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What a difference in our chorus when we have close to 50 people in attendance!...and can you tell how much more Ken can do with us when we are on the risers? I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their interest and attention as we move into the next stage of our show preparation. It is so important that we get off the printed page this early in the game and get on the risers where we can really start to make progress on the music. Thank you, too, for your attention and interest in the choreography. I often hear a lot of "groans" when the word choreography is mentioned. Not so this year, and it has made a big difference in our learning the moves. Choreography does enhance the songs, and it is a part of every song we sing. Some of the songs have "external" or "physical" requirements...others are "internal" choreography. As Ken has told us many times, we must "feel" the song from the inside...from our souls... for it to be adequately presented to our audiences. I can tell that we are starting to do that. A word about riser positions. We are likely to make some changes as we go through the next few rehearsals. I think the front row is pretty well set, but everyone should pay attention to what the people next to you and in front and behind you do, as you may be asked to take another position. We will keep the moves to a minimum, of course, but there are things (like height) that we couldn't quite determine without first seeing you on the risers. And we have some guys who we were not sure would be singing with us, but now they are back (Yea!) so we have to make some more spaces...so we may want to move a few people around for vocal reasons as well. Thank you in advance for your patience with this process as we attempt to get the best sound and visual presentation for the show! A special "Welcome Back" to Jim Gardner, Drew Horton, Dave Davis, and Tom Fish. All of these guys are terrific singers and will help us tremendously! They all are quick learners as well. Maybe we should "quiz" them on their memorization techniques and learn from them. Don't be afraid to ask them how they do it! There is only one song that we have not seen. We are waiting for final approval from Kenosha to do it. The rest of the music you have, and we have sung each piece several times. I am very pleased as to how the show is coming together. Thanks again for attention to the preparation guidelines...following the rehearsal schedule (chart). You should find it very helpful in your personal preparations as well.
Don Thomson ♪ |
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Random Notes about the Show |
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The Manhattan, Kansas Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society will fulfill its vision –
By providing quality music performances and entertainment to Manhattan and the surrounding communities, By promoting and encouraging harmony and good fellowship among our own members, families, and friends, By providing and supporting opportunities for our members to sing, By encouraging and promoting the musical education of our members and the community, By seeking new members based on their ability to contribute to our activities, By initiating, promoting, and participating in charitable projects, By promoting public appreciation of Barbershop harmony, and By providing opportunities for others to participate in Barbershop singing and in all other vocal music activities.
Drafted January 7, 2006 --
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Proposed Mission Statement
MISSION STATEMENT |
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The Manhattan Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society is to proclaim, perpetuate and enjoy the a cappella music art form with emphasis on the barbershop style,
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Proposed Vision Statement |