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Page 4 InCider Press February 2008 |
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The excellent article on Quartetting in the last issue of the "Harmonizer" certainly hit on some of the challenges and joys that Men of a Chord face as one of the newer Chapter quartets. I think we are beginning our fifth year, after starting out Singing Valentines together. We would agree that this is an excellent way to get started as an official quartet. Finding a mutual practice time can be a challenge, especially when you put work and personal time into the mix. Generally, we try to rehearse for an hour or hour and half on Wednesday afternoons. It’s convenient to meet at St. Paul’s, which gives us a great acoustic location in their sanctuary, even though the church secretary prefers we sing in their common room, so she can hear us. It’s always nice to have a receptive audience! We are grateful to Don Thomson to stop by and give us some coaching from time to time. This is especially helpful to have an outside ear give some feedback, encouragement and suggested ways to improve and grow musically and as performers. We didn't have as many paying gigs in 2007 as in 2006, but still enough to contribute $150 to Harmony |
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Foundation, and to purchase matching royal blue vests and ties to give us a more personalized look. (If you are interested in an inexpensive source, ask Ken Lyle about the formal wear outlet we discovered in the Kansas City area.) In October, we sang for the Senior Ministry gathering at Trinity Baptist Church in Wamego. In December, we did repeat performances from 2006 for the Manhattan Rec Program Senior holiday pot-luck at the historic Manhattan Depot, and for the Women's group at St. Paul’s Episcopal church. When Father Tom is scheduled to lead vespers at Meadowlark Hills, he somehow manages to schedule us to sing, which we enjoy singing as much as the residents do listening. We continue to work on new music to add to our repertoire when we sing at the Chapter opportunities at the Afterglow and Installation Banquet, and it is always an honor to have a special part in the Spring Show. We also enjoy the Christmas caroling time and the comradely of traveling the area with our Valentines presenter, Harvey Kiser. As I'm writing this and thinking about our Chapter retreat coming up, I realize that as a quartet, we should probably be doing the same thing. We have planned to attend the Harmony University weekend quartet session in the future. Looks like it will not be until 2009, pending any weddings that Father Tom has scheduled!♪ |
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Men of a Chord Musings By Steve Fisher Bari |
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Men of a Chord of showing off their new blue vests. They are John Desper, Tenor, Ken Lyle, lead, Tom Miles, bass, and Steve Fisher Bari. |
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An adventure with Harry Harmony |
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As our Mr. Harmony walked up and down the aisles, people could hear him speaking in a soft voice...."We are almost done, Harry. Try not to cry, Harry. Life will get better, Harry." As he approached the checkout stand, he carefully brushed the toddler's tears from his eyes and said again, "Try not to cry, Harry. We will be home soon, Harry." As he was paying the cashier, the toddler continued to cry as a young woman in line behind him said, "Sir, I think it is wonderful how sweet you are being to little Harry." Harry blinked his eyes a couple of times before saying, "My grandson's name is John. I'm Harry." |