Newsletter of the Danbury Chapter, Yankee Division, Northeastern District of the Barbershop Harmony Society

Meeting every Tuesday, 7:15 p.m. at Church of Christ, 90 Clapboard Ridge Road, Danbury, Connecticut

Volume 23 Number 11 www.madhatterchorus.org Post Holiday Freeze

The Mad Hatters performing at the annual Holiday Concert. Picture by Mary Dunkle

Hatters Harmonize

Through Holiday Season

By John Bradley and Terry Dunkle

On November 19, a baker’s dozen of Mad Hatters performed

at the Bethel United Methodist Church’s Holiday Bazarre,

entertaining an appreciative audience as they were munching

on their lunches.

Scott praying that all goes well. Picture by John Bradley

With music director, Joe Hudson, not in attendance, Scott

Coleman ably directed. Walt Barlow, a former member of the

chirch’s congregation, told a touching story from his youth,

when he skied to church one Sunday morning, stealing candy

from some old lady on Main Street along the way.

On December 3, Director Joe Hudson and 22 singers

entertained 90 guests at our annual holiday concert, The Secret

of Christmas, at our host venue, the Church of Christ. The

event benefited the John Dunkle Memorial Membership Fund,

which provides scholarships to send local high-schoolers to

Harmony Explosion Northeast each August.

Andy Bayer’s solo during “Do You Hear What I

Hear.”Picture by Mary Dunkle.

Contnued on the next page

The Danbury Mad Hatter Barbershop Chorus

Hatter

Chatter

- 2 -

Holiday Hatters

Contnued from previous page

Andy Bayer and Joe Hudson delivered rousing solos in "Do

You Hear What I Hear?," and Assistant Director Scott Colman

stepped in with expert direction while Joe sang.

The Mad Hatter’s final holiday performance was at the

Patterson Public Library’in Patterson, New York, on

December 10. The chorus has performed there a number of

times, always receiving warm ovations, and this year’s

standing one was no exception.

At the Patterson Library. Picture by Terry Dunkle.

Singing in the shower? Some of the Mad Hatters testing the

acoustics in a bathroom at the Patterson Public Library.

Picture by Terry Dunkle.

The chorus in Bethel, CT. Picture by Mary Dunkle.

Waiting in the corridor outside the library venue (while a

business meeting was going on inside), we were treated to this

scene. Apparently someone’s spouse was a lawyer. When the

meeting ended, we started singing the bell chords in “Jingle

Bells” while filing into a sold-out room. Picture by Terry

Dunkle.

Don Smith, our long-time Sunshine Chairman, surprised us all

by showing up for the Patterson Library concert. Afterwards,

he sang a couple of songs with us. Picture by Terry Dunkle.

Four to the Bar. Picture by Mary Dunkle.

- 3 -

Traveling Men. Picture by Mary Dunkle.

Blue Moon. Picture by Mary Dunkle.

Kismet. Picture by Mary Dunkle.

Happy New Year From Al

Paparesta

By Dick Zang

Al and Eileen have settled into their new lifestyle very nicely

in The Villages in central Florida. The breaking news is that

Al has joined the local BHS chapter, The Heart of Florida

Chorus (heartoffloridachorus.org), in Lady Lake, FL, and is

really enjoying it. They have about 30 members year-round

and about 20 more when the snowbirds arrive. They joke that

the average age of the year-rounders is – deceased! They just

put on their annual show, reinforced by the Heralds of

Harmony, the International Competition chorus from Tampa,

and another Tampa mixed VLQ – Voctave.

Both Al and Eileen are kept busy by the intense social life in

the community. Al is playing golf twice a week and has been

singing with a new group of doo-woppers called the Hi-Lites.

He’s even found time to join the Paisanos Club.

Needless to say they love it all. They wish everyone a Happy

New Year and extend an invitation to drop by anytime. Drop

them a note at Alpappy621@gmail.com.

