a few extra days we are happy to book you at your expense the same hotel as for your festival period and also organize all your excursions with a wonderful program that has been appreciated every year from choirs who have stayed in Italy. Please note also that the organization will provide a guide to go with you also during your extra days in Italy if required. I remain at your disposal to answer all your questions and hope that our proposal meets with your approval. Best regards Prof. Giuliano Rinaldi President of the FESTIVAL CORALE VERONA GARDA ESTATE (ITALIA) Via Nogarole, 39 37040 Arcole Verona ( Italy) Tel. 0039.45.7636048 Fax:+39.1782725707 Mobile: 0039.337.572343 E-mail: giulianorinaldi@gmail.com P.S1: Please visit the internet pages of the festival for more detailed information and the daily program of the festival: www.gardaestate.altervista.org P.S2: On request I will send you e-mail addresses of the choirs that have already participated to the festival to receive a testimony of the artistic quality and the opinion of the organization and our hospitality in general.
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