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April 22, 2016 #16

ADMIN ISSUE OF THE GHC, HNC, SOUNDINGS & CCLT

CHOIR COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER <><><><><><><><> QUICK REMINDERS! <><><><><><><><>

GHC/HNC CD BLOW-OUT SALE On-Going at GHC & HNC Practices

Details in the Extra Special Note section

GHC CHOIR SECTIONALS Soprano/Tenor Apr. 25, 26 & 28

Details in the GHC News & Business section

THE SECRET LIFE OF POEMS ~ DENIS DONNELLY Friday & Saturday, April 29 & 30

GHC 20

th ANNIVERSARY CONCERTS WITH ANN MORTIFEE

June 10 & 11, Alix Goolden Hall Ticket details in the GHC Concert Info section

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> For access to all current and archived issues please go to: http://www.gettinhigherchoir.ca/choir_life/newsletters.php

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SPECIAL NOTES!!!!

GHC CHOIR SECTIONAL SCHEDULE (What are sectionals?) There will be Soprano and Tenor sectionals all three practices the week of Apr. 25, 26 & 29 starting at 6:45 pm. Please be there a bit before then so we can warm up early and be singing repertoire starting right on time If you are so solid in your parts that you don’t need a sectional please come anyway to be the vocal wind under your section mates’ wings. ~ Shivon & Denis *********************** QUOTABLES *********************** One must think like a hero to behave like a merely decent human being.

May Sarton, American poet and novelist, essayist (1912-1995)

Submitted by: Josephine Munro, GHC Alto

**************************************************************** MY CHOIR SCHEDULE (updated since first posted) If I am not at choir and you have a fee payment to feel free to hold it until the next time we are both at choir. If you would rather you can give it to Gloria (or Shivon if Gloria isn’t there). If you have information to pass on to me or questions to ask please contact me at:

bill@gettinhigherchoir.ca or 250-920-4160 (9 a.m. to 9 p.m., weekdays).

In the upcoming weeks I intend to be at choir on: Tuesday April 26 Monday May 2 Thursday May 5

~ Bill

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An Extra Special Note

BLOWOUT GHC CD SALE!

On-Going at GHC & HNC Practices

$5 each! Shine All Your Light: recorded 2007 One Voice: recorded 2008 and 2009 Getting’ Higher Choir LIVE! recorded 2009 and 2010 You can find “How We Love” from our current GHC repertoire on our “Gettin’ Higher Choir LIVE!” CD

ADMIN TEAM NOTES

SHIVON Last week I took some time away from choir, to visit my daughter Erin in Montreal, and also to attend a gathering of 7 members of our 2016 class of CCLT (Community Choir Leadership Training) in New York. It was deeply moving to see how each of these fine song leaders were applying what they had learned to all sorts of venues. Several had already started evening and daytime choirs, and in addition: a choir at a womens’ prison in Mexico City, a staff choir at a Community HealthCare Centre, singing at a women’s shelter, a grieving/healing “concert” (for the participants only, not performance), singing with cancer patients, singing for palliative care. It is wonderfully inspiring to see how many situations can benefit from and be enlivened through the ancient practice of people singing together in harmony. I welcome your stories of how singing with others in diverse situations has shifted energy for the better. It’s good to be back with you in our singing circles, refreshed and inspired!

~ Shivon

** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** DENIS SOUNDINGS CONCERTS MAY 21 & 22! For those who don't know, Soundings is my 26-voice auditioned ensemble. We do mostly a cappella vocal music with a wide range of styles. This season's theme for the concerts is "Landscapes - vocal music that honours our relationship with the Earth". The songs we'll be singing range widely, including: choral settings of Robert Frost, Stan Rogers, the Beatles, and Talking Heads(!), and music from ancient Ireland to contemporary Israel. I'm excited about two compositions of mine as well: a setting of the Chinese T'ang Dynasty poet Li Po, and a setting of the Native American "The Beauty Way" for choir and soloist. Our special guest will be Niel Golden, percussion and hang. Concerts Sat May 21, 8:00, Oak Bay United Church, and Sunday May 22, 2:30, St Mary's Church, Saanichton. Tickets $20/15, available on-line here: soundings.eventbrite.ca ~ Denis

** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** GLORIA The songs are really coming together now - and it’s such a great experience when that happens, even after 14 years of singing with the choir. Looking forward to the concerts and singing with Ann. Hearing her voice at rehearsals is amazing. ~ Gloria

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GETTIN HIGHER CHOIR INFO

GHC CONCERT INFO

Concert Tickets THE GETTING’ HIGHER CHOIR IN CONCERT with guest artist ANN MORTIFEE and soloist KIM WILLOUGHBY June 10 & 11 at 7:30 – The Alix Goolden Performance Hall NOTE: Due to popular demand, we have already started selling tickets for our June 10 & 11 GHC Concerts. There is already quite a buzz about Ann Mortifee coming to sing with us, and early ticket sales have been brisk. Concert tickets are available on our web site and at all choir nights from now until concert time. Tickets are $30 regular and $25 for seniors, students and the unwaged. When you purchase them at choir please make it easy on the ticket sellers by working out in advance which concerts you want tickets for, how many of each type you need and their total cost. If you need to change the concert night later simply bring the tickets back and exchange them. Please make cheques payable to The Caia Connection. Beginning the week of May 9 tickets will also available from these generous businesses that freely volunteer their time and facilities: Munro’s Books, 1108 Government Ivy’s Books, 2188 Oak Bay James Bay Coffee & Book, 143 Menzies ~ and ~ Dig This, Broadmead Village Members of our extended choir community are welcome to drop-in around the 8:30 break time any choir night to pick-up tickets for their family, friends and associates and to enjoy a song or more. ~ Gloria

GHC NEWS & BUSINESS GHC CHOIR SECTIONAL SCHEDULE (corrected) (What are sectionals?) There will be Soprano and Tenor sectionals all three practices next week (Apr. 25, 26 & 28) starting at 6:45 pm. Please be there a bit before then so we can warm up early and be singing repertoire starting right on time If you are so solid in your parts that you don’t need a sectional please come anyway to be the vocal wind under your section mates’ wings. ~ Shivon & Denis

A REMINDER OF THE VALUE OF SILENCE As we get closer to the concerts there will be more and more of us coming to choir more than once a week. The increased numbers each week will make casual chatter between songs even more disruptive than usual. With mindfullness, we can curb the urge to chatter, and stay focused on the vibration within that the song has set up. In this way, the whole time can be experienced as a very deep sound healing treatment. Offering silent mindfulness will make it easier for Shivon and Denis to lead our practices and for all of us to get our parts solidly into our hearts so that we can truly get higher in our concerts. Let’s get the greatest possible value from these last few weeks of preparation for our concerts by giving ourselves and those around us the gift of silence between songs. This can really deepen the effect that this practice of singing in harmony has on our whole being. Try it! Let’s give Shivon, Denis and ourselves the gift of silent mindfulness.

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GHC SECTIONAL SCHEDULE Basses @ Bills ~ May ?? (TBA) I am hosting a home sectional for all Basses (Denis and I are currently working on the date) Denis will be leading us and the more of us there are the better it will be. Beverages of choice and snacks to share are welcome. The practice will be followed by a social gathering for those feeling social. 77 Gorge Rd. West, (at Wascana across from Wings ~ # 8 or #11 bus). Follow the signs from the gate. Map For further information or answers to your questions please contact me at 250-920-4160 (9 to 9) or at bill@gettinhigherchoir.ca Submitted by: Bill Hanson, multi-night rotating Bass

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GHC SECTIONAL SCHEDULE (cont.)

