| Our Mission |
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Lake Michigan Region 3 of Sweet Adelines International is dedicated to the advancement of four-part harmony, barbershop-style, for women of all ages, through education and performance. |
| Regional Management Team |
| Communications Coordinator
Education Coordinator
Events Coordinator
Marketing Coordinator
Membership Coordinator
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| Writers needed |
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Voices 'round the Lake is looking for your voice! We're looking for writers to contribute articles for this e-newsletter. If you'd like to take on a single assignment or could handle an ongoing feature column, we'd like to hear from you. Heck, if you'd like to step into the role of editor, that's an option too.
Contact Linda Rozema and let her know you'd like to help!
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| Looking ahead |
Don't miss an exciting, high-energy weekend with Jim Arns and Renee Porzel.
Details coming soon! |
| A.I.M. Boutique |
Ways and Means maven Pat Catencamp will again be managing the Region 3 Boutique at Fall AIM. If you would like to present your wares, the Vendor Space Request can be found at the regional website in the Forms and Download section. Click the link below to hop right over there!
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| Auditions for
Quartet Tenor |
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Joker's Wild, an established quartet associated with the Spring Valley Chorus is holding auditions for a tenor on Saturday, June 28 at 10AM in Schaumburg, Il. Call Terri at 847-909-7365 for details. |
| Seeking Quartet? |
Are you a singer in search of a quartet? Are you a quartet with an opening in search of a singer?
Be sure to visit the regional website to place an announcement. The link is on the Quartet page and you can click the link below to jump right over!
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| Region 22
Director Search |
| The Stateline Harmony Chorus in Janesville, Wisconsin is looking for a director. Contact Carol Pann, Team Coordinator at cspharmony4all@wildblue.net |
| Quick Links |
| Region 3 Website
Sweet Adelines International
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| Four Bettys at Kennedy Center |
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On May 31, the Four Bettys took part in a 10-day Acapella Festival on the Millennium Stage at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. There are times when things don't always go as planned, especially when Mother Nature is involved. In this case, a memorable experience was turned into a truly unforgettable experience. Heather shared the experience on the SING discussion list at Yahoo groups and it is re-printed here by permission.
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Sunday, June 1 Hello everyone!
First of all, Four Bettys wants to thank EVERYONE who was in
Washington, D.C. this weekend, and who watched us on the web. We feel very honored to have so many people support us in what we do. I love that you were all able to be there with us in spirit, even if you couldn't be in D.C.!
One of the best things about being in this organization is the ability to be flexible. We are taught to be smart singers and performers at all times, and that education came in handy this weekend! Cori had flown out on Friday, and Joan, mom and I flew out Saturday morning. We left on time, 10:50 am. We were supposed to land in D.C. around 2pm. When we arrived in D.C. there was a tornado watch in effect and no one was allowed to land. After circling D.C. for about 45 minutes, we were re-routed to Richmond, VA to refuel. Once we landed there around 3:45, we found out flights were not allowed to land in D.C. for another hour. This became quite comical, because we were supposed to be at sound check at 4:30 with the performance starting at 6pm. We got a hold of Cori and found out that Max Q was also in a similar situation, two of them were in Richmond on diverted flights, one was somewhere else in VA, and Gary was stranded in Ohio. Well, we finally re-boarded our plan and landed in D.C. at 5:15. I immediately called Cori to let her know. Of course, after I hung up, they announced that we wouldn't have a gate for another 30 minutes! During the flight, the gentleman that was sitting next to Joan wrote down the seats the three of us were in and asked the flight attendant to move us forward if at all possible to aide us getting of the flight more quickly (aren't people awesome!?!). We finally pulled up to the gate at 6pm. We rushed to the cab line, jumped in a cab and raced off. Now, mom's luggage was supposed to be cabin checked, but it turned out they threw it in with the rest. SO, mom had no costume, no medal, no makeup. Joan, Cori and mom were all in black and some other color...I was wearing brown and green. So in the cab, I quickly changed into black pants and white shirt while Joan and mom primped with what little makeup we had. Mind you, there was no partition in the cab...just a regular old car. The things I do for this hobby!
Well, we reached the Kennedy center at 6:17, hopped out, raced in, got to the bathroom, and was told we had 7 minutes before the Czech choir was done. Joan, mom and I did a quick once over, I blew a key, we sang a couple quiet notes, and were wisked on to stage. And the rest, well, is history!
We are so fortunate that the Czech choir was kind enough to sing while we were fiddling around at the airport. Our only regret is that we were unable to sing with Max Q, something we were definitely looking forward to.
Again, thank you for all of your support...and I hope you enjoyed the tale as much as we did! As I said earlier, our hobby has done a great job at making us flexible singers and for that, we are eternally grateful. It allowed us a once in a lifetime chance to perform at the Kennedy Center. It is a memory that will last forever!
Betty-cerely,
Heather for the Bettys
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Their performance can be viewed from the Kennedy Center archives. Go to the web address listed below and follow the navigation path:
http://www.kennedy-center.org/
* Scroll to the bottom of the page and click the View Archive link.
* In the Search by Artist field, type Four Bettys and hit the search button.
The Jitro Czech Girls Choir started the evening performance as a last-minute stand-in for Max Q and Four Bettys take the stage 33 minutes into the program.
Kudos to Four Bettys for a fabulous performance and representation of Sweet Adelines International!
