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The date of course is April 24, 25 and 26 of the year 2003! Whether you are flying, driving, traveling by bus or train - Lansing, Michigan is your destination and the whole community is geared to offer you their most gracious hospitality. The Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau (GLCVB) is actively supporting this event hosted by the Lansing Orpheus Male Chorus under the guidance of Gayle Pohl, Sing Coordinator. Community SupportAt our last AMCA business meeting held in Lansing, I had dinner with the GLCVB's representative and during my conversation with Jill, the support of the Convention and Visitors' Center was very evident. The GLCVB had subsidized the Saturday evening dinner for our Board of Directors and Jill had also participated in the tour of the facilities - the Breslin Center and the Lansing Convention Center. They have also been of assistance financially in the production of the three information booklets presented over the last three years by the host chorus. In addition, they are acting as a central agent in booking rooms for groups planning to attend the weekend. What great evidence of the welcome our members will receive when they arrive in this picturesque city on the Grand River.Outstanding FacilitiesThe facilities are first rate for both the workshop sessions and the main concert. The huge costs of risers for so many singers that were a cost burden for our hosts in Buffalo at the last Sing, have been avoided by using Michigan State University's Breslin Center arena with the massed chorus seated at floor level and the audience in the elevated surrounding seats. Singers will enjoy having chairs to sit in when they are not performing, and the audience will have an unobstructed view of the concert. A unique and neat arrangement, I think!Shuttle ServiceAnother convenience that the organizers have arranged is the shuttle bus that will run every hour from each of the hotels listed in the LanSing information booklets, to and from Breslin and the Lansing Center as well as to shopping malls and selected area attractions. There is a small surcharge on your room rates to cover this service.Ladies' Activities Are ManyThe ladies have not been forgotten either. While the men are busy with workshops, mall performances and rehearsals; there will be opportunities for tours and workshops for our spouses. Tours available all weekend include the Soaring Eagle Casino, Frankenmuth Bavarian Village, Birch Run Factory Outlet Stores, Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Settlers' Village, Downtown Lansing, the Capitol building and Lansing's brand new Eastwood Towne Center Mall.There will also be quilting and needlework classes by Country Stitches Quilt Shop, as well as scrap booking workshops from the Creative Memories Shop. Lots to do and see, and so little time for it all! Singers' Activities AboundThe men will have over 20 different workshop offerings to choose from, lead by the very best choral leaders from both the US and Canada. They will be joined by members of Cantus and Three Men and a Tenor who will also be in concert. Confirmed clinicians include:
Take Me Out to the Ball GameAnother unique opportunity has been organized for the men planning to arrive on Thursday - they have been invited to sing the US National Anthem at the Lugnuts Triple 'A' baseball game. The Lugnuts have a huge fan base and play in a professional stadium near downtown Lansing. It should be an exciting evening for the participants. Although we haven't been told as yet, the game is usually televised, so wear your best smile!"2003 Singers in 2003"This slogan can be heard all around Lansing and one might reasonably ask, "How can an association of about 1200 singers put 2003 men on stage for a concert?" Well than answer is that this is the first International Big Sing that is billed as a "Festival of Male Choruses" and many choirs outside the AMCA have been invited to participate.So the LanSing organizers have a vision that goes far beyond what has been attempted in past and their foresight should draw much attention to our organization from centers way beyond our border from Texas to British Columbia and all parts in between. Cudos to the Lansing Orpheus for this innovative approach! Outstanding Guests You Will Not Want to MissA brief word about CANTUS, http://www.cantusonline.org, the a cappella ensemble of twelve men that will be giving a concert on Friday evening. This group based in Minneapolis/St. Paul, is a full-time professional ensemble known internationally for their eclectic repertoire, outstanding singing and outreach programs for students in communities throughout the United States. Also performing on Friday night as well as participating in the Saturday workshops, is the quartet know as THREE MEN AND A TENOR, http://www.threemenandatenor.com. This group bills itself as "Sweetly Sentimental to Just Plain Silly" and their repertoire ranges from Pop, soul, country to Motown music. They have performed with Dionne Warwick, Chuck Berry, Gary Puckett and Lee Greenwood and this fall they will be taping their own PBS-TV special to be aired in December.What a line up! See you there!?!
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