|
Note from the web manager: I just received an advance copy of Chorister which will be mailed on Wednesday, 10 Sep 2001. Since all AMCAers should receive a printed copy, it seems rather a waste of time to "code" the whole issue for viewing on the web. Since so many of the items in the Chorister have been on the web site for long time, I shall just place some links in the text for those of you that wish to see a formatted version of items. (9 Sep 2001) AMCA Chorister - September 2001 (text only)Volume 24 Number 1 We're Back! This past summer, we have been suffering through a drought in the Niagara Peninsula and the only time it rained was the week I went camping with my son's scout troop. The City of St. Catharines imposed watering restrictions on its citizens and a number of people gave up watering their lawns, saying "what's the use?" The lawns in St. Catharines all took on that light brown colour and they were coarse to the touch. We all felt that the warnings about global warming were coming to fruition. Add to the fact that we were struggling with the Plum Pox Virus and concerns about the West Nile Virus and rabid bats in Fort Erie, we were wondering if the end of the world was upon us. You might also factor in that Statistics Canada named St. Catharines the fattest city in Canada and you had the makings of a pretty ugly summer. Something happened towards the end of August that started to change all of that - we got rain. The lawns have started to come back to life, there are fruit crops being harvested, mosquitoes have settled down for the year and Weight Watchers has issued a challenge to St. Catharines. In the same way, we have had a number of bad months in AMCA, but as the choirs get back on track again, we all might be uplifted in knowing that there’s a lot of good stuff going on and potential for growth. I hope that the Chorister will be a bit of water that will help to bring us all back to life again.
AMCA - A HEALTHY COMMUNITY? The Survey Understand what is happening, take a walk, or distance yourself >from a problem that’s not yours to solve. Well, having been so thoroughly immersed in designing, publishing and mailing the surveys this summer, I could not help but relate this to my work for AMCA " . . . distance yourself", well that’s not my style, and ". . . not yours to solve", I guess that’s right!I got to thinking too, about community - what it means and how it relates to our musical association. All of the definitions I have read imply a degree of ineraction and common interest serving as a bond. . AMCA certainly has the latter, but does it meet the first condition - a degree of interaction? If there is any interaction it is at such a minuscule level that it is barely noticeable. In a nutshell, that is a major problem we must overcome if we are to grow and prosper!Well, Clayton (Clayton Old was the founder of AMCA) it has been a good run, but we are either closing AMCA’s last chapter or we are beginning a new page. Your responses to the extensive survey mailed out in August will indicate the value you place on the AMCA and determine our future. If you believe in your Association and what it stands for, do not underestimate the importance of this initiative. Let your voice be heard, volunteer your services, participate and together let’s move forward with determination to make AMCA a thriving and healthy community!
My Apologies I mailed materials, photos, (studio professional 4 color) to Chorister editor back in January. Then I phone him . . He was unavailable. Then I wrote him a reminder and phoned a second time. Still no reply. Then I e-mailed him at his work e-mail which he listed and still no reply. Frankly, I haven’t time for continuing to send stuff. I’ve been governor and publicity chair of the Nocolet Male Chorus (Rhinelander, WI) for years and I guess there’s no substitute for rudeness. And that’s too bad because I always thought it was us Yanks who were rude NOT our Canadian friends who are always so friendly and polite. Our chorus would still like to see this material printed. It gave an overview of our activities for 2000-2001 plus told of our new outfits and new arrangements of music. I can’t send another copy because that was all I had. But I’m making a point that there’s a real lack of communication at AMCA with itself. Dick Timmons Governor: Nicolet Male ChorusRhinelanderMusic Reviewed: One of the things that all choruses need is new music to bring to their audiences and to keep the singers interested. Don Crouch provides a review service to us through our web site and to members of the board at the semi-annual meetings. As a teacher, arranger and conductor, Don has a tremendous amount of talent and his insights into suggestions for performing pieces are always valuable. NOTE: The following text is a jumbled mess! It is not worth deciphering since the reviews are all well done on the web site already. Reviews The Awakening Joseph M. Martin TTBB Shawnee Press C 0286 (1995) $1. 