Tori led Midwest Crossbones, uh, Crossroad Chorus to an overall score of 1284 (double-panel) at the Harmony Classic Competition in San Antonio, Texas.

The Chordettes once again made us SO proud as they performed as contestant #20.  The girls were excited because they finally had their whole chorus there to support them at IES.  Jenelle Hicks, Krysten Vega, and Collette LeMahieu are such valuable members of the Midwest Crossroad Chorus, and tenor Heather Krones from Heart of Illinois Chorus (Region 5) completes the talented foursome.  They were honored to place 9th in a very talented field of competitors. 

"Music in the Morning" was fun each day as we all gathered to refine our skills.  We then "broke out" into our respective "tracks", and I experienced many talented choreographers and their "tricks of the trade" ideas.  One of my final classes was how the director and choreographer work together, and NO surprise here, the best-in-the-business duo were the clinicians - yep, Jim and Renee!  I ALWAYS learn something new from them, and the other class attendees were hanging on their every word!

As you can imagine, the real highlight of this trip for me was Saturday's Harmony Classic contest, where the pirates stormed the house!  We were humbled to represent Region 3, and positively vibrating in our boots to perform our pirate set.  The audience loved us from our chaotic entrance to our spirited version of "We Are The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything".  A crowd favorite was Certified Director Tori's rendition of "I Really Couldn't Sing" - and in case you haven't heard - yep, WE MADE HER A MASTER!  Though we placed 3rd overall, we were only 2 points out of 2nd.  We won the showmanship category AND scored highest in performance package points.  Some of our favorite people in the audience believed we had won the contest, and to us, THAT is priceless - ARG!

This was a fabulous experience, one that I will cherish forever.  And soon, the Harmony Classic will be a part of the International Convention week.  Bring it on! - WE WANT MORE!

Advance registrations are closed, but registration will be accepted at the door for workshops and the show.

I belong to Riverside Chorus of Elgin, Illinois, and was the winner of an International Education Symposium (IES) registration drawing at Adventures in Music (AIM) weekend last year. 

As soon as my name was drawn, a friend of mine from Riverside Chorus, Jane Kennedy, agreed to accompany me to the IES event, which is held in San Antonio, Texas.  Suzie Lewis, Riverside's director, also attended IES. When we arrived on the campus of Trinity University, we got settled in our comfortable room and later on attended the opening session of IES, sitting in the very comfortable seats of Laurie Auditorium.

I attended a total of nine classes over the next three days.  The first class I attended (on Thursday) was "Let's Get Physical."  One of the ideas shared in that class was to try to do the "Tsss, tsss, chhh, Chhh, chhh, tss.  Fff, tsss, chh" exercise faster and faster.  The second class I attended that day was "Life of Rhythm."  During that class, we were asked to think of what might change a song's tempo.  Students in the class came up with the answers of breaths, key changes, changes in dynamics, planned rhythmic changes, and wordy phrases.  The last class I went to on Thursday was "Flying Solo Using Warm-up Tapes."  One of the helpful ideas shared in that class was that if I get bored with my warm-up exercises, I should try reversing the pattern.  Another helpful idea shared was to say the word "yikes" silently.

Friday was a really busy day for me.  I went to four classes that day.  My first class was "How to Be a Great Baritone."  Among other things, Pythagorean tuning was discussed in the class.  The instructor shared the interesting idea of thinking how many "cents" different each note is from each other note.  That instructor also showed us a type of tuner I had never seen before.  It had orange and green lights which indicated whether or not a singer was singing in tune.  In my next class, "Rip Your Shower Curtain Open,"  the idea I found most helpful was to refuse to accept any limitations about my singing voice as permanent.  For example, if I have been told repeatedly that I sing flat, I should not keep playing a "tape" over and over in my head which says "You're singing flat."  The third class I went to on Friday was "Musical Games for Musical People."  One of the games we learned in that class was to have two people sing one pitch and then have each of them take turns bending the pitch up and down. 

"Body Language for Performers" was the final class I attended on Friday and I found it very interesting and helpful.  The idea of taking our facades or "masks" off while performing was shared.  It was stated that everyone automatically takes their masks off for babies, so we should think of our audience as being big babies. Other helpful ideas shared in this class were the majority of communciation is actually visual, have a winning attitude backstage, and remember that stage fright is very self-centered.  One final fact stated in this class is that in communication, it is very important which way one's chest faces.  The "tiles" position choruses use in performances exemplifies this idea.

