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January 2010 InCider Press Page 3 |
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Have you ever bought a new car and thrilled with trying out all the new stuff it would do? Be honest, have ya'? Has a lonely, straight stretch of highway ever called out to you to see what this baby will do? How loud will the new stereo go? How new and sweet smelling the upholstery? How about those electric door locks, the tailgate release button that won't work while you're moving, or how beautifully cold the air conditioner gets on the first 100 degree day? Has your wife ever asked why you 'keep fiddling' with stuff? "She just doesn't understand that you have to learn about your new pride and joy." Well guess what, new cars, guns, golf clubs and machinery in general are not the only thing you've got to learn about. Barbershopping is something else we could get a lot more enjoyment from by knowing more about it. I'm not talking about how to sing, knowing your part, or even how you lay off when singing a seventh because Joe Liles said to and why. I'm talking about the organizational stuff! How about the history of the thing we all share? What makes this unique harmony? What is Woodshedding and how do you do it? I know a guy with all those answers and more. How about the state of the world wide organization, is every service organization having the same challenges? How can we get more members to join so we can get more people on stage? How can we get the average membership age from 65 down to 45 and how do we get rid of the slumping and the frumpy expressions on those faces we see on the videos? I know a |
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guy with some great answers to those questions too. I even know where you can learn how to be a more effective President, Treasurer, Secretary, and (thankfully) a better Membership guy, if you're interested. Yes, such things do exist! Here's how it works! Ready? The weekend of February 5-7 there is going to be a Leadership Academy at St Joseph, Missouri. Whoa! Whoa! Don't Panic! No one will hold a pistol to your head and force you into (Yuk) a position of indentured servitude! On top of that, there's a guy by the name of Chuck Greene who will be there with some great ideas on how we can make ours a healthier chapter that will be a lot more fun for everyone. How can you beat a deal like that, you say? WELL, let me tell ya'. First of all, the chapter will pay the fees for you to have this opportunity to join in with all the other guys in our district to learn stuff. THEN, (are you ready for it?) the chapter will also pay for half your lodging if you have the time to spend the night. (Yea, these guys are serious about their commitment to you) Now, if you can't take the time to go up on Friday night and stay until Sunday, that's OK. I'm sure some will want to go up Saturday a.m. and return that evening. Call it a learning smorgasbord! Take what you want (or need) and leave the rest or come back for more the next time. I can guarantee you one thing, you'll have a fun time and meet some great people! How great, you say? Just as great as you are, they're Barbershoppers too! ♪ |
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able to “hide” in your section, but rather need to know the music very well to hold your own. Most of the songs we are singing are quite easy to learn and sing. I know that everyone of us is capable of holding their own on the stage. Within a couple of weeks, you will be experiencing the shotgun concept and Ken will have you singing from a different place in the chorus. Be prepared! I know that you will like it as it is more like singing in a quartet, and thrilling to hear a bass or a baritone singing on your left shoulder. Keep up the good work. The songs are coming along great and Ken is doing a great job in getting us prepared.♪ |
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Have you ever? By Dave Fink |
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I am very pleased at the progress we are making on the show music. We have mentioned a couple of times that we would not be on the risers for the first part of the show this year. Instead we will be on platforms, some sitting around a campfire, others on hay bales, some standing, etc. The important part is that we will not be in “sections”, the term we use is “shotgun”. You will not be |
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We are making progress By Don Thomson, Associate Director |
