[From the Ontario District's newsletter, The Trillium, issue 60-03, July - September, 2006 , Waldo Redekop, editor.]

Exciting Harmony University

By Bill Vermue, Eastern Division Co-ordinator

The Eastern Division is buzzing with excitement following Harmony University. The Ottawa Chapter set a bench mark with 13 members and one spouse attending. Among the Ottawa contingent, was Play It Again!, the 2006 Larry Ajer Scholarship winners.

The Nepean Chapter had seven men attend. That’s about 30 percent of their membership. Hats off to both of these chapters. Joining them were one  member each from Kingston, Brockville and Cornwall. By my count that means of the 31 Ontario Barbershoppers at Harmony University, 24 from the Eastern Division.

Brockville
The first six months of the Melodymen under the direction of the five man directing team, culminated with their show, on June 9. This was the first show Brockville had staged in six years.

It was a huge success for the Melodymen for the public realtions value, and simply giving them a reason for being. Besides the Kingston and Cornwall choruses appearing on the show, Adirondack Harmony Company joined in. The show ended with a finale of a trio of songs, “Orange Colored Sky,” “Let There be Peace” and “Friends.” With over 60 singers on the risers from three chapters, the moment was poignant and stirring. A very appreciative audience rose to their feet. All in all a great success.

As mentioned previously, the directing team is an interim measure, while they search for a permanent director. If anyone is interested in directing this small, but very keen group, please contact me.

Kingston
The night following Brockville’s show, the Townsmen presented “Who Remembers Nostalgia?”. Guests on the show included Play It Again!, and the Edith Rankin Junior Choir, composed of members aged 6 to 12. The chorus was directed by four individuals, Lew Knetsch, Gerry Goebel, Paul Tamblyn and front line director, Dave Fewtrell. And, from a membership of 30 men, four chapter quartets performed on the show. For the finale, emcee Paul Sheppard invited all Barbershoppers from the audience to join the chorus on stage for the singing of “Orange Coloured Sky,” “Friends” and “Let There Be Peace.” A very successful and fun evening.

The Kingston Whig Standard also published a large article with several photographs in the preceding days paper. Very well written and great public realtions.

At present the Townsmen are very busy helping to organize the fall convention. Apparently, the contest venue is one of the best Ontario Barbershoppers have seen for some time. This will be a convention not to be  missed.

Cornwall
C-Way Sound has regrouped with the return of their snow birds, and is actively planning towards their show on

November 18. Featured guests on their show will be Polaris and Play It Again!. They are also planning a major recruiting campaign for early fall.

Nepean
May 26 and 27 saw the Northern Stars put on three performances of “That Old Gang of Ours,” a musical tribute to the Gas House Gang. Guest quartets were Polaris and Play It Again!

WOW!, pretty well describes it! The show was held in a very intimate 250 seat theatre, no curtain, so the audience was very much a part of the atmosphere.

To set the stage, Jim Henry and Rich Knight sent along a video clip saying how thrilled and honoured they were that a chapter would dedicate a show to them. All songs on the show were GHG songs, including such great numbers as: “Shine,” “Alleluia,” “My Old Man,” “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat,” “Good bye World” and many more. The chorus brought the audience to their feet with their finale, “Eine Kleine NOT Musik.”

According to Jim Henry, they are the only chorus he is aware of that has had the courage to tackle this number. Not only did they tackle it, but they performed it extremely well. Added to the mix was “Music of the Night” by Play It Again!, and Polaris got everyone very teary eyed with their tribute to RobHenry’s son, Ryan, singing “Goodnight My Angel.”

This was truly a magical musical experience for all those who participated and attended.

Ottawa
On the heels of their show in March, the Capital City Chorus is mapping out a path to the fall competition in Kingston. Two new songs and two new coaches. You’ll have to go to the convention in Kingston to find out what the songs are, but the coaches are Jim Coates for presentation and KirkYoung for the musical end of things. It has been a very ambitious learning curve for the members, but all are embracing it. Rehearsals have not slowed over the summer, with 55-65 men attending regularly.

The chapter is also planning their annual weekend, renovating parts of Camp Smitty, in support of the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa. Lastly, plans are well underway for the CCC’s 50th anniversary show at the National Arts Centre next June 2. Looking for an excuse to visit the capital city? This would be it!    k