TIMBRE Quarterly Newsletter of the Evergreen District of the Barbershop Harmony Society

December 15, 2017 ”With One Voice” Volume 69, Number 4

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Click the page number to go to that page

President Rob’s Ruminations / Vision & Mission Statements Cover District Officers / Editor’s Notes / 2017 District Convention 2 2018 Incoming President’s Message and 2018 Executive Lineup 3 Harmony College NW - Directors Alert and 2018 plans 4 Top Quartets’ Pictures from 2017 Vancouver, WA Evergreen Convention 5 2017 Hall of Fame Inductee Gerry Borden 6 Quartets: Who’s Got The Novice Award? / Tell Us What You Are Doing 7 Evergreen District Historian’s Highlights / Standing Ovation Review 8 Top Choruses Pictures from 2017 Vancouver, WA Evergreen Convention 9 Bud Leabo Fund / Marketing Resources / 2017 Harmony Platoon Winners 10 Division I Master Class With Deke Sharon 11 Evergreen 2018 Conventions Plans / Chapter Marketing-Larry Osterman 12 New Revenue For Evergreen / Meet New District Secretary Paul K Graves 13 Mel’s Musical Musings, By Mel Knight - Comedic Performance 14 Membership News and Views, By Bob Thomas - Getting New Recruits 15 Harmony Explosion Funds Appeal / Senior Quartet Contest Results 16 Harmony College NW for 2018 / Barbershop Trivia and Questions 17 Division I - 2017 Highlights 18 Calendar of Events / Resources Links / Advertising Rates / Last Word 19

Rob’s Ruminations Rob Macdonald, Evergreen District President

I have an indelible memory of 2017: Our BHS CEO, Marty Monson, singing on the District Convention hotel bal-cony with 40 barbershoppers and significant others. It was chilly and rainy, but all hearts were in tune. Marty doesn’t get many opportunities to just sing; and it was a glorious moment to take in.

Before becoming EVG President, I was told that Evergreen is one of the “avant-garde” Districts in the Society; we test new ideas, and when they work, share them with other Districts. The Pacific Summit and HCNW are two examples of sharing with SAI that you won’t find everywhere. We are early adopters of the District Seniors Chorus. The Operations Team structure that we developed is being reviewed by other Districts. We have a sig-nificant role at the District Presidents Council and Leadership Operations Project Team. Marty Monson was very generous in his comments about Evergreen at the House of Delegates. We now have better alignment with BHS initiatives as our Society moves toward the strategic vision of “Everyone in Harmony”.

Your Board and Operations Team have a deep desire to help chapters grow in membership, perform better and connect with their commu-nities. (We call it the Thriving Chapter Program, and it aligns with the BHS Healthy Chapter Initiative.) We urge you to build a plan for the future, set some goals, then ask for help!

A personal Thank You to many “new faces” who have volunteered to support Evergreen. You have youth, talent, wisdom, expertise and technical savvy that we need.

Support the “Everyone in Harmony” strategic vision of BHS. Apply it in your chapter, then to your world. The spectrum starts with elimi-nating any destructive chapter disagreements (because everyone is in harmony!) and ends with “world peace” – a phrase I shared at the House of Delegates – since everyone is in harmony! As with all great visions, it is always something to strive toward. Whatever goals you set in your chapter, ask this question: “How does this goal align with and support Everyone in Harmony?”

I now hand the presidential gavel to Charlie Metzger, your incoming District President. He has barbershop pedigree and credentials that are a bit overwhelming: he has been Executive Vice President for two years and a Director of Soundscape, a mixed chorus. He has been a Socie-ty Board Director and Harmony University Faculty. He is a District Quartet Champion and International Senior’s Quartet Champion. He is a coach, arranger, educator, facilitator and a great baritone. Please welcome, thank and support Charlie (and his wife Karen) in 2018!

Last, and far from least, I’d like to thank my wife, Katharine Bondy, for her assistance and support during my time as President. Her under-standing has been a significant sacrifice and a great contribution to the District.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Harmonious New Year!

EVERGREEN - VISION & MISSION STATEMENTS

VISION: “The Evergreen District provides excellence through sing-ing, leadership, fellowship and service.” MISSION: “The Evergreen District will support the goals of the chapter, by providing opportunity for enriching vocal music partici-pation, training leaders for today and tomorrow, creating memora-ble experiences at all gatherings, and taking the initiative to actively participate in the community.”

BHS - VISION & MISSION STATEMENTS

VISION: “To be the premier membership organization for men who

love to sing”

MISSION: “The Barbershop Harmony Society brings men together

in harmony and fellowship to enrich lives through singing”

Timbre

Official QUARTERLY Publication of Evergreen District, BHS

2017 District Officers

District President Rob Macdonald bassrgm@gmail.com Executive Vice President Charles Metzger Treasurer Frank Bell Secretary Keith Eckhardt opakeith@eckhardts.com Immediate Past President Bob Robson

bob.robson@shaw.ca Board Members at Large Ken Leonard Rob Nits LarryPerkins Society Board Member Liaison Matt Mercier

2017 District Operations (OPS) Team

Directors of Communications Keith Eckhardt

& Bob Robson Director of Contest & Judging Jimbob Kahlke Director of District Support Bobby Huber

Director of Education John Rettenmayer

Director of Events Don Cain

Director of Finance Don Thorn

Director of Membership Bob Thomas

TIMBRE Editors

Content: Bob Robson — Layout: Jeff Billo 403-286-3357 403-970-3451

bob.robson@shaw.ca jeff.billo@gmail.com

TIMBRE is an official publication of Evergreen District, BHS, published electronically on, or about, the fifteenth day of every third month (March, June, September and December), on the evgadmin.org web site.

To go to the 2017 (and prior years) newsletters: click here

All articles, photographs and other information herein are provided by BHS members, for BHS members, patrons and others interested in barbershop harmony singing in Evergreen District.

NOTES FROM THE EDITORS

This is the ninth issue of a revised Timbre newsletter under new editors, Bob Robson (content) and Jeff Billo (layout). If you find some of your favorite features from previous issues missing, please let us know. The calen-dar of current events, the lists of previous year contest winners and hall of Fame members have been dropped in favor of links to the online Evergreen district calen-dar, and online honorees lists at EVGADMIN.ORG ..