Three Things

After every coaching session, each

chorus member is asked to contribute

three things he can take away and/or

share with the others from that session. Following is a

collection of items contributed after December’s session with

Joe Hunter.

A need to be confident that a chord is tuning is not a valid

reason to put a fermata over the word "the."

We need to be conscious about what word is being

emphasized in each phrase of a rubato song.

Too many big breaks ruin the line of a ballad.

The secret to becoming a great chorus is learning our

notes and words at home. Only then will we sing

confidently enough to learn higher-level secrets in

rehearsal.

The secret to ringing a chord is hearing and reproducing

the right pitch and vowel with absolute precision. Singing

well is only the beginning of barbershop; we must also

learn to listen well.

We can't learn to sing well without watching and listening

to performances by great choruses. YouTube is our best

friend.

Often the most dramatic dynamic change is softer, but

more intense, rather than louder.

Singing a note or chord as written is okay for proving that

you know the note or chord, but not for conveying the

sense of the lyric. Sing a phrase as you would say the

phrase.

An over the top gesture or move can be funny but only

when everyone does it with commitment. A few

nonparticipants spoil the effect.

Elongate the second “sweetheart.”

Everyone needs to think and sing "Younger"

Joe’s subtle reminder. Picture by Terry Dunkle.

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Emails to the Editors

Please e-mail your questions and

comments to either the Hatter editor, John

Bradley, at jbrad1313@earthlink.net, or

the Chatter editor, Dick Zang, at

jezang@charter.net. If your e-mail appears, you will receive

an autographed picture of our 2008 Yankee Division Bulletin

Editors Award.

As a result of many years of foolish dental hygiene and pipe

smoking I have had to have most of my teeth removed and

have gotten dentures. Now I have to learn to adjust and

relearn many things with them, but will I ever be able to sing

again?

Dan from Danbury

Good question, Dan. I’m very lucky to still have all of my

teeth so I never really thought of the effect false teeth might

have on singing. I checked with my old college friend, Tom

Yankum, who happens to be a singer and a dentist, to get his

thoughts. According to Tom, you should be fine. Some

famous singers he has known sang fine with dentures. You’ll

get used to it. You might want to record yourself a few times

during the adjustment process to ensure you're not "clicking"

or making "sloshing" sounds. Given time, your brain will

teach your tongue to adjust. Also, your dentist can tweak the

fitting or a vocal coach can give you some workarounds.

Any of them singing with dentures? Picture by Terry Dunkle.

My grandfather sang in a barbershop quartet many years ago

in Indiana. I have a lot of pictures of them showing they had a

lot of fun wherever they went. They always wore hats -

different ones to suit the season. In recent pictures of quartets

from his old chapter they are not wearing hats. I think all

quartets should wear hats. What happened to all the hats? I

think barbershoppers look better when they wear hats.

Hattie from Panama.

Hattie – seems that you are in favor of quartets wearing hats.

Am I correct? Barbershoppers have been trying to modernize

thjeir image in recent uears. Wearing hats went out of style

when Eisenhower was president. That was a long time ago –

long before the young generation we are trying to recruit was

born. Barbershop music has been getting more contemporary,

as are our costumes.

Quartet Corner

News from our chorus quartets

Real Chemistry – By John Bradley

Real Chemistry briefly interrupted its world tour to sing at

Ridgefield, Connecticut’s Founders Hall on December 7 for

the senior center’s annual holiday party.

Real Chemistry after their performance.

Each room in the building had different performers, food and

wine. As we moved from room to room we realized that a

bunch of imbibing seniors was actually good for our sound.

We warmed up for about 30 minutes in the mens room before

performing. We were amazed that no one in a senior center

came in to use the facility that whole time – a testiment to the

prostate doctors of Ridgefield.

Santa saying “please sing your last song, or I’ll consider all

four of you naughty.”

- 5 -

The.President’s Podium

By Danny Anderson

Presently I am in cold Minnesota with my son

and his family. Linda and I went with

William and family to see Santa at Macy’s in

downtown Minneapolis. This has been an annual event for

William’s family and we’ve been able to go with them a few

times. The line wound throughout the shopping area, winding

up on the 8th

floor where the workshop is located.