On Saturday, I attended my final two classes, which both pertained to quartet singing.  The first class was "Sharing Responsibility to Make Your Quartet Lock and Ring."  Many practical suggestions for making a quartet succeed were shared in this class.  And in my last class, "Ballad Choreography for Quartets," it was a real treat to have the international champion quartet Salt actually demonstrate what was taught.

Other helpful ideas shared during IES were to think of all of the singing space around my head, to remember that singing is holistic since it involves every part of our breathing, to remember the only difference between breath and pitch is that breath has no pitch, to shift my high space (ceiling) when I move up the scale, and to spread my arms out to help me remember to sing into a wider space.  

I'm so grateful for all I learned from each of the dedicated, knowledgeable instuctors in the nine classes I took.  I plan to share what I learned and several helpful handouts I received in the classes with my chorus.

Not all of my time as IES was spent in classrooms, however.  I enjoyed attending the Rising Star quartet contest and the Harmony Classic chorus contest.  The winning chorus in the chorus contest, the Waikato Rivertones Chorus from New Zealand, exuded so much energy when it sang "This Joint is Jumping."  And I had a wonderful time at the final IES event, the relaxing toga party.  It was fun seeing all of the colorful togas which many women wore to the party.  The soft music, beautiful candles, and delicious food were all very nice.  And if someone were to ask me what was the most fun thing I did at IES, it was attempting to catch on to all of the clever choreography for the song "Fit as a Fiddle" which we worked on in the "Music in the Morning" sessions.

This was the first time I had ever been to IES.  I was so impressed with how well-organized the whole event was.  I loved practicing with the CD I received of the songs we worked on during IES.  And the maps and written information provided were most helpful, not to mention the courtesy of everyone I encountered there.

I am so grateful I won the registration and was able to attend the IES event this year.  Special thanks to my friend Jane for helping me find my way around the large, beautiful campus.  I understand next year's IES will be the last one, so I would strongly encourage EVERYONE who is able to attend to do so!!

Following a successful run in 2006, Grand Rapids Chorus brought back the popular HIT & RUN Summer Education Program for its members.  Held over a period of six weeks, members signed up for one class subject and received a 15-minute lesson each week.  When released by our director, we would RUN to our classes, HIT the topics immediately, and 15 minutes later RUN back to the risers.  Class instructors were our own talented chorus members and this summer' s offerings were: 

• Reading Music Basics - Read notes in bass and treble clefs, understand key signatures, identify intervals and count note values.
• Physical Movement - Learn to express yourself thru movement with spontaneity and creativity. Execute simple dance steps and understand how choreography is developed.
• The Actor in You -Acquire tools to overcome stage fright, analyze a song and understand characterization.  Class includes videotaping a reading by each member with peer review and suggestions.
• Theory-Scales, Intervals & Chords - Be able to identify written intervals. Learn to identify major & minor scales by listening.  Be able to write out major or minor scales, intervals and chords.  Understand the basic concept of the circle of fifths.
• Breath and Your Health - Learn to properly use your breathing to release stress & increase energy, while preventing vocal fatigue.  Discover how to maintain accurate pitch and increase your capacity by regulating exhalation.
• Rhythm Basics - Understand basic rhythms and time signatures.  Learn how notes fit into measures and why some beats have more emphasis.  Use rhythm instruments to enhance experience.

The series was started as a way to help chorus members build their musical and performance skills.  It's difficult to carve non-singing time out of a rehearsal evening, and spreading the lessons over a six-week period in 15-minutes segments allowed us to offer a 1-1/2 hour class with a minimum impact on rehearsal time.

Hello, Region 3!   I'm honored to have been elected as Directors' Coordinator for the 2007-2008 RMT term.  Though I've been in Region 3 since 1987 (transferred from Region 5), I thought maybe some additional background information would show you why I ran for this position in the first place.

I started barbershopping in the Decatur Chapter of Sweet Adelines in 1980.  I was the music chairman, section leader (baritone!!), costume chairman, finance chairman, and assistant director (not all at the same time).  When I came to Region 3, I joined Melodeers (where I'm currently a section leader and assistant director).  I've since belonged to the Great Lake Sound Chorus and Choral-Aires, and I was front line director of Chain 'O' Lakes chorus for a year (between Jim and Carol Ann).  I also have half a dozen years' experience as a church choir director.

