Page 6                                                            InCider Press                                      October 2006

     I just wanted to thank first of all our director and everyone who was involved in the decision to go to this CSD contest!! 

     It was so much more than the contest.   I am exhausted from the long day as I'm sure everyone was, but what an experience!  As a first timer to all of this it was a little overwhelming sitting in the audience after we performed and listening to these other choruses and quartets.  There is so much to learn, I wish every member could've been there to hear them. 

    The international champions were, well, international champions!   They rang the chords and just had me on the edge of my chair along with everyone else just wanting to hear more!! 

    I don't want to jump the gun, but I was more than inspired and motivated to not only do better as a chorus member but I am going to be doing some serious work towards forming a quartet. 

     I don't want to sound negative either but sitting there listening to the judges critique our group was hard!!   What was so surprising to me was what they told us was many things that Ken is already telling us and we just aren't doing yet!   I'm sure he will have much to say at the meeting Thursday so I'm not going to spoil it with too many details! 

     There are so many things that made it a very worthwhile endeavor and I hope we are starting to plan for the next time!   I loved sitting in the audience and having the Ambassadors of Harmony lead the audience in "Keep the whole world singing"!!  The sound was incredible from an auditorium filled with barbershoppers (and spouses) on stage and off!!   I can't wait till next time!! 

Tom Fish ♪

First time observations

     Ok, I have to admit it, yes this was my first time in 13 years to attend a Central States Convention, let alone compete in one.  Now it is easy to understand why our members and spouses that attend the International come back so excited about Barbershop!  And just think, this was only a mini-version and I wasn't able to get the full deal
as I had to return early before the quartet singing so I could attend my grandson's first birthday. 

     Observation 1--I now have a better understanding of what a BIG job our Bob Swenson has as the person in charge of registration of such an event.  Thank you Bob, Telva, and all who accept his invitation to help put the registration packets together.  I, for one, will make a greater effort to be there next year.

     Observation 2--It takes the whole team to get there.  Thanks to all the Board members and Directors who helped with the logistics just to get ourselves and our "stuff" there.  Special kudos to Harvey Kiser for arranging for the van, and Bill Hanson for hauling tuxes, and all the members who car-pooled. 

     Observation 3--Getting there is the easy part (even with the road construction around the Hotel!)  Parking, finding      the room, changing clothes in unfamiliar situations can be un-nerving.  Thank goodness for the spouses who served as our make-up crew and official cheerleaders as we began the preparations.

     Observation 4--The word "pattern" has a whole new meaning.  Just like airports have their landing pattern, so does a Barbershop District contest.  Can you imagine the people-power it takes to make something like that happen?  It also takes some kind of special facility to pull this thing off.  It really sharpens your navigating senses
trying to remember how you got from here to there.

     Observation 5--Barbershoppers are a great bunch of people.  I can't count the number of "good luck", "break a leg", "great job", "glad you are here", "when you come back next year I'll bet you'll be the most improved chorus", that were said personally to me--and I don't think I personally knew a single one of these men that said that, and it was said with the utmost sincerity. 

     Observation 6--This is serious business, but can be done with a sense of fun and excitement.  The Society has obviously put a lot of thought into running a smooth, ethical and fair contest, as well they should, as the stakes are high in selecting our District's representatives to the next International contest.  I tried to have as much fun as possible, but must admit that my nerves settled down after our performance, and I really did enjoy seeing and hearing the

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