HOME SECTIONALS Tenors @ Dale & Merrie’s ~ May 15th Date: Sunday, May 15th Time: 3:00 - 5:00 Practice 5:00 onward: Potluck and Social gathering Where: Dale Shpak and Merrie Houghton's, 8646 Emard Terrace Details: Denis will lead our practice from 3 - 5 - thank you Denis! We will make pizzas and would be happy for potluck additions of salads and a couple of desserts. Our terrace is ready for the gathering, so please bring your sunglasses, hats and jackets / sweaters for whatever comes our way. If it is raining, we have lots of room inside. PLEASE NO NUTS AND NO SCENTS SO THAT ALL CAN ENJOY!! Please RSVP to Merrie at: merriehoughton@gmail.com For more information, contact by email or phone: 250 652 2703 Looking forward to singing end enjoying with everyone! Submitted by Dale Shpak and Merrie Houghton Monday Tenor’s

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WOULD YOU LIKE TO HOST A HOME SECTIONAL?

***** Extra Practice! ***** Extra Sociability! ***** Potluck? *****

We are now 7 weeks away from concert time and a couple of home sectional per section would be great between now and then would be great.

To reach that goal we still need hosts for at least:

2 Soprano sectionals 2 Alto sectionals 1 Tenor sectional 1 Bass sectional

(more is ok) If you want to be a host for any section go for it! If you are interested but have questions contact me. Either way please contact me at 920-4160 or email me at bill@gettinhigherchoir.ca

Shivon or Denis will participate when they can. For detailed information about sectionals, and about hosting them, please click here. ~ Bill

*********************** QUOTABLES *********************** Kindness causes us to learn, and to forget, many things."

Madame Swetchine

Editor’s Collection ****************************************************************

GHC JUNE CONCERT BENEFICIARY INFO

THE CAIA CONNECTION ~ MOZAMBIQUE The Gettin' Higher Choir has produced Benefit Concerts every year since 1999 for development work in Mozambique. We started out helping the village of Kapasseni get back on its feet after 30 years of war, and since then have expanded into other projects in nearby communities. To see why we got involved, and what the results of all these benefit concerts have been, be sure watch the on-line videos “Journey To Kapasseni,”• “Kapasseni Update 2003” & “Return To Kapasseni.”• Seeing these excellent documentaries will add substantially to your joy in singing in our upcoming concerts. The Caia Connection (TCC) is a Registered Canadian Charity committed to raising funds in support of these projects in the Caia District of Sofala Province, Mozambique. For further information , check out The Caia Connection (TCC) at: http://www.caiaconnection.org ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **

OTHER INFO ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY OF CHOIRS

HIGH NOON CHOIR

NEWS & BUSINESS

HIGH NOON CHOIR…. A DAYTIME COMMUNITY CHOIR Come Sing In The Spring When: Tuesdays 12 noon – 1:30 pm Where: Church of Truth 111 Superior St. (James Bay) Our current Spring Session runs ‘til June 14. This is a non-audition choir, all are welcome. Shivon Robinsong and Gloria Hansen HNC Director and Registrar

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ADMIN TEAM'S

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS From time to time Shivon, Denis, Gloria or Bill will use this section to announce activities and events that they are involved in, or support, outside of their normal work for the choirs and the CCLT.

IN MEMORIAM ~ LYNN BISSELL

Lynn was a GHC Soprano who usually attended Monday nights, but often went other nights, as well. She passed on April 5

th from pancreatic cancer.