TIMBRE 2018 Production

Schedule

Issue # Ad/Copy Deadline Publishing Date 2018 #1 (TIMBRE) Feb. 28 , 2018 March 15, 2018

2018 #2 (TIMBRE) May 31, 2018 June 15, 2018

2018 #3 (TIMBRE) August 31, 2018 September 15, 2018

2018 #4 (TIMBRE) November 30, 2018 December 15, 2018

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2017 District Convention

BRIDGE TOWN SOUND Hosts Another Successful Convention

by Bud Roberts, General Chairman for Evergreen District Convention

Our expectations were not high because our dates conflicted with SAI International in

Las Vegas. This meant our attendance would be down, but the dates could not be

changed. In the last two weeks before the convention, we miraculously went from

break even to close to on budget. This thanks to many last minute sales and some very

frugal decisions by the Convention volunteers. Printing was way under budget (thank

you Duncan Gilman). None of the volunteers asked for reimbursement for parking.

We had a double panel of judges instead of triple. Onsite printing was done (thank

you Aaron Weller) rather than paying an outside service (or the hotel). So we don’t

have final numbers yet, but we expect them to be close to the original estimate. We

owe a great thanks to Bellevue for participating. They did not have to, and without

them our revenue would have been much lower. At the last minute, Duane Christen-

sen stepped in as Stage Manager when Larry Perkins realized he would not be availa-

ble to do it.

So that is the financial side. As an experience, it was the best convention in years. The

most common comment I received was how amazing it is to have such a small chorus

do such an amazing job and also perform so well on stage. Bump a buddy at this

point. Here are some, not all the people who led our success:

Chorus Contest MC – Ken Galloway Contest Administrator – Don Fuson Donated risers – Oregon SenateAires Evergreen Senior Chorus Director – John Burri Finance – Paul Lewis and Paul Graves Harmony Platoon - John Ludeman and Greg Verhappen Hilton facilities & registration (Catering & Events Manager) Christine Ballard Hilton audio/visual (PSAV) Roger Ledin Hilton contact Cassie Gorrell House Manager and Open Mike honcho – Dick Handley Housing – Bud Roberts Judges Services (including transportation for Judges and VIP’s) – John Burri Printing – Aaron Weller Publicity & Public Relations (including Ad sales) - Duncan Gilman Quartet Friday Contest MC – Bobby Huber Registration – Aaron Weller and Duncan Gilman Rehearsal Space, risers, riser crew management – Todd Dignan Riser reconstruction and hauling – Jeff Welsh Scissors Truss provider Brent Atkins Sunbelt Rentals, Inc., hauler Bud Roberts, and tow vehi-

cle provider – Rapid Soil Solutions Secretary and Raffle organizer – Paul Graves (don’t forget Judy Graves!) Show of Champions MC – Rob MacDonald Signs – Tim McDonough with input from Duane & Larry Perkins Sound, Lights, stage and drapes - David Dobson, Michael Reed -Amphion Productions & BTS

volunteers Stage Manager – Duane Christensen Videographer, photographer - Jay Nordling Visit Vancouver - Christine Whitney Volunteer Recruiters and Coordinators – Dick Handley, Linda Clifton and Donna Ebner and

lots of helpers from Northwest Harmony Chorus and Columbia River Chorus. Website manager – Paul Lewis

Thank you all!

Have You Missed Copies of the

TIMBRE or the Greensheet?

Archived copies of YOUR district newsletters are stored conveniently on the Evergreen District website - click here

Any missed copies can be downloaded directly to your computer or printed.

Hello Evergreen!

I have the privilege of announcing to you the men who will be providing administrative leadership to our District in 2018. Some are well seasoned and very experienced; some are brand new to District Administration. It is likely that some of them are in your own Division and well known to you!

As you work through your Chapter planning and preparations for success in 2018, let me assure you that we have your back. Please confide and rely on us for advice and help for any of your needs as you organize events, plan to improve your music or leadership skills, set your budgets, complete your mandatory filings, launch a recruitment drive, develop a media outlet, or-ganize awards, or just want to talk. We'd particularly like to hear about your successes and share your joy with you.

Please recognize and have a word with any of them when opportunity arises. They all work hard for you and all share the goal of making Evergreen a great place to sing and enjoy the fellowship of singing barbershop.

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Here are your incoming Evergreen District Officers and Operations Team

2018 Executive Officers

District President Charles Metzger

charlie.metzger@gmail.com

Executive Vice President John Rettenmayer

Treasurer Don Thorn

Secretary Paul Graves

Immediate Past President Rob Macdonald

bassrgm@gmail.com

Board Members at Large Rob Nitz, Ken Leonard,

Glenn Hayes

2018 District Operations Team

Director of Education John Rettenmayer

Director of Events Don Cain

Director of Communications Bob Robson

Director of Membership Bob Thomas

Director of District Support Bob Huber

2018 Incoming President Charlie Metzger’s Message

PLAN FOR IT, AND IT CAN HAPPEN by Charlie Metzger, Evergreen EVP and 2018 Incoming President

We all want to be in a successful chapter, one that meets our needs, one that has enough members so that singing with fewer than four parts is not an issue, one that is appreciated and works well with the community. I agree. Sometimes, when I ask a chapter representative how things are going, they tell me that all they need is some young new members. Yes, I think we are all happy to have the young and hap-py joining us, but it's unlikely to happen unless we plan to work towards it! What would be an incentive for them to come, and what would keep them coming?

From what I've experienced, there are a few conditions we can plan around. First of all, they are attracted to good singing. By planning for coaching, personal vocal instruction for members, and investing in developmental education for our directors, we can move towards this goal. No one I know sings perfectly, and barbershop is an art form that begs for continual improvement. Plan for it, and it can happen! And musical progress is fun!

Having fun is also part of the solution. A chorus full of grumpy guys, young, old or in between, does not attract very much that we want! If we're making progress and having a good time; that's something to be happy, even excited about! Then we can hold a "Real Men Sing" vocal instruction program for newbies, and there's a good chance they'll join! And, if you hum and sing as you pass through the crowds in your life, perhaps your enthusiasm will be noticed and interest in joining you will quicken. Plan for it, and it can happen!