I hope that each of you have had a good holiday season and

have been able to spend time with family and loved ones. The

time spent with family is important as you get to share

memories, and make new ones. A special joy is spending time

with the grandchildren and sharing stories.

The year 2016 has been a good one for the chorus. We are a

better singing and sounding chorus than last year. This is a

result of the leadership from the music committee, led by

Wynn Wilcox and from our music director, Joe Hudson. The

establishment of monthly goals to work and build upon has

been a good practice. Joe and Wynn continue to bring out the

poster board to serve as a reminder of the things we should be

doing. (Smiling, standing properly, completing the phrase,

etc.).

Valentines Day will be here before we know it. The number of

Singing Valentines delivered the past two has been less than

desired. I am asking that each member of this chapter book

ONE singing Valentine. That could be to your wife or

girlfriend and you could join the quartet on your voice part

when singing to her. We have members who book 5-10

Valentines each year, so booking one should NOT be a

problem. Four to the Bar delivered Singing Valentine’s for

the first time last year and expressed that they enjoyed being

able to experience seeing the joy that the recipient had in

receiving their Valentine. You too will feel that joy when

singing to your wife or girlfriend.

We have had good coaching throughout the year and will be

starting the New Year with a retreat in Lake Carmel, NY, on

March 11. Mark your calendars now and plan on attending

this all day session.

Last year’s annual show was one of our best shows. Plans

have begun for the 2017 show which should be even better

that the previous. Once again, Peter and Walt will be the co-

leaders for the show. One of the areas we need to improve

upon this year is the sale of advertisements. We each need to

commit to this effort and not expect someone else to do this

job. The goal that I set when becoming the chapter president is

to have the sales of ads to cover all the costs related to the

show. We have done a good job in years past, but last year’s

ad sales were not as strong as past years.

I am asking that each of us attempt to recruit one new member

to the chorus. This way we will double our membership.

More information will be coming to help with this effort. Stay

tuned.

Wynn demonstrates the new Cha-Cha choreography to “My

Romance.” Picture by Terry Dunkle.

Scott seems overwhelmed by the performance.

Picture by Terry Dunkle.

Searching for the pitch pipe. Picture by Terry Dunkle.

Baritone Deep Thought When I see lovers’ initials carved into a tree I don’t think it’s sweet. I just think it’s surprising how many people carry a knife on a date.

- 6 -

December Board

of Directors

Meeting Minutes

Meeting called to order by

Danny “Elf on the Shelf” Anderson at 6:07 pm on 12/06/2016

at the Church of Christ.

SECRETARY’S REPORT: The minutes from the last

meeting were posted by Art Cilley and received on a motion

by Dickson Demarche, seconded by Robert Golenbock.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Our expenses are under budget.

We received a check for our Bethel performance. We received

free-will offerings for our Holiday concert, but the money has

not yet been counted. The report was received on a motion by

Andy Bayer, seconded by Robert Golenbock.

MEMBERSHIP REPORT: Last week our Board had a special

meeting to learn more about the Membership Committee’s

plan for growing our membership. If the Board endorses the

plan, the general membership will receive a presentation as

well.

VP PUBLIC RELATIONS: We had a good crowd for our

holiday show. No new promotional activities are planned, but

Art is already working on the print promotion for Singing

Valentines. We plan to start work on this year’s Harmony

Explosion camp scholarships.

MUSIC COMMITTEE: The written Contest proposal,

encompassing our members and members of the Bridgeport

chapter, has been submitted to the Board, the chorus, and the

Bridgeport chapter. We await word from Bridgeport. We

intend to have a Saturday retreat in the spring. Joe Hunter

returns next week. We are also engaging John Ward. We are

looking into another VLQ for the Annual show. Wynn will

continue to work with random quartets every rehearsal.

