Official Publication -Atlantic Gulf Region #9 Sweet Adelines Fall 2012 www.sairegion9.com n Line On The Go! NINE ON LINE, THIS ISSUE: Paris……………………………………...1 Tropical Harmony………...….……...….2 Chorus Beat………………………....3--9 Region 9 Quartets…………...………..10 Editors Corner……….………………...11 Denver ………………………………....12 Sweet Adelines International is a worldwide organization of women singers committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education, competition and performance Atlantic-Gulf Region 9 advances the mission of Sweet Adelines International by providing relevant education to develop outstanding music and leadership skills and by providing a forum to evaluate performance through competition. PARIS, FRANCE IN JUNE Lynne Serratore Bonjour. Region 9 was well represented with a large group traveling in France with the traveling Tropical Harmony Cho- rus. There were four members and a guest from Women of Note, two members from Spirit of the Gulf, two members from Magic of Manatee, three mem- bers from SunCoast, two members from Sound of Sunshine and one member from O- Town Sound. We also had several former Region 9 members (including Patsy) traveling with us. Tropical Harmony was so fortunate to be the first barbershop chorus to ever be heard in France. We even sang for a local talent night and received a standing ovation. Out tour included all hotel accommodations, meals, travel on buses to our many sights, luggage delivery and pick up to our rooms, admission to all of the planned tours, and a tour guide who ended up making the trip even more enjoyable. Besides seeing all the sites, we made lots of new friends, sang at unforgettable places and all around had a wonderful time. Of course we saw the Eiffel Tower, the many beautiful bridges and statues, but we also saw castles like Chateau Chambord, Clos Luce (Leonardo da Vinci’s home) and Mont St Michel (a castle built on an island). We visited Notre Dame Cathedral while they were having a service (very moving) and then sang outside on the steps – what a thrill. Also on the tour was the Chartres, a beautiful13 th century gothic cathedral. One of the high- lights of our trip was singing “It is Well with My Soul” at the memorial to Normandy Beach. What an unforgettable experience to give trib- ute to the soldiers who gave their lives for the freedom of others. Continues, page 2 International Convention Denver, Colorado October 29 - November 3, 2012 Nine
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Official Publication -Atlantic Gulf Region #9 Sweet Adelines Fall 2012
Sweet Adelines International is a worldwide organization of women singers committed
to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through
education, competition and performance
Atlantic-Gulf Region 9 advances the mission of Sweet Adelines International
by providing relevant education to develop outstanding music and
leadership skills and by providing a forum to evaluate performance
through competition.
PARIS, FRANCE IN JUNE Lynne Serratore
Bonjour. Region 9 was well represented with a large group traveling in France with the traveling Tropical Harmony Cho-rus. There were four members and a guest from Women of Note, two members from Spirit of the Gulf, two members from Magic of Manatee, three mem-bers from SunCoast, two members from Sound of Sunshine and one member from O-Town Sound. We also had several former Region 9 members (including Patsy) traveling with us.
Tropical Harmony was so fortunate to be the first barbershop chorus to ever be heard in France. We even sang for a local talent night and received a standing ovation.
Out tour included all hotel accommodations, meals, travel on buses to our many sights, luggage delivery and pick up to our rooms, admission to all of the planned tours, and a tour guide who ended up making the trip even more enjoyable. Besides seeing all the sites, we made lots of new friends, sang at unforgettable places and all around had a wonderful time. Of course we saw the Eiffel Tower, the many beautiful bridges and statues, but we also saw castles like Chateau Chambord, Clos Luce (Leonardo da Vinci’s home) and Mont St Michel (a castle built on an island). We visited Notre Dame Cathedral while they were having a service (very moving) and then sang outside on the steps – what a thrill. Also on the tour was the Chartres, a beautiful13th century gothic cathedral. One of the high-lights of our trip was singing “It is Well with My Soul” at the memorial to Normandy Beach. What an unforgettable experience to give trib-ute to the soldiers who gave their lives for the freedom of others. Continues, page 2
International Convention
Denver, Colorado
October 29 - November 3,
2012
Nine
PAGE 2. PAGE 3 . . .
Along with the great sites, we had lots of good food (chocolate croissants, many kinds of cheeses, soufflés, and so many wonder dishes), had lots of wine, lots of good breads and overall ate our way through France.
Do you have a bucket list? Is one of those items plans to travel? Well, I have the answer for you. Look up the website of Tropicalhar-mony.com and see what Patsy Meiser has planned for the next several years.
