Local Quartets: Good Intentions
NORTHLAND BARBERSHOP CHORUS
FACT SHEET
Chapter Meeting Night: Every Monday night from the first Monday after Labour Day until the end of June. No meetings are held in July or August, or for two weeks at Christmas.
Meeting Time and Place: 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Salvation Army Hall, 670 John St., Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
Rehearsal time may extend to 10:00 p.m. in the period preceding the annual show.
Extra Rehearsals: Two evenings per year apart from Monday nights are (currently) scheduled for the individual sections to meet with their section leaders. Two Saturday rehearsals (9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.) are scheduled leading up to the show. We attend a coaching clinic on a Saturday in Gaylord each February and also invite coaches in on occasion. During show week, the chorus meets nightly from Monday-Thursday. The dates for these extra rehearsals and coaching clinics are normally announced in September.
Annual Show: The first Saturday in April, unless this is Easter weekend. (The show is then moved one week)
Expectations:
· Admission to the Chorus is based on your ability and desire to sing. You must have the basic ability to carry a tune and match a pitch. A private evaluation and voice placement will be done before you are offered an admission application. You will be given advice as to which voice part best suits your vocal timbre and range.
· Members of the Chapter are normally expected to attend a minimum of 75% of the regular rehearsals, and 100% of the special rehearsals and coaching clinics. We take attendance!
· New music and learning tapes are handed out in September, along with a rehearsal Master Plan for the year. Music is taught by the quartet teaching method and memorized through the member’s individual use of part-specific learning tapes. The ability to read music, while an asset, is not required. Doing your homework, however, is! Our goal is to rehearse not until we get it right, but until we cannot get it wrong!
· Members are expected to be “off the music” (all words and notes memorized) by a specified mid-January date.
· The Chorus sings at 10-15 functions per year in addition to the annual show. A typical performance schedule for a past year is attached. We do not accept invitations to sing in public until each man has indicated whether or not he will commit to attend. The commitment of a sufficient number of singers in each section is required before we undertake to sing a public performance.
Dues: Dues are payable upon acceptance of your application for membership, and once per year thereafter.
The current annual dues structure is as follows: (adjusted annually)
· New members: $160.00 ($117.00 U.S.) Student New Members: $80.00 ($59.00 U.S.)
· Regular Annual Renewal: $148.00 ($108.00 U.S.) Student Annual Renewal: $74.00 ($54.00 U.S.)
The Chapter keeps less than 10% of the dues it collects. The balance is forwarded quarterly to our regional District office and to the International head office in Kenosha for use in the provision of member services.
Uniforms: These are provided at no charge but a refundable $50.00 deposit is charged when a uniform is issued. These uniforms remain the property of the Chorus. You will need your own black shoes. We also occasionally wear red sweaters which members purchase outright at the subsidized cost of $25.00. Members are responsible for dry cleaning and normal upkeep of uniforms.
NORTHLAND BARBERSHOP CHORUS
A Performance Year at A Glance
April 2002 : April 2003
The following list represents a typical performance schedule for the Northland Chorus for a one year period, beginning after our 2002 show. Performances tend to be clustered in the months following the annual show and around Christmas.
1. Apr. 21/02 - Holy Trinity Church Service
2. May 05/02 - Willowgrove United Church Service
3. May 12/02 - Westminster United Church Service
4. June 02/02 - Hilton Beach “Move The Church” Fundraiser
5. June 02/02 - Thessalon Zion United Church Service
6. June 19/02 - Sault Michigan Lock Fest
7. June 24/02 - Davey Retirement Home
8. June 26/02 - Sault Area Hospital Dedication Service
9. Nov. 17/02 - Emmanuel United Church Service
10. Dec. 11/02 - Arthur Funeral Home Hope & Renewal Service
11. Dec. 14/02 - Christmas Carol Sing at Station Mall
12. Dec. 16/02 - Sault Area Hospital Christmas sing on the wards
13. Feb. 22/03 - Coaching Clinic in Gaylord, Michigan
14. Mar. 25/03 - Sing at Funeral Service of member Barney Coulter
15. Apr. 05/03 - Annual Show - Kiwanis Community Theatre Centre