May, 2010, #1

An Afternoon At The Ballpark

This past Saturday, May 8, thirty-three (by unofficial count) members of the Akron Derbytown Chorus made what has become an annual visit to Progressive Field in Cleveland. We were once again invited to sing the National Anthem before the game.

As often happens with barbershoppers, we found many opportunities to sing before our main duties were scheduled. As men, along with family and friends arrived, pitches were blown and songs rang forth. The joy was there from the start and the volume increased as more singers arrived.
We began our pregame concert outside of Gate C, near the Bob Feller statue and received hearty applause from those standing in line waiting for the gates to open. The set even included a tongue-in-cheek rendition of "Jingle Bells" in honor of the chilly temperature. When those gates did open, we moved our performance inside to the concourse, mostly to escape the substantial wind and occasional rain. Ah, May in Ohio!

The group gradually made its way around the concourse toward Gate A where we were to meet our guide for the trip to the field level. Naturally, there were pauses for singing along the way.
Once at the location where we were to enter the playing field, we continued our singing, to warm up our bodies as well as our voices. Then it was time to perform for the crowd.

The sky brightened a bit, the wind subsided a little and we proudly sang The Star Spangled Banner. For those of you who have not joined us for this and past performances at Progressive Field, it's difficult to describe the feeling of singing the anthem at such a venue. I think that all those who were there would agree that it is a very wonderful feeling. Let's see if we can get 50 or more singing when we return to the ballpark next year.

Below are some still pictures and one video from last Saturday. I have also included a video of our performance. I must give credit to my wife, and chief videographer, Sue, who bravely battled the wind gusts in section 311 to record this video. As you will notice, the combined force of the wind and the chorus ringing that final chord tore her loose from her moorings and swept her to the top of the scoreboard. As the fireworks explosion knocked her back to ground level, she stoically held on to the camera so that you would be able to view our performance. Thanks again, Sue.

Note: The anthem video will be found at the end of today's Bulletin issue.




















Here is the "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" video.

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Quartet News

The Summit Chordsmen

On Wednesday, May 12, at 7:00pm, The Summit Chordsmen will be singing at the Emeritus Assisted Living Center in Stow. This performance marks the second sing-out with new bass, Gary Young.

Clear Choice

On Saturday, May 15, Clear Choice will be performing on the campus of Kent State University. The event is a throwback baseball game between KSU and Bowling Green as part of the Centennial celebration of the founding of both schools in 1910. The players will wear vintage uniforms and concession prices will be "old school". The game is free and open to the public. There will be a show of classic cars, as well as historical trivia and prizes. Clear Choice will be strolling and singing in the hospitality tent from 2:00-3;00, and then will sing the National Anthem at 3:00, prior to the start of the game. The site of the game is Olga Mural Field at Schoonover Stadium.

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Birthdays

Cory Hornish- 5/14
Dennis Siwik- 5/14
Tom Gentry- 5/23

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What O. C. Cash Forgot To Tell Us

1. Quartets: They're a heck of a lot easier to get into than they are to get out of.

2. You'll find the best advice for going into a contest on the label of a mayo jar; keep cool, but don't freeze.

3. Judge score sheets: There's no column titled "remarks."

4. Accept the truth. None of the truly great accomplishments of your chorus happened before you joined them.

5. Risers are a big waste of money. Why not buy a single tower for the director. You'd all see him better and, an added advantage, it would keep him from trying to become part of the first row of the chorus.

6. Their logic escapes me. They tell me to take "big steps" going up the scale and "small steps" coming down the scale. I tried it in the key of C. I ended up in the key of G.

7. Yes, we have our contests. But, the true soul of barbershopping does not rest in how well you sing it, rather, in how great it makes you feel while you're singing it.

8. Have reservations about joining a quartet in which the lead follows the other parts.

9. The shortest measurement of elapsed time is the time it takes a good woodshedding bari to; Hear the other three notes, identify the intended chord and deliver the missing correct note.

