[From the Ontario District's newsletter, The Trillium, issue 61-02, April - June, 2007 , Waldo Redekop, editor.]
Eastern Division members going to Harmony University
By Bill Vermue, Eastern Division Co-ordinator
Brockville Chapter — The snow birds are back and the Melodymen are looking forward to an active year with their new director. The Brockville Chapter was represented by one quartet at the Eastern Division novice quartet contest hosted by Ottawa on May 7, 2007, along with a good number of chapter supporters to cheer them along. See below.
Membership increase is the primary goal for Brockville in the coming year.
Cornwall Chapter — The C-Way Sound is also glad to see their snow birds back, which includes director John Hamilton. They too were represented in Ottawa by one novice quartet. Like Brockville, membership is one of the primary goals for the Cornwall Chapter.
Kingston Chapter — The Townsmen are very busy and focused on their 25th Anniversary Show on May 25, 2007. Guests were Chameleon. Because of preparations for their show, they were unable to send a quartet to the novice contest, as planned.
Nepean Chapter — The Northern Stars had two very exciting shows on May 4 and 5 titled “Big Screen, Little Screen” meaning that all songs had to be from movies and/or TV programs. Guest quartets included Polaris, Black Velvet (a HI quartet) and Play It Again!. The Northern Stars had 21 singers on stage and included combinations to form five chapter quartets. There were many highlights including an arrangement of “Harbour Lights,” arranged by their own Chris MacMartin.
The show ended with Jim Clancy‘s “How do You Keep the Music Playing” which is mostly eight-part, and at times a 12-part arrangement. Quite a feat for any chorus, but for a chorus of 21 singers another WOW!
All three of Nepean’s directors are headed for Director’s College in St. Joe’s, and joining them will be What a Blast, the current Ontario District novice champions, plus several chapter members. It appears as though they may have the highest percentage attendance (based on membership) from Ontario, at Harmony University for the second consecutive year.
Ottawa Chapter — Like Kingston, the Capital City Chorus is also busy preparing
their anniversary show. In Ottawa’s case it is the 50th and is being held
at the National Arts Centre on the June 2, 2007.
On May 7, 2007, the chapter organized both a High School quartet contest
and the Eastern Division novice contest. It was truly marvelous to see
the young high school students embrace our style of music and display some
great talent.
Ten quartets participated in the Eastern Division novice quartet contest;
five from Nepean, three from Ottawa and one each from Brockville and Cornwall.
Most performed challenging songs and arrangements with only one polecat
song on the entire slate. Many supporters were in attendance, including
a number from nearby Harmony Inc. and Sweet Adeline chapters.
The winning quartet the Young and the Reckless were from the Ottawa Chapter.
Second was Pipe Down from Nepean and third was 4 Cryin’ Out Loud from Ottawa.
A huge thank you to Pierre Carignan for organizing this event.
The Ottawa Chapter will also have great representation at Harmony University
with all three directors attending as well as a number of chapter members.
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