We all have many fond memories of France and our wish is that you can take part in one of these experiences. Even if you are single, like one of our members, you will be paired up with another tour member and you will find, as she did, a new friend and a fantastic experience.
Written by Lynne Serratore for Joan Harrison, Suzanne Lodanski, Rita and Megan Schroeder from Women of Note; Marcy Dudra and Iris Codella from Spirit of the Gulf; Jeanette Rothberg and Judy Lawrence from Magic of Manatee; Ann Clark, Sue Carper and Betty Warrick from SunCoast: Pat Benebow and Jackie Smiley from Sound of Sunshine, Merrily LeVee from O-Town Sound and Tiffany Kinworthy, Region #9, CAL.
During the past year, as part of our community outreach, the chorus has been singing for new US citizens at the Naturalization Ceremonies held at the Federal Building in Gainesville. While these were initially held every other month, the ceremonies are now being held monthly and even twice a month due to the increasing number of people becoming new citizens. We got involved last year when one of our members, Stella Kim, invited the chorus to attend her ceremony to become a naturalized citizen. We sang a couple of songs for her at the following reception, and as a result the people from the sponsoring organizations asked if we could sing as part of the ceremony it-self. We have enjoyed shar-ing our music by singing patriotic songs for these new citizens at all but one of the subsequent ceremonies
On August 18th at the Thomas Center in Gainesville, we performed our summer concert: “Cool Music on a Rockin’ Hot Day”. We had a great turnout for our two performances.
Our new Christmas CD, “A Barbershop Christmas”, is now
available for $15. Check our web site
www.gainesvillechorus.com for more information if
you are interested in purchasing it.
We are now preparing for our big Christmas Show to be held with the Barbergators at the new Santa Fe College Center for the Per-forming Arts on December 15, 2012. It promises to provide great entertainment and a good time for all. In addition to their own songs, both the Barbergators and the Gainesville Harmony Show Chorus will be singing several songs together at both shows: 2 pm and 6 pm.
More information will be available later on our website.
We’ve been preparing for Hawaii by increasing our performances around town. First, instead of attending rehearsal, it was “Batter Up!” night as we sang the “Star Spangled Banner” at the Jackson-ville Suns game in downtown Jacksonville game on August 21.
Next, bear hugs, kisses, and lots of love go to Walt Mc Lanahan, Lions Club liaison and handsome groupie extraordinaire, who made our August 26 Barbershop Bingo Bash the Bonanza it was. Each year, the Lions Club in Arlington generously donates its venue, bingo equipment, supplies, and even some of its staffers, to ensure that we realize a sizeable profit from the afternoon’s games. In turn, we perform at the Club on the Bingo date and sometimes later. Many thanks to the Lions Club. We ask you, Region 9 that you donate new/used eyeglasses that you don’t need to the Lions. Lions bring the precious gift of clear vision to those in need. In rounding out our performance dates, we unveil this year’s patriotic package at Moosehaven City of Contentment on October 6th where many WWII retirees reside.
November 12 marks the third year in a row that the mayor’s office is inviting us to ride a float in the Veterans Day parade. We get huge exposure from this fun, easy and rewarding effort, and we get to “sing’n advertise” along the entire parade route!
After all that, guess who’s coming to Jacksonville? Annie WON a visit by Renee Porzel to come coach us! Renee is Sweet Adelines International President / Chief Choreographer for the Melodeers Chorus. We adore Renee and her infectious positive attitude in everything she approaches. Many thanks to Renee for volunteering and thanks to Ann for rigging the, umm… buying the tickets.
To keep us musically sharp, chorus Secretary Sarah Bican, chorus Director Mary Breedon and Brandi Neilson taught classes recently on Pythagorean Theory, key signatures, note reading and tips for those who don’t read music. Thank you, ladies, we so appreciate your time, effort, and expertise, and as a result feel more confident. Our performances and education translate into what will be a Fabu-lous 50th Show for you on October 20th! We send good luck and great lungs to the competing Region 9 Denver-bound choruses and quartets. Jacksonville Harmony will be bursting with pride and happiness for our Annie Gooch as she takes her place among the Legends of Sweet Adelines. We’re thrilled you'll be there to see it. Go, Annie, Go!
O-TOWN SOUND Pat Feverston
We had a great time at our first regional competition in Daytona Beach - in our beautiful red costumes -thanks for all the compliments from our friends in Region 9.
