[From the Ontario District's newsletter, The Trillium, issue 60-01, January - March, 2006 , Waldo Redekop, editor.]

Raising the bar even higher

By Chuck Alexander, COTS / Top Gun show producer

It’s hard to believe that it was only three years ago when I approached the Lake Country Harmony (HI) in Orillia, the Barrie Huronia Soundwaves (SAI) from Barrie and my own chapter, the Barrie County Chordsmen (BHS), if they would be interested in performing along with the Ontario quartets who qualified for the Top Gun coaching program that year on the stage of the Orillia Opera House.

There was a combined purpose for this show.  It would provide those attending Chapter Operations Team Seminar an opportunity of having some entertainment on Saturday night while also helping the district financially by defraying the costs of both COTS and Top Gun by selling tickets to the general public.

The first show was a resounding success but the bar was raised even higher the following year when Toronto Northern Lights offered to be the guest chorus and Power Play happened to be the Top Gun coaches.

The performance levels of all of the quartets and the chorus was such that the show had four separate standing ovations and who will ever forget the finale with Power Play and TNL combining to sing “Circle of Life” (which you can relive as it is featured on TNL’s most recent CD).

Immediately following the show, I was asked “What are you going to do next year?” “How are you ever going to beat that production?”

Well, for those in attendance this past January, I did it thanks to June Dale and the North Metro Chorus along with the MegaCity Chorus, our three senior midwinter convention representative, Play It Again!, Sound Association, Silver Threads and Ontario Champions, The Authentics, Mirage (with Don Slamka stepping in for the ailing Dale Locke) as well as Fusion.

When I had a moment to address the COTS attendees at dinner that Saturday night, I promised them that they would see a show like no other as they were not aware that North Metro was going to perform their whole Les Miserable production number in full costume.  Several weeks prior to the show, I had the pleasure of going to their rehearsal and working with their technical advisor, Cynthia Feltrin, to learn about all of the special equipment (sound, lighting, smoke) they needed for this number.  I can tell you that it was an honour working with this group and I wish them well as they seek their fourth gold medal.

As those in attendance know, this event now gets covered by both print and TV media.  We were even featured this year by having an “entertainment review” complied by a local reporter.

So what’s going to take place next year? I guess you’ll just have to wait and see but if you come to COTS, you’ll be guaranteed a ticket.     k