10. Why is it that 95% of all barroom tags you'll ever hear will be done at one-half the speed of the original quartet.

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Getting To Know Us

Click on the "Featured Chorus" link in the Hot Links section at the top right of this Bulletin page to find out about the Texas Millionaires Chorus.
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Featured Videos

One Quartet Meets Another

You Mean There's A Song That Goes With That Tag?

National Anthem Video 2010

April, 2010, #2

JAD Spring Contest (continued)

The participation of the Akron Derbytown Chorus in the recent contest was mentioned in the previous issue of the Bulletin. The results are in, so now, the rest of the story.
A total of 28 chorus members made the journey to Olmsted Falls for the competition and convention on April 10. By achieving an average score of 59.2, we were just below the "B" range designation. That is just slightly lower than our score at the Fall Contest in Lima last year. The chorus was well received by the audience and we received encouraging and positive comments from the judges in the post-performance discussions.

The focus of our group in recent years has been more in the direction of having fun while singing and connecting and entertaining the audience. The technical performance, though still important in our progress toward improved singing techniques, is more of an indicator, rather than a goal in and of itself. Since we were performing with a smaller than usual chorus, the results appear to indicate that we at least are holding our own in these competitions.

As often happens, travel, illness and general schedule conflicts make it difficult to put 50 men on the risers at any time. All we can do is keep an eye on the performance and contest schedules and try to participate in as many as possible. And remember, a larger group isn't important just because it may give us a fuller sound, but the social aspect of singing with our fellow chorus members may be the most valuable thing that we take away from any performance.
Congratulations to all the top finishers. They are listed below.

Independence, OH is the District Chorus Champion.

Dayton Metro, OH is the Johnny Appleseed District Plateau A Champion.

Mansfield, OH is the Johnny Appleseed District Plateau AA Champion.

Canton, OH is the Johnny Appleseed District Plateau AAA Champion.

Independence, OH is the Johnny Appleseed District Plateau AAAA Champion.


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What O. C. Cash Forgot To Tell Us

As I mentioned when this series began, some of the "old-timers" may have seen them before. They are presented more for newer members and as a refresher for all others. Hopefully, they will both enlighten and entertain.

1. Always try to look your best on stage. It's easier to fool their eyes than their ears

2. No matter what happens at contest time, there is always at least one member of the chorus who knew it would.

3. Although you can't beat the acoustics, think twice before practicing your part to the tag "love me darling and the world is mine" in the men's room.

4. No man who eats spaghetti is truly alone (no, it has nothing to do with barbershopping). Too, none of my research supports that Mr. Cash ever said it. But, I like to believe that a guy who would give us a twelve-word name would have found this to be funny).

5. There are too few really good leads around any more. If you had one in your quartet you'd be competing at International. You know it. I know it.

6. If you think you're good enough to sing in a quartet, or if you think you're not good enough to sing in a quartet, you're right.

7. Show me a baritone who doesn't like over-tiddlied arrangements and I'll show you a man with violent opinions. All of them wrong.

8. Contests: If at first you do succeed, try to hide your astonishment.

9. Contests: You have six minutes to make history or be history.

10. Never be awed by what you may believe to better quartets in your upcoming contest. The odds are always 50/50. Either you'll win or you won't.

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Birthdays

Guyles Clifford- 4/29
Jim Heaton- 4/30
Charlie Wilson- 5/5

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Singing At Progressive Field

On Saturday, May 8, the chorus will make what has become our annual visit to Cleveland to sing The National Anthem prior to a Tribe game. This year's game is against division rival Detroit and it is scheduled to begin at 1:05 pm. We hope that you and your family and friends can join us for what is always a great afternoon at the ballpark.


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Getting To Know Us

Usually, this section of the Bulletin has directed you to the "Hot Links" section at the top right of the page. There you would find a link to a featured chorus. Today, the link will take you to a web page run by former barbershopper, Fred Gielow. He wrote a book entitled, " Laughter, Love and a Barbershop Song". Click on the link to see more about this publication and, as Fred calls it, his "prior life".

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E*Trade Promotes Barbershop

The very popular E*Trade commercials that feature one or more talkative and savvy babies, have recently added barbershop harmony to the mix. And we thought that Ringmasters looked young. See what you think.