OLD BUSINESS: In consideration of the significant programs

of the membership campaign, the general membership must

support the plan and recognize that the Board stands behind

the recommendations. Wynn noted that historically previous

goals that did not have the members’ commitment to change

have failed. Dickson added that we need a clear timetable of

the five year plan. Andy explained that the sequence is still

under development but will be worked on if we have

commitment. Dickson also recommended prioritizing the

goals since some items may not be acceptable while others

may not have even been thought of yet. Terry is developing a

spreadsheet for five years with a budget that would fit the

logic of his business plan. Wynn added that among the

important items would be a new meeting venue that enhances

socialization and a coach who could show up weekly for a few

months to solidify our learning processes. Wynn moved that

the Board should indicate whether or not they support the

Membership Committee’s plan for membership after the

Committee’s follow-up report on January 3, 2017. The motion

was approved on a second by Jimmy Hopper.

Two of our guys stole a calendar, and they both got 6 months.

Details at 11.

NEW BUSINESS: The installation dinner details are still

forthcoming. But plan to go because it’s always a lot of fun.

MEMBERS PRESENT: T. Dunkle, T Marrow

OFFICERS PRESENT: D. Anderson, W. Gadkar-Wilcox, D.

Demarche, P. Daubner, A. Cilley, A. Bayer, J. Hopper, R.

Golenbock.

Meeting adjourned at 7:15pm. Next meeting 1/3/2017.

Music Committee Notes

Submitted by Wynn Gadkar-Wilcox

In our December 2016 meeting, the

music committee focused on our upcoming contest and annual

show. We have scheduled an all-day (9am-4pm) chorus retreat

at Arts on the Lake, 640 Route 52, Carmel, NY. On that day,

we will have John Ward for coaching. We also plan to have

Joe Hunter and Steve Delehanty working with us leading up to

the contest.

At the December 20, 2016 rehearsal, we had our first

competition rehearsal. This initiated our new qualification

procedure for the competition chorus. This procedure is as

follows: first, members of the competition chorus have been

organized into random quartets (if you do not know your

quartet mates, please contact Joe Hudson). Each of these

quartets will practice the two competition songs, "For All We

Know" and "After You've Gone," during breaks, before and

after rehearsals, and on their own if they wish. They will also

be taken out during rehearsals to work with a member of the

music committee. When they are ready, the quartet will sing

for Joe or a qualified member of the music committee and

each member of the quartet will be evaluated individually. To

qualify, members must sing at a 60 or B- level by society

standards (accurate in notes and words and together in proper

interpretation). We may also have members of other choruses

joining us as dual members for the contest. If so, they will be

subject to the same standards.

We are also preparing for singing valentines this year. Those

who are not in a regular quartet but may be interested in the

singing valentines programs should contact Joe Hudson.

We are also deep into the planning for the annual show on

April 1, 2017, a tribute to Richard Rogers. More information

will follow in the coming months.

Remember our contest goals set for this year:

A) Win our Division.

B) Have a minimum of 25 guys on the risers.

- 7 -

For Northeastern New Chapter Leaders "Elect" and/or

Current Chapter Leaders, and/or the Interested

Chapter/Member "Influencers" of the Future!

Do you want to strengthen your chapter? Do you want to be a

strong, successful chapter in 2017? Singing more and being

successful? Recognized as a premiere community singing

group?

If you answer “yes” to these questions, please make plans to

attend the Northeastern District Leadership Academy 2017 to

be held at Worcester State University, Worcester, Mass, on

Saturday, January 7, 2017.

Once again we have an outstanding faculty ready to teach the

leaders of your chapter how to be successful in their jobs in

2017.

Along with the traditional training being offered to chapter

officers, we are excited to be offering two general sessions

devoted to Leadership Principles, which should be very

beneficial to all chapter officers and especially to future

chapter leaders.

Another new addition to this year’s curriculum is a two-hour

session entitled, “THINK.” This interactive general session

will be a journey of “self-discovery” for your chapters

designed to empower each of our chapters to identify itself,

align what it does and engage with its members and with it’s

chapter life.