We only had 26 singers on stage at competition - we now have a roster of 33 members, soon to be 35 with two sisters that attended our recent Guest Night and are well on their way toward a successful audition and membership. Our most recent new member is Connie Harr, a long-time member (26 years) of the Choral-Aires Chorus, in the Chicago area. She moved to the Tampa area two years ago, and we are so glad that Con-nie chose OTS.
The end of August we welcomed Harriette Walters, the director of Greater Nassau Chorus and baritone of a.k.a., 3rd place Interna-tional Quartet Medalists in 2011, to coach OTS - we are thrilled and working very hard to be ready for that evening of coaching.
If you live in the Orlando area, join O-TOWN SOUND members on Wednesday, September 12th for a FUNDRAISER at SWEET TOMATOES RESTAURANT, State Road 436 in Altamonte Springs from 5-8 PM. You'll need a flyer to present at the restaurant for this event - just email any OTS member.
On October 11, 2012 - O-TOWN SOUND will celebrate their 1 year Charter Anniversary.We wish to thank our director, Kay Webb, for all her hard work Kay has brought to OTS lots of new and exciting music and an abundance of coaching skills to make OTS sound their very best. As we say at the end of every rehearsal, "it's great to be in O-TOWN SOUND!"
We are looking forward to the holiday season and all the OTS performances that have already been scheduled - what a FUN TIME of the year.
Check out our OTS website - www.otschorus.com
at
Newsletter, Nine On Line KITTY MAIDEN Chapter at Large
O-TOWN SOUND CHORUS - April 21, 2012 REGION 9 COMPETITION
GAINESVILLE
HARMONY SHOW Gainesville
Co-Directors: Diane Sherley and Chanda Morris
GOLDCOAST South Miami
Director: Iris Cokeroft
GULF TO BAY Largo
Director: Denise Helbig
HEART OF HIGHLAND Avon Park
Director: Ron Bower
HILTON HEAD SHORE NOTES Hilton Head, S. C.
Director: Beth Green
JACKSONVILLE HARMONY Jacksonville
Director: Ann Gooch
MAGIC OF MANATEE Bradenton
Director: Lois Van Beek
PLATINUM COAST Melbourne
Director: Lisa Lupo
O-TOWN SOUND Orlando
Director: Kay Webb
PAGE 6.. PAGE 3 . . .
SPIRIT OF THE GULF Linda Fairleigh
IT TAKES AN ARMY—Spirit of the Gulf is so proud and excited to Represent Region 9 in Denver.
Did you ever think what it takes to get 150 singers ready for interna-tional competition? In Spirit’s case it starts with the concept and the music that goes with it. This year we have 2 concepts – our exciting and entertaining soldier set you may have seen in Daytona which will be our first set and, should we score well enough to be in the 2nd round of competition, a “Down on the Farm” package.
We don’t want to spoil any surprises for those coming to Denver or watching via webcast or at our Holiday show on December 9 so we won’t give any more details at this time.
Back to the army – there’s costumes to be designed and made and approved, choreography to be designed and learned and drilled, scripts to be written, a surprise star to be invited, risers to be rented, a set to be designed, tweaked, painted, assembled, disassembled, shipped, stored. Also chorus meals to be chosen and contracted, recordings evaluated, extra rehearsals scheduled and attended (sorry Basses for the time lost stuck in a high-rise elevator but you probably rehearsed while waiting – how are the acoustics in there?) a retreat to be planned which has its own million details (rooms, meals, prices, schedule).
Then there’s coaches to be retained and scheduled, flights to make for them, and practice, practice, practice by all of the singing concepts our wonderful coaches bring to us. It’s no wonder time is racing by!
We are also proud to have our member quartets “Bling” and Sassy competing in Denver. We are lucky and honored that these 8 talented singers will be singing with Spirit.
PLATINUM COAST Debra Milligan
The Platinum Coast Chorus (PCC) has been busy the past few months reorganizing and revitalizing with our new director, Lisa Lupo. We congratulate Lisa on her recent advancement to Certified Director in the Sweet Adelines Director Certification Program.
Lisa's summer program for the chorus has been titled: "Getting Back to the Basics of Barbershop Harmony." Given that Lisa is new to us and we have recruited several new members who are new to Sweet Adelines barbershop style of music, it has been a delightfully rewarding experience for all members.
