Monday, May 25, 2009

May, 2009, #2

Memorial Day Issue


Along with all the visiting, cook-outs, games, and even singing that we may be doing this holiday weekend, we should not forget the purpose of Memorial Day. This video, courtesy of C
NN and reporter Carl Azuz, explains it well.

Just click on the blue letters below.




Embedded video from C
NN Video



CDWI
A Learning Experience For All

On Saturday, May 23, our chorus hosted a session of CDWI (Chorus Director's Workshop Intensive). The workshop was held at our normal rehearsal location, the Fellowship Hall of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.

CDWI is designe
d to enable directors to examine and evaluate their skills and identify two specific areas that they want to work on during the session.

Approximately 20 chorus members were on hand to act as the "objects of their direction".

The trainers (below) at this CDWI were Bob Pyper, from Spring, Texas(left) and Dave Leeder, from Toronto, Canada.
They met with the conductors in a morning session and then worked with both directors and chorus in the afternoon. Their skill and knowledge, as well as humor, made the sessions productive and enjoyable for all. The time really seemed to fly by.

The five directors for this workshop included our own Scott Giles and Dan Nichols and also Paul Coleman, Western Hills; Doug Boyer, Marion; and Jeff Jewell, Zanesville(P. Coleman, D. Nichols, S. Giles, J. Jewell, D. Boyer)


The afternoon sessions gave each director a chance to receive instruction related to the two skills that he had identified earlier in the day. A 15 minute, videotaped segment with the chorus and one trainer was followed by a rev
iew of the tape by director and trainer only. The other trainer then repeated that sequence with another director. This pattern made very efficient use of the time and gave chorus members a chance to build up their "riser muscles".

The chorus participation was finished around 4:00 pm and trainers and directors then met to wrap up their activities.

One comment that was repeated often was that chorus members were improving their performance by having a better focus on the director and his interpretations.

Thanks again to all chorus members who participated, especially Wil Vieth for coordinating the CDWI arrangements and to Jim Regallis and Jim Bishop for supplying and operating the video equip
ment.


BirthdaysJim Murfin 5/31
John Lilley 6/2
Bob McCullough 6/7
Robin Reid 6/7


Mystery Chorus Member Revealed

The world-traveling gentleman who was featured in "Getting To Know Us" in the last bulletin issue was none other than Jim Elliott.



Barbershop Glossary

Barbershop Seventh-The chord that is the hallmark of the style, made up of the root, major third, fifth, and flattened seventh notes of the chord. This is particularly good for producing 'expanded sound', (see below)

Closed Vowel-Singer's term for a vowel which has a smaller opening. examples: "ee", "ih" or "oo"

Expanded Sound-The effect created from the combined interaction of voices sung with accurate intonation, uniform word sounds in good quality, proper volume relationships that reinforce the more compatible harmonics producing an effect that is greater than the sum of the individual parts.

Harmonics-Another term for overtones. Tones of a higher pitch that are present in every musical sound though they are not sung or played.

Register-The classification of parts of the vocal range according to the method of production: chest, mixed, head and falsetto

Root Note- The first note in a scale. Also known as the key note. example: C in the key of C

Scooping- Starting a tone off-pitch, usually below pitch, and adjusting to correct the pitch after initiating the sound


Six More Days

That's how long until we perform at Progressive Field. (5/31) We have over 130 people going to this event and it should be a really great experience. Maybe we can even inspire the Indians to beat the Yankees.



Sharing Our Love For Music.

Here is a video that was shared by James Estes, Society Music Specialist. There is an article related to this video. You can read it by using the BarbershopHQ link at the top right of this bulletin issue and look for the article titled" Can barbershoppers help fill the holes in public school music programs?"