By Barbara Denbow
Feb 13/2020

Just 11 days after completion of our ‘6-week Acapella Experience’ membership drive, we were introducing 7 new women to join us on the risers for the last 3 songs of our show. Rehearsed, costumed-up and ready to perform, their excitement was evident. The amazed look on their faces as they accepted a Standing Ovation from the audience at our ‘Sounds of the Westshore Show’ last Nov, touched our hearts and added a notable sparkle to the show.

The reverberation of success from the two above events sent a wave that opened the floodgates of genuinely interested visitors to our rehearsal hall ever since – some have become members already and some are preparing to pass their auditions very soon. What a positive note to carry into the roaring 20’s of our lifetime. Special thanks to Suzanne Adams-Barrie, Membership Chair and her professional crew, our highly qualified directorship and our warm, welcoming members for the outstanding work with this most important job - well done!

Our 2019 Christmas potluck was a memorable one: We gathered at our decorated hall with a few past members to wine, dine, play, sing and dance. Representatives from our charity, The Victoria Women’s Transition House, came by to pick up the most appreciated contributions that helped them fill ‘hampers of plenty’ for their community. We Learned a new dance and were entertained royally by our talented members. Announcements were flying: Seasonal fundraising targets far exceeded expectations – thank you Cynthia Blackburn, Pat Larre and Cathy Crawford; A baby had been born; A baby is on the way and A baby was found after a search that lasted over 50 years. So many reasons to celebrate.

Hello 2020: Our Annual Retreat was held earlier than usual and ‘topped the charts’ with coaching by the pronounced Director, Anne Downton. She joined us in our celebratory, costumed Saturday ‘Medieval Knight’ of dining, dancing and entertainment. Anne sent us home with a bundle of information and techniques in formulating, narrating and articulating every portion of each word in a song, giving us a new profound respect for consonants and timing of their delivery – seems they are early babies.

Regional contest being the focus now, we’re looking forward to more coaching by the expressive Erin Howden; A refresher with Anne Downton, and a day with our beloved Marcia Pinvidic – whom, by the way, we finally presented with a 40-year pin last night. On the completion of our day with Marcia we will costume up, open our doors and take to the stage to perform our contest pkg for Friends, Family and the public. Supposed to be a sneak peek, but we have such a line up, and guest performers that it’s more like a concert, so we intend to treat it as such.

Summer brings us to Duncan Days, Farmer’s Market Sing Out (always a delight). Then the vineyards at Enrico Winery calls out to us again for the 5th ‘Wine, Women and Wheels (V)’ event. We recently had to cancel a performance at the Newcomers Assn’s event, as the original date had to be changed and the new date fell on our April/May contest weekend. They’ll catch up with us for a future event, I’m sure. These events are like mini membership drives as they get us out there to advertise, and we have picked up new members from them in the past.

Bonnie Dennis and Sue Rees will guide us to Nov 7/2020 as we transport back to a Medieval time where queens, Knights, jesters, alewives, brewsters and peasants alike gather in appropriate attire, to mingle, dine, dance, and enjoy a bit of ale, mead, wine and song. A warning to guests ‘Mind your purse’ as you feast at the table, for amidst the wealth and brut, a ‘brigand’ by the name of ‘Robin of Loxley’ may appear and relieve you of your hard-earned pfennigs and denarius in your pouch.