Official Weekly Bulletin of the Fairfax Jubil-Aires Fairfax Virginia Chapter, Southern Division, Mid-Atlantic District of the Barbershop Harmony Society Vol. 60, No. 35 Chartered November 30, 1953 September 04, 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 5:45p Oct 3-6 Franklin Park M-AD Convention in Ocean City, Maryland 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- First of all, let me thank those of you have responded about participating in next summer s Festival Verona Garda Estate performances in Italy. I especially appreciate that most responders have given clear yesses or noes, which will facilitate a clear decision. Those of you who have not responded and there are still quite a few please let me know what you are thinking. If it s maybe, that is still helpful information (particularly if you can describe the contingency). In last week s issue of What s Happening?, our peerless (and fearless) editor posted Frank Fedarko s answers to the golf music quiz. I want to add an honorable mention to our Chapter Historian, Pete Bermel, who came in a close second. I especially liked his outstanding guess of the Eagles (caveated with is there such a group? ) Clearly Pete s knowledge of music history transcends barbershop. By the way, if you happened to catch the cover story in Sunday s Washington Post Magazine ( A Bethesda Woman s Journey to Make a Difference ), about Laura Spero, you might find it interesting that Laura s father Don is a member of the Washington D.C. Singing Capital Chorus. And, speaking of the Singing Capital Chorus (and its director), in 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 case you missed Dog Days, here s a highlight picture of Epic (and Anne) serenading our District President, Bill Colosimo >>> Epic groupies will know the song. It s Labor Day Weekend, when we honor honest labor by taking a day off (and, for many, shopping). In solidarity, I am taking the rest of this column off. It s Great to be a Jubil-Aire! 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.) Last Chance to Reserve a JA room in OC -Ray LaTurno- You have till this Friday, 6 September to contact the Days Inn in Ocean City, MD and reserve your Oceanfront room at the Jubil-Aires rate of $99 for the M-AD Convention the weekend of October 3-6, 2013. Please call 1-800-926-1122 or 1-888- 465-3451 and give them the Group Block name of "Fairfax Jubil-Aires at the Days Inn." Epic at Dog Days
3 Lights, Cameras, Music! -Harold Weinberger- It continues to amaze how we are progressing as a group. That said, it is important to note that early gains seem to be relatively easy to achieve. There is much work ahead, and I consider it 'fun' work. When we are all on the same page, producing clean, beautiful and artful sound, then we are truly in an inspiring place. What are some of the potential obstacles to our continuing to master this fine art of a cappella Barbershop singing? One such problem that I heard recently was 'clipped' words at the end of phrases, particularly in 'I'm Gonna Live 'Til I Die' - (number's UP/ fill my CUP). This means some were not giving the note its entire duration, thereby 'clipping' or cutting short the note and, moreover, the sound. Hopefully, you will listen to the sound all around you and discern whether you are (or are not) the one who is doing that - and fix it if you are. Even if you 'can't read music', there are clues in the spots that you CAN read and understand as to how long to hold the note. If the music shows a note in solid black, the note gets a count of '1' (one full beat within the measure). When there are 4 beats in the measure, this would be called a 'quarter' note. If the note is hollow and has a stem it is 'held' two beats( a half note). If it is hollow and circular with no stem it is a whole note which would last for the whole measure (in this example, 4 beats, a whole note). If any note has a dot (.) after it, it gets 50% more duration than it would without the dot. If the solid note has a single 'flag' on top it gets half the time of a such a note which does not have a flag. Half again if two flags. So remember, in barbershop singing, unlike hair cutting establishments, we don't like 'clip' jobs! Who Has The Time? -John Knueven- That s a funny thing to say when you are retired. Everyone told me it would happen, but it just didn t seem possible. Now I discovered that I really don t have time! Then I discovered time! Yes! I m in my car at least 45 minutes a day. Forty Five minutes when I m usually alone and driving. What should I do? Listen to the news on the radio? Listen to one of my recorded books? Just enjoy the scenery? May I suggest an occasional Repertoire Review? It s really very easy. Make a CD of your learning tracks (anyone who has trouble doing this, please come see me: I ll make you a CD or show you how to do it), or plug in your mp3 player with the learning tracks playlist (I can help with this too!). Adjust your audio to left balance (a little). Now play the repertoire and sing along (what could be more fun?). I ll tell you what I found out if you promise not to tell Richard. I found I was making small errors. No, really! I know it s hard to believe. Live til I Die: measure 14 I m gon-na are D notes, not C notes. Are you kidding? Measure 18: They ll nev-er, the They ll note is the same as the previous low note, not the same as the next Nev note. Who knew? Measure 27 Rid-in the Ride note is the same as the previous chance note. Well, Dale knew that one!
4 And so on. Well, no worries, cause Richard (and our audiences) will NEVER hear those small differences. In fact Richard LOVES five and six part harmony. Really??? I was so shocked at how sloppy some my notes (and sometimes words Dame: I can name hmmmm ) that I came home and reviewed the learning tracks with my music in hand. I ve marked those spots on my spots, and intent to review them until I get them right! And while I m cruising along in my automobile, I continue to review those troubled spots. Repetition of the music done CORRECTLY is the only way to drive out (pun intended) those troublesome areas. I find that when I hear the learning tracks they get into my brain and I hear them as I m singing in chorus! Having said that, there are differences in interpretation and even some of the music from the learning tracks (like the tag to Dame, and almost the entire WWI medley don t use that one at all!). So we don t want to ingrain errors either. You should recognize the spots when you hear them. Don t overdo the learning tracks, just use them as a tool to find and correct problem areas. You don t have the time? Really?? Community Performances and Personal Contact = New Singers! -Aaron Watts- everywhere! But of course, those singers that know about us probably will not come to a rehearsal without personal contact from YOU! So get a ticket to our Franklin Park show to a singer you meet, or a singer you know! Drop them a note and a flyer, so they can make plans to join us at our Saturday, 28SEP Franklin Park show. Don t forget to follow up, and invite them for a rehearsal and FREE SINGING LESSONS and offer to pick them up! (Most won t come alone). Get your Man of Note award! Check out our recruiting goals chart for 2013! So many singers out there they will never forget you for telling them about this wonderful opportunity! Where do you like to do your singing? As of 30AUG2013 DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC BHS Target 65 67 69 71 73 75 77 79 81 83 85 87 BHS Actual 66 64 66 68 67 68 66 67 67 Active Target 48 50 52 54 56 58 60 62 64 66 68 70 Active Actual 47 48 50 52 53 54 52 53 52 Recruits Needed to Make Active Targets with 10% attrition Actually Recruited HIGHER POWER 2 2 3 3 3 2 2 2 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 0 A Sunday school teacher said to her children, "We have been learning how powerful kings and queens were in Bible times. But, there is a Higher Power. Can anybody tell me what it is?" One child blurted out, "Aces!" Your friendly neighborhood membership guy The more we perform, the more singers want to come join the fun and have a sing with us! We have an upcoming chorus performance at Franklin Park, and our quartets are BEING THANKFUL A Rabbi said to a precocious six-year-old boy, "So your mother says your prayers for you each night? That's very commendable. What does she say?" The little boy replied, "Thank God he's in bed!"
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6 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.
7 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
8 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)
9 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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