Pacific Edge Chorus
By Barb Denbow
2020 overflowed with news, information, unknowns, anticipation, rules and new survival skills. It beckoned us to reach deep inside for ideas on how to adapt to our new uninvited environment. We met the challenge – like as if it were a competition (true Sweet Adelines). Consequently, we learned again and that, dear regional sisters, is a goal achieved.
In our last update, we described the result of our Halloween Open House Membership Drive with references to '1' – Well, it turned out to be a 'positive 1' and Emily Burtch passed her audition within a couple of weeks of the event. Watch here to see Emily’s rendition of Blue Christmas - with her family dancing along https://youtu.be/F3zI94sd5z4! Recently, our Membership Chair, Suzanne Adams Barrie proudly confirmed four new members since last MLX Update - currently four prospective. So it turns out that all the positive clichés in our last op-ed, regarding that singular number, held strong in authenticity, and more.
On Dec 1, 2020 Erin Howden from North Metro Chorus in Toronto visited us and presented elements in delivering a solid performance, using all the tools we hold within ourselves. With a little inside help prior to her visit, Erin gathered and prepared a video about our Director on the night of her visit. The chorus participated by holding up a word in their Zoom box that they each believe best describes Julie - What a heart filled, overwhelming show of appreciation and love Julie received – one that required many tissues.
Dec 8, 2020 RMT Representative, Leslie MacKay visited us to convey the Regions appreciation for our chorus. She displayed a document listing strong, descriptive attributes of our Region. One word stood boldly in the forefront for Pacific Edge Chorus - ADVENTUROUS – our Region sure knows their choruses well. Thank you, Region 26, for this spirited recognition and for the various activities you offer to engage us.
Dec 15, 2020 - Our Christmas Potluck was just as beautiful as any planned in the past. The Xmas party Committee sent us each an invitation in post-mail with colorful, sparkly bits and instructions on how to make our very own Xmas Cracker and swizzle stick décor. We signed in wearing our fav Xmas topper in bright season colours that lit-up our screens. Gail Parry started our party with a green martini tutorial that tipped into a few Xmas cheers. We played jeopardy, word bingo, told jokes and were pleasantly entertained by our members with instruments, songs, parodies, poems, videos, good ole a cappella and tons of laughs. As usual, a rep from the Victoria Women's Transition House attended and while no Xmas hampers were prepared this year, we presented her with a substantial donation collected from our chorus members by Bev Price. Cheers to Bev, the 2020 Christmas Party Committee and those who shared their talent, antics, decor and skill in the delivery of the 'first and LAST' Xmas lockdown party to remember.
2021 – LET GO! Then LET'S GO . . . . . .
On Jan 5, 2021, our very first rehearsal of the year, Marcia Pinvidic walked us through the many facets of the International and Regional Contest Judging process. She gave insight into the meaning of the categories and a composite of what they involve, then described how each intertwines to result in a final score. It's not a cake walk for sure, but fascinating in skills of diverse listening, visual, sensing and acceptance of the array of different choruses/quartets that deliver an interpretation of their message to an audience. Thank you, Marcia, for this insight and for your work through-out the years in so many areas of the Sweet Adeline's world, including judging our unique 4-part, a cappella Hobby.
There are no binds in, or limits to Optimism. on Jan 26, 2021 we had the very first reading of our 'Some Knights Medieval Banquet' script. Chorus volunteers, some dressed in medieval garb, grabbed a character part, and the stage was set, just to get a more sensory feel for what has taken on a life as one of the most significant shows we will ever deliver. Show chairs, Bonnie Dennis and Sue Rees, worked non-stop over the past months creating designs of medieval nature, negotiating with venue, caterers and band, devising a plot and scene that will incorporate a full chorus dance apparently. Who knows what else will be added before the dust of the medieval era finally settles on our venue.
Our chorus members who make up the ZOOM team, constantly change up our rehearsal format to heighten our weekly experience. At home style rehearsals are not much different than riser format at our hall, in that, there is no time for visiting with so much to get through in one night a week. So, smaller breakout rooms have been added on the occasion with less people. this gives us a chance to stay connected, while offering newbies a chance to get to know their chorus sisters, before meeting 'in person' one day. There is always an open invitation for members to meet at our 'Brown's Social gathering' room after rehearsal, where we can sip a beverage of our choice, relax and chat. So much fun and many ideas have bloomed there.
Kudos to Lolanda Emerson, Frankie Elder and Sue Averill for volunteering to sing outside of our chorus in a virtual choral group over the past year. And to eight (8) of us who stepped outside their comfort zone to sign up and take a whirl on the Region's Quartet Roulette wheel. Between them we are involved in 16 quartets - Julie Smith 4, Mary Wulff 3, Nancy Farkas 2, and Karen Sorchinski 2 – Lori Murphy, Judith Sibbald and Fran Errington 1. I just signed on, so am waiting a reply. Way to take full advantage of the various offerings of our creative Region.
Movers n Shakers and Vocal Mouth Shapers:
A huge Shout Out to our physical warm-up team who take the time to devise and videotape their routine to play at the beginning of our rehearsals. When we first began zooming, not many of us participated, but that sure changed when we saw the fun on our screens. Now, those of us who can, are up there rocking right along with them. Thank you Lolanda Emerson, Pat Larre, Rose Justice and Gail Parry – you move us😊.
Many of us share space at home with other family members and may find it a little bit uncomfortable or difficult singing out to our full potential, the way we would in our hall or at a community sing out etc. We have never appreciated our comprehensive, vocal warmups more than we do in these times. Thank you, Julie Smith, Diane Butler, Lori Murphy and Syd Bullock for giving the greatest vocal warm-ups, along with ideas and access to visual and audio tools to work with on our own, need to keep the vocals oiled and fine-tuned.
Seems there is no lack of opportunity either in your safe group bubble, or alone, to keep moving. Our VP Frankie Elder expressed her concerns on this subject and shared her research of 5K and 10K runs/walks that can work two-fold - to help charitable organizations and help you to stay healthy. Frankie even found a 257km run/walk around Cabot Trail, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia that can be done over time (team or individually) and in your own neck of the woods – the latter event is poignant to us as we're still planning our 2022 Maritime Tour (a little update - our bus is chartered).
Our chorus has had so many guests since lockdown, so it seemed logical that we would opt into the Region's program of opening our gates to other regional chorus sisters. As a result, White Sails Chorus from Kelowna is zooming with us next Tuesday, Feb 2nd. We are so looking forward to their visit.
That was a lot of unpacking. We are so busy – it's just the physical closeness and hugs that we're all missing. Stay safe, stay tuned and move when you sing, even if it's just to stand up.