[From the Ontario District's newsletter, The Trillium, issue 60-02, April - June, 2006 , Waldo Redekop, editor.]

Show time

By Bill Vermue, Eastern Division Co-ordinator

It’s show time in the Eastern Division with three chapters working hard on preparations for their shows.  

The Nepean Northern Stars have three performances on May 26 and 27, presenting “That Old Gang of Mine,” a tribute to the Gas House Gang. Special guest quartets are Polaris and Play It Again!. All songs on the show will be songs that were sung by the GHG. The Northern Stars, according to Jim Henry, are the first chorus ever, to tackle “Eine Kleine NOT Musik.”

Next up is Brockville, on June 9. This will be a real Eastern Division family affair in that the Kingston Townsmen and Cornwall’s C-Way Sound choruses are on the show. Kingston and Brockville quartets will also make an appearance. This show is part of the Brockville rebuilding process, and should be a great boost in public relations and finances to the Melodymen. The show will end with a finale combining all three choruses, singing “Orange Coloured Sky,” “Let There be Peace on Earth” and “Friends.” These three songs are now known by all Eastern chapters.

The following night, June 10, is the Kingston Townsmen’s show, “Who Remembers Nostalgia?.” Along with two chapter quartets, the featured guests are Play It Again! and the Edith Rankin Junior Choir, a local mixed choir. The same three numbers, as in Brockville, will close the show.

The last eastern show of 2006 will take place in Cornwall on November 18. Plans are still in the works, but at this point, both Polaris and Play It Again! are confirmed guests.

Since Ottawa’s Capital City Chorus‘ show in March, they have been working hard at laying the ground work for the fall competition in Kingston. One coaching session, with performance guru, Jim Coates is past and a session with Kirk Young is planned for June. Follow up sessions with each are also planned for early fall. The CCC is also preparing for their annual September weekend at Camp Smitty, in support of the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa and planning an eastern novice night in the fall, hosted jointly by themselves and Nepean.

Added to all this busy schedule is a visit by Society music master, Jim DeBusman on the Sunday and Monday following Harmony College North. In addition to his town hall meeting on the Monday evening, Jim is lined up to coach several quartets and take part in a YIH activity in one of Kingston’s schools.

Eastern Division is very excited about having the fall convention closer to home in Kingston. Plans are well underway. Apparently the contest venue is a wonderful place to perform. More, as details develop.     k