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| Region 3
Director Search: Riverside Chorus |
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Riverside Chorus had an eventful spring. Along with our preparation for evaluation at convention, we were awarded a grant from the City of Elgin Cultural Arts Commission and Illinois Arts Council in support of our November 22 show, had a successful fundraiser organized by Joan Ruchti, received raves for a performance at a mother/daughter tea, and hosted two chorus workshops-all in the midst of a membership crisis that threatened our charter! Having successfully weathered the crisis, we are focusing on rebuilding our membership and looking for an energetic director with a focus on education and vocal skills who enjoys sing-outs and participating in community events. Contact Wendy Witt at 847-293-8763 or send an e-mail to info@riversidechorus.com if you would like to be considered.
We already have a lot on our schedule this summer: from the Elgin Sampler in June and the 4th of July parade to opening a National Pro Fastpitch contest between the Chicago Bandits and the New England Riptide with the National Anthem on August 9th at Judson University. This is also a fundraiser for us: contact Wendy if you would like tickets to the game.
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the RMT, in particular Penny Hock and Corinne Matson, and Penny Mensik, our founding director and coach, for their support during a most challenging time in our chapter history. We look forward to a successful year.
Submitted by Wendy Witt
Riverside Chorus |
| Jukebox goes back to school . . . by Dawn Peters |
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After hearing Jukebox quartet perform in November 2007 on the Center Point Chorus's show in Stevens Point, WI., teacher Phil Buch rushed backstage after the show and invited the quartet to come to his school, Wausau West High School, in Wausau Wisconsin, to teach and share the barbershop style with his students.
The five classes of high school girls and boys were incredibly well behaved, attentive, and talented. Jukebox sang for them, told them about four part harmony barbershop style, demonstrated overtones, taught them a tag, and then asked each class to sing their own music for Jukebox.
The bond between the students, Phil Buch, and Jukebox was instant as they all share the love of music. Phil Buch was especially excited because he knew that Jukebox would be a well needed model for his female students as Mr. Buch had only brought in men's groups up until then.
The students commented on what an unexpected and spectacular experience it was for them. They wrote about how overwhelmed they were by Jukebox's glorious singing that day and realized that this would be a viable option to keep singing after high school and college.
Jukebox quartet with Phil Buch, Director of Choral Services,
and other Wausau West High School Music Department staff. |
| What the Heck is the DCP? |
[Note: This article by Sherry Berkley is a reprint from the Fall 2006 issue of Voices 'round the Lake. It has been edited to update some outdated information or references.]
Ok, ok - so what the heck is the DCP, you ask? Well, it's the Director Certification Program and it is alive and well in Region 3! So, how does one get certified, you may ask? The program is open to ALL Sweet Adelines, as well as non-member front-line directors.
First, you will need to apply to the program. Applications can be found on the Sweet Adelines International Website at http://www.sweetadelineintl.org. Click on the drop-down menu to find the Forms link. On the Forms page, you will find the application under the Music Services section. You may also call International Headquarters and ask them to mail the application to you.
Once you send this in with the application fee ($75) and it is processed by International, they will send you a letter welcoming you to the program, as well as a self-assessment for you to complete and send back. This is then sent on to your region's DCP Coordinator, who will keep it in a file. Applicants are categorized as either 1) Director/Co-Director, 2) Associate/Assistant Director, or 3) Candidate.
Next, you will need to take a bunch of tests! Eeewww, tests? Don't worry, it's not all that bad. Especially if you buy the DCP Modules available through International Sales (currently they cost $100 when purchased as a set). I know some choruses have purchased these modules for members to use. This is a great idea, as it provides a means for educational growth of their members - there is a wealth of wonderful information in them for everyone! These modules contain everything you need to know (or pretty close to it!) to pass all the tests.
There are ten test areas, including Conducting Skills, Analytical Listening, Organizational Knowledge, Teaching Skills, Communication Skills, Management Skills, Music Theory, Vocal Production, Judging Categories, and Rehearsal Planning. Testing is made available at the Region 3 AIM Weekends each Fall. Special arrangements can be made with the DCP coordinator for testing at other times also.
Once you take the tests and meet the minimum points required, the DCP Coordinator will send in a form to International recommending your advancement to one of three levels: Approved Director, Certified Director, or Master Director. If you are not in an official Director or Assistant Director position when you finish your testing, you can only advance to Approved Director. However, if you should assume a director or associate/assistant director position at a later time, the DCP coordinator can then send in a new recommendation to advance to Certified Director. Once you are certified, the only thing left is to become a Master Director. In order to do that, your chorus must achieve a score of 600 points or more in contest!
Sound like something you'd like to do? Why wait! Get started now, even if you're not in a directing position. It's a great way to learn more about out craft and our organization, and it will help you to appreciate more what your director does for your chorus. And the more you grow, the more your chorus will grow!
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Saturday, August 9, 2008
Big Weenie is coming!!! |
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Save the Date---Big Weenie Tag Singing Contest, August 9, 2008
Benefits Young Women in Harmony (YWIH)
and Young Men in Harmony (YMIH)!
Doug and Cathie Wehrwein will once again host a fun day in Elburn, Illinois to raise money for YWIH and YMIH. For a mere $5 you can register a quartet to compete for cheap and tawdy awards to be presented by a panel of five expert judges. Food and fixin's will be provided for $12.50 with advance reservation. All contributions, donations and bribes are donated to YWIH and YMIH. For contest rules and more information visit http://bigweenietagsing.blogspot.com |
| Let's hear your voice! |
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What is your favorite summer-time chorus or barbershop activity?
Send you response to region3comm@gmail.com Answers will be printed in the next issue of Voices 'round the Lake. Due out, oh, probably in early July. | |
