[From the Ontario District's newsletter, The Trillium, issue 61-03, July - September, 2007 , Waldo Redekop, editor.]
Eastern Division Report
By Bill Vermue, Eastern Division Co-ordinator
Brockville Chapter:
The Melodymen have been very busy in the last few months with several engagements throughout the area. They participated in the Canada Day Celebrations in Brockville, had quartets participate at Riverfest and were part of two anniversary services. They also put on a 90-minute production at the Music at the Mill series.
Unfortunately, Brockville is once again looking for a director, following the resignation of Mary Hills in July. They have one possibility at the present time and two other people they are pursuing. Paul Sheppard and Bob Panter have once again come to the rescue and are handling the directing and music program.
The Melodymen have re-signed two members and added one new member. They are in the final stages of planning a fall membership drive and hope to have a few more members early in the fall. They have continued to meet throughout the summer and have had at least 75 percent attendance at all meetings.
The fall promises to be busy as they already have two tentative singing invitations.
One member attended Harmony University and hopefully they will have at least two members attend Chapter Operations Team Seminar.
Cornwall Chapter:
The C-Way Sound Chorus has been very active in late spring and early summer, with seven performances from May to July. Also, two performances had to be turned down due to lack of member availability, but one of these was covered by The Adirondack Harmony Company, a long-standing quartet of which John Hamilton is a member. They have used these performances to plug membership and have had at least seven guests during this period, four of whom seem likely to join. They have several recruiting-guest initiatives in the works for the fall.
Unfortunately, no one from the Cornwall Chapter could attend Harmony University this year. They do plan to send two or three men to Chapter Operations Team Seminar.
Kingston Chapter:
The Townsmen had a very successful show in June with guest quartet Chameleon. They planned a 25th anniversary magazine, but unfortunately couldn’t get it ready for show time. It was ready shortly afterward, however, and has been distributed to the public and advertisers.
They stayed active throughout the summer and managed three performances. They participated in Summer in the Park festivities, singing in two locations. They performed for the Vimy Officers for their Communities in Bloom breakfast meeting visit with many dignitaries in attendance.
The Acafellas quartet sang at Gananoque Park and attended Harmony College North.
They are really looking forward to Royce Ferguson’s visit on September 20 and are working hard to get ready for that event with invitations going out to other men’s and women’s barbershop chapters.
Summer meetings have been well attended and in the process they learned four new songs. They are planning October chapter elections. Membership has remained stable and there have been a few visitors of late.
Nepean Chapter:
A big change for the Northern Stars, as they are now meeting on Tuesdays at Bromley Road Baptist Church. Same time as on their previous meeting night.
Details are available at their News page on the web site:
http://www.harmonize.com/northernstars/NSC_news.html
Their attendance throughout the summer, while scouting new locations, has been good.
Man of Note awards were presented to Larry Matschke, Gary Berezin, and Stuart MacMartin for outstanding contributions in the past few years and in Gary’s case over many years. Photos for Larry and Gary are on the website in the Gallery section.
Their annual show is planned for Friday and Saturday, May 23-24, 2008. They will be back at the Centerpointe Theatre in Nepean, a venue which they have used for a number of years.
Of note, three members, Chris MacMartin, Stuart MacMartin and Tony Bove all attended Harmony University / Director’s College on Ontario District scholarships. Five other chapter members attended Harmony University (two of these members are dual members with the Ottawa Chapter). Also, Stuart’s wife Diane attended.
Ottawa Chapter:
The Capital City Chorus is working very hard towards the fall contest in Brantford and have maintained a high percentage of membership during the summer months. On the topic of membership, the district will see many new Barbershoppers on stage with Ottawa in Brantford, as well as a number of men who have returned to the hobby. Current active membership is over 90. As well, it appears that Ottawa may field as many as six quartets for the Brantford stage.
Late August saw the CCC golf tournament once again raise a substantial amount of money for their charities. Plans are being finalized for the choruses annual stag weekend at Camp Smitty in support of the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa. This latter event has become a chorus highlight.
The weekend, in fact, starts on the Thursday prior. Thursday and Friday (and Saturday if necessary) are taken up with work details when renovations, etc., are carried out on any building in the camp that is in need. Hard work, good food and great fellowship make for an extremely heartwarming, and satisfying time.
The CCC directing team of Denis Laflamme, Rod McKenzie and Aileen Carney attended Director’s College on an Ontario Scholarship. Twelve other chapter members and one spouse attended Harmony University (two are dual members with the Nepean Chapter). Unsure of numbers at this point, but they will have a large contingent at Chapter Operations Team Seminar as well.
The third annual CCC Christmas shows are planned for December 14 and 15, 2007. The annual show for 2008 will be in September. Exact date to be announced.
Summary:
A great year in the Eastern Division to date, especially with the numbers attending Harmony University. As was the case last year, the Eastern Division led the way in Ontario with over 60 percent of the Ontario attendees attending Harmony University coming from this division. k