During all the excitement and renewed energy, the PCC has moved to a new rehearsal location which is more centrally located in Brevard County. We are now at the West Melbourne Recreation Department in The Veteran's Memorial Complex on 2285 Minton Road, West Melbourne, Florida. Our rehearsals are on Thursday evenings starting at 6:30 p.m., and we cordially invite all women who love to sing, dance, and perform, to come and join us for a fun girl's night out!
As summer ebbs, and fall approaches, we have begun preparing for our future performances. The first is at Melbourne's annual community event: "Fall for the Arts" which is sponsored by the Brevard Cultural Alliance. It is held in the historic Eau Gallie Arts District, Melbourne, Florida from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. on October 5, 2012. There will be numerous talented artists and groups performing. We extend a warm welcome to all who can join us for this entertaining event.
In addition, we are planning a new membership drive which will include complimentary voice lessons at the rehearsals held on October 18, 25, and November 1, 2012. Again we extend a cordial invitation in hopes that those who come will also bring a friend or two!
Finally and sadly, we announce the loss of one of our own. Our beloved, and dear sister in harmony, Marie Bennett, has departed and taken her melodious bass voice from us. Marie always said: "Basses are God's chosen." And now HE has chosen her to come home and sing with the angels We will remember her with love and laughter as she was official "Riser Policewoman." Those who dared forget their name tags at rehearsal paid a hefty fee of 25 cents to Marie, who then put it into our "Angel Fund." So you see...she was already working on "their" behalf! GOD BLESS.
We are all excited about our upcoming year and to get back to singing after our break in July. We enjoyed a "Welcome Back" picnic at our President Pam McMillen's home on Anna Maria Island on the last day of July. The weather was warm and some of us enjoyed a dip in her pool, while others grilled, chatted, laughed, learned new Iphone techniques and sampled all the very tasty dishes each member brought.
We are welcoming three new members as we begin our practice sessions. Two of our members, Judy Lawrence and Jeannette Rothberg, had a great time travelling to France with Patsy Meiser and the Tropical Harmony Chorus They were in France for two weeks, shared a concert in Blois at a music festival with four French mixed choruses, and sang "Let There Be Peace on Earth" and "It Is Well With My Soul" several places in Normandy, including the Peace Museum and the Amerian Cemetery. They also learned to navigate the Paris Metro, and came home with the cutest "Paris" t-shirts! They are looking forward to next year's trip to Munich, Vienna, Salzburg, and Budapest.
Our chorus offered four free vocal lessons at the end of August to attract women in our area who like to sing and to build our membership. We included posture and breathing resonance vowels and dipthongs, and dynamics.
We really hope this works wonders as we continue to
grow and grow
And grow!
We’re ready for YOU and our Big Day, Region 9! Jacksonville Harmony’s “50 and Fabulous”
Half-Century Anniversary Celebration Show is 2 P.M. on October 20 at the UNF Lazarra Theater in Jacksonville.
Make plans to come early and check out 50 years of chorus
costume finery and performance gear, and then linger afterwards
for a grand reception. We’ll revive our friendships, reflect on good times
we’ve shared and also congratulate and off to Denver to receive the Sweet Adelines International Lifetime Achievement Award!
th ANNIVERSARY
PAGE 9
For the very few of you who may not have had the pleasure to meet her, our beloved director Ann Gooch
is an ICON and a LEGEND in our organization, having estab-lished choruses all over the world. Besides being past presi-dent of Sweet Adelines International and helping to transform the organization into today’s worldwide entity, Ann is an Inter-
national Faculty Specialist Emerita, Certified Music Judge, college professor of Music and Humanities and
Clinician in the National Society ofin the National Society of Music Educators and, yes, a Kentucky Colonel. She has
coached many choruses throughout the years and has made countless friends along the way. She is admired and
well loved, particularly among certain New Zealand factions. But it is her home chorus, Jacksonville Harmony, who has
always placed her squarely in its heart.
So do come celebrate, Region 9, because Ann and Jacksonville Harmony are now celebrating together their
latest achievement: An invitation to compete in the Harmony Classic as Mid-Size Chorus at the Sweet Adelines International Convention and Competition
in HONOLULU, HAWAII! We say Aloha to that! ~JA
CK
SON
VIL
LE
~
MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO BENEFIT 'YOUNG SINGERS' !
If you are going to contribute, why not make your contribution benefit the young singers in REGION 9? Send your check to the
All monies earned go to fund our Young Women in Harmony festivals! Your contribution will be announced in "Nine on Line."