Finally, there is fabulous opportunity - for our chapter music

leaders, directors, assistant directors, and music teams - to

learn from one of the best directors in the Society! Joe

Cerutti, will be leading a full-day Director’s Workshop. This

is a “must attend” workshop for anyone aspiring to provide the

musical leadership so necessary for a strong and successful

chapter. Sign-up is first come, first serve! Fills FAST!

With these three great reasons to attend, I hope that every

chapter will send their leaders this year to NED Leadership

Academy.

The tuition schedule is the same as last year and online

registrations are NOW OPEN!

The first registrant from a chapter will be charged $200.00 and

each registrant after that will be charged $25.00.

All registration information, course descriptions and course

schedules are available on the NED web site. See the listings

and download the detailed PDF documents.

Use this link to register:

https://www.nedistrict.org/leadershipacademy

Please look over what is there now - for the latest information.

Please DO register as soon as possible for this event! This is a

full day event, on Saturday, January 7 and although designed

for chapter officers, Leadership Academy is open for all and

any chapter members to attend.

Open to all members of the NED, Sweet Adelines

International and Harmony, Inc.

If you have any questions, please contact Ed Fritzen, Dean of

this year’s Leadership Academy.

Your first step for a successful 2017 is to attend Leadership

Academy! I hope to see you all there. Sign up today!

Ed Fritzen

Dean of Leadership Academy

Executive Vice President, NED

elfritze@gmail.com

(860) 608-7724 (cell)

Interesting Musical Fact

Did you know that The song, "When Irish Eyes

Are Smiling," was written by George Graff, who

was German, and was never in Ireland in his life?

- 8 -

Ye Olde Joke Boarde

Submitted by the Unknown Barbershopper

Two factory workers are talking. The first, a barbershop baritone, says, "I can make the boss give me the day off." The second

replies, "And how would you do that?" The baritone says, "Just wait and see."

He then hangs upside down from the ceiling. The boss comes in and says, "What are you doing?" The baritone replies, "I'm a light

bulb." The boss then says, "You've been working so much that you've gone crazy. I think you need to take the day off."

The second man starts to follow the baritone and the boss says, "Where are you going?" The man says, "I'm going home, too. I can't

work in the dark.”

. . .

Once there was a King who was loved by all of his subjects, especially because of the hunting excursions he shared with them. As

will happen, one day he died and his eldest son, a barbershop baritone, took the throne. This new king was an animal-lover to the

core, and immediately outlawed all forms of hunting and fishing. His subjects accepted this for only a short time before they ousted

him. This was a truly significant event, because it was the first time a reign was called on account of the game.

. . .

A barbershop baritone observed a woman in a grocery store with a three year old girl in her cart. As they passed the cookie section,

the child asked for cookies and her monther told her “no.” The little girl immediately began to whine and fuss, and the mother said

quietly, “Now Ellen, we just have half of the aisles left to go through. Don’t be upset. It won’t be long.”

He passed them again in the candy aisle. Of course, the little girl began shouting for candy. When her mom told her she couldn’t

have any, the little girl began to cry. The mother said, “There, there Ellen, don’t cry. We only have two more asles to go then we’ll

be checking out.”

In the checkout aisle the man ended up behind the pair. The little girl began clamoring for gum, then burst into a terible tantrum when

she realized there would be no gum today. Her mom said patiently, “Ellen, we’ll be through the checkout in about five minutes. Then

we’ll go home and you can have a nice nap.“

The man followed them out to the parking lot and complimented the woman on how patient she was with little Ellen. The mother

replied, “My girl’s name is Tammy. I’m Ellen.”