And of course, to support this, we singers always need an organizer/leader combination to do the planning and make it happen! Of course, that might you! Get in touch with a District Representative. We offer you what you want and need to move ahead. Come to what is arguably the best barbershop school in any District: our own Harmony College Northwest. Your efforts must be about planning to learn if you want to change the status quo. Plan for it, and it can happen.

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2018 Harmony College Northwest - Early Alert For Directors

Director - Ken Potter

The wizard Deans of Harmony College Northwest have pulled off yet another coup. Over the years they have managed to bring to the University of Pu-get Sound campus an amazing series of barbershop stars and they have done it again in the person of Robert Mance, director of the 2016 silver medalist and current third place chorus, Central Standard from Kansas City.

I don’t know what classes Rob will teach at the 2018 HCNW, but it really doesn’t matter. Whatever those classes turn out to be, all Evergreen directors, assistant directors, and wanna-be directors ought to be in them. You should put June 15-18, 2018, on your calendar in big red letters right now!

I have taken several classes from Rob at Harmony University and they were all excellent. If you want to get a taste of those classes, you can watch many of them on the BHS’ Youtube channel. Do that, but don’t miss the chance to hear and see Rob in person and to ask him your questions.

I look forward to seeing you in Tacoma.

John Rettenmayer, Evergreen Director of Education johnrettenmayer@me.com

HCNW is designed every year for YOU and every other member of the Evergreen District. Our theme this year has been our theme since HCNW started years ago…. “We bring in the best …. because it’s all about YOU!”

Here’s what some of last year’s students had to say for their “best moments:”

Spending time with the outstanding quartets brought in for us to observe and gain knowledge from. They were so willing and available to

give to us their experiences and what they have gone through to get to the level they are at. This has been the consistency of Harmony Col-lege Northwest from the time I started going in 2010. This is why I will continue to go every year that I can, because I always come away with something new to add that will allow me to be better at what I love to do.

All [faculty] are top notch and go out of their way to share their knowledge and expertise. After 8 yrs attending HCNW, I am still amazed at

the quality of sharing and learning opportunities.

Favorite Moment: The overall atmosphere of sharing, learning, coaching, and community.

Harmony College is simply bringing together marvelous teachers and coaches, to help YOU grow your craft, and expand your fun and joy in barbershop.

Here are some of the BEST for you in 2018:

The Newfangled Four: 2013 BHS Collegiate Quartet Champions. Watch their Banana Phone performance on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESWi63VIAjc

Love Notes Quartet: 2014 Sweet Adelines International Quartet Champions. Here’s a link to their finals package: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWqtFxW4kiE

Kevin Keller has been singing barbershop since 1978. He is a certified Music Judge and popular coach with quartets and choruses across the country, and he is definitely a sought after arranger. Kevin’s arrangements are listed on: http://www.harmonize.ws/kkeller

Robert Mance is the musical director of Central Standard in Kansas City. He is currently pursuing a degree of Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting at the University of Kansas. He is an active clinician for high school vocal ensembles, maintains a recording studio, and serves as an active barbershop coach and society judge.

Marty Lovick has been a barbershopper since the age of 17. Marty is a Performance judge and coach who has practiced his craft all over the world, including 13 times on the International contest panel. He has been a judge since 1986. An Evergreen District Hall of Famer, Marty is a past Evergreen District Quartet Champ [Counterpoint] and a seasoned International quartet and chorus competitor.

As a “lifer” in our wonderful musical endeavor Marty’s greatest joy comes from seeing groups of all ages experience higher levels of perfor-mance and the rewards that come from touching the hearts of the audience. Having the honor of coaching many youth groups and engaging in the learning process with them has brought his barbershop career full circle.

Jan Carley, the Inner Coach of Barbershop, has transformed the singing experiences of thousands of barbershoppers worldwide. An interna-tionally credentialed professional executive coach, and author of The Overtone Effect and Harmony from the Inside Out, Jan works with direc-tors, choruses, leadership teams, boards, regional faculty, quartets and individuals to open up powerful possibilities, maximize potential and catalyze significant and immediate positive change. Visit her website: http://www.innercoachofbarbershop.com

Make your plans now to attend HCNW next June 15-17, 2018:

Mark your calendar – and keep the weekend open!

Start saving up for the best weekend you’ll have next summer!

Share your excitement! Encourage others in your chorus to come with you – including your director(s). Even consider getting some

chorus coaching during the weekend. You will all come back to your chorus with new skills, and new excitement. Quartet coaching! HCNW is a great time for redefining your quartet and your goals. New ideas, new tools, and new opportunities lie ahead. Visit www.harmonycollege.org for more information over the coming months. Registration will open by March 1st.

Carl Van Hoff, HCNW Co-Dean

HARMONY COLLEGE NORTHWEST - 2018

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Quartet Contest Pictures From 2017 Vancouver, WA Convention

Second Place - Momma’s Boys

Third Place - Pacific Ring

First Place - Marksmen

Left to Right:

Josh Honrud, Baritone

Brian Hamm, Bass

Mark Metzger, Lead

Joseph Livesay, tenor

Left to Right:

Steven Kelly, Tenor

Ian Kelly, Lead

Michael Kelly, Bass

Sean Kelly, Baritone

Left to Right:

Jacob Yoakum, Tenor

Dean Waters, Lead

Adrian Leontovich, Bass

Daniel Hofkamp, Baritone

Here Are The Top Three 2017 Evergreen Quartets

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2017 Hall Of Fame Inductee Gerry Borden

Gorgeous surroundings

Tagging into the wee small hours

Response by Gerry Borden:

Thank you, so very much, for the honor bestowed this past weekend. It is truly an honor and

privilege to be inducted into the Evergreen District Hall of Fame. To see the great luminaries

of the District who share the green jacket humbles me. I feel like the dim bulb that helps to make their accomplishments burn that much brighter.

Thank you for the opportunity to have served the District over the past nearly 30 years in

leadership, education and performance. This recognition, though, is shared by many, for no one man can accomplish much without the support of the many men and women who active-

ly participate in the workings of our chapters, district and Society. Again, thank you!