She was a member of the GHC From the Spring of 2007 to the Spring of 2015. Obituary

Remembering and honouring the life of Lynn Bissell. Sunday May 1st at 2pm

St. George's Anglican Church 3909 St George's Lane, Victoria, BC

~ Bill (from information supplied by Jackie MacDonald, Monday Soprano) *********************** QUOTABLES ***********************

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THE SECRET LIFE OF POEMS with Denis Donnelly Over 1 evening and 1 day I will guide you to deepen your own dialogue with the ancient and honoured poetic tradition. We will explore the ways that poetry works and how it can enliven our passages. Our focus will be mainly on poems inspired by the natural world. By considering such aspects as image, sound, form, syntax and allusion we will broaden into a tradition that, at its heart, carries the wisdom of humanity. Fri. Apr. 29, 7 to 9 p.m. Sat. Apr. 30, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $125+gst Registration limited so please book early Info: Royal Roads Web Site or 250-391-2513 ~ Denis

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ADMIN TEAM'S

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

(cont.) POWER OF HOPE SUMMER CAMPS - CORTES ISLAND Registration for the Power of Hope Summer camps is in full swing. If you have children or grand-children ages 14 – 18 make sure they know about the camps. These camps are an amazing life changing experience for youth. I have attended many of these camps as a Board Member of The Power of Hope and can testify as to the great fun and personal growth experienced by those who attend. July 5 – 13 and July 17 – 25. Cortes Island Poster Please pass this information and poster link along to anyone you think might be interested. If you would like to help the Power of Hope help our youth you might also print up a poster or two and post them where they might be seen. Thanks

~ Gloria

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AN ALLEGRA SINGERS REUNION Any former Allegra Singers out there?

“The Allegra Singers is looking for past members to come and celebrate our 20th anniversary with us on July 8th and 9th. We will be having a concert on the 9th and hopefully will have as many Allegra Singers as possible on stage. There will be rehearsals for the concert starting in May and of course lots of practice help. Most of all it will be a wonderful opportunity to say hello again and sing together. For more information and the registration form please go to the Anniversary page of our web site. We are looking forward to seeing everyone again – and having this amazing concert!” Mae McSorley, The Allegra Singers

~ Gloria

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LEONARD BERNSTEINÈS FACE CONDUCTING At choir on Tuesday I mentioned the amazing video of Leonard Bernstein conducting his orchestra using only facial instructions and told those present how to find it on-line. If you haven't seen it and would like to click here. ~ Denis

** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** A MARK HELLMAN – UPDATE Last Fall Mark came to a some choir practices and sang a song from a one man show he was creating called The Incompleat Folksinger based on the music and life of Pete Seeger. He invited us to come to a preview show. I took him up on the offer to my great satisfaction and enjoyment. Many of you were also there and I hope you enjoyed yourself as much as I did. Mark now has a similar invitation for us for a new show he is working on. He would like to…

“… invite you and a guest to a workshop-presentation of my latest project, a solo version of THE TEMPEST by W. Shakespeare. This solo staged reading (yes, I have memorized the entire play), with music and audience participation, is the initial step towards a full production to be staged in 2016-17. Saturday, April 30, 1:30-5:30 pm, Church of Truth, 111 Superior St. Suitable for ages 9 and up. Refreshments provided! No previous knowledge of Shakespeare necessary. Admission by donation. Talk Back Session to follow. RSVP Required: 250-382-7048, or soloshakespeare@telus.net

My experience of Shakespeare is limited to being in resistance to being force fed his works in school but this sounds like an interesting and painless way to find out what I have been missing. I may see you there. ~ Bill

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ADMIN TEAM'S

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

(cont.)

An Appeal On Behalf Of SYRIAN REFUGEES FOR DONATIONS OF HOUSEHOLD ITEMS. On Tuesday and Thursday choir practice this past week Jonathan Whittingham (GHC Tuesday Tenor) announced a serious need for household items for Syrian Refugees in Victoria and made flyers available with the details on how members of our community help. If you were interested but missed picking one up, or if this is the first you have heard about it and would be interested in helping, please click here. ~ Bill

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CCLT GRADUATE’S

NEWS & UPDATES

PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO POTENTIAL CHOIR LEADERS We are now accepting registrations for the 2016 Community Choir Leadership Trainings (13th year) and have a great start on confirmed participants.