Current Mad Hatter Repertoire

Regular Repertoire

It’s A Brand New Day

Drivin’ Me Crazy

May I Never Love Again

Long And Winding Road

Lida Rose

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

Tonight, Tonight

Come Go With Me Daydream

Shenandoah

Bye-Bye, Love

After You’ve Gone

In Progress

You’ll Never Walk Alone

My Romance

For All We Know

I Still Miss You Baby, But My Aim’s

Gettin’ Better

Patriotic/Inspirational

God Bless America

I Believe

So Many Voices Sing America’s Song

Star-Spangled Banner

Holiday

Jingle Bells

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

O Holy Night

Jingle Bell Rock

Have Yourself a Merry Little

Christmas

Feast of Lights Medley

Feliz Navidad

Silent Night

Do You hear What I Hear

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Secret of Christmas

- 9 -

The Danbury, CT Chapter

SPEBSQSA 104 Lexington Blvd, Bethel, CT 06801

203-744-9480

President: Danny Anderson

Musical Director: Joseph Hudson

Assistant Director: Wynn Gadkar-Wilcox

Membership VP: Andy Bayer

Public Relations VP: Art Cilley

Music VP: Wynn Gadkar-Wilcox

Secretary: Robert Golenbock Treasurer: Dickson DeMarche

Program VP: Vacant

Member at Large: Peter Daubner

Member at Large: Walter Barlow

Member at Large: Jim Hopper

Immediate Past President Robert Bradley

Uniform Chairman: Andy Bayer

Harmony Foundation

Chairman: Danny Anderson

Music Librarian: Peter Daubner

Sunshine Chairman: Don Smith

Package Show Chairman: Dick Walter

Chorus Manager: Robert Golenbock

The Hatter Chatter

Serving the Mad Hatter community since last Tuesday

John Bradley, Hatter Editor Dick Zang, Chatter Editor

39 Beekman Drive 2 Camelot Crest

Lake Carmel, NY 10512 Sandy Hook, CT 06482

Jbrad1313@earthlink.net jezang@charter.net

The editors of the Hatter Chatter welcome

submissions from all chapter members and friends

of the Mad Hatters. E-mail, mail, paper airplane

us your thoughts, observations, opinions, singing

tips and whatevers, and we’ll turn them into

Pulitzer Prize copy

Baritone Quiz This is the flag of a large and powerful country in

North America. Can you name it?

A. Canada

B. United States

C. Brazil

Mark Your

Calendars

Installation Dinner

Thursday, January 12: 6:15 PM at The Meeting House

Pub, 37 Stony Hill Road, Bethel, CT. $25 per person.

Annual Show

Saturday, April 1: Western Connecticut State University

Visual and Performing Arts Center, 43 Lake Avenue Ext.,

Danbury , CT. Details to follow.

Yankee Division Contest

Saturday, May 6: Lake George, NY, with guest

performances by the Toronto Northern Lights (2013

international Champions), Forefront (2016 International

Champions) and Voices of Gotham (2015 Mid-Atlantic

Chorus Champions.

Contest Rehearsal Schedule:

Tuesday January 17: 6:30 pm, Holy Trinity Lutheran

Church, 406 White Plains Road, Trumbull, CT.

Thursday January 27: 7:15 pm, Danbury Church of Christ. Thursday February 9: 7:15 pm, Danbury Church of Christ.

Tuesday February 21: 7:15 pm, Danbury Church of Christ. Saturday March 11: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Arts on the Lake,

Route 52, Lake Carmel, NY.

Thursday March 30: 7:15 pm, Danbury Church of Christ.

Thursday April 13: 7:15 pm, Danbury Church of Christ. Tuesday April 25: 6:30 pm, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church,

Trumbull.

Tuesday May 2: 7:15 pm, Danbury Church of Christ.

Contest on Saturday May 6.

WE WANT YOU

TO JOIN WITH YOUR FELLOW MAD HATTERS FOR A

SOCIAL AND MUSICAL

EVENING AT THE

INSTALLATION OF THE

2017 MAD HATTER

CHORUS BOARD OF

DIRECTORS OFFICERS,

THURSDAY EVENING,

JANUARY 12, 6:15 PM at

THE MEETING HOUSE

PUB, 37 STONY HILL RD.

BETHEL, CT.

Cost: $25.00 per person.

CASH BAR,