Battlefords Blend - Back on the Risers!
Battlefords Blend Chorus resumed regular rehearsals on the first Tuesday of September. It was a good feeling to have everyone together, especially with some new faces.
With the efforts of all of our chorus members, there were several not-yet-members at our first rehearsal. Some had come to rehearsals in the spring and returned, while a couple had not joined us before.
It was, in part, because of advertising and story telling in local newspapers and on Facebook that we were able to draw a few people to our group. We developed and printed new brochures, wrote stories about some of our members and what brought them to barbershop singing plus had personal contacts with potential members. All of these things, plus a few unplanned events, allowed us to expand our numbers.
We’ve had a total of nine people join at least one rehearsal since we started our new membership drive this spring. Unfortunately, two decided that this wasn’t the right fit for them, yet there are still a few more who have not made it to a rehearsal yet, but do want to come. We are hoping to have 20 members or more on the risers by 2023. It may not seem like a lofty goal, yet being a small chorus, this kind of increase is significant.
Now that we’re back to regular rehearsals, we are learning new material and preparing for our regional event in October. Our director, Jo Carter, is preparing us by drilling the new music into our brain and continuing to teach us new methods to improve our sound and performance.
In addition to hosting a fall Area School for Region 26, we have already had invitations to sing at a number of events this fall. We look forward to getting back out into the community and sharing our music.
Editor’s note: as of publication four singers passed their auditions at a recent rehearsal and they are all expected to be full members as soon as the paperwork is done!! Congatulations Battefords Blend!
Women, Harmony and Fun!
Summer was winding down and the school year was about to begin. That got me thinking about joining “something” in 2009.
My years of being a dance mom and getting my girls to piano lessons were coming to an end. I had one more year before we were an empty nest. I was also about to retire from nearly 30 years of teaching near the Battlefords. What could I do?
I turned to the Advertiser Post. The dates to remember had a guest night and the opening line caught my eye. “Women, Harmony and Fun”. Everything about those three words enticed me to check it out.
I arrived at guest night and was cheerfully greeted by smiling, welcoming women! I wasn’t sure that I was in the right place. One asked what part did I sing? My quick response was “alto”.
“Oh a bass singer”! (I was lucky to join when we were a group of six bass singers. With four part harmony the bass section is important to creating a foundation for the other three parts.) This group had no accompaniment and they used a pitch pipe to start their songs. That night I “You Tubed” to check out a capella singing and Sweet Adelines. I returned, and this hobby became my passion. The best part is singing bass and hearing the harmonies created all around me.
The following week was a workshop with a facilitator from Sweden. Harvest was in full swing but I managed to get to this important event. The magnitude of educational opportunities available through this group became apparent. Bonus! I didn’t realize how much there was to learning to sing and this group has given me many opportunities to strengthen my knowledge and abilities.
Another exciting event that year was the international competition in Seattle. My involvement in this group was cemented. We attended performances and watched incredible groups from across Canada and the United States. As tourists, we were quickly recognized as singers in town for the competition. They would ask us to sing a song – an easy request to fill. We sang on the bus, in a shoe store, in a restaurant – our love for singing was easily accessed.
A Christmas Show was planned for that fall. Being new, I had the option to only sing the songs that I felt comfortable singing. Three of us who joined that fall sang every song in the program so we were on the risers for the whole show. We are given lots of supports – sheet music, recordings, extra practice with our section – so learning the songs is simply a matter of finding the way you learn the best.
I enjoy being part of the show and happy to provide entertainment to fund-raising events like “Love is in The Air” at Meota or raising funds for health care for one of our members in need. Shows of great importance to us were our 35th anniversary show in 2017, “Frost” in 2015 and the opening of the Dekker Center in 2012. I enjoy seeing smiles on faces when we attend care homes during the Christmas season.
Battlefords Blend, a chapter of Sweet Adelines International, is required to attend a competition at least once in three years. Attending competition has taken us to Surrey, Calgary, and Saskatoon. In addition to competing, there is the opportunity to watch other groups and quartets, obtain information from educational sessions, socialize and be a tourist.
Summer is winding down and the school year is about to begin. Battlefords Blend rehearsals start September 6. Women, Harmony and Fun! There’s always room for more.
Val Laing has become a driving force in Battlefords Blend since joining in 2009. She is dedicated to Sweet Adelines International and appreciates all the advantages they provide.
Some members of the Battlefords Blend Chorus were able to attend and entertain at the 50th anniversary party of one of their members. The sisterhood of the group is one thing that all of the members appreciate. (photo by George Blais)