The 2009 Singing Valentine's program was a great success. All those who participated are to be congratulated. A total of seven quartets delivered 33 Valentines during the Feb. 13-14 period. In addition to a lot of goodwill, fun and PR, the activities provided a significant increase in the chapter treasury.
In earlier communications, you saw Spotlight and some other chorus members providing a romantic setting for a young man to propose marriage to his lady. Nothin' says lovin' like a barbershop quartet.
Below are two photos of The Summit Chordsmen delivering Valentines to (left) Kim Halter(wife of Mike) and(right)Kathy Lilley(wife of John).
Congratulations again to Rip Wilson for coordinating the event assisted by Mike Halter and to all who helped to make it a success. Special note to Chris Eitman and Dennis Conrad, assisted by Bob Horning and Mark Nedal for manning the operations center and to Robin Reid and Vic Estafen for serving as driver/photographers.
Getting To Know Us
51. Man the guest registration table with a smile and a section buddy to help the guest(s).
52. When flyers are made for chapter events (shows, membership drives, etc.) take a few and commit to posting them in various places around town.
53. Sponsor a young person to an International, District or Chapter youth outreach camp.
54. Learn your words, notes, choreography, interpretation to the songs the chorus is singing. Be the singer in your section that others look to for help.
55. Start your mental warm-up in the car on the way to rehearsal.
56. Offer to drive potential members to chapter meetings/rehearsals.
57. Take care of your chorus outfits and accessories; be sure they are always cleaned and pressed according to directions, so that you and your chorus look your best and your clothing lasts a long time.
58. Put a picture of your chorus up in your office, and talk to anyone who asks about it.
59. Save those "important questions" of the director/section leader/your neighbor, until the break or after rehearsal.
60. Make coffee/tea or whatever for break time.
Birthdays
John Rohal 2/24
Spike Hudson 2/26
Richard Gintert 2/28
The Songs We Sing
(Beautiful Dreamer Lives On)
by Tom Wheatley, editor Dundalk Charivari
The tenth of eleven children, he was born in Lawrenceville, Pa. on the 50th anniversary of his country's Declaration of Independence. By the time he reached his teens, his love of music was already becoming apparent. He had written the Tioga Waltz and Open Thy Lattice, Love. This latter song was published in Baltimore, Md. when he was only 16 years old, his first published work.
Stephen Collins Foster wanted to create music. His folks wanted him to do something worthwhile with his life. Practicality won out, and he studied to be a bookkeeper. After three years in the trade, his music began bringing in money, and his life's true work was set. It is believed that he became the first American composer who was able to support himself solely by writing music.
One of his big hits was Way Down Upon The Swannee River. However, under the terms of an agreement, E. P. Christy, of Christy Minstrels fame, got to claim authorship and Foster got $500. Other of his songs were My Old Kentucky Home, Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair, Old Black Joe, Oh Susanna, and Nellie Was A Lady.
All in all, he wrote over 200 songs. Many were in the last few years of his life, when his musical talents were on the wane and hits were hard to come by. He had become a pauper. On January 13, 1864, Stephen Collins Foster died from injuries he received from a fall in his New York hotel room.
Shortly before his passing, he had completed a piece that could have changed his fortune entirely. This was the lovely and haunting Beautiful Dreamer. Published after his death, it still ranks among the most enduring songs of his legacy. This song was declared to be a part of our Heritage of Harmony, being included in the society's collection of that name in 1988. You may want to try it yourself. It's a gem of a song when done in barbershop style.
Where We Came From
In the last issue, we paid tribute to African-American singing groups for providing a large part of the American music from which our hobby evolved. In this second issue during Black History Month, we continue this tribute. Gentlemen, presenting:
The Mills Brothers
