InCider Press, May 2004, page 6

of guys learning polecats and other songs. Vocalize in the shower or in the car.

2. Learn your music early. Singing the songs from the music every Thursday evening impedes the progress of singing as a unit. Most of us cannot learn the music when we only look at it once a week (Mike McCaffrey being the exception). Pull out the music during the week and surprise the director on Thursday evening that you are off the music!

3. Be a regular attendee. Singing in the chorus is a "team sport". When you are gone, you are missed. It changes the texture of the sound of the chorus. You also miss the instruction of the director. If you have ever been a teacher (or a parent), you know how frustrating it is when you have to teach the same thing over and over because the students (or your child) failed to listen. Ken can do so much more with us if we are in attendance, are attentive, and show our respect to the other members of the chapter. This item is one that has to be addressed in every volunteer organization. In our chapter attendance is taken, but not required. We rely on the integrity of our members to be participating members.

4. There is a possibility that we may go to contest this fall. If we do, commit yourself to the contest chorus. There will probably be some concentrated rehearsals to prepare. It will take some dedication...and we will also improve our singing. Now that is what we are all about anyway ... isn't it?

I think most of you know that I am very proud to be part of this chapter. I also like to be part of something that is always moving forward. Sam Kvasnica is doing his best to move us forward, Ken Lang wants us to sing and sound better, and the guy who sits on my left and my right also wants us to be better. My guess is that you do to. Read items one through four above again. I know we can get better!

There are many members who work hard and diligently to make our chapter function well and properly and make it fun for us to come to chapter meeting each Thursday evening. Our president, Sam Kvasnica, has the doors open at 6:30 before each rehearsal; John Trail, sees to it that we have great snacks and drinks for our breaks; Myron Calhoun, provides inspiration to become polecat winners; Harvey Kiser, sees that we get public recognition for our organization; Chuck Maar, insures that we are all in proper uniform for our performances; Chaz Martin, is always ready with his pitch pipe; Leonard Purvis, makes us all proud about our civic and international contributions; Bob Swenson, has served on the international board and now serves at the local level as our secretary and administers the Singing Valentine Program; Bart Bartholomew, publishes what must be one of the best bulletins in the society ... and these are just guys I am thinking about off the top of my head. There are guys who did special tasks for the show and who prepare the rehearsal hall each Thursday evening, etc. All of these people and the things they do make our chapter run smoothly and allow us to do the fun part of our hobby, that is, sing!

There is one other thing, however, that makes this hobby (and Thursday evenings and sing-outs) fun. That is, when we not only sing, but sing well. It seems that we usually peak about show time, but Ken Lang often has to pull us along to get there. For me, on the evenings we sing well, I return home really energized. I suspect you do too

So what can we do to sing well more often? Here (again off the top of my head) are a few ideas.
1. Sing more often. Join your church choir. Sing at home (you could pull out the music and practice it!). Join a quartet. Come early to sing with a bunch

(Continued from page 5) Meet Gene Copeland

finishing a degree at KSU in Construction Science.

Gene is a member of the Trinity Baptist Church at Wamego. His hobbies and interests include: woodworking, music, horse riding, landscaping and family activities.

(Continued from page 10) Just another phone call

Dressed in blue blazers, khaki pants, blue oxford-cloth shirts and sporting the yellow chorus ties, we looked like a quartet as we took our places on the dais for the service. Both songs seemed to emanate from us much like we had practiced and the resounding "Amen" from Pastor Jim seemed to affirm what we felt within - - that in just over 24 hours we had created a truly fine, cohesive sound worthy of the time, place, and event to which that initial phone call had summoned us.