Evergreen Hall of Fame Inductee

The newest member of the EVG Hall of Fame has a very

large resume. Suffice it to say he has done many, many

things in EVG and in his personal life: the short list

would be that he has been a member over 30 yrs. as a

leading chapter officer, quartetter, Director in 3 chorus-

es, Dist. Pres. Exec. V.P. , CSLT V.P., Trustee of the

BLMF, Director of the Pacific Barbershop Summit, In-

structor at HCNW, Society aboard member, Board mem-

ber and Trustee of Sing Canada Harmony, Chapter

Counselor, went to Harmony University many times, has

a teaching certificate and a Bachelor’s degree from on

Seattle Pacific Univ , instructed music at Univ. of Fraser

Valley, worked for Parks Canada, and is the present

President and Director of Heritage Abbotsford Society

although along with a great love for Western Canadian

history and in facilitating that through his various com-

munity and provincial jobs and programs.

We welcome Gerry Borden (as well as his wife Linda)

into the Hall of Fame for 2017. Congratulations to a

very busy, dedicated and talented man !!!

Could you please tell us what you are up to?

What has your chapter been doing lately? Your TIMBRE is an excellent media vehicle to share news about your chap-ter with the other chapters in Evergreen, and beyond, be-

cause we share the TIMBRE with other districts throughout the Society. We want to know and share your successes! Have you had a successful visitation, sing-out, membership recruitment drive, received an honor, highlights of honored members, or the passing of a member? Don’t hesitate to contact the editor or division news digest-er to promote an upcoming show or event. We’ll help you get the word out to the entire membership, plus our pa-trons and subscribers. Keep those cards and letters coming! Email: Bob Robson

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SUPPORT...

Attention !! – All Quartet Men

To the quartets that have competed in the Novice segments of our Spring Prelims, one of you guys has the Traveling Plaque for Novice winners and it really belongs to the District and is to be handed out each year. So, those of you who competed in that cate-gory and won the plaque please advise me. And get it back to me so we can update and re-dedicate it yearly as it was intended. This means if you competed between 2011 and 2017 you’ve got it hidden somewhere. Let’s find this important piece of recogni-tion and get it back in circulation, please! and thank you!

Bobby Huber, Director- District Support Operations Team

If you know where it is or who might have it, please contact me by phone at 425-337-0805, or email bobbyhuber@comcast.net)

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Evergreen District Historian’s Highlights

“Push to the Future = Preservation Part 2” by Jim Betteley

Need help from our members who may know something about the following. If that by chance is you, please contact me privately at jabetteley@msn.com

We used to have a chapter in Cle Elum, so it is likely they held a division contest there. Only two of our division contests are mentioned for that year in our 50 years of Evergreen District. See: http://www.evgadmin.org/History/Evergreen%2050%20Year%20History%20-%201971-1983%20Coming%20of%20Age.pdf

I’ve been asked if any of the many district bulletins reveal anything about a divi-sion contest in Cle Elum. I could not find anything. Does anyone have anything or know any details about this?

As I’ve said, we have a huge opportunity to go forward and document our history in the moment making it readily available for all interested to peruse at their leisure by putting it online.

I hope you’ve been thinking and conversing about this as well as talking with each other at the chapter level in search of a chapter historian. You will certainly want to be represented when this all starts to come together. We don’t want anyone left out.

Chapter Presidents will receive a letter from me pertaining before the end of this year. I’m looking for chapter level historians who can share your history with all of us through a web portal. If you haven’t been discussing this, don’t wait any longer.

Preservation of our past directly correlates with the strong and healthy future of our hobby. Believe it or not these things are accomplished in big part by historians and are key aspects in retaining current members and attracting new ones.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Evergreen!

Jim Betteley - Evergreen District Historian

Thanks in advance.

STANDING OVATION REVIEW - IS IT FOR YOU? by Bobby Huber, SOR Chairman

Do you know what an SOR Evaluation is? Have you ever had one? Do you know where to get one? What do I need to do to find out?

The Standing Ovation Review program is available to EVERY chapter in the Barbershop Harmony Society. Here in Evergreen, if you

need more information call me, email me or capture me and we can get one set for your chapter (also available for quartets too!!)

There is NO COST except for a couple of show tickets to the performance, and then you will get a written evaluation to help you fine

tune those “missed opportunities” that may help your chapter get that long awaited Standing Ovation that we all strive for. And, it is

to your benefit to get some POSITIVE feedback on how to improve your performances in the future. What are you waiting for?

Thanks and keep on singing well – we are here to help.

Bobby’s contact info: email bobbyhuber@comcast.net Home phone 425-337-0585 Cell phone 206-953-3864

(Please note that in the last issue of the Timbre (September, 2015) there was a more complete description of the SOR program and its

benefits to chapters, choruses and quartets).

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Chorus Contest Pictures From 2017 Vancouver, WA Convention

Second Place - Voices Incorporated

Third Place - Boise Chordsmen

First Place - Oregon SenateAires

Director:

Ian Kelly

Director:

Travis Tabares

Directors:

Steve Morin

Will Fox

Most Improved Chorus went to Cascade Chorus, directed by Coby Foster

Small Chorus Award went to The Squares Quartet Singers Association, directed by Sean Huston

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WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH THE BUD LEABO MEMORIAL FUND? by Ken Galloway; President BLMF

Question: Our chapter wants to try something new (at least for us) – is there a chance that the BLMF could help with some “seed money?” Answer: Absolutely! Go to the BLMF web-site (www.budleabo.com ) and click on the button “Apply for a Grant.” How can I help BLMF support barbershop activities within the Evergreen District? Easy. A gift of any size can be mailed directly to Finance Director, Don Thorn, 33838 E. River Dr., #43, Creswell, OR; 97426. Don will send you a thank you along with a receipt. The current trustees include: President Ken Galloway (Columbia Gorge), Treasurer Don Thorn (Eugene), Secretary Keith Eckhardt (Bellingham), Kendall Williams (Bellevue), Don Craig (Calgary), John Burri (Portland Metro), and Judy Galloway (Harmony of the Gorge).

Bud Leabo Memorial - Funding Available

Ably assisted by Greg Verhappen, Platoon stalwart John Ludeman again organized a

great Harmony Platoon event in Vancouver. Singers pre-learned 4 songs, then were

drawn in random order quartets, picked one of the songs from a hat, picked a catchy

quartet name, and sang in front of judges and their fellow platoon participants.