PAGE 10
SASSY Chelsea, Donna, Denise and Betty are thrilled to represent Region 9 in Denver. They are working hard with their coaches to get ready and appreciate the support of Spirit of the Gulf and Region 9 of their debut on the national stage in Denver. Of course 3 of the 4 have already competed at the international level but Donna will not be nervous in the least!
Sassy has been busy with fund raisers and also attended the regional quartet workshop in Orlando in June.
BLING ! In preparation for Denver,
Bling! is working hard and hav-ing fun. We are working with some fabulous coaches such
as Betty Clipman, Carole Kirkpatrick, Tony DeRosa and
Debbie Cleveland.
We are also planning a Bling It On! Benefit Show! The show
will be October 13th at 2 pm in Boca Raton at the Grace Com-
munity Church. You can con-tact Kim at [email protected] to find out more information. We love Region 9 and we are
looking forward to representing you as contestant #50 in Denver!!
EDITOR’S CORNER: Last year, 2011: I joined Chapter at Large, making the decision with great concern after 33 years of active participation in the local Sweet Adelines Chorus. Learning our music and singing our songs, traveling to places never dreamed of and, most important, adding new friends became my lifestyle outside of home. Through the years, went to International in Los Angeles, in Atlanta, in Las Vegas and in Hawaii! Heard the 4th Edition! Had dinner with a movie star in Los Angeles! Heard our Region 9 Showtime compete in Hawaii! As I write this, the word ‘change’ keeps coming to mind. We’ve come a long long way. And the dates may not be correct but...it’s been a long, long time.
33 years ago: Joined the local chorus, having heard that a man from our home town directed a group of women who sing. I joined Famous Beach (founded in 1955) ...too late to go to London to hear our winning Take Four. Audrey S. reminded me of Carol Channing. Though very serious, see-ing her face made me smile. Elaine always broke into peals of laughter. The ‘take two” at right (Fran S and Courtney R.) still sing together!
32 years ago: Joined with JoLynn D., Molly C. and Connie for a short-lived quartet we called Honeycombs. (Director’s name, Combs). Molly got pregnant and her vocal expertise changed from bass to tenor. No more Honeycombs!
31 years ago: Another hit show onstage at Peabody … Before they started charging humongous prices, Christmas shows were a-glitter when Betty K. was doing the set. What an artist. And the patriotic scenery, complete with a huge American flag filling the stage when Carole B.was in charge. Norma R.s daughter was very still as a lion in the cage the year we had the circus show. Then she moved! Wow!
30 years ago: Printed chorus newsletter, Famous Last Words, using an old mimeograph machine. Ugh! Loved doing it, though. They were still judging the newsletters in those days.
25 years ago: Our chorus sang “Star Spangled Banner” preceding Daytona NASCAR races. We were so in awe of the sound of our voices bouncing back from the universe that we walked off the stage speechless!
20 years ago: Working at the local newspaper and raising a family, turned down the presidency again, feeling it was a full time job. Took other BOD jobs, many of them to do with printing, programming and later, websites.
15 years ago: Our first runway Fashion Show / Luncheon, An Affair to Remember, and it truly was. I still have the two piece black glittery top and long skort (too small now). More fund-raising events followed, like Singing Valentines.
10 years ago: Famous Beach Chorus celebrated 50th Anniversary! Bernie got the ball rolling and we worked out the program. Chelsea arranged for their quartet, to come to town and surprise the attendees. Memorable.... Wonderful!
7 years ago: Famous Beach and Heart Of Daytona joined to become Song Of The Coast. It’s been terrific! When working with the Region, Chelsea Young had me do a Membership newsletter. Then Joann Abrams asked me to do NINE O\N LINE. Now, as a CAL, the Nine On Line, Comm. Rhonda Payton and the CAL rep, Gail Burke keep me up to date. Hope to go to Hawaii! ED.
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PAGE 12.
International Convention
Denver, Colorado October 29 - November 3, 2012
Denver – the Mile High City – where a thriving arts and cultural scene, 300 days of sunshine, and the Rocky Mountain backdrop combine for the world’s most dazzling playground. Join your sister Sweet
Adelines as they sing their way to the top.
Experience the world's best barbershop performances, thrilling competitions, camaraderie
and unrivaled music education wrapped in some of the most spectacular scenery on earth.