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For The Good Of The Order

At this time of the year, after the hard work of preparing for the annual show and also for contest, it's not a bad idea to focus on the lighter side of our hobby. Here are two videos that fit the bill.

April, 2010, #1

In Remembrance
of
Ed Crosley

On March 31, 2010, our Chapter, our District and our Society lost a valuable and hardworking member. Ed Crosley, a barbershopper for 44 years, passed away at age 90. Music and performing began for Ed at the age of 9 and continued throughout his life. His contributions to our Chapter as a board member, a valued member of the baritone section and his many JAD accomplishments have contributed greatly to the growth of barbershop in Akron and Ohio.

Our sympathy goes out to Ed's wife of 67 years, Billie and all his family. As those who visited Ed after he was hospitalized can attest, singing barbershop was a joy and comfort to Ed, even as his health declined. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. His influence and contributions regarding our Chapter will be a legacy that all of us should use as motivation to "Keep The Whole World Singing".
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Chorus Competes

On Saturday, April 10, The Akron Derbytown Chorus participated in the JAD Spring Preliminary Contest. I have included some photos of the event, courtesy of Ray Stone. Since I have just returned from my yearly Florida pilgrimage, a more complete story about the competition will be part of the next Bulletin issue.

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Getting To Know Us

Use The "Featured Chorus" link in the "Hot Links" section at the top right of the Bulletin page to learn about this group of barbershoppers.

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Birthdays

Oscar Fraley 4/12
Scott Giles 4/12
Ray Stone 4/13
Bryan Waters 4/18
Allen Foltz 4/19
Larry Andrews 4/21

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What O. C. Cash Forgot To Tell Us

1. The best two places to hide in a chapter are, in order, the nominating committee and the bass section.

2. There never has, nor will there ever be, a contested election for Treasurer.

3. The selection of a Chorus Director is obviously a personality contest. Were it otherwise, wouldn't you be the Director?

4. The only advantage to being a Chorus Director is that you get someone else to carry your pitchpipe.

5. It is morally wrong to allow baritones to keep all of the tidilies.

6. It's always darkest before the curtain opens.

7. Barbershoppers will accept your idea much more readily if you tell them that last year's championship quartet/chorus did it that way.

8. When your friend becomes a section leader, you just lost a friend.

9. Be careful when asked to sing the same note throughout an entire tag-it's probably the most difficult part to do well.

10. The most powerful hex-phrase in all of barbershopping: "I really have this down-listen to this."

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Speaking Of O. C. Cash.........

If you've been reading your email, you know that Sunday, 4/11 was the anniversary of the founding of our society. If you haven't been reading your email, you can click on the BHS Home link at the top right of the Bulletin page and find more about "26 men on a roof". The year, as we all know, was 1938. Here are a few trivia tidbits about that year.

The average price of a new house was $3900.00

Average wage per year was $1730.00

Cost of a gallon of gasoline was 10 cents

Average new car price was $763.00

A recession caused unemployment to rise to 19%

A hurricane caused 40 ft waves to hit Long Island, NY. 63,000 people were left homeless and 700 were killed.

British prime minister Neville Chamberlain met with Adolph Hitler, agreed to allow Germany to occupy Czechoslovakia and declared "peace in our time".

Orson Wells' dramatization of "War of the Worlds" on the radio was taken by many as a news story rather than a play. Widespread panic resulted.

Joe Louis knocked out Germany's Max Schmeling in the first round to win the world heavyweight championship.

Seabiscuit and War Admiral have their long awaited duel to decide which horse is fastest and Seabiscuit wins.

Seeing eye dogs are used for the first time.

Those born in 1938 included: Evel Knievel, Ted Turner, Bernie Madoff, Manuel Noriega, Kenny Rogers and Christopher Lloyd

So, with all these things and more going on, the organization that would grow to become the BHS was born. It's been an interesting 72 year journey.

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Video Feature

Since I am coming back to Ohio from "The Sunshine State", I thought that a video featuring "The Suntones" would be appropriate. Want some more trivia? See if you can discover the connection between The Suntones and Acoustix. A one word hint to point you in the right direction. ("WILSON")