Special Note: We are looking for and hoping for a couple of men for this session. If you know of anyone who might be interested please ask them to have a look at the website.

Details at:

http://www.communitychoirleadership.com

Please pass this information on to friends from far and wide who may be interested in learning how to lead a choir based on the Gettin’ Higher Choir model.

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Please Pass This On TO POTENTIAL SINGERS…WHEREVER THEY MAY BE! Many of the graduates of the Shivon and Denis’ Community Choir Leadership Training program (CCLT) are involved in choirs of their own across North America as well one each in Malaysia and Australia. The style of these choirs ranges from “influenced by” to “based on” the Gettin’ Higher Choir model. You can find information about them by clicking on:

http://www.ubuntuchoirs.net/wp/member-choirs

If you know someone who might like to sing in a GHC/HNC style environment send them the above link so they can check to see if there is a sister choir in their area.

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CCLT GRADUATE’S

NEWS & UPDATES

(cont.) CCLT GRAD’S UPDATES THIS WEEK MARY-WYNNE ASHFORD CCLT9 2012 - VICTORIA

Songs For The Soul If you are interested in singing prayers and songs inspired by different faiths, you are most welcome to join us at my home. We sing Baha'i songs, Rumi, Lawrence Cole, October Project, and lots from the GHC core repertoire. Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:30 pm Sunday afternoons from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Please let me know if you are coming. 250-479-9189 mwashford@gmail.com

JEWEL SPOONER CCLT3 - 2006/7 - SIDNEY

You Are Invited To The 'Shoal Centre Song Circle': Where: Shoal Centre Auditorium, 10030 Resthaven Drive, Sidney Time: We meet Friday afternoons 2-3:00 Cost: $6.00 pay at the front desk My intention is to share: Beautiful Song Connect In Grace Live The Spirit Of Ubuntu. In this circle, I hold space for the gift of singing & rhythm & movement. Perhaps you know of someone in Sidney that would love to join our small & friendly, ALL inclusive group. All voices welcome. My CCLT experience was life altering my eternal gratitude to Shivon & Denis for helping me to create a special place The Shoal Centre Song Circle. Info & contact jewelspoon@telus.net 250-656-1047

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GUEST ARTIST UPDATES What are they doing now… with particular focus on their activities in the Victoria and South Island area.

HOLLY ARNTZEN AND KEVIN WRIGHT (Guest for our Feb. 2013 Concert) with the WILDS BAND ROCK the Salish Sea Tour 2016 All concerts: 6:30pm doors – 7pm show time

June 2 ~ Oak Bay High School Theatre, Victoria, June 9 ~ Georgia Park School, Campbell River

Poster Full Tour Schedule Contact us for ticket details

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RAFFI A Benefit Concert to: “Save Shawnigan Water” (Guest for our Jan. 2004 Concert) April 24, 2016 — 1:00 PM Duncan’s Cowichan Performing Arts Centre 2687 James Street, Duncan, BC Poster, Tickets and Map Full Tour Schedule

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GUEST ARTIST UPDATES (cont.)

SHARI ULRICH (Guest for our June 2014 & Jan. 2010 Concerts) with VALDY & THE HOMETOWN BAND Saltspring Island Garlic Festival Sunday August 07, 2016 - Saltspring Island, BC Tickets with THE HIGH BAR GANG Wednesday August 10, 2016 Butchart Gardens, 800 Benvenuto Ave.Brentwood Bay, BC Concert free with admission to Gardens Tickets

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================== THATS NOT ALL FOLKS ================

Our Choir Members Issue (Part 2) follows next Friday with lots of interesting submissions from other choir community members

plus some Quote Breaks and the Just For Fun section! Please submit any items you have for it by midnight

next Wednesday to bill@gettinhigherchoir.ca ===================================================== You can always find links to both current and past newsletter issues at:

http://www.gettinhigherchoir.ca/choir_life/newsletters.php =====================================================