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Page 6 InCider Press February 2008 |
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Thursday, February 21, 7 p.m. we will have Session #4 of Harmony 101 in the parlor. All may attend, ask questions, give answers, discuss any issue. If we find it difficult to answer a query, we’ll get an answer somewhere to bring to a following session. Notes on previous sessions: Session #1 10-25-07 & Session #2 11-1-07 Taking Pitch: Someone blows (plays) the key note (tonic note) (“Do” of do-re-mi-fa-sol-la-ti-Do...) (in Key of C: “C”); all sing this note; Bass drops to an octave lower (same note pitched 8 steps lower) (do-ti-la-sol-fa-mi-re-DO) (c-b-a-g-f-e-d-C); Baritone drops down a fourth (fourth note down the scale from the lead (“Sol”) (c-b-a-G), or up from the bass to the fifth (“Sol”) (c-d-e-f-G); Tenor goes up a third (do-re-MI) (c-d-E). We end up singing a full, rich chord. The note you sing here may or may not come out as your beginning note in the song. It establishes the tonal basis for the beginning of the song. This chord (C-G-C-E) constitutes a “major” chord. Some songs a composed in a “minor” key....and that means we need a change in the chord. More later… Vibrato: “A measured waver in the tone.” “Normally banned in barbershop,” i.e. sing a steady tone and pitch. If you find a vibrato in your voice, generate a firmer, steadier breath support. Record and listen to yourself! It shocked me, when I heard myself doing this. (I usually find that Ken’s admonitions to do something better usually refer to me, too!) In a quartet some vibrato, especially in the Lead, can enhance the sound. Poor posture can contribute to a lousy tone, including a poor vibrato. Here you can find Jim Debusman’s article “Vibrato is an important part Sound”(URL:www.barbershop.org/web/groups/public/documents/pages/pub-id-06337.hcsp NOTE: This article appears to focus on quartet singing. Session #3 11-15-07 Harmony Foundation: Leonard Purvis served as a representative of Harmony Foundation for our Little Apple Chapter for years; Brian Arthaud-Day became our new representative recently. Leonard and Brian attended this session to help us understand how Harmony Foundation works and to give us some history of |
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our efforts along the line of service. My notes follow : Harmony Foundation (HF) is a charitable wing of Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS). HF collects money to help propagate barbershop harmony singing. HF scholarships go to youth for Youth In Harmony events. HF has an endowment that continues to grow. Our Chapter has run a successful Youth In Harmony event for area youth. Several local music teachers assisted. Some years ago, our Chapter got seriously involved in supporting a start-up effort in Wichita, the Institute of Logopedics, which was struggling financially. Our members generated a lot funds, interacted closely with the Wichita organization, and welcomed children who had experienced successful treatments to attend our shows as visitors and once as performers. This organization grew greatly after legislation that required local school boards to gain treatment for children, which resulted in much more funding. The name then changed to Heartstrings and operates today. These days we can get involved in Harmony Explosion Camps that last one day or a weekend for about 100-200 junior high and senior high youth. As someone noted, the Harmonizer reports on HF activities each issue. We thank Leonard for his past work, and for his overview of the history of our Chapter with HF. We also thank Brian for taking on this position and look forward to more insights into this important effort and for possible involvement by all of us financially and by some of us directly.♪ |
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Harmony 101 By Loren Alexander Board Member |
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At the board meeting February 11th the board set the date of April 11th for our 2009 annual show. Between CSD Convention and the McCain Auditorium schedule there were few alternatives. Unfortunately that show will be the Saturday before Easter. In other action the board decided that we will sing for Sunday services at chapels on Fort Riley on either March 30, April 6th or April 13th, this year. We will poll the members and consult the director to decide which Sunday to choose. Prices were set for the 2008 afterglow tickets as follows: Admission without meal $5.00 Admission with meal $15.00. The board approved the purchase of seventy purple vests at $48.50 each. Members will be asked to repay the chapter $30 of the cost. It was decided that we will provide one free ticket for each show for each child in the Bergman Elementary School Choir who will sing on our show this year, so one parent can attend to supervise them. |
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Actions of the board By Pat Caffey Secretary |