I know from experience and from exposure how important director education is, and I know how "alone" those folks in the front of our choruses can feel from time to time.  In my term as Directors' Coordinator, I hope to continue with the fine work done by my predecessor, Carol Thompson, in keeping our directors connected and getting them (as much as possible) what they feel they need to do the best job they can for you.

If there are questions about the Director Coordinator position, or if you have questions for me, you can reach me at lynda.keever@comcast.net.  Fair warning:  sometimes I don't check my email more than once a week!

See you around the Region!

This is your opportunity to participate in the selection of nominees for appointment/election to the regional management team.  Nominees will be selected to fill the following positions for the two-­year term beginning May 1, 2008, and ending April 30, 2010.

Education Coordinator          International Appointment

Events Coordinator              Regional Appointment

Marketing Coordinator         Regional Appointment

Membership Coordinator      Regional Election

Are you interested in serving your region?  Do you have members in your chapter who have all, or most, of the qualifications listed below, and are interested in serving on the regional management team or as a committee member or appointee?  If so, please complete and submit an application for yourself or encourage your chorus members to submit an application for the RMT.

The IDEAL potential nominee should work well on her own and as a team member to define and pursue goals, and to carry out the aims of the region and Sweet Adelines International.  Her qualifications also should include the following:

·    Positive, objective attitude

·    Good listening skills

·    Critical and analytical thinking as well as imaginative and creative thinking

·    Effective verbal and written communication skills

·    Knowledge and ability to use available resources

·    Ability to adapt easily to different environments

·    Ability to relate to a variety of personality types

·    Training and experience in a field which could be of value to the regional management team

·    Experience in Sweet Adelines International as a chapter, regional, or international officer, committee chair, or member

Applications and job descriptions are available at the Region 3 website.  Got questions?  Contact any RMT member or Nominating Committee member.  And submit your application today!  Deadline for submissions: September 30.

Nominating Committee

Bonnie Fedyeski, Julie Zehnder, Linda Rozema

In the Choral-Aires Chorus never ending quest for funding sources to support our truly American art form, a Grant Committee was formed. The result of their work was a coveted spot in The Illinois Arts Council Performers Guide for both Region 3's Choral-Aires Chorus and our member quartet The Four Bettys.  It seemed that we were no sooner added into this guide than we were both invited to sing for our local educational station WTTW Channel 11's live show "Arts Across Illinois" at Grainger Studio in Chicago, Illinois that was sponsored by The Illinois Arts Council.  This event was to be aired live on Thursday evening June 21, 2007.

What a day! Most of us had never had the opportunity to be on television before and never realized how much work goes into a television show!  We had to report to the studio early and our day was filled with staging, production rehearsals, emcee work with the show's host Corky Siegel (blues harmonica master) and of course singing.  They took great care of us at WTTW; they made us feel like stars with star treatment and even fed us!  Then...Lights, Camera, Action!  We were really going to be on live television!

The Four Bettys did a soul stirring rendition of "One Voice" that was just stunning!  Corky Siegel's only response was "wow ... WOW!!" Then Choral-Aires Chorus under the direction of Master Director, Joan Boutilier, took the stage with our version of "Get Happy" and the audience responded with their toes tapping and hands clapping (even before we finished!).  Our finale was one of Choral-Aires favorites "As Long As I'm Singing" to which we were accompanied by Corky's harmonica (a first in Choral-Aires Chorus history).  Our chorus members sparkled on screen with beautiful costumes, animated faces and the joy of singing our barbershop style of music clearly shining through.

What an experience (one we will never forget!) and we hope to have many more of these performances thanks to the Arts Council of Illinois.  Performances like this one are helping us gear up for Sweet Adelines International Competition in Calgary this October, 2007.  Come see us perform our competition and entertainment packages at our Preview Show on Saturday, September 22, 2007 at 7:30 PM at the Bolingbrook High School Auditorium, 365 Raider Way, Bolingbrook, IL.  For more information, call our toll free number at 1-888-316-5939 or Pat at 1-630-355-9358 or visit our web site at www.choral-aires.org 

by Sandy Boffa, Choral-Aires Chorus