50Positive:great text (especially for the topic of music)many contrasting sections (looks hard but really isn’t)change of meter and key make it very interesting for singers and audiencegreat endingmeasures 76-86 are the most interesting parts I have seen for men’s voices: energetic, fun, and musically the most astounding effect created in just 10 measuresgreat contrasts of four parts, unisons, single sections - a bit of everythingdramatic, haunting with great dynamic variationsaccompaniment is fantasticNegativeaccompaniment is very difficulta bit longpitch can be a problem in some unison partsThis is one of the best, if not the best, songs I have performed with my chorus since I became their director.Gayle Pohl is still looking for suggestions for a country selection and a pop selection. Please send them to her. A number of people have expressed concern that "Green Grow the Lilacs" is out of print and Don Crouch has informed us of the following: (The piece) is not out of print. It is a "print by demand" song at the present time. The Heritage catalog belongs to Lorenz Corp. from Dayton, Ohio. The number is (800) 444-1144. They told me that many dealers do not like to handle "print by demand" and they tell people it is out of print so they don’t have to deal with it. For anyone who needs to order, make sure they tell the dealer that it is a "print by demand", and it is available from Lorenz Publishing. (Lorenz doesn’t like to do this type of publishing either. It is done by a computer and the results are not often the best.)In Memorium Robert Anderson Sr. (Bill Bates) I regret to inform you of the passing of Life Member, Robert Anderson Sr. of 675 Clear Avenue, St. Paul. MN 55117. Bob passed away on June 1, 2001 after suffering a long illness. He was 87 and is survived by his wife, Sophie Anderson. Bob had long years of service to the Associated Male Choruses as delegate, executive member and President from 1981 - 1985. He was a member of the 3M Male Chorus and, in latter years, a member of their retired affiliated group, the Mellow Fellows. You’re in God’s hands Robert and will be missed by all your family, close friends and fellow AMCA’ers. Frank E. Brown (Bob Esko) Frank E. Brown, long time member and leader of the Minneapolis Knights of Columbus MC died July 29, 2001 at the age of 81, of complications >from diabetes, cardiovascular and heart problems. Frank was a very active leader in his chorus and in the Upper Midwest District until a couple of years ago when he retired for health reasons. He is survived by his wife, Edith, daughters, Carol Ann MacDonald, Dr. Mary Brown Rutherford, Colleen Sagedahl and son William C. The visitation was on July 31, 2001 at which time the KofC MC sang several numbers which Frank liked. Frank will be missed by all his family, close friends ans fellow AMCA’ers.
AMCA Calendar on Line
Emily Crocker (Hal Leonard) Visits AMCA Directors The market is based on sales and 15,000 in first year is viewed as profitable. Male voice music sales typically are around 7,000 (including high school choirs). Hal Leonard will publish a piece if they believe it should be out there. Upon payment of a fee (usually $1/copy) rearranging is quite permissible (eg SATB to TTBB). Go to their site Hal Leonard might be interested in a theme collection for AMCA.HELP WANTED: Scholarship Chair This activity is truly one of the real "joys" of our association. The chair is responsible for coordinating the process for awarding AMCA Scholarships on an annual basis. This involves advertising through our member choruses and responding to requests for application forms. Requests usually come through our web site. Currently, all completed applications must be received by March 1. The chair is then repsonsible for reviewing the documents and, if all requirements are met, approve them for consideration and ranking by our evaluators. The winners are then notified personally by the Chair (one of the most pleasant tasks). The chair is responsible for sharing the information about the winners through the web site and also the Chorister Scholarship Issue. A committee of trustees serve as advisors to the Scholarship program. It is most beneficial for the Chair to have Internet and e-mail access. The Chair is expected to attend two business meetings per year and report on progress. AMCA assists with meeting espenses (up to $150 US per meeting) and pays all related expenses (printing, mailing and telephone costs) Qualified candidates must stand for election to this position at the October 27, 2001 Board of Directors Meeting. If you are interested contact Bill Bates at the AMCA web site
Historian
WHAT DO WE WANT? I am prepared to improve my efforts in the Chorister and I hope and pray that you will see the results and use it bring the garden that is AMCA back to full life. |