[From the Ontario District's newsletter, The Trillium, issue 59-01, January - March, 2005 , Waldo Redekop, editor.]

Eastern Division very active

By Bill Vermue, Manager Eastern Division

Brockville Chapter

Brockville’s new, very enthusiastic executive is working hard at moving forward. They are still searching for a permanent director and have one possible candidate for later this spring. In the interim, Paul Sheppard and Bob Panter are handling the musical programs. The Melodymen have 10-14 men attending rehearsals on a regular basis.

While they were not able to field a quartet to do singing valentines, there is a good possibility that they will have a quartet entered in the spring contest.

Cornwall Chapter

The C-Way Sound is busily preparing for their show on May 6. The Ottawa chorus and quartets will provide about half of the entertainment and there are several joint numbers planned. A group from Ottawa will travel to Cornwall for three rehearsals in March and April to help them prepare. Then, Cornwall will travel to Ottawa for a joint rehearsal on May 2.

With their numbers more than doubling since this time last year, we are hoping to follow the show up with another recruiting drive.

Kingston Chapter

The Townsmen managed to build three quartets to participate in singing valentines and did 20 valentines.

They are planning to compete in the spring at Niagara Falls and have started to focus on that goal. As well, they have chosen a show date of October 21, although details are still being worked out.

On the membership front, they recently brought in two new men and have a member from Quinte (dual member) singing with them as well.

Nepean Chapter

The Northern Stars are working hard towards competing in the spring and their show on June 11. To this end, they recently had a coaching weekend with Sandi Nason, which I am told was very well received by all.

The chapter music committee has instituted a quartet encouragement program whereby men who wish to quartet come to rehearsals early. Rather than being left to their own designs,  they are placed in quartets and regular coaching is provided. At the moment it appears as though they will have one quartet competing in Niagara Falls as well.

Ottawa Chapter

The Capital City Chorus has just finished a very successful February with their singing valentine program and annual show. Valentines were sold on both Sunday and Monday at $50 each. At one point on Monday, the chapter had seven quartets on the go. Polaris appeared on CFRA radio in the morning and Play it Again! appeared on the New RO (Ottawa’s version of BT).  Both of these generated a huge amount of activity. Final tally showed 134 valentines being sold with profits in the neighbourhood of $6,000.

Ottawa’s annual show, “That Heavenly Sound” was very successful with near sell out audiences both Friday and Saturday nights. During the show they also made presentations of $4,500 to Speech Pathology and $10,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa.

The CCC is also geared up to help the Cornwall Chapter put on their show on May 6, 2005.  k