Judges included the illustrious Mel Knight, Jim Bates, and other Evergreen luminaries.

Three rounds were held, on Thursday night, Friday Morning, and Friday afternoon.

A winning quartet was picked in each round to wear the EVG District 2017 Harmony

Platoon Champion medals, until the next round. They also got to keep their quartet

together for the following round, while all other quartets were re-drawn.

There was some great singing, a few crashes (but like NASCAR, who comes for the

smooth sailing, most come to see the crashes), and a lot of fun for all involved.

When the smoke cleared in the 3rd round, a quartet called “ Clef Jumpers” got to take

home the medals. They also got to be the mike testers for the quartet semi-finals con-

test on Friday evening. Here are the proud winners with their medals.

Harmony platoon is a great way to “get your feet wet” in quartetting, or just to sing

interesting songs with lots of great guys from other chapters. This year several ladies

participated, singing the regular male arrangements, on tenor or lead mainly. Watch

for the announcement of next year’s Harmony Platoon in Spokane, and you too could

take home a piece of hardware to show off to your chorus mates!

ATTENTION

ALL CHAPTER MARKETING

AND PUBLIC RELATIONS MEN

The Evergreen Communications Opera-tions Team has assembled a resource file for chapter marketing and Public

Relations officers.

We are pleased to announce the this file is now stored on the evgadmin web-site. We urge chapter officers to view the site to find ideas and guidance about getting more effective publicity

within your communities.

Here is the link:

EVG Marketing Resources

2017 Harmony Platoon in Vancouver, WA

Kevin Robertson Larry Breitbarth Jeff Billo David Mirhady

Baritone Bass Lead Tenor

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Division 1 Master Class with Deke Sharon

-by Kathy Griffin, baritone with the Vancouver Thunderbird Chorus

November 16, 2017 was a memorable day

for Division One’s Vancouver Thunderbird

Chorus. Deke Sharon-- BHS Honourary Life-

time Member, founder of the Contempo-

rary a Cappella Society of America, music

director of both Pitch Perfect and The Sing

Off--hosted a master class for a cappella

choirs/choruses/quartets in Vancouver,

B.C. Each group came prepared with a

song, performed it, and was given twenty

minutes of coaching on stage by Deke.

For those who haven’t experienced a mas-

ter class , being critiqued in front of other

singers and audience members while

you’re on stage can be nerve-wracking!

We were nervous and so focused on not

making a mistake that we displayed tension

and fear. While technically we did pretty

well, our lack of “story-telling” came

through loud and clear.

With his warmth and sense of humour, Deke quickly zeroed in on this by saying that directors can’t just tell us to “be happy” or “be sad”—

it’s up to us to get that emotion across. We must think of a memory…something that relates to the lyrics of the song so that we can sing it in

a genuine way. The singers must take ownership because we are responsible for the mood and how it comes across to the audience.

He went on to say this: the artistry is better when we just let go. Yes, pitch and rhythm and lyrics and phrasing are important…but it’s the

artistry, the feeling, the emotion that connects us with others.

Think about performances that have meant a lot to you—yes, we love it when something is technically perfect. But what we remember,

what we as audience members connect with is when someone shows genuine emotion on stage. This is what touches our hearts and allows

us to bond with one another as human beings.

Deke said that when we get up on stage, we have the opportunity to change another person’s life. Somewhere in that audience there is a

person who is hurting, who is grieving, who’s feeling that life might not be worth living. We have the power to connect with them through

music. Every time we get up there, our goal must be to save a life. If we’re singing but inside we’re thinking “ooh, that high note is coming”

or “gotta make sure my alignment is good” then our focus is only on ourselves trying not to make a mistake and not about connecting

with others. In essence, we’re missing an opportunity to make a difference. We must imagine that there’s somebody out there who needs

to hear us right now. Don’t allow our eyes to glaze over, don’t stare rigidly at the director (but do keep the director in our peripheral vision).

Our goal must be to connect with people in the audience.

By the end of our coaching session, the difference in our singing was unmistakable. There was energy, there was connection--with each oth-

er and with the audience; even our pitch was more in sync. It was incredible.

Deke is as passionate about bringing people together as he is about getting the whole world singing. As barbershoppers, we get to sing to-

gether every week at rehearsals, retreats, performances, and more. The next time we’re performing, we should ask ourselves: what do we

need to do in order to make a difference, or reach someone?

We must allow ourselves to be vulnerable and shed the mask in order to experience true artistry which will allow us to bond with another

human being.

Finally, when you’re having one of those days when you think that what you’re doing isn’t really changing the world, remember this:

“What you do, matters.” –Deke Sharon . He’s right.

There is no “I” in Team by Larry Osterman, Evergreen Communications Operations Team

Ok, yeah – the headline is a cliché. But for chorus marketing, you really DO need a team. The reality is that there are simply too many pieces of the pie for

a marketing department for one person to do it alone.

Of course, the needs of every chorus are different, but in general, you’re going to need people to cover:

Internet – the person (or persons) to manage your internet presence (primarily around social media)

Advertising – in this case, I’m talking about the person who’s responsible for advertising *your* chorus, not soliciting advertisements for your pro-

gram (that’s a different job).

Media Relations – letting local media (print, radio and television) know about your activities.

Graphic Design – someone on your team (possibly an external contractor needs to be able to do graphic design).

Let’s talk about each of these.

The internet coordinator’s job is to manage the chorus’s social media presence. They need to prepare advertisements (probably in coordination with the

graphic designer) for distribution via social media. They probably should take videos of chorus activities and post them on YouTube or your chorus’s Face-

book page (this is especially important if you have an upcoming event – giving people a taste of what they’re going to hear can be invaluable). It’s im-

portant that the chorus’s internet presence be active – if you don’t have new content available, people stop paying attention to you and it’s harder to let

them know of your events.

The advertising coordinator’s job is to make sure that there are print advertisements for your events running in appropriate publications. That usually

means the show programs for other choruses, local newspapers (and broadcast media if appropriate), various community bulletin boards (which are usual-

ly free!), working with local businesses (and chorus members) to distribute posters, etc.

It cannot be understated how valuable media relations can be. Local TV and Radio stations often have local morning shows that would love to be able

to showcase local groups (for example, The Newfangled Four quartet was featured on Home&Family on the Hallmark Channel advertising singing

valentines earlier this year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9T7NyaypqA)). The media coordinator’s job is to develop contacts with the

local media organizations and let them know of upcoming events.

And finally, the linchpin of the entire operation: The Graphic Designer. Their job is to prepare the actual visuals for your chorus’s events. The graphic de-

signer doesn’t need to be a chorus member, but it helps (because designers really like to be paid for their work and chorus members are volunteers :)).

Their responsibilities include creating visuals for each event, tailoring those visuals for different advertisement requirements (it is surprising how much

variation there is in advertisement sizes in chorus programs).

With a good team, chorus marketing can run smoothly and without a hitch. Without one, it can easily become overwhelming.

I welcome your feedback and comments, as always, feel free to drop me a line at larryotimbre@outlook.com.

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Evergreen Conventions Team Plans For 2018

All five of the Evergreen Division conventions are now scheduled as shown here:

Division IV – 6-7 April; Eugene, OR

Division II and Int. Quartet Prelims – 20-21 April; Federal Way, WA

Division I - 27-28 April; Nanaimo, BC

Division V - 18-19 May; Missoula, MT

Division III – 25-26 May; Calgary, Alberta

The Fall District convention is hosted by Spokane, 25-26-27 October. We will be returning to the DoubleTree Hotel as the headquarters and conducting the contest in a new space just east of the hotel, that is part of the Convention Center. We look forward to seeing as many Evergreen District members as possible at each convention. Good luck. Don Cain, Evergreen Events Director.

Chapter Marketing - by Larry Osterman

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Seeking New Revenue Sources For Evergreen - By DON THORN

At House of Delegates in October, President Rob Macdonald mentioned the need for someone to ramrod alternate giving opportunities. We are not taking full advantage of these and doing so could enable us to continue to hold down our dues costs to our members. Let me mention a few opportunities that we are currently underutilizing and you can see how great an opportunity this could be financially. One great example is Harmony Foundation. Those donating to Harmony Foundation can select the Donor’s Choice option. You may elect a certain percentage of your donation be designated to go to your chapter or your district (up to 30% total). Yes, the Donor Choice may be split. Currently in Evergreen we have only 12 families electing to donate in this way. Evergreen receives approximately $2000 each year. What would happen if 120 families did this? With similar donations, we could receive $20,000 per year. Budget issues could be resolved by help from only 10% of our Evergreen members. Several members of Evergreen have signed up with Amazon Smile. This is Amazon’s Foundation arm which donates ½ of 1% of sales to your selected charity (Evergreen is an option). These few folks have brought in $60 to Evergreen. If we could convince 200 people to sign up (rather than the 2 we have now) with similar purchases we could earn $6000 per year. The list of possible places to sign up and earn for Evergreen are many. Employers may have company matching donations. Yes, that has happened in Evergreen. Have you checked with your employer? Do they have such a program? eScrip is best known in education as a funding source for schools. There are schools which earn over $57,000 in a single year. We can also sign up and benefit from these opportunities. One person doing eScrip will not make a large contribution. But if we had several hundred, it would be significant. There are many retired people in our organization. One of the best places to find dollars in eScrip is with purchases of cruises. I have signed up for a number of these opportunities. It’s usually simple and quick. Help us finance Evergreen in a relatively painless man-ner. Many of you have names of opportunities I do not know. We need that one energetic individual to compile and encourage our mem-bers to jump on this financial bandwagon. Are you that person? Communicate with Robert Macdonald or Charlie Metzger. Join us as we work toward making Evergreen better.

Don Thorn, Evergreen District Treasurer

Paul K Graves was elected EVG District Secretary by vote of the HOD in October replacing Keith Eckhardt who has relocated to Central California. Paul was born in New Haven, CT and raised in the Pacific Northwest. His father was part of the wood products industry and the family eventually settled in Portland. He began choral singing upon entering Sunset High School in the early 60’s and joined the school chorus. He was quickly asked by the director to sing in the Freshman Quartet and sang quartet music through his senior year.

Paul left active singing when he went to college (the University of Oregon and the University of Oregon School of Law). He met and married his wife, Judy, in law school. She was in the class behind him in law school. After graduation from law school he entered the US Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps in 1970. Paul served for four years on active duty and continued his military service in the US Army Reserves until his military retirement in 1998. After leaving active duty Paul worked for The Boeing Company for more than 31 years in the Contracts Depart-ment and retired in 2005. Judy worked as an attorney in private practice for 25 years. Together, they raised two children.

In the early 1990’s Paul returned to singing barbershop with the Northwest Sound Barbershop Chorus in Bellevue, WA. He was lucky to have the chance to perform with the chorus at International Barbershop Contests in New Orleans, Calgary, and Miami. After several years working in Washington DC Paul retired from Boeing and He and his wife moved to Portland in 2010 .

Paul began singing with Bridge Town Sound Barbershop Chorus in 2011 and has served four years as the Chapter Secretary and two years as the VP, Music and Performance, and in a variety of team and individual leadership positions. Paul was chosen the Chapter BOTY in 2015.

Paul: “I am thrilled to undertake the challenge of the EVG District Secretary position and look forward to meeting and working with my fellow EVG chapter secretaries and leaders.”

Meet Our New EVG District Secretary – Paul K Graves

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Mel’s Musical MusingsMel’s Musical Musings By Mel Knight, Evergreen Education Operations Team

COMEDIC PERFORMANCE In past articles I’ve talked about song selection and how important it is to the overall success of a quartet or chorus performance. This time I’d like to address a specific type of performance: COMEDY.

A song with funny lyrics or a conventional song with a comedic visual presentation can be very enter-taining, but can be difficult to execute. To be effective, comedy requires good timing, a lot of rehears-al and constant polishing. Following are some guidelines you might consider when putting together a comedic presentation.

Some people are naturally funny while others are not. How many quartets do we watch (and listen to) who try to use comedy to cover poor singing? Do you actually have the visual chops to pull it off? Can one or more members of your group do comedy well? Always consider the group dynamics. Who are we and what kind of music can we do to be successful?

Just singing funny words is not enough. The group must be totally involved in the presentation. If one quartet member is presenting the comedy, the other members must react to the lyrics, even if they are just singing a background to the main character. Watch any great comedy quartet such as the Aliens or Fred or Storm Front, and notice the total involvement of everyone.

If you take on the role of the main character, that character must be believable and consistent in his actions (and reactions). Your identity must come through to the audience or the character is destroyed. Really be the person you are presenting on stage. When the character is fully developed, the audience will identify with him and appreciate the performance even more.

Good singing enhances the comedy. If you don’t sing reasonably well, the audience will feel sorry for you instead of laugh! Check out those groups I mentioned earlier to see if that isn’t true. Sing the best you can, funny or not.

Make sure the punch lines are musically and visually clear and build to a comedic climax. Leave time for the audience to catch the joke before moving to another comedic highpoint. Don’t make the presentation too busy.

Parodies are a great type of comedy. Try to stay reasonably close to the original song so audiences pick up the overall joke. Don’t use all your comedic “hooks” in the first few lines, but save the best ones for the climax.

Have someone watch and listen to your comedic songs when you are rehearsing. Is it funny? Is everyone involved? Are you using all the musical material to the max? Are there little changes that could improve the performance? Then practice so that the timing is consistent and well executed.

All of your ensemble’s songs don’t have to be comedic. Mix and match uppers, ballads, with some funny material. The Marksmen, this year’s Evergreen District Champions, are a great example of successfully negotiating both quality singing and comedy.

Comedy can range from slapstick to a few subtle lines of dialogue. Good comedy can be quite entertaining, and barbershop audiences have become accustomed to expecting some. Give them your best effort, whether it’s a song with a lot of belly laughs to just a quick story between songs. Oh, and did I mention to sing well too?!

Happy Singing - Mel Knight, Evergreen Education Operations Team

BARBERSHOP CRAFT

I’ll bet you didn’t know that Over Time, 2000 International Senior Quartet Champion are still together! Better yet, we are still booking shows! We have some new songs that we’re sure will tickle your audience’s fancy: gospel, up tunes, ballads and comedy. You’ll hear songs from us you won’t hear anywhere else!

Our fee? Forget it. We’d just like to perform on your show and will be happy to appear for expenses only. Or even a small honorarium if you insist and we’ll donate it to the QCED Endowment Fund, which promotes coaching and development of quartets in the Evergreen District. You can’t beat the price! On top of that, we’d be willing to put on a quartet workshop or do some coaching prior to the show. If we haven’t sung on your show for a while, now’s the time for a repeat performance. If we have never appeared on your show in the past, we think the time has come.

Contact: Mel Knight 503-590-1646 Melbari@aol.com 14897 SW Osprey Ct Beaverton, OR 97007

We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Over TimeOver Time

Gary Jerry Bud MelGary Jerry Bud Mel

TIPS FROM OUR DISTRICT MEMBERSHIP GUY ABOUT GETTING NEW RECRUITS!

by Bob Thomas, Evergreen Director for the Membership Operations Team

Do you ever get mail or emails from your old realtor? Why do they keep doing that? Your needs

may change and you may need to sell the house you bought or move back to your old neighbor-

hood or know someone else who is in need of a realtor. They send out little reminders, each a

little different so as not to bore you and get pissed off at the spam.

Well…the same can apply to your mailing list of people.

Does your chorus have a mail and/or email list of people that have attended shows, shown inter-

est on your website, been guests, supporters or past members? If not, why not? This is a valuable resource. It’s what we call in

the sales world, “a warm lead.” They have knowledge and/or have shown interest in your product (barbershop singing.)

What if you asked each of them to bring someone to your show who had never seen or heard barbershop before? What if you

informed all of these people that the chorus was offering free singing lessons for men or that the chorus was currently audition-

ing singers, and especially looking for tenors and basses, or whatever? Like most marketing and advertising, it can take many

reminders, notifications or forms of publicity before it may have an impact.

How often is there new news about your chorus on Facebook, Twitter, the local newspaper (in print or online) or local bulletin

boards?

Advertising once a year for a guest night will not help very much as your chorus battles attrition.

Might I suggest that you plan to regularly get the word out about what your chorus is doing. Examples:

Welcoming new members

About upcoming or past performances-shows, national anthems, tree lightings, local fairs or street markets

Singing Valentines or other holidays where you might offer quartets or the chorus for hire -St. Patrick’s Day, Fourth of July,

Mother’s Day, company or private holiday parties, etc.

What about when your chorus offers up money for a scholarship, works at the local food bank, sponsors a blood drive,

coaches a high school chorus or quartet or does some work for habitat for Humanity?

These are all opportunities to get your name out there and build your fan base, which in turn will help with show ticket sales

AND bringing in guests who will join your fine chorus.

Don’t get frustrated if every Public Service Announcement that you send to a newspaper doesn’t get printed. However, you still

have Facebook and emails. Of course, always allow people to unsubscribe from the emails if they feel bombarded or whatever.

Don’t be afraid to talk to other chapters or organizations to see how they get the word out about their organization.

Talk up your hobby and your chorus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS - Just for fun, would you email me if you read this article? Click here to email me

Please also let me know what you would like to read about regarding membership.

Bob Thomas, Evergreen Director of Membership

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MEMBERSHIP NEWS

Back to cover page Timbre - December 15, 2017 - Page 16

by Jamie Pederson Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from your Harmony Explosion Northwest (HX) staff. Unfortunately, the holidays don’t look bright for us. We just learned that the Harmony Foundation put a big lump of coal in our stocking! That’s right, our $7,500 grant request was denied. Although HF has asked us to re-submit our request in February, there is no guarantee we will receive anything, let alone the full $7,500 that we count on each year. To top it off, we are running about $4,000 behind what we normally have in our account at this time of year.

Please Note: We are very thankful for all the financial support we have received from the Harmony Foundation over the last 10 years, they have made a huge difference in our program. They just don’t have the resources to fund all the grant requests they received this year.

In our 16 years of operation, Mollie and I have seen over 2,300 students cross our stage. We have given up a lot in our lives to make HX happen for two main reasons:

Even though we can’t have kids of our own, God has given us the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of 150 kids each year

Music has had a profound impact on our lives, and we want to pass that along to make a positive impact on “our kids”

It takes a lot of time, effort, and dedication by our staff to continue making HX happen, but it’s all worth it to see these kids grow when they are surrounded by the power of music and positive role models.

I remember being told not to expect too much when we started training to become HX coordinators. The teachers would say we were “Cathedral Building,” meaning it may take years before we ever saw any impact from our work. Boy, were they wrong! Many of our HX leaders are also leaders in their choruses, or music educators, or in quality quartets.

One more thing: There is no better advertisement for barbershop music than giving the gift of music to our communities with no strings attached.

How can you help give Harmony Explosion a Merry Christmas?

Just go to www.harmonyexplosion.com, click on the PayPal donation button, and make a tax-deductible donation. We will accept any

amount. As an added bonus, you will receive 2 tickets to our Harmony Explosion Celebration Show on July 21st, 2018 for a donation of

$100 or more (a $40 value). The show will feature the 150 student HX chorus, and be headlined by 11th place SAI International semifi-

nalist quartet “Renegade,” and 2009 BHS International Champion quartet “OC Times!”

Thank you for your continued support. Your Harmony Explosion Northwest Staff

WILL HARMONY EXPLOSION HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS? IT’S UP TO YOU!!

Senior Quartet Results from Vancouver, WA Contest.

Senior International Qualifiers - Social Insecurity Senior Quartet Champions - Front Porch Swing

Left to Right: Gary Raze,tenor; Left to Right: Dennis McMullen, tenor;

Bob Martindale, baritone; William Woodbeck, lead;

Martin Anderson, bass; Bradley Pfau, baritone;

Kevin Stephens, lead Donald Cain, bass

Back to cover page Timbre - December 15, 2017 - Page 17

Harmony Platoon Chorus

We strongly encourage all members to support these organizations in the

excellent work they do to promote music education and encourage youth involvement.

Click on the logos below to go to the web sites.

BARBERSHOP TRIVIA – AND QUESTIONS??

I recently read in an email from BHS international that: "In the 1940s, Sam's Tavern opened near the Universi-ty of Washington. Sam sang 'When the Red, Red Robin Comes Bob-Bob-Bobbin' Along' with his barber-shop quartet. He loved the song so much that he changed the name of the establishment to Sam's Red Robin."

I was a student at the University of Washington in 1956 and lived at the Men's dorm on Campus Park-way. Once in a while, I walked across the Roosevelt Bridge and lifted a tankard at Sam's Red Robin. I was also a barbershopper at the time and was a member of the Seattle Chapter. I had heard that the chain of hamburger restaurants currently called the Red Robin originated in Seattle, but had never actually made the connection with Sam's. I have looked online and have been unable to find out (1) What was Sam's last name? (2) What was the name of his quartet? and (3) Did he ever have any connection with SPEBSQSA?

If anyone can shed any light in this, I would sure like to know. I think it would make a good barbershop trivia story.

Ray Heller, Olympia Chapter

DIVISION 1 2017 HIGHLIGHTS

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FLIPSIDE

by Jim Bates, Division 1 Events Co-ordinator

This past year, all of us in Division 1 decided we needed to get together as a whole more often.

Well thanks to Robb Sorensen and Andry Layarda, it happened.

Early in the spring, we first gathered all available from all chapters at the rehearsal hall of the Gentlemen of Fortune on a Tuesday night for

an evening of song and fellowship.

A few months later (maybe 3-4) we then gathered all available to meet at the rehearsal hall of the Langley First Capital chorus on a

Wednesday night - again for an evening of song and fellowship. We also learned a song as a group together that evening. It was fun.

We then met again in September at the Vancouver Thunderbirds hall. This time we met on a Saturday so even the Vancouver Island (5

members attended) and Interior chapters had the opportunity to participate. Again, a great day was had by all, and the Thunderbirds even

put on the Burgers and Hot dogs for all who wanted. (The picture is from the Vancouver get together.)

During these visits, all chapters were able to perform for each other a small 3 song set, where you were able to introduce any new songs

knowing you would have great support from your brothers.

The really great idea, and was a whole lot of fun, was during a small break, we were encouraged to put together quartets that had mem-

bers from at least two other chapters or even better if you had 4 different chapter members.

We will be doing this again next year with I hope, 4 different meeting days filled with more and copious amounts of Laughter, Love, and

Barbershop.

May all my friends throughout the District have a very Merry Season.

(Editor’s Note: - Thanks Jim. Other Divisions are encouraged to follow the lead of Division 1 and offer highlights that can be shared in future

issues of the Timbre – Bob R)

For Evergreen District & Historical Information, click the links:

Hall of Fame Members Scores Archives

Quartet Champions Past Presidents

Chorus Champions Tall Timbre Awards

Here’s a handy Link to the Master Online Calendar

at evgadmin.org : Click here for the Calendar

You will get an up to date view of current and future events. You can select type or date range of events you wish to see. Many events also have a link to a web page about the event.

For more useful information, please click on these links:

BHS Website Bud Leabo Memorial Fund Info BHS Phone Number - 1 - 800 - 876 - SING (6474) - toll free

EVGADMIN & EVGSINGS (Evergreen sites) Sing Canada Harmony

the evernet Harmony Foundation International

TIMBRE Advertising

Rates for 2018

A great way to be seen by barbershoppers

Full Page 7.5” x 10 “ $ 120. per issue

Half Page 5” x 7.5 “ $ 60. per issue

Qtr. Page 3.75” x 5 “ $ 30. per issue

Card Size 2” x 3.5 “ $ 15. per issue

Quartet 2” x 3.5 “ $ 10. per issue 0r $ 30 Annually Next ad deadline:

For 2018 TIMBRE #1 ( to be published Mar. 15, 2018 ) Publication-ready ads must be in by Feb. 28, 2018 Contact Bob Robson bob.robson@shaw.ca re availability and advertising content guidelines .

Back to cover page Timbre - December 15, 2017 - Page 19

EVERGREEN DISTRICT MASTER CALENDAR

EVERGREEN DISTRICT INFORMATION LINKS

MORE MEMBER RESOURCES